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She’s delusional. “Seriously? God, I certainly hope so. I would rather not end up like Raelynn and have to file for divorce and go to a clinic the same day to be tested for whatever nasty STI my husband brought home. Jackson is ten times the man Davis will ever be. Too bad you won’t be around to see it. I’m leaving tomorrow and I won’t be coming back. I’ve had enough of your shit, Mother. I hope you have the life you deserve.”
Turning on my heel, I briskly walk outside, needing a moment to cool off. I’ve never really had it out with her. Sure, I’ve told her what would happen if she didn’t stop trying to reconcile Davis and me after our breakup, but I have never in my life spoken to her like that, with that much venom and honesty. I take a deep breath and look at the sky. Yup, the sun is still shining, and the world is still spinning, even though I finally told Loretta Barnes where to shove her bullshit.
Imagine that.
Despite the confrontation before the wedding, I was able to enjoy the service and be happy for my sister. We don’t have to see eye to eye for me to be happy that she’s marrying Dawson. He’s a pretty decent guy as far as I know, nothing like his brother. Speaking of Davis, he can seriously go to hell with the looks he keeps shooting Jackson. The last thing we need is a repeat of last night. So far, he hasn’t tried to talk to either of us, but I’m worried about what will happen after a few drinks. Hopefully, with it being his brother’s wedding and his grandmother being in attendance, he’ll keep it under control.
The reception is being held in a huge ballroom at one of the most expensive hotels in the city. I swear if there’s one person here, there’s five hundred. My mother is in all her glory, accepting the congratulations from everyone here. My dad is sitting at the table having a scotch, or five, with the other good ol’ boys, and the bride and groom are sitting at their table being fussed over by the bridesmaids. All in all, a typical Barnes affair. Julia, Jackson, and I are sitting at a table in the back with a few other couples I don’t know. Not quite the kids’ table, but pretty damn close. I couldn’t care less right now, though. I have one of my oldest and dearest friends here with Jackson and me. I’m still unsure how to define the relationship between the two of us. To everyone else here, he’s my boyfriend, and although it was a fake title at the beginning of this trip, it feels closer to the truth now.
“Hey gorgeous, what’s going on in that pretty little head of yours?” Jackson whispers in my ear, the feel of his breath on my neck sending tingles along my skin.
Turning to him with a soft smile, I whisper back, “I was thinking I’d like to dance.”
Jackson smiles at me and rises from his seat, holding out his hand.
“Don’t mind me being left to sit here all by my lonesome,” Julia says. She’s laughing, so I know she isn’t really upset about it.
“One dance and then I’ll have her back. Maybe some brave young man will come over and ask you to dance when we leave. My presence tends to intimidate those of lesser mettle,” Jackson jokes.
Julia laughs and waves us away. “Go. Have fun dancing like a happy couple should at these things.”
The happy couple remark strikes a chord with me. We really are a happy couple. And the idea doesn’t have me wanting to run away.
Jackson gives Julia a wide smile and leads me to the dance floor. He’s spinning me around and doing all the fancy moves a trained dancer would be adept at. Having him lead is so natural to me, and I’m able to fall in step with him at every turn. When I glance back to our table, I see Davis trying to engage Julia in conversation. What a dick. I’m about to suggest to Jackson that we head over to give Julia some backup when she stands, spits some words in his visibly angry red face, then turns around to stomp off. Good for her. No one should have to listen to anything that asshole has to say. Unfortunately, at that moment, Davis catches me looking on and throws a nasty smirk in my direction. I roll my eyes and look up to meet Jackson’s gaze. Ah, much better.
We dance for a few more songs, but I’m insanely thirsty and my happy champagne buzz is wearing off, so Jackson and I go back to the table to refresh ourselves.
Julia is back with two of her brothers, and they look to be entangled in a heated conversation.
“Hey guys,” I greet. “I didn’t think y’all were coming.”
Jackson grins at me. “Y’all? I think I like this accent coming out in full force, Ms. Barnes,” he whispers, nuzzling his face in my neck.
A very girlish giggle escapes me, and the Beauchamp brothers look at Jackson with the type of older brother overprotectiveness I haven’t had the displeasure of dealing with for several years.
“Hank, Colton, this is Jackson Hayes. Jackson, these are Julia’s older brothers.”
Jackson shakes their hands and offers kind hellos to each, but the cold stare they level him with has my blood beginning to boil. For the love of God, I’m a grown-ass woman. My need for this big brother act died a long time ago.
“Jesus, boys. Stop with the death glares. Jackson here is good people, even if he is a Yankee.” Julia smiles mischievously behind her champagne flute, and I shoot her daggers. She just had to point that out. Especially considering the trouble they’ve been having with one Yankee in particular. When Greyson Abernathy left South Carolina for New York, he left behind all things “Southern,” including his best friend, Colton, and his maybe girlfriend, Julia. She still hasn’t given me the whole story there.
Jackson tries to alleviate some of the tension. “Don’t blame me for being born in the wrong state. Believe me, I’m finding all kinds of things I like about the South.” He turns to me with a smile dancing in his gaze.
The boys let out matching grunts, not necessarily agreeing with his statement, but at least they aren’t openly hostile toward him any longer.
“Dad said you came out to the ranch a couple days ago. Hear you took Abigail out for a ride,” Hank says.
I blush at the memory of what all the ride entailed, and Jackson squeezes my thigh under the table.
“Abigail is quite the horsewoman,” he responds. “Your property is beautiful. I enjoyed the opportunity to explore it.” Jackson smiles and winks at me, letting me know his mind went to the same place mine did.
We settle into a comfortable conversation with Julia and her brothers, the guys sharing stories from their childhood and the shit they used to get up to, as boys do.
“My dad was so pissed that I fucked up the dock. He refused to get another motorboat, and if I wanted to go out on the lake, I would have to row my damn self there and back,” Jackson tells Hank and Colton, finishing his story of getting wasted with his buddies at the cabin his parents let him use unsupervised for the first, and last, time.
“Shit, man, that’s nothing. Hank, you remember the time after homecoming at the field party we had involving a mud pit, tractor, and the homecoming queen’s crown that Dad found attached to one of the calves,” Colton says to Hank as he laughs at the memory.
“What’s so funny?” Easton asks as he swaggers over with a tray of shots.
