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That was a low blow. He knew I was over the ex who stomped on my heart, with every single thing about her turning out to be a lie, but I still hated talking about her. Reducing my very honest opinion about Luna to have anything to do with the number that Tasha did on me pissed me off. Sure, maybe I had trust issues, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t take a dislike to someone solely because she was obnoxious and overbearing.
I was beginning to wish I had just walked the eight miles back to the farmhouse.
Chapter 4 - Luna
After everyone except Harper left, I couldn’t believe I was still stewing about Jax, embarrassed that I’d been so excited to meet the tall, handsome stranger who showed up for the movie. It seemed like thick, wavy blonde hair and the rugged good looks of a movie star cowboy didn’t mean squat when it was attached to a rude jerk. As we put away the folding chairs and tables, I told her what I’d heard him saying, my cheeks burning all over again.
“What an absolute piece of crap,” she said loyally. “I can’t believe I thought he was nice when he visited a few weeks back. I’m giving him the cold shoulder the whole time he’s here.” She stopped her angry tirade and looked embarrassed. “Except, I already accepted an invitation to a cookout they’re having tomorrow night.”
I stopped and stared at her. “Goodness, go to the cookout. You don’t have to feel bad about that.”
“Okay,” she said. “But I meant to invite you along, too. I know how much you love the Farmhouse Resort.”
I did love that beautiful converted farm with its stunning views and overall calm, soothing atmosphere. “I’m not letting that old grouch get in the way of a good party,” I said. “Sure, I’ll go. And I’m already over it, so don’t be mean to him on my account.”
“I’m going to be a little bit mean,” she promised, and we both laughed.
What did I care if I wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea? I’d learned a long time ago that I couldn’t please everyone, and it was a waste of time to try. While it stung a little, I knew I wasn’t meant to overhear Mr. Rude Pants’ opinion of me, so I put it out of my mind.
For the party, I wore a cute and clingy wrap dress that dipped low enough to show off my cleavage while not screaming that I was possibly trying to get a certain someone to eat his words. I really was over it, but it didn’t hurt to get a little revenge by looking great. I pulled my hair up in a high ponytail and headed out with my confidence high.
It got shaken a little when Jax swung open the front door, looking like he’d just rode in off the prairie with his golden hair windswept and his chiseled cheekbones freshly sun kissed. I’d thought his eyes were hazel when I first met him, but now they were a clear, mossy green. Soft enough to want to lie down and roll around on them. Maybe I’d give him another chance.
“If it isn’t Miss Loblolly,” he said, a big grin on his face belying the fact he was clearly horrified to see me.
Had Silas told him about my past time on the pageant circuit, or was he just making fun of me again? Either way, he wasn’t getting another chance after all. He was just plain insufferable. Well, I was nothing if not polite, so I greeted him with the best smile I could muster. All I had to do was get out back and disappear into the crowd, and I’d never have to speak to him again. Things reached a peak awkward state when he paused halfway to the back door, something resembling sincerity showing in his eyes. I couldn’t handle a half-assed apology, probably goaded on by Silas, so I turned and fled outside, ready to melt into the rest of the partygoers.
Except it wasn’t a party at all, and we’d reached nowhere near peak awkwardness. Silas and Harper sat on two of the loungers on the big deck. Harper’s niece, Addy, was bouncing a ball down by the pool, and Raylen was opening a hot dog package by the grill. Where were the rest of the guests?
“Hey, Luna,” Harper called, waving me over. Silas got up to help Raylen, and I sat in his vacated seat.
“Where is everyone?” I hissed. “I thought you said this was a party.”
“I said it was a cookout,” Harper said, overly innocent. “I mean, we’re cooking out.” When I kept glaring at her, she finally broke. “I wanted to set you up with Raylen. He’s so sweet.”
“Oh my God,” I said. “Just because you’re wildly in love doesn’t mean you have to spread it like a contagion.”
She smirked and hopped up. “Raylen, I’ll cook the hot dogs, you’re on vacation. Come and sit down.”
Poor, innocent Raylen wandered over and sat next to me. I looked him over, and he certainly was good looking with his jet-black hair falling across his forehead and into his dark blue eyes. There just wasn’t a single spark between us. We chatted about the weather, of all things, before he got up to play frisbee with Addy. It was a relief to be by myself, and the cool breeze lulled me out of the awful feeling of being hoodwinked by my best friend. At least I’d get a meal for my troubles.
The chair next to me creaked, and I looked over, thinking it was Harper returning, but it was Jax holding out a tall glass of iced tea. My face went stiff, as I forced it to smile at him.
“Ah, darn, it’s back,” he said, shaking his head in dismay.
“What?” I asked, looking around.
He put the drink on the arm of my chair, looking at me like I was a specimen in a petri dish. “I saw you over here without your feral smile plastered on your face and thought it was safe to approach, but then it reappeared.”
Whatever semblance of a smile I mustered for him fled, and I wanted to do the same, but my pride kept me in my seat. What an ass. It was almost like he couldn’t help himself. To cover how uncomfortable I was, I took a long sip of the tea, grateful it had a healthy dose of liquor in it, and ignored him.
Staying true to his horrible character, he ignored me right back. After an interminable amount of time, I finally turned to find him looking at me and sighed.
“Are you enjoying your stay so far?” I asked.
He burst out laughing. “I knew you’d cave. I just knew you couldn’t resist being polite. You lasted all of three minutes, though.”
“What’s wrong with being polite?” I asked, appalled. “It’s something more people should strive to be.” I gave him a meaningful look, and he had the good grace to blush a little, or maybe it was just his slight sunburn. Either way it looked good on him, damn it.
