He did like Michelle. There had never been a question about that. After all, she was the only one who could get him out of his house after six weeks of essentially being a recluse. And it was because of her that he was finally thinking about his future.
But he liked her more than that. Spending the last two days together, pretending to flirt in front of his brother, had done things to him. They’d struck a chord within him. A chord that wouldn’t stop playing.
There was a reason he was feeling like such a bear today. Every time his brother even glanced her way, it felt like being stabbed with a needle. A thousand needles. He wanted her to himself. Every touch, every smile, every shared expression had wormed their way into his heart. He’d always known she was different. That she was special. Even as kids.
And he definitely liked her enough to play Go Fish. And to let her win.
As the trailer went over a bump in the road, everyone shifted in their seats. Michelle leaned against him, her soft hair brushing against his shoulder, smelling again like coconuts. He dared not move, for fear that she’d shift away from him. Feeling her body next to his, the heat of her skin and the reaction in his gut was all the confirmation he needed.
He was falling for his brother’s girl.
Chapter Seven
Michelle waltzed around the craft and activity fair between the Smith brothers, giddily holding her giant bag of sweet and salty kettle corn. Every November it was held at the Benedict Homestead Heritage Farm and this year had turned out to be an especially beautiful and sunny day.
A giant pumpkin patch full of impressive sized orange and white pumpkins stood just past a bright red painted barn. Kids darted throughout the drying vines, picking the last of the year’s harvest to paint and bring home. Pony rides and a corn maze had been set up just beyond the field. At the far end of the homestead was a massive metal shed where vendors from local businesses and artisans had set up their booths. Michelle directed Garret and Joseph to the shed first, eager to look through the wares.
But it was hard to keep her attention on shopping, or anything really, except for the men standing on either side of her. Garret was flirting openly with her now, spouting off jokes and shooting her devastatingly handsome grins. She’s spotted Joseph and him talking right after the parade. Joseph must’ve given him the go-ahead. The very thought made her giddy with nerves.
That was in stark opposition to the feelings Joseph gave her as he was helping her pick out a hand-painted wooden sign for her new apartment in Kansas City. He was a steady presence. He listened patiently whenever she spoke and seemed to understand her even when she acted flustered. The few times their hands brushed when reaching for a sign had set her skin aflame. It was a confusing effect that made her peek at him in wonder several times when he wasn’t looking her way.
What was going on with her?
“What do you think of this?” Garret pointed to a sign with a piece of holly painted on it and the words Dear Santa, Define Naughty? He guffawed and pulled it off the wall, offering it to her. “I think you need this one.”
“Right.” She raised an eyebrow and gave him a little smile. “I’m not sure that’s what I’m looking for.”
“Come one, it’s funny and pretty. You can’t get better than that.”
“No, I think this one might be more her style,” Joseph offered, kneeling to look at a sign on the floor that leaned against the metal wall of the shed.
It consisted of three pieces of whitewashed wood with the words Love. Teach. Inspire painted in bright teal. Michelle gasped and went closer to look, kneeling next to him.
“It’s perfect. It’s just what I wanted. It’s so pretty, too.”
“I figured.” He scratched the back of his head with a sheepish smile. “Just don’t tell anyone I picked it out. I might lose my reputation around here.”
She laughed and shot him a grin. “Your reputation for what? Moving back in with your parents at the age of twenty-five and without a job?”
“Touché,” he said with a dramatic wince. “But I think I’ve finally got a plan for that.”
Sitting back on her heels, she raised her eyebrows. “Do tell.”
“I thought about it a lot last night, after the carnival. And well, they’re hiring down at the police station. First year cadets. My military training should come in handy.”
Her mouth dropped and she clapped her hands together. “That’s a great idea! My dad would love to have you on the force. He’s always in need of good men like you.”
Men with even tempers, a quick wit, and compassion made the best cops, as her father would say. Men like Joseph. There was no question that he would excel at the Blessings police force.
“That’s nice of you to say.” He frowned down at his hands. “Because there are days I don’t feel like such a good man. Days like today. Days when I want what someone else has.”
She had no idea what he was talking about. He’d been nothing but a wonderful friend all weekend. It was puzzling to hear him talk like that. Just when she was about to ask him to explain, Garret tapped her on the shoulder.
“Hey, beautiful, are you thirsty? I’m about to run and grab a Coke.”
Her cheeks felt hot as she stood to face him. He’d never called her beautiful before today. It was a strange feeling.
“No, I’m okay.”
“All right, I’ll be back in a minute.” He nodded at the sign. “You go pay for your lame sign and then I have something very important to ask you”— he wiggled his eyebrows —“something I think you’re going to like.”
She tried to hide her nervous smile while shaking off his insult about her sign. Surely, he was talking about the Harvest Ball tonight. Everyone in Blessings went to it. It was the big event to look forward to every Thanksgiving. She’d always gone with friends. Never with a date. It looked like things were really changing this year. All thanks to Joseph.
