Ring Ready Read online




  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  COPYRIGHT

  BOOKS BY CARY HART

  PLAYLIST

  DEDICATION

  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

  EPILOGUE

  SNEAK PEEK - UNLUCKY IN LOVE

  SNEAK PEEK - HONEYMOON HIDEAWAY

  SNEAK PEEK - LOVE WAR

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  COPYRIGHT

  Disclaimer. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously; any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events or locations is entirely coincidental.

  The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction. Any trademarks, service marks, product names or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners and are used ˙only for reference. There is no implied endorsement.

  This book contains material protected under the International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of the material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of the author. For more information regarding permission email [email protected]

  Editing provided by Word Nerd Editing

  Cover by Sarah Paige with Opium House Creatives

  Publication Date: Decemeber 2019

  Ring Ready (Hotline Collection, Book #2)

  Copyright ©Cary Hart 2019

  All rights reserved

  BOOKS BY CARY HART

  THE HOTLINE COLLECTION

  UnLucky in Love

  Ring Ready

  Coming 2020

  Seriously Single

  BATTLEFIELD OF LOVE SERIES

  Love War

  Love Divide

  Love Conquer

  SPOTLIGHT COLLECTION

  Play Me

  Protect Me

  Coming 2020

  Make Me

  Own Me

  Kiss Me

  THE FOREVER SERIES

  Coming 2020

  Building Forever

  Saving Forever

  Broken Forever

  STANDALONES

  Honeymoon Hideaway

  PLAYLIST

  Pill for This by Sam DeRosa

  Technically Single by Tayler Buono

  Just Friends by Virginia To Vegas

  Straight Up by Paula Abdul

  True Romance by Ashely Tisdale

  Someone’s Someone by Monsta X

  It’s All in Vain by Wet

  Hate Me by Sam DeRosa

  What If I Never Get Over You by Lady Antebellum

  I Found You by Andy Grammer

  I Am Yours by Andy Grammer

  Wish You Pain by Andy Grammer

  Notice by Thomas Rhett

  Duo by Ben Rector

  Break My Heart by Valentina

  Over Us by Dylan Brady

  Man Who Stays by Jake Scott

  Fine by Tayler Buono

  Thinkin Bout You by Ciara

  Slow Dance by AJ Mitchell, Max

  DEDICATION

  Dear Universe —

  Three bouts of pneumonia, a head-on collision, a power outage and electrical fire…you tried to screw me, but I still got it done!

  Take that!

  #igotyou #allgood #couldhavebeenworse

  CHAPTER 1

  Mal

  “He’s an asshole!”

  “So, what you’re saying is, on the pucker scale, he’s more of a pincher than a clencher…”

  “Dammit, CJ! I don’t even know what that is supposed to mean. He’s just one hundred percent Grade A asshole.”

  “I heard you loud and clear, but you called me—your best friend. Actually, now that I think about it, your only friend.”

  CJ may be right, but if you let Carly Jane Collins, New York’s badass socialite, win, she will never let you live it down, so I lie.

  “I-I have friends.”

  “Mmmhmmm.” CJ laughs. “Clover doesn’t count. She’s about to become your sister-in-law, making me your go-to.”

  “I wasn’t talking about Clover.”

  “Then who? The Uber driver?”

  “Hey! Don’t knock Ted. He’s a great guy, working nights to put himself through school. He didn’t have to give me his number for off-the-clock rides.”

  “Do you hear yourself right now? A New York Uber driver named Ted—a classic serial killer name—offered you off-the-clock rides?”

  “He was being nice.”

  “Jesus, Mal, he was marking you as his next victim.”

  “I don’t even know why I called you,” I mumble.

  “Good.”

  “Good?”

  “Yes, good.” CJ perks up. “My work here is done.”

  “Work?”

  CJ groans. “Do I have to spell it out for you?”

  “Apparently.”

  CJ huffs. “Who’s the asshole?”

  This should be easy. I have a fifty-fifty chance here. Owen or CJ.

  “You are.”

  “Exactly! Owen can’t be the asshole when he’s your boss.” CJ hums her satisfaction. “Dude controls your paycheck and I just saved you from missing one.”

  She’s right. It’s been two years since I was offered the job at Hotline Hookup. I’ve quit, been fired, and rehired—all because Owen and I can’t play nice.

  Austin, my older brother and mastermind behind the sex talk radio show, gave us both an ultimatum: work on it or walk.

  So, I work on it. Every hour of every. single. day. Today, I’m working on not gouging his eyes out with my freshly manicured nails.

  “Sooo…?” CJ draws out. “Is there anything you want to tell me?”

  “Thank you?”

  “Do you even know what for?”

  “For being an asshole?”

  “Yes! For being the best fucking asshole! And saving your job.”

  “You really have a weird way of communicating.”

  “Since I’m your only friend, I would either learn the language or hire a translator.”

