AllFreeNovel
Share Us
You’ve got to be kidding me.
“Thanks to your little stunt, Presley still doesn’t have arealtree to decorate, and tomorrow is Christmas Eve,” I tell them, annoyed that their antics could interrupt Presley’s holiday traditions.
“Don’t sweat it.” Dylan slaps me on the back. “I’ve got fifty balsam firs in my barn—you can have your pick.”
“Wait… Did you—”
“Buy an entire lot of Christmas trees so you’d have to go out and chop one down yourself?” he cuts in. “I sure did. Not to mention, Mrs. Taylor made me cough up an additional two hundred bucks to play along.”
“Damn.” I’m pissed as hell, but I’m also glad Presley has brothers who have her back. “I feel sorry for the poor souls who ends up dating Lola when she’s older. They’re so screwed.”
Dylan emits a low growl. “Lola isn’t dating until she’s thirty. Better yet, I’m going to convince her to join a convent and make a vow of celibacy.”
“You let me know how that goes.” I pat him on the back on my way out of the cell.
I’m anxious to get back to Presley.
10
PRESLEY
I BOLT UP FROM THE couch at the sound of the front door swinging open.
They’re back.
When I reach the hallway, my heart catches in my throat at the sight of Jack stepping inside. His wrinkled clothes, messy hair, and dark circles under his eyes do nothing to diminish his sex appeal. Without thinking, I race into his arms, flinging my arms around his neck.
“I’ve been worried sick,” I tell him.
He gently lifts my chin, urging me to meet his gaze.
“I could get used to this kind of welcome.” He chuckles, pulling back from our embrace and pressing a kiss to my lips. “I missed you, Presley.”
I blink rapidly up at him, discerning whether his response is authentic. He’s not putting on a show because he’s pretending to be my boyfriend. I can tell that he genuinely missed me, and I’m not sure how to reconcile that. This was supposed to be nothing more than a convenient arrangement, but it’s quickly turned into so much more.
At least for me.
I tense up when I notice my brothers standing behind him.
“What happened last night? You were only supposed to be gone for a few hours.”
While Harrison and Cash wear unreadable expressions, Dylan looks like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He’s never had a good poker face, which always worked to my advantage when we were growing up and is working in my favor right now.
“It’s a long story,” Jack says.
“That’s not an answer,” I chide. “Did you really go to Dylan’s house to watch football? He said you were having some male bonding time, whatever the hell that means.” I add air quotes, letting them all know I know that’s bullshit. “I was concerned when you didn’t answer your phone.”
Jack looks over at Dylan and lets out a roar of laughter.
I love that sound.
I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve heard Jack’s genuine laugh, and all but one has been since we arrived in Aspen Grove. The first time was on my first day at Sinclair Group.
“What’s so funny?” I ask curiously.
“Male bonding time? Really, Dylan, that’s the best you could do?” Jack mocks. “Your brothers found out I was your boss and decided payback was in order.”
Oh no.
