Married To My Exs Best Friend

When I was dating my boyfriend, Bradford Brad Jennings, his best friend, Declan Shaw, was constantly running me down.

Shes got nothing going for her but a pretty face.

Checking up on him just for a drink? Shell walk all over you once you put a ring on it.

Be a man, Jennings. Dont be a doormat, alright?

Goaded by Declans constant jabs, Brad ended up dumping me without a second thought.

Two months later, he had second thoughts. He called late one night, desperate to get back together.

But it wasn't Brad who answered the phone. It was Declan Shaw.

Buddy, truth is, the moment I first laid eyes on your girlfriend, I knew you and I were going to be lifelong friends.

Oh, and by the way, were getting married next month. Dont forget the gift.

Declan Shaw was introduced to me by Brad at some high-status mixer.

Baby, this is Declan. The big man.

Brads tone, as he introduced us, was clearly deferential. I looked over, suddenly feeling self-conscious.

Declan was sitting at the center of a small, admiring group, his expression casual, his face arresting. He exuded an air of undeniable generational wealth, far surpassing Brads inherited fortune.

He was far more valuable than Brad.

I offered a polite greeting: Declan, nice to meet you. Im Delaney Wells.

Declan didn't nod or speak. He simply stared at me.

He stared for two, maybe three, seconds.

Finally, he asked Brad:

Your girlfriend?

Yeah, man. The one I told you about.

Huh.

Declan suddenly turned away, his expression bored and impatient, dismissing me completely.

I shifted awkwardly, scratching my head. Even my generally optimistic nature couldnt ignore the creeping feeling: this alpha male did not like me.

My intuition was confirmed quickly.

It was Brads birthday, and hed invited a lot of his wealthy friends to celebrate, including Declan.

I was held up late at the office and arrived slightly behind schedule.

Just as I reached out to push open the private room door, I heard Declans lazy, drawling voice from inside.

Brad, seriously. What do you see in that girl? Shes got nothing going for her but being hot.

Oh.

Even the ruling class enjoys a little petty gossip, apparently. I felt a wave of embarrassment, pulling my hand back from the door handle. I tried to recall if Id done anything specific to offend the prince of the Shaw dynasty.

Inside, Brad replied, The face and the body, obviously. Shes that pure but secretly wild thing, right? Who wouldnt be into that?

You agree, right, man?

Declan went eerily silent for a few seconds before speaking again. So, are you going to marry her?

Brad hesitated. I dont know. Maybe eventually.

Look, Delaney is beautiful, no doubt. But shes a little simple, and her parents are just working-class people from out-of-state. I cant afford to lose this family trust battle to my half-brother just because of my choice of wife.

I knew about the illegitimate half-brother and the ongoing fight for control of the family business. I also knew that my parents, who ran a small auto shop and never asked for anything, couldn't give him the social or financial leverage he needed.

Declan hummed in response.

Right. You need to be cautious about who you align yourself with. Don't drop the family mansion for a simple distraction.

Brad sounded touched. Thanks for looking out for me, Declan. I needed to hear that. A toast to you.

A new round of sycophantic praise and toasting started up inside.

I stood outside the door, my chest tightening. I was hurt by Declans words, by the chasm between my background and Brad's, and, most of all, by Brads shaky commitment to me.

Its only been two months, I told myself. We have time to work this out.

When the conversation shifted to a different topic, I collected myself, took a breath, and pushed the door open.

Brad, acting like nothing had happened, rushed over and piled food onto my plate. The other guys were polite to my face.

Only Declan, from the moment I walked in, maintained a cold, irritated expression, as if my presence alone ruined his evening.

Fine. He clearly still hated me. I resolved to just keep my distance.

After that night, Brad seemed to have officially latched onto Declan Shaws coattails.

He was always out drinking and socializing with Declan and the rest of the exclusive crew. Hed come home reeking of stale alcohol and a faint, cloyingly sweet scent of cheap, club-girl perfume.

His dissatisfaction with me, fueled by his friends, grew daily. Hed criticize me for not drinking, for being quiet, for being too dependent.

One night, after Brad had been gone late yet again, I called him, worried.

Brad, what time are you actually coming home tonight?

Theres a strange, fragile masculinity that absolutely hates being "checked up on" during a night out with the guys. Brads tone was immediately terse.

