Bad Boy Stranger (Barracks Bad Boys Book 1) by Mia Kendall (11)

Prologue

 

 

 

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

RE: What upppp!!!

 

Hey Jules!!

So I know it’s kinda weird to be emailing you out of the blue (and six years after high school, no less!) but I was looking through some old photos on Facebook earlier this week and saw some pics we took together. Some crazy shit we got up to, huh?

Hope it isn’t too weird that I’m contacting your workplace email either. Your mum told me I could reach you here. Anyway, just HMU if you wanna reconnect! Would love to catch up!

 

XOXO,

M (you know who it is ;))

 

 

 

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

RE: What upppp!!!

 

Dear M,

Julianna left her position with us earlier this week. You may wish to contact her elsewhere.

Might I also suggest asking for her personal email next time? In case you didn’t realize, we’re running a business here.

 

Regards,

William Evans

Owner

The Barracks Pub

 

 

 

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

RE: What upppp!!!

 

Dear Mr Evans,

Thank you for informing me. It was kind of you to let me know, and I appreciate it.

What I do not appreciate, however, is your patronizing tone. I don’t see any problem with exchanging personal messages during work hours, within reason. Research has shown that giving your employees freedom in how they achieve their work goals greatly increases efficiency and productivity.

You might want to think on that.

 

Sincerely,

Megan Clark

P.S. It’s a Monday afternoon, AKA non-peak hours. Cut your employees—and yourself—some slack.

 

 

 

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

RE: What upppp!!!

 

How long did you take to Google all that?

 

Liam

P.S. I don’t take suggestions from “blonde sex bombs” on how to run my business.

 

 

 

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

RE: What upppp!!!

 

That’s discriminatory. There are plenty of hot, blonde women who are high flyers. I bet there are many of them who have achieved more than you.

 

Megan

 

 

 

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

RE: What upppp!!!

 

> There are plenty of hot, blonde women who are high flyers.

None of them who are you.

> I bet there are many of them who have achieved more than you.

Again, none of them who are you.

 

Liam

 

 

 

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

RE: What upppp!!!

 

How does it feel to be a Class A jerk?

 

Megan

 

 

 

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

RE: What upppp!!!

 

Pretty damned good, actually. I didn’t get where I am by being a pansy.

And you? How does it feel to be a…

Wait, what are you anyway? Or is being blonde the only thing you’ve got going for you?

 

L

 

 

 

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

RE: What upppp!!!

 

> Wait, what are you anyway?

I’m in advertising, and I work in the city. Seattle, to be exact.

> Or is being blonde the only thing you have going for you?

I’m actually brunette. Haven’t you heard of this thing called a joke?

 

M

 

 

 

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

RE: What upppp!!!

 

> I work in the city.

That explains a lot.

> Haven’t you heard of this thing called a joke?

I have, but this is my first time seeing anyone use their own email address to tell one.

It isn’t even that funny, by the way.

 

L

 

 

 

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

RE: What upppp!!!

 

> I work in the city.

> That explains a lot.

I knew you have something against city people. I bet you’re one of those country guys who drive around in their souped-up trucks and make fun of our subway systems.

And I bet you’re even the kind of jerk who laughs when a girl’s heel gets stuck in a grate and snaps off.

> It isn’t even that funny, by the way.

You know what’s funny? The fact that you’re now using your work email for personal matters. How’s that for hypocrisy?

 

M

 

 

 

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

RE: What upppp!!!

 

> I bet you’re one of those country guys who drives around in his souped-up truck…

Born and raised in Houston. Sorry to disappoint.

But you’re absolutely right; I do laugh at chicks who get their shoes stuck in fucking drains. And I’m guessing you’re one of those.

Thanks for the convo, by the way. It was… Entertaining.

Later.

 

L

 

 

 

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

RE: What upppp!!!

 

Entertaining?? What am I, a dancing monkey? You just had to have the last say, didn’t you?

 

M

 

 

 

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

RE: What upppp!!!

 

Hello??

 

 

 

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

RE: What upppp!!!

 

Jerk.

 

 

 

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

RE: Some weird chick just emailed you…

 

At your old address. A Megan Clark, said she wanted to reconnect.

I attached her message in case you want to get in touch with her.

 

Liam

 

 

 

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

RE: Some weird chick just emailed you…

Omg, got it! Thanks!!

 

Jules

 

 

 

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

RE: Some weird chick just emailed you…

 

You sound happy. Is she a good friend?

 

Liam

 

 

 

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

RE: Some weird chick just emailed you…

 

Yep, she was one of my best friends back in high school, and just the sweetest girl ever. But you know, life happened, she went away to the big city and all that. She left just before you moved into town actually.

Anyway, I’m so glad she emailed me! I was just thinking about her a week ago, isn’t that funny?

 

Jules

P.S. She’s really cute, in case you’re wondering.

