Page 97 of Filthy Twisted Devil

“I don’t want to hear any shit about driving a pick-up when we don’t use it for real farm work,” Brinley declares as soon as she gets out of the car. “We’re on a ranch, and we’re allowed to drive trucks for fun, Reed.”

Reed puts his hands up. “Why am I getting attacked?”

“Because you’re the one who always gives people shit for driving trucks if they don’t have dirt on their boots,” I tell him.

Mom waves to Brinley. “Hello, darling. You look beautiful. I’d get up to hug you, but someone has me a little occupied.”

Brinley gives Mom a one-armed hug. “I don’t blame you. I’d be distracted by you, too.”

“And who’s this handsome fellow?” Mom asks, smiling at Beau.

“I’m the fiancé, ma’am,” Beau says, extending his hand. “I hear that if you don’t approve, this wedding is over.”

“I've known Eden so long, you're kind of like an honorary mom,” Brinley says.

My heart clenches. It's beyond sweet, but it's just another reminder of what I stand to lose if Brinley and I can't make up. I hope that knocking her wedding out of the park is a step in the right direction.

Brinley meets my eyes and comes over to hug me next. “Hey, Eden,” she says. “Thanks for having us. Well, obviously, more than just having us.”

I squeeze her harder than I need to. “I’m so, so happy you're here.”

“Where are Wade and Jasper?” she asks when she pulls back.

“Wade’s in the back grilling, and Jasper’s trying to undo whatever Ryan did.”

“What did Ryan do?” Brinley asks at the same time that Beau excitedly says, “Grilling?”

I laugh. “I’ll let Ryan fill you in, Brin. Beau, let me take you back. I’m sure Wade has an extra spatula you can grab.”

Wade isn’t exactly happy to see a strange, smiling man bounding up to his grill, but he doesn’t complain when he finds out Beau’s the groom. By the time I’ve got Beau set up with his own spatula, James and Maura have arrived in a practical SUV. Maura’s seated next to Mom in the swing holding baby Hazel right next to baby Sylvie.

“Have you seen this perfect angel?” Mom says. Hazel has her hand wrapped around Mom’s finger, and I can tell it’s going to be a battle getting either of the babies away from her.

“Wow, she looks so big compared to the last time I saw her!” I say, looking down at Hazel in amazement. Sylvie was so small the last time I saw her, it’s not a surprise that she’s grown. I haven’t spent a ton of time around babies, though, and Hazel looks gigantic to me.

“She had a growth spurt since you left,” Maura says. “She’s at the top of the chart in height, too.”

“Not a surprise, since you and James both make me feel like a shrimp.” Brinley laughs. “Hazel’s going to be taller than me by the time she’s ten.”

“Maybe even sooner,” I joke, earning a warm look from Brinley. We’re not back yet, but it’s closer than we’ve been in a long time.

I’m trying not to think about Luke, or how I’m going to have to perform our relationship for my brothers one last time. I try not to look at the long drive, wondering what car he’ll drive down it.

I try and I fail.

41

LUKE

Five Days Until the Wedding

“You can’t do this to me,” the girl next to me sobs. “I moved to Canada for you! I quit smoking for you! I pierced my nipples for you!”

I wince involuntarily. Behind us, someone mutters, “That’s gotta hurt.”

The woman sitting next to me in first class, whose name I now know is Jenna, has spent the entire flight having the world’s messiest break-up on the phone with her boyfriend. It was annoying at first, but by now, I’ve accepted it as my in-flight entertainment.

“I’m not going to sit around waiting for you, you know,” Jenna barks. “If you’re moving on, then so am I. I will too! In fact, there’s a hot guy sitting right next to me.” She whirls on me. “Are you single?”