Delaney, Im not done yet. Ill come back when Im done drinking.

Can you maybe not drink anymore? I miss you and want you to come home.

Just go to sleep, okay? Stop waiting up for me.

As soon as Brad hung up, a low chuckle came from the man beside him.

It was Declan.

Bradford, youre always getting checked up on the second you walk out the door. You let her do that now, shell be telling you when you can breathe after you get married.

The entire group burst out laughing.

Seriously, man. If my girl pulled that, Id ditch her for a new one.

Yeah, Brad. Are you a man or not?

Brad, embarrassed, bristled. Im going to talk to her. Im not letting a woman run my life.

Declan smiled, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes.

Brad finally came home the next day. He looked hungover, his clothes wrinkled, and the cheap perfume scent was now overpowering.

I chose my words carefully. Brad, can you stop going out with those guys? Especially Declan. I really dont trust him.

He was fiddling with his tie and frowned instantly. He remembered the sting of being mocked the previous night. My request hit a nerve.

Are you kidding me? Hes the sole heir to the Shaw fortune. My familys entire net worth is just a rounding error to him. If I land him, Im set for life.

...But I dont like him always taking you out drinking.

Delaney, be sensible. Your call last night made me look like an absolute joke in front of everyone.

I am being sensible.

Then be more sensible, okay? Stop calling me and checking up on me. Its annoying.

I felt a cold wave of disappointment. My concern was an inconvenience. I met his eyes for a moment, picked up my purse, and walked past him.

Brad, if youre not going to distance yourself from Declan and those guys, then we need a break. Lets cool off for a few days.

Delaney! Are you actually walking out on me?!

Brad yelled a few times, but I didnt look back.

The cold war began that day. He didn't come after me, and I didn't go back to the apartment, opting to crash at a friend's place near the office.

But then, an unknown number started sending me pictures of Brad over the last few days.

They showed him, looking dazed and indulgent, wrapped around different women in different clubs. He looked like he was having the time of his life.

I didn't know who was sending them. But someone was clearly trying to sabotage my relationship with Brad.

And, I had to admit, they were successful.

Furious and hurt, I sent Brad a simple text: We're done.

To my surprise, Brad didn't go out drinking that evening. Instead, he made dinner and asked for a second chance.

I was shocked. In the month wed lived together, he hadnt so much as taken out the trash.

Brad looked genuinely apologetic. Baby, I dont want to lose you. Lets just stop fighting, okay?

And what about your friends? What about Declan?

I cant completely cut him off; hes a huge asset to my career. But Ill minimize going out with them. I wont neglect you anymore.

I sighed in relief. That was a fair compromise. I nodded, and we agreed to meet halfway, ending the cold war.

Brad went happily to the kitchen to dish up the soup, and I went, equally relieved, to wash my hands in the bathroom.

Someone elses mood, however, was about to take a turn for the worse.

In a private lounge downtown, Declan lit a cigarette and called Brad.

Declan, hey, whats up?

Bradford, why arent you here drinking?

Brad sighed. Cant tonight, man. My girlfriend and I had a fight, so Im cooking dinner to make it up to her.

Declans voice instantly turned cold.

Making what up? Be a man, Brad. Stop being a simp. Got time to lick her boots? You should be here instead. I lined up a reliable investor for that new project you need. Hes here tonight. Talk business first. Dont let a woman distract you.

Brad hedged. But I just

Declans voice was icy and cutting.

Dont come, and Ill tell him youre not serious. I was hoping this project would help you crush that half-brother of yours, but forget it. Go back to being whipped.

No! No, man, Im coming. Im on my way.

Hurry up.

Declan hung up, blowing a stream of smoke toward the ceiling. A flash of cruel calculation crossed his dark eyes.

When I came out of the bathroom, Brad was hastily putting on his jacket.

I thought we were having dinner. Where are you going?

I have a meeting. A really important meeting. I have to go drink.

I felt a familiar frustration. Cant you go tomorrow? We just made up.

Brads voice was sharp.

Delaney, I thought after the cold war youd be more understanding. Why are you acting so needy?

My buddies were right, he thought. Cant give them an inch. I compromise slightly, and she starts trying to control my most important professional obligations.

I didnt want another fight, so I didnt try to stop him.

...Okay. Just come home early.

Ill try.

Brad snorted and walked out the door.

