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This is not good. Emery and Jack both explained to me the theory behind this so-called radical intervention, but I still worry the whole thing will end in catastrophic failure. Jack is a psychotherapist, so I'm trusting his instincts and experience. Callum, Hugh, and I can't go on like this. The American Wives Club is right about that. But will a wrestling match help?
We're all about to learn the answer.
Callum and Hugh have been circling each other for a minute or so, both squinting their eyes and holding their fists up. I thought Lachlan said they should wrestle, but these two look more like they want to pummel each other's faces.
Lachlan shakes his head. "Wrestle, ye eejits. This isn't a boxing match.
Callum smirks. "Aye, but Hugh knows I'll trounce him. He's afraid to wrestle me."
"Like hell I am." Hugh lowers his fists and bends his knees, shifting his weight from one leg to the other, kind of like a sumo wrestler. "I'll have you on the ground in five seconds flat. Might as well concede."
Callum trips over something and almost falls, but catches himself.
Hugh freezes for a second, distracted by Callum's problem. That tiny delay gives the Scot an opening. He rushes at Hugh, ramming his head into the Brit's gut and knocking him to the ground. Callum throws his body onto Hugh's, pinning him to the ground, but the Brit rolls out of the way with a triumphant shout. Then he leaps to his feet and tries to kick his friend in the side. Callum grabs Hugh's foot, though, and pushes the Brit away before he even grazes the Scot. Hugh staggers backward but stays on his feet. Callum jumps up, bares his teeth, and barrels toward Hugh. The two tackle each other to the ground and start rolling around, though they move so fast that I can't keep track of who's doing what to who. Lots of grunts and hollers accompany their bizarre wrestling match.
How is any of this helping?
Emery comes up beside me and hooks an arm around my shoulders. "This is what happens when we let the men decide how to handle a situation like this. Don't worry. We ladies have our own ideas."
"Uh-huh." I know she's trying to make me feel better. But more secret plans? That doesn't sound good. "Was kidnapping Hugh an idea the ladies came up with?"
"That was a group decision. We all voted on it—women and men alike, including the MacTaggart boys." Emery gives me a light squeeze. "This must all seem like total lunacy, but there is a method to our madness. The American Wives Club has been saving the day ever since Jamie and Gavin. I'll tell you their story sometime. It's a hoot."
"What's going on over there"—I nod toward the two jackasses rolling around on the grass—"is not a hoot. I don't get how this is supposed to fix anything."
"Not fix. Facilitate."
"Um, what does that mean?"
She smiles. "You'll see."
Emery walks away, leaving me alone with a crowd of Scots, Brits, and Americans behind me. Okay, I'm not literally alone. But I feel weird about standing here with all these strangers who for some reason want to help me and Callum work out our issues. Naturally, they started their meddling with a ridiculous display of machismo.
Hugh shoves Callum off him, and the Scot flips over backward while the Brit scrambles to his feet. Both men sport grass stains, and their hair has gotten so mussed that I expect mice to crawl in there soon to nest. Both men are also breathing hard, and sweat sheaths their skin.
Sweaty, gorgeous men brawling ought to turn me on. But it doesn't.
Until Callum whips his shirt off.
Oh damn, that chest. I can't stop myself from getting warm and tingly all over because I've memorized every inch of that torso and licked his skin too. He tastes like Scottish man. Okay, that's not actually a flavor, but to me, it is. The taste of his skin made me even wilder for him. No man has ever gotten me as hot as Callum does.
He notices me ogling him and smirks.
And of course, his best friend seizes the opportunity to rush at Callum and catch him in a headlock.
This has gone on long enough.
I march over to the morons and lodge my hands on my hips. "Stop right now."
They ignore me. Callum kicks Hugh's shin, and Hugh tightens his headlock while both men grunt and growl at each other.
All right. No more polite suggestions.
I suck in a big breath and holler, "Cut that out right now!"
My voice echoes off the castle wall.
Everyone freezes. All eyes turn to me while silence falls over the green.