  “By default,” I mumble.

  “Say what you will, but—”

  Oh lord! Here it comes.

  I can almost see her ruby red lips curving up in a wicked you-know-I’m-right smile.

  “You love me. It’s why you called me first.”

  She’s right. CJ is a hardcore ride or die. A forever friend. Well…unless you decide to screw her over, then, holy hell—watch out. She’ll either put you in your place and never look back or body slam your ass to the ground like it’s Monday Night Raw.

  Clover Kelly is more like the sister I never had—the girl next door who caught the eye of my brother…fifteen years later. All it took was them leaving the state, her getting dumped, and a little mishap on-air that led to a series of bad dates.

  “Mal! Get your he
ad out of your ass. This is where you agree with me. Then I agree with you agreeing with me. It’s simple, really.”

  “Fine! I—”

  Oh snap!

  “I…what? Are you afraid to say the ‘L’ word?” CJ rambles.

  “Oh shit! I spy Mr. Asshole.” Owen wanders around, coffee in hand, wearing an I’m God’s gift to this creation smirk on his face.

  Please don’t come in here.

  Please don’t come in here.

  Please don’t come in here.

  “He better not come in here,” I mutter.

  And if one cue, our eyes meet. Owen Decker stalks down the hall like a man on a mission. His target? Me.

  Spinning around, I hold the phone close to my mouth, and whisper, “It’s about to go down.”

  “Who?” CJ blurts.

  “Owen Decker.”

  “You’re going down on your boss? Kinky shit!”

  “CJ!”

  “My bad! He’s going down on you? Sweet! A little office role—”

  “CJ!” I whisper-yell into the phone, shutting her teenage boy brain down. “Owen, my boss, is heading this way. He’s going to fire me.”

  “Well, there’s a thought.” A deep rumble comes from behind, and my eyes go wide. “But apparently your brother has other ideas.”

  I knew I should have shut the door the moment I saw him coming.

  “Oh shit!” CJ whispers back. “Please don’t hang up. Just let it fall to your lap or set it on your desk, but for the love of all things holy, let me eaves drop!”

  I don’t react. Hell, I don’t even respond. I just press the end button and spin around.

  “Yes, Owen?” I purr in my fakest, I sound so sweet, it will give you cavities voice.

  “We are wanted in the conference room,” Owen says casually, as if it’s no big deal.

  I cock my head to the side and narrow my eyes. “We?”

  “Apparently, I need to spell this out for you.”

  Asshole.

  Asshole.

  Asshole.

  “Me plus you…” he waves a finger between us, “equals we.”

  Asshole.

  “Me being an asshole is the least of your worries.” What? Wait! Did I say that out loud? “If I were you, I’d get into that conference room right now.”

  Seriously, this six-foot-whatever man is standing in front of my desk, with his perfect hair, perfect teeth, and perfect sexy smirk looking down on me as if I’m the one making his day miserable. Gimme a freakin’ break!

  “Or don’t and see what happens.” Owen slides his hands into his front pockets, his whiskey brown eyes challenging me to a duel. “I believe insubordination is grounds for termination.”

  “Seriously?” I reach for my favorite pen and pink highlighter. “I was just getting my things.”

  I hate that he knows which buttons to push to get me fired up. He’s been doing it since the day I was hired. Talk about annoying and stressful.

  “You won’t need those.”

  “Oh really?” I look the man in his not-so-ugly eyes and reach blindly for my leather-bound notepad, forgetting all about the reading material I was hiding under it.

  Shit!

  Don’t look at the book.

  Don’t look at the book.

  Dammit! I looked at the book.

  “Interesting…” Owen homes in on the one thing I didn’t want him to see. Reaching for the paperback I ordered last week, he flips through the pages. “How to Deal with Assholes in the Workplace.”

  “Don’t judge.” I stand up and round the desk. “My brother, your boss, gave it to me last week.”

  Lies!

  I bought that one when Owen emailed me a list of job opportunities “just in case” I needed them.

  “If you say so.” He chuckles, tossing the book on my desk.

  “I say so.” I walk past him and right out the door.

  Owen follows and is next to me in a couple quick strides.

  “So, what’s this secret meeting about?”

  He turns his head to look at me as we walk side-by-side down the same hallway he came from.

  “Honestly?”

  “Yeah, honestly. I mean, if you have it in you.” I flash him a winning smile as I mentally high-five myself.

  Owen shrugs, ignoring my brilliant slam. “I have no clue.”

  Without missing a beat, I take the opportunity that has presented itself. Owen Decker, Hotline Hookup’s producer, who is always in the know, doesn’t know something. Which makes us on a level playing field.

  Booyah! In your face!

  “Hmm?” I take a quick step forward, beating Owen to the door, and grab ahold of the handle.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Owen tilts his head and furrows his brown. Throwing the ball back on my side of the court waiting for my play.