Midnight came and went. No Brad. No text.

I was about to go to sleep but realized he hadnt grabbed his key fob. Reluctantly, I called him.

In the private room, the meeting had gone mysteriously sideways.

Brad was fuming. The investor was bafflingly difficult, eventually walking out without a deal, and Declan hadn't said a single word in his defense.

As he was stewing, angrily running his hands through his hair and drinking too much, my call came in.

Brad, what time are you coming back?

That simple, check-in question detonated the entire nights accumulated frustration.

Delaney, are you seriously doing this again?

I told you Im in a meeting. Stop calling.

Why are you suddenly so unreasonable? So whiny and clingy?

I was so blindsided by the torrent of anger that I automatically tried to explain myself.

I just wanted to ask if you grabbed your

Just what? You really are nothing but a pretty face, aren't you? You cant offer me an ounce of help.

Get lost. Were done. Move out of my apartment tonight. I dont want to see you again.

The sheer viciousness of his words confirmed what I already knew. There was nothing left to save.

I said, simply:

Fine.

Brad slammed the phone down first.

His hangers-on, who'd overheard the gist of the call, immediately started congratulating him.

Wow, Brad. That was the most masculine thing youve done all year.

Attaboy! You cant let women get away with that. Youre talking business, not staying home to warm the bed.

Dont sweat it, man. Well line you up with some better-looking models.

The praise worked its magic, easing his frustrated mood.

He thought: Whatever. Delaneys just a nice piece of decoration. I can do better.

As he clinked glasses with his buddies, Brad suddenly noticed someone was missing.

Hey, where did Declan go?

Someone replied: He left a minute ago. Took his car keys. Said he was going to pick up his girlfriend.

Wait, he has a girlfriend? Whose daughter is she? I never heard anything about her.

Brad frowned. I have no idea.

The group started speculating, running down a list of eligible socialitesfrom the oil heiress to the shipping magnates granddaughterbut none fit.

Weird. So who is it?

Id only been living with Brad for a month, so my belongings weren't extensive. I packed quickly.

I left the apartment keys on the kitchen counter, slung my backpack over my shoulder, and dragged my two large suitcases out the door.

It hurt to be dumped, sure, but I was focused on logistics: securing a hotel room for the night, figuring out a new apartment lease. It was daunting.

I stood on the curb, pulling out my phone to hail a ride to the hotel Id just booked.

A sleek black Bentley Mulsanne pulled up slowly right in front of me.

Assuming I was blocking the curb, I stepped back to let it park.

The car crept forward again, right up to me.

What?

Confused, I looked up as the drivers window rolled down.

A familiar, handsome, and impeccably aristocratic face looked out.

Declan Shaw.

Declan looked straight at me, dropping the arrogant scorn hed worn in all our previous meetings. He was surprisingly gentle now.

Its Delaney Wells, right?

What a coincidence. Where are you off to so late?

Its not safe here. Let me drive you.

I half-suspected this was some kind of elaborate con. But that face, that composure, that seven-figure carit was unmistakable.

Since he was one of the primary reasons I was now single and homeless, I shook my head, keeping my voice cool and polite.

No, thank you.

Brad and I broke up. I dont need to inconvenience you.

Declan gave a small, smooth smile. A breakup doesnt prevent us from being friends, does it?

Friends? We were not friends.

I hesitated. Declan, really, Im fine.

Dont you want to know why Brad really broke up with you?

No.

...

Declan silently gritted his teeth, then tried again. Dont you want revenge? I can help you get back at him.

No, I dont.

Then why

Declan. I cut him off, tilting my head. Are you trying to steal my ride-share fare?

...Yes.

Declan paused, then didn't deny it.

My God. Has the economy sunk so low that the heir to the Shaw Empire is moonlighting as a late-night ride-share driver?

But a working stiff is better than a leech, I supposed.

I asked, How much are you charging?

Five dollars.

I pursed my lips. That was a bargain. The regular SUV I was about to call was charging thirty dollars late at night. Declans $5 Bentley was clearly the superior choice. Id save twenty-five bucks.

I quickly canceled my ride, looked up, and smiled.

Then Id appreciate the ride, Declan.

Its no inconvenience at all.

Declans lips curved slightly. He got out and opened the trunk to load my suitcases.

Phew. Hed almost resorted to forced love.