 

 

 

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

RE: Some weird chick just emailed you…

 

> in case you’re wondering.

I wasn’t.

> She’s really cute

Got a picture?

 

Liam

 

 

 

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

RE: Some weird chick just emailed you…

 

So I don’t normally tout my girlfriends to my guy friends, but since you’re an all-round great guy and totally need to settle down already, here’s one from her Instagram. She was at some Halloween party, check out that adorable kitty-cat costume!

And try not to drool.

 

Jules

 

 

 

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

RE: Some weird chick just emailed you…

 

So?? She’s cute, right?

 

Jules

 

 

 

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

RE: Some weird chick just emailed you…

 

She’s alright.

 

Liam

 

 

 

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

RE: Some weird chick just emailed you…

 

OMG! You’re smitten!!

 

Jules

 

 

 

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

RE: Some weird chick just emailed you…

 

Where’s Garrett, why isn’t he keeping you busy?

 

Liam

 

 

 

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

RE: Some weird chick just emailed you…

 

He went down to the store for honeydew ice cream. My cravings have been off the charts lately, I tell you. I’m never getting pregnant again.

Anyway I emailed Meg and just got her number. We’re gonna have a looong chat in a bit! :)

TTYL!

 

 

 

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

RE: Hi again.

 

So Jules told me you gave her my email. That was nice of you.

Thanks.

 

Meg

 

 

 

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

RE: Hi again.

 

No problem.

By the way, did she mention anything to you about a photo from Instagram?

 

Liam

 

 

 

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

RE: Hi again.

 

No, was she supposed to? What about it?

 

Meg

 

 

 

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

RE: Hi again.

 

It’s nothing. Have a good weekend.

 

Liam

 

 

 

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

RE: Hi again.

 

Thanks, but I don’t think I will.

BTW, this is the part where you ask what’s wrong, but since you probably won’t, let me tell you anyway.

I’m having a quarter-life crisis.

And it sucks.

My job leaves me unfulfilled, this city makes me so horribly lonely, and I have no life to speak of. It’s like having my own personal rain cloud following me around.

As a guy who sounds like he has his crap together, what’s your advice for a lost twenty-four-year-old like me?

 

Respectfully,

Meg

 

 

 

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

RE: Hi again.

 

Cut the “respectfully” shit, for one. I’m only four years older than you.

And honestly, I can’t pinpoint what exactly I’m doing right. Something bad could happen to my business tomorrow, a lawsuit or a fire or some shit, and whatever I worked for would be ashes.

But if I have to name one thing, I guess it would be direction. You gotta know what you want and go for it.

And also some luck.

And booze—lots of that.

 

L

 

 

 

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

RE: Hi again.

 

You’re only twenty-eight??!

Oh god, no wonder you were dissing me, I am underachieved compared to you. I totally deserve it.

I feel so insignificant now…

BRB going to chug the half-opened can of stale beer in my mini fridge to drown my sorrows.

 

M

 

 

 

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

RE: Hi again.

 

> Jesus, I feel so insignificant now…

You’re not insignificant. If you ever did something good for someone in your life, hell, if you even just made someone smile today, you’re not insignificant.

 

L

 

 

 

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

RE: Hi again.

 

But I didn’t make anyone smile today.

I know I sound perky and everything on email, but in real life I’m gloomy as anything. I’m a drain on the positive vibes of the world.

And my stale beer’s gone off, so I don’t even have booze to drown in. Cue small violins for my personal pity party.

 

M

 

 

 

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

RE: Hi again.

 

> But I didn’t make anyone smile today.

You did.

Me.

 

L

 

 

 

Text Message

From: Meg Clark <3 

Hey Jules! So you know your ex-boss, that William Evans guy? This is gonna sound weird, but… Do you have his picture? I need it for reference purposes, in case I ever need to apply for a job back in town, or something.

 

 

Text Message

From: Jules! :)

Here ya go, babe! This was at a pool party earlier this year, for those working at the pub. It’s the only one I have of him. Hope it’s alright that he’s shirtless.

 

 

Text Message

From: The Queen

OMFG Garrett, Meg just asked for Liam’s photo. I TOLD you they have the hots for each other!!!

 

 

Text Message

From: The Sexiest Husband in the World

Are you really texting me from the next room? And stop messing with other people’s lives. Isn’t the baby enough to keep you busy?

 

 

Text Message

From: The Queen

It’s not due for five months, which means I’m bored out of my SKULL. I feel like screaming, seriously.

 

 

Text Message

From: The Sexiest Husband in the World

I could give you something else to scream about.

 

 

Text Message

From: The Queen

Hmm... Does this something happen to be...big? And hard? And thick?

 

 

Text Message

From: The Sexiest Husband in the World

You know it. Now strip and get your hot ass over here. I’m gonna fuck you so damn hard you won’t have time to be bored.

 

 

Text Message

From: The Queen

Mmm… Yes sir ;)