Flaunt, p.1
Flaunt, page 1
FLAUNT
ADRIANA LOCKE
CONTENTS
Books by Adriana Locke
A Note from Adriana
Synopsis
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Epilogue
Crank: Chapter One
Acknowledgments
About the Author
FLAUNT
Copyright 2023 by Adriana Locke
Cover Designer: Kari March
Content Editor: Marion Making Manuscripts
Copy Editor: Editing 4 Indies, Jenny Sims
Proofreader: Michele Ficht
Umbrella Publishing, Inc.
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-960355-04-1
Copyright Law:
If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, this book has been pirated and you are stealing. Please delete it from your device and support the author by purchasing a legal copy. All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under the copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the above copyright owner of this book or publisher.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked statue and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
This book is for my readers.
Not a day goes by that I don’t thank the stars for each and every one of you.
BOOKS BY ADRIANA LOCKE
Carmichael Family Series
Flirt
Fling
Fluke
Flaunt
Flame
Landry Family Series
Sway
Swing
Switch
Swear
Swink
Sweet
Gibson Boys Series
Crank
Craft
Cross
Crave
Crazy
The Mason Family Series
Restraint
The Relationship Pact
Reputation
Reckless
Reputation
Relentless
Resolution
The Exception Series
The Exception
The Perception
Dogwood Lane Series
Tumble
Tangle
Trouble
Standalone Novels
Sacrifice
Wherever It Leads
Written in the Scars
Lucky Number Eleven
Like You Love Me
The Sweet Spot
More Than I Could
Standalone Novellas
Battle of the Sexes
608 Alpha Avenue
907 For Keeps Way
Sign up to receive an email for all new releases at www.adrianalocke.com.
A NOTE FROM ADRIANA
Hi, Reader!
Many of you have been waiting for Banks to land on the page. (He has, too.) What can I say? It’s time for him to shine!
He was an absolute blast to write. He was surprising in many ways, too, which always gets me to my desk a little faster in the mornings. Uncovering little nuggets I’m not expecting in a story is fun.
Banks was a joy to spend time with, and I hope you enjoy him just as much as me.
My entire purpose with this series is to deliver feel-good romances. I want to highlight the sweet, heartwarming, goopiness of love. To make you smile. (I know goopiness isn’t a word, but my editors won’t see this. What they don’t know won’t hurt them.)
After swiping Flaunt’s final page, I hope you are left with a ridiculous grin and a fluttery heart. If you’ve lost a few hours to laughter and swoons, I’ve done my job.
Thank you for choosing to read this story. I know you have infinite choices and I appreciate your picking this one.
Happy reading,
Adriana
SYNOPSIS
Looking for a Fake Fiancé
Have you ever wanted to prove someone wrong so badly that you could taste it?
It doesn’t matter if they’re right. The fact that they had the audacity to go there is what counts.
Hi. It’s me. I’m that person.
The man I’ve been casually seeing told me I’m not “wife material” and I should “lower my expectations.” Didn’t he realize I lowered them the moment I met him for dinner?
Obviously not.
Am I petty? Maybe. Annoyed? Of course. Determined? Definitely.
I need someone to help me flaunt my new engagement—my fiancé couldn’t wait to pop the question because I’m that amazing—in his face.
The problem? I don’t have a boyfriend, let alone a husband-to-be.
Which brings us to you.
Are you handsome? Successful? A smooth talker extraordinaire?
Are you willing to do all the things that someone madly in love would do?
Putting your hand on the small of my back. Forehead kissing. Acting like I’m a treasure you can’t live without. I need you to be prepared to do all those things … and maybe more.
What do you get out of this? I’m willing to negotiate terms—especially if they include a job and a place to stay. It’s a long story.
One night. One event. Let’s put on one heck of a show.
From USA Today and Amazon Charts Bestselling author comes a “hot and hilarious!” fake-dating tale between two frenemies turned roommates-to-lovers. Fans of close-proximity, and blue-collar, small-town heroes will fall madly in love with this story.
1
Banks
“Do you want to hear my idea or not?”
Milk drips from the edge of my brother Maddox’s spoon, splashing into the bowl of cereal below. “No.”
“Oh, come on, Mad. This is a great one.”
He scoops a heaping pile of Fruity Pebbles into his mouth, chewing deliberately. The crunches echo around his kitchen like he’s trying to make a point. He makes the point. But that doesn’t mean I have to take it.
