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Ray and T pushed at each other underwater. Ray got a leg wrapped around T’s knee and he released Macey’s right leg to grab at Malik’s leg.
“Hang on to me and pull with your right hand,” he told Macey.
Macey’s legs became a vice grip around his neck, and she held on with her left arm to his forehead and yanked at Malik with her right.
Malik and T flopped forward into the water as Kiera cheered.
Ray clasped Macey’s hands with his own and did a victory dance, spinning around as she cheered. He didn’t want to let her go.
Malik and T surfaced. Malik looked at Ray and Macey with a conniving glint in his eyes. “Let’s change partners.”
“No way,” Ray teased back. “You’re just mad you lost.”
“I just want a chance to hold Macey myself. I didn’t know T was up for sharing his fiancée.”
“Malik,” Ray warned in a growl and heard it echoed by his dad and T.
Malik looked unrepentant, his blue eyes taunting. “Oh, excuse me. I didn’t believe the rumors, but apparently you are both in love with her.”
Ray’s stomach churned, and every muscle tightened. He’d worked and prayed and exercised self-control beyond what any man was capable of, and he’d kept his hands and his usually his eyes off of Macey, but not his thoughts. One innocent game, that he’d enjoyed thoroughly, and Malik was calling him out. Apparently the rumors were still going strong too.
He slid Macey off his shoulders and gave her an apologetic smile. She looked so irresistible and beautiful it was another exercise in self-control to turn away from her. His dad and T were talking in low whispers. Kiera looked confused. Ray pushed through the water to Malik, grabbed his brother’s arm, and muttered, “Come on.”
Malik didn’t even try to pull away or fight him. They pushed out of the water and walked side by side to the men’s bathroom. Ray shut the door behind them and turned to his brother.
“Knock it off, Malik. We need your support right now, not you trying to stir up rumors about T and Macey.”
Malik’s eyebrows arched. “This has nothing to do with T and Macey and you know it.”
“Excuse me?” His fists clenched.
Malik got right in his face. He was brave for a little brother. Malik was strong, but Ray had him by twenty pounds of muscle and years of training and experience. “You’re in love with Macey. Any idiot can see that. Do you even realize how many times you stare at her with that tortured look in your eyes? What are you thinking?”
Ray didn’t hit him. He stepped back and shook his head, his jaw clenching so hard it hurt. “I wish I could think my way out of this one,” he admitted.
Malik blinked at him. “You all like to tease me that I’m some player, but at least I’m not making a play for my brother’s fiancée.”
Ray didn’t say anything. Misery filled him. Malik was right. His little brother didn’t know the engagement wasn’t real. He shouldn’t tell him and try to justify that he wasn’t truly trying to steal his twin’s girl. No matter how he looked at it, Ray was in the wrong. He’d been doing so well. Or so he thought. Could everybody see right through him?
“The crazy thing is …” Malik blinked at him and rubbed at his jaw. “T doesn’t seem enthralled with her like you are. Maybe it’s the whole dating online thing. The two of them just don’t have the sparks you and Macey have. T would do anything for you. Can’t you talk this through with him? Maybe he won’t care about letting her go.”
“Ah, Malik.” Ray shook his head. “I’d care. The whole country, the entire world, everybody would care. I … I can’t be with her.” He couldn’t spell it all out to Malik. He trusted his brother, but the fewer people who knew the farce, the better. “Pray for me that this will pass.”
Malik stared at him. “You know I’m not someone who turns to God. Not anymore.”
“I know.” Ray nodded. Malik used to be the one who’d quote them scripture or suggest they pray when things got hard, but not since Mum died. Were they all just a mess and destined to struggle without her bright light?
If he could have Macey in his life, he thought he might be all right.
But he couldn’t have Macey in his life.
He clapped Malik on the shoulder and forced a smile. “It’s all right. I’m praying enough for the entire family right now.” Yet he could use their prayers. If only he could tell his brothers what was really going on.
“You’re a singularly impressive man, Ray.” Malik stared into his eyes, and he felt … exposed. “The general. The man who watches over the entire country, the family. You take care of everybody.”
“Thanks,” he said, though he wasn’t certain it was a compliment.
The kingdom of Augustine doesn’t turn unless Ray is at the crank. The wheels of Augustine don’t rotate without the general’s permission.He could hear the teases from T’s lips.
