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“The way your sister defended that dickhead instead of checking on you was absolutely ridiculous.” He shakes his head like he can’t believe my sister’s reaction. Unfortunately, I can.
“Welcome to my life. Ever since the breakup, she’s been defending him to me any chance she gets. I thought maybe she would eventually develop some sort of sisterly solidarity when she realized I was never going back to him, but once she started dating Dawson, it’s like all her loyalty began and ended with the Callaways.” I take a breath and look up at Jackson. “We were never the same after that.”
He gives me a sad smile in return. “I’m sorry, Red. For all of the issues I’ve had with my brother, at least I can say he always had my back. Even when he didn’t want to. That’s just how our parents raised us.”
“Well, you can tell from meeting mine that they don’t share the same sense of family loyalty.” I shrug my shoulders because there’s really nothing left to say about it. I’ve long ago accepted that’s just the way the cookie crumbles for some people. That’s why when I left, I built a family of choice, not blood.
“Listen,” Jackson begins. “I’m all for going back to the hotel and acting out every dirty thought I’ve had of you tonight if you want. But since we only have a few more days here, I say we go back to my new favorite bar off the highway, and you let me spin you around the dance floor a few times.”
I give him a wide smile. “I didn’t know you danced.”
“Please. My mother was intent on raising gentlemen. You better believe she enrolled Donovan and me in dance classes. I haven’t had much opportunity to brush up on my skills recently, but old Mrs. Andrews insisted I was her star pupil.” He puffs out his chest with exaggerated pride, and I can’t help but laugh.
“I’ll be the judge of that.”
I grab his hand as we make our way to the car and head out to Roxy and Duke’s place. When we walk in, of course, Roxy wastes no time wrapping me in a tight hug.
“Sweet girl. Julia told us you had a wedding thing to go to tonight. Can’t say I’m not thrilled you’re here, but why aren’t you with your sister tonight?”
I shake my head and take comfort in Jackson’s strong palm resting on my back. “Davis cornered me.”
Roxy visibly stiffens. She never did come to like him, even when we were dating. “What did that son of a bitch do?”
“Nothing, except try to tell me once again how he was just sowing wild oats before we got engaged.” I roll my eyes and look back at Jackson. “He didn’t get very far before this one”—I stick out my thumb in Jackson’s direction—“told him in no uncertain terms that he has no right to talk to me about anything. Then, of course drunk-as-shit Davis tried to go after Jackson, which completely backfired and caused a huge scene. So, naturally, Cesily screamed at me and blamed the whole thing on Jackson and me.”
Roxy looks over at Jackson with a proud smile on her face. “Well, I’d say this boy deserves a drink for standing up for his lady.”
He deserves more than that. I turn my head to smile at him as Roxy walks back behind the bar. Jackson leans down and sweetly kisses my forehead.
“And I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”
I believe him. Jackson and I have really turned a corner from hating each other, never missing an opportunity to give each other hell, to him having my back at every turn. It makes me wonder why I ever hated him in the first place.
“Now,” he says, grabbing my hand to lead me to the dance floor where a few couples are two-stepping to an old country song, “why don’t you let me show you why Mrs. Andrews was so proud of me.”
Jackson holds me close, then spins me away and pulls me back with the ease and grace of a seasoned dancer. I laugh as he begins leading me around the floor, never missing a beat. His moves are impressive indeed, and I think I start falling a little more for the playboy turned friend, turned lover, turned I don’t know what, but tonight I’m not going to think too hard on it and just enjoy it.
It’s getting late, but the wedding isn’t until tomorrow afternoon, so I’m not too concerned about getting back to the hotel anytime soon. Jackson proved Mrs. Andrews right many times over. We laughed, we danced, and I drank. Jackson only had one since he’s driving, but he never once complained about it. I’ve come to learn that Jackson watching me have fun is enough of a buzz for him. Even Duke came out and took me for a spin. Jackson looked on with such affection in his gaze I got choked up a little. Could be the vodka, or it could be the man sitting next to me as we drive away from Roxy’s, but I can’t wipe this damn smile off my face, and the butterflies in my stomach are in a tizzy with Jackson’s hand rubbing my thigh while he drives.
Turning my head in Jackson’s direction, I get a naughty idea.
“Care to see where we used to go as kids when we wanted some ‘alone’ time with our boyfriends?” I ask.
A sly grin moves across his face, and he glances at me with interest. “Point me in the right direction, Red.”
I give him turn-by-turn directions out to a secluded lake we used to swim at during the day and make out next to at night.
When we pull up, the place is deserted. The days may be warm this time of year, but nights are definitely too cold for any type of outdoor fun. We park the car and look over the calm waters of the lake. The old tire swing is still up, and I have fond memories of swinging off it and into the water, trying to outdo the person that went before.
“So, this is where you would go necking,” Jackson comments, taking in the scene before him.
I put my hand over my chest, pretending to be scandalized by the idea. “Not me. I was a well-bred Southern lady who would never dream of necking in a car with a boy.”
The wolfish grin he gives me nearly has my panties catching fire.
“Come on now, Miss Barnes. Just give me a little kiss. I promise not to tell anyone.” Jackson turns on the Southern charm with an accent to match as I bat my eyelashes.
“What if someone catches us?” I say with an indignant gasp.