“They’re plastic spiders. Fifty in a bag. And—”
“Banks, no.” The spoon hits the bowl with a ding. “I’m married now. I can’t risk life and liberty every time you want to fuck with Jess.”
A slow smirk slips across my face. Maddox pales.
My shenanigans used to be split evenly between our brothers Jess and Moss. They have never been directed at Foxx. Well, aside for one or two that didn’t end well for me. I was forced to abandon Moss as a target when Brooke moved in. Jess moved Pippa in, so he’s not as fun to mess with anymore. That only leaves the last Carmichael standing as a target—Foxx.
“I don’t even want to know,” he says, holding a hand in front of him.
Too bad. “Not Jess.” My smirk grows larger. “Foxx.”
“You’re out of your fucking mind.”
“It’s time.” I move out of the way as Maddox takes his bowl to the sink like a good little husband. “We’ve never done anything to Foxx.”
“Because we don’t want to eat through a straw.”
“Whatever. He probably feels left out.”
Maddox lifts a brow. “Really, Banks?”
“I know I feel left out now that you and Moss and even Jess have all decided we don’t need to be the fearless foursome anymore.”
“We were never the fearless foursome.” He shakes his head. “What’s wrong with you?”
“I’m bored,” I say, opening his refrigerator and taking out his last can of Dr Pepper. “And lonely. And I have a lot of time on my hands these days.”
“Well, I don’t. I have a real estate office to run and a wife to enjoy.”
I crack open the drink and stare at my brother. “Ashley ruined my life.”
“No, she didn’t.” He laughs.
“Yeah. She did.”
Maddox looks at his phone and motions for me to wait.
I take a sip of my soda and gaze around Maddox’s kitchen. We had a lot of good times here. Late-night pizzas, football parties, and one wrestling match that almost ended in a trip to the emergency room. Thank God for Jess’s skills with permanent glue and silver tape.
But that’s all changed now. Everything is changing. No one wants to have fun anymore.
Everyone grew up.
Fools.
“Sorry about that,” Maddox says, slipping his phone into his pocket. “My appointment got moved up thirty minutes. Love when that happens.”
“Is the problem that it’s spiders?”
He laughs. “No,
“But not because of the stickers.”
“The point is the same, Banks. I’m over all of that now. I’m a newlywed, for fuck’s sake. I want to spend time with my wife.” He grins. “Have you seen her? She’s hot.”
“Yeah, I’ve seen her.” I roll my eyes. “But she’s going to cost you me, you know. I’m going to replace you as my best friend, and I’m not sure you’re ready for that.”
“Go for it.”
Go for it? Go for it? “What do you mean go for it? Aren’t you jealous?”
He shakes his head.
“Not even a little bit?”
“No, Banksy, I’m not. This is good for you, buddy. You can spread your wings and fly.”
I glare at him. “I’ll fly right through your window and take back my spot on your couch.”
“Just don’t drop any glitter on the way in.”
“Fucker.”
Maddox chuckles, way more entertained with himself than I am. “How was work? Did you find anyone to rebuild that carburetor you told me about?”
“Yeah. I got a name of a guy from someone at the marina. No one works on those things anymore. Such a headache.”
He grins.
“What?” I ask.
“Nothing.” His attention slides over my shoulder. “Hey, babe.”
My shoulders slump as the scent of Ashley fills the kitchen.
She smacks the back of my head as she walks by. “I’m happy to see you too, Sparkles.”
“I never get him all to myself anymore.”
Ashley laughs as Maddox pulls her into his chest, cupping her ass cheeks in his hands, and kisses the shit out of her.
As much crap as I give them about their relationship, I love it for them. They are two of the best people I know. Maddox is loyal and responsible. Ashley is a best friend stealer but otherwise funny and sweet—which is why I went to jail for defending her a few weeks ago. She’s family, whether I like it or not.
I do like it. But I really do miss my brother. It’s so much more fun getting into trouble in pairs.
“I’m over all of that now. I’m a newlywed, for fuck’s sake. I want to spend time with my wife.”
He’s over all of that now. Well, I’m over him being all over it.
“Did you ever do anything with your roommate ad?” Ashley asks. “I’ve been watching your Social account to see if you posted it.”