  “Oh, I’m sure it’s nothing, but for a second I thought…” Shaking my head, I wait a moment before opening the door. “What if corporate finally listened to all my formal complaints—”

  The corners of my mouth curve up into a smile as his begins to fade. “—about you.”

  I swing the door open as I look over my shoulder at Owen. He’s standing there with a smug expression. Maybe it’s admiration…or maybe it’s revenge. Either way, I finally won a round.

  CHAPTER 2

  Mal

  “Maid of honor? Are you serious?” I stand in front of Clover and Austin flipping through a mini version of her planner, but this one is just for me—the maid of honor.

  “Yeah—are you serious?” CJ pushes open the double doors a little harder than necessary, making a grand entrance.

  I cringe.

  Clover fidgets.

  And Austin and Owen pretend to look over some papers.

  “I’m waiting.” CJ stands there, her wild dark waves flowing over her shoulders, crossing one arm over the other, waiting for one of us to answer. When we don’t, her dark eyes narrow into evil slits. I would like to say her bark is louder than her bite, but with CJ, you never know. This girl is one bad-ass bitch—her words, not mine.

  “CJ! Um—this isn’t exactly what it looks like. I mean. It is, but…” Clover digs around in her embroidered I’m the bride bag.

  “No need for the BS, Clover. Give it to me straight up.”

  “Straight up now tell me if you really wanna love me forever...” I sing a little louder than intended.

  “Really!” Clover and CJ shout in unison while the guys turn their backs. I’m pretty sure so they won’t have to bear witness to what’s about to go down.

  They stand there for a split second, exchanging looks before they both open their mouths and sing, “Oh, oh, oh, or am I caught in a hit and run?”

  I don’t give it another thought. I close the distance between us and wrap my arms around my friends as we continue to sing the rest of the verse with cheesy smiles on our faces before we fall into chairs around the meeting table.

  “Guys, I have missed this so much.” Clover is the first to speak up.

  “Me too,” I agree.

  “Yeah, yeah, me too…” CJ leans back in her chair and props her feet on the table. “But let’s get back to this maid of honor crap.”

  “Better yet!” I turn toward CJ. “Care to explain why you neglected to tell me you were coming here?”

  “She!” CJ shakes her finger at Clover. “Wanted it to be a surprise, but that is neither here nor there. Considering I lost out on the maid of honor duties to you, the fiancé’s sister.”

  “I’m more than the fiancé’s sister.”

  “Calm your tits.” CJ turns toward me, and whispers, “I’m your only friend.” She throws her thumb over her shoulder. “She’s your sister. Comprendé?”

  “What are you talking about?” Clover’s lips curve up in a nervous smile. “You both are my best-friends.”

  CJ sighs. “Here we go again.”

  “Again?” Clover questions.

  I nod. “I got the breakdown just mo
ments ago.”

  CJ hollers to the guys, “Hey, Austin! Care for your sister to know all about the blowy you got two nights ago?”

  I gag.

  “Jesus, CJ!” Austin glares at Clover. “You told her about the…”

  “No!” Clover stands and raises her hands. “Don’t say anything else.”

  “See there?” CJ leans over to me. “Only friends get to know about the Pop-Rock mishap.”

  “Clover!” Austin panics. “You said you wouldn’t say anything.”

  “I didn’t,” she defends.

  “Oh hell no.” CJ stands, rounds the table, and wraps one arm around Austin and the other around Clover. “I’m not trying to cause martial problems before you even walk down the aisle. It was just a lucky guess. No need to get your pink zebra bikini thong in a wad.”

  “Clover—” Austin groans.

  “Ha!” I slap the table. “Even I knew about that.”

  Owen walks up behind Austin. “A thong?”

  “Fuck off, Decker. I put Magic Mike to shame.” Austin jerks out of CJ’s hold and pulls Clover to his side.

  “You really did.” Clover looks up and smiles with nothing but love and adoration for Austin.

  “Thanks, babe.” He pulls her in close and kisses her softly. “Love you.”

  “Not to ruin your moment, but my phone is blowing up, man. Care to tell me why I’m here?” Owen scrolls through his phone, not even bothering to look up.

  Austin reaches down for Clover’s hand and they both turn to face Owen. “Will you be my best man?”

  That got his attention. Owen raises his eyes and tucks his phone in his front pocket.

  “Me?”

  “You’re not only my business partner, but my best friend…my brother.”

  “Of course.” Owen walks up to Austin and pulls him in for one of those guy hugs where they clap each other on the back.

  Oh great. Best man, really?

  “What’s wrong, Mal?”

  “Dammit. Did I say that out loud?” I wince.

  “Yeah, seems like you’re making it a habit.” He raises a brow. “Looks like we get to walk down the aisle together.”

  “That’s what I was afraid of,” I mumble.