“Nah, it needs a few tweaks.” I settle my gaze on Maddox. “I need to add a line that I’m looking for a new best friend.”
He throws up his hands with a sigh.
“I’m kidding.” I down the rest of my drink and then toss the can in the trash. “But, no, I haven’t done anything with it. Maybe I should, though. It worked for you and Brooke.”
“And Pippa,” she says.
“Yeah, and the Pipster,” I say, remembering how Jess snagged his dream woman. “I’m thinking about just getting a dog.”
Maddox’s eyes widen. “Don’t do that.”
“Why?”
“Banks. You don’t even know how to feed yourself. It would be reckless for you to take responsibility for another living thing that can’t fend for itself.”
“Ye of little faith.”
Maddox's phone buzzes. His pointed look lingers before it switches to his phone. “I gotta go. I’ll be home in a couple of hours. Love you, Ash.”
Ashley kisses his cheek. “See you then.”
“Bye,” I say as my brother walks by.
“Later.”
I lean against the counter. Ashley bebops around the kitchen, taking out various vegetables, a package of meat, and a few pots and pans.
“How was your day?” I ask, not really feeling like going home.
She smiles at me over her shoulder. “It was really good. I spent the day with your mom, actually. If I tell you something, you won’t say a word to anyone, right?”
I nod.
“Say it. Promise me,” she says.
“I promise you I won’t repeat whatever top secret information you’re about to tell me, super sleuth.”
She rolls her eyes. “We went looking at couches.”
I smack my forehead, making her laugh.
“Did you talk her out of whatever she was looking at?” I ask.
“Yes. You know I did.”
“This couch situation is going to be the end of me. I feel like we’re all sneaking around like double agents.” I raise a brow. “I wasn’t built for this level of stress, Ash. I just wasn’t.”
She laughs.
My phone vibrates, and I look down.
Maddox: NO TO THE SPIDERS.
Me: I noted your feelings on the situation.
Maddox: I mean it, Banks. And, for the love of all that’s holy, don’t do anything to Foxx. I can’t save you from him. I’ll have to live with that guilt for the rest of my life. You don’t want to do that to me, do you?
Me: You shouldn’t text and drive. It’s unsafe.
Maddox: It’s called voice-to-text.
Me: I refuse to participate in your attempts at self-harm. Come see me later.
Ha.
I put my phone in my pocket and ignore the series of vibrations afterward.
“What are you making for dinner?” I ask, peering over her shoulder.
“I’m roasting a chicken with some root veggies.”
I step back, giving her room to work. “Oh.”
“Do you want to come for dinner?”
“I mean, yeah.”
She tries not to smile.
“I aired your tire up this morning,” I say, sitting at the bar. “It was low. Tell your husband to start checking that for you.”
Ashley sets the veggies down and turns around, leaning against the counter. “That was very nice of you.”
“Because I’m a nice guy. And I like when you’re nice to me back. And when you invite me over for dinner. And when you tell me I can stay and watch a movie with you guys.”
She laughs, grabbing a towel and drying her hands. Her phone begins to ring. “Hang on.” She lifts her device. “Hello?”
I take my phone out and surf the interwebs. What did people do in situations like this before there were cell phones with the internet? Did they just sit and stare at the person on the phone? Did they carry books around with them as a diversion? How could you pretend not to listen to the conversation happening in front of you, because obviously, you are, if you have nowhere else to direct your attention?
I’ll ask someone old. I’ll ask Foxx.
My fingers fly across the screen.
Me: Hey, what did you old people do before you had phones with internet and were in social situations where the other person was talking and you had to pretend not to listen?
Foxx has silenced notifications.
“No, Maddox can’t,” Ashley says. “He has a showing right now. Can it wait like two hours?” Her brows pinch together. “Oh. Crap.”
Sounds like someone is having a bad day.
I click on my Social app and scroll through.
“Is Jess home yet?” Ashley asks.
“Nope. He and Dad are at an auction. They’ll be gone until late,” I say.
“He’s not home,” she tells whomever she’s talking to. “Moss and Brooke are both still at work and we’ll pretend Foxx doesn’t exist.”
Smart girl.
A 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO? Nice. I click the post and check out the pictures.
“But Banks is here,” Ashley says carefully.
It’s the way she says it that stands the hair on the back of my neck on end. I don’t have to look up to know she’s looking at me.