“Sounds good.” She tried not to stumble over her words. “See you soon.”
Her eyes trailed him as he walked away. When he disappeared she glanced over at Joseph. He was watching her with a mixture of disgust and pain on his face.
“What?” She crossed her arms over her chest, feeling judged. “Am I acting too pathetic or something?”
“No.” He stood and mimicked her stance with his hands crossed over his buff chest. “I just think maybe this plan’s gotten out of hand.”
Shaking her head, she picked up the sign and went to hand the cashier a wad of cash from her purse. “What do you mean? It’s perfect. He’s going to ask me to the ball. Didn’t you just hear him? He’s got an important question to ask me.”
Men could be so oblivious. Obviously, the plan was working. Why was Joseph so freaked out?
“Well...yes.” He looked around, as if making sure no one was in earshot. “But what if I told you that this was all a mistake?”
She held the sign in her arms and narrowed her eyes at him. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, what if I told you that going after Garret is a mistake?”
A crowd of people pushed past her, jostling her in the hustle. The arts festival was getting busy. She grabbed Joseph’s arm and pulled him toward the nearest door, walking swiftly until they were outside in the warm sunlight and away from prying ears.
“What are you saying?” she demanded, turning around to face him. Dread had entered her heart. “I thought you were on board. I thought you said I’d be good for your brother.”
“I did say that.” He shuffled his feet and stared hard at the ground. “But maybe I was wrong.”
Her heart was threatening to escape from her chest. She took a step back, pain entering her voice. “So, now I’m not good enough?”
He looked up at her, panic flashing in his eyes. “No, that’s not what I was saying.”
“Then, what?”
She couldn’t imagine what had changed so rapidly to make Joseph think that she and Garret weren’t a good idea. She’d played along. Flirted
when he flirted with her. Returned all his smiles and teasing grins. Laughed at his jokes. All to make his younger brother notice her. What had she done wrong?
“I’m saying that Garret isn’t the guy for you.” He laughed nervously. “My brother is still a kid in a lot of ways. He’s got oats to sow. His whole plan for after college is to travel the world. You don’t fit into that plan.”
She felt her face crumple. Sure, she’d been having those niggling doubts of her own, but hearing Joseph say them out loud was like pushing a dagger through her heart. She didn’t fit in to Garret’s plan. Just like she hadn’t fit into his life during school, either. She’d come so far and gotten nowhere. It didn’t matter what she did.
“Well, thank you for the pep talk, coach.” She picked up her wooden sign and glared at him. “It’s nice to hear that I’ll never be good enough.”
He raked a hand through his hair. “That’s not what I’m saying, Michelle. If you’d just listen—”
“I don’t think I need to listen to another word of this.” She turned on her heels, ready to stomp away from this heart-wrenchingly sad conversation. “I thought you were my friend, Joseph.”
“I am.” He grabbed her wrist and rushed to cut off her path. Desperation showed in the lines around his mouth. Taking her hand in both of his, he leaned down just enough to look deep in her eyes. “But what I’m saying is: choose me. Don’t go to the ball with my brother. Go with me.”
Shock coursed through her. She could hardly believe what she’d just heard. Was he really asking her to go to the ball with him?
She tore her hand out of his and recoiled against the metal shed. “What?”
“I told you that today I wasn’t acting how a good man should. And that I wanted what someone else has.” He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “I’m allowing myself to be extremely selfish for a minute. I’m asking you to forget Garret and go with me instead. I want you.”
Michelle wasn’t sure what to think about this turn of events. Her brain had stopped working, along with her tongue. She just stared wide-eyed at him, waiting for him to pop a goofy grin and yell psyche!
She’d been practically in love with Garret for almost her whole life. And this weekend had been the culmination of over a dozen years of longing. How could Joseph ask her to just forget about all of that and go with him to the ball? It was absurd. He didn’t know what he was asking.
“Michelle?” He took a step closer, his voice softening. “Will you go with me?”
Her lips tried to form the words no, but her heart wouldn’t let them. Confusion roiled inside her head. Everything would be so easy if only it wasn’t Joseph standing in front of her, looking at her like that. It killed her. She didn’t know what to do. There was only one thing she could do.
She turned around and she ran.
Chapter Eight
Joseph stumbled back into the arts festival, his legs feeling like jelly. In his arms he carried Michelle’s wooden sign that he’d picked up for her. He couldn’t believe she’d just turned tail and ran like that. His heart had begged her to choose him. To tell him that she was falling for him, too. But she’s just stared at him until he felt his heart physically breaking. And now, she was nowhere to be seen.
“Stupid, stupid, stupid,” he grumbled to himself.
An old woman with silver curls examining a display of jellies looked up at him, startled. He mumbled an apology and pushed past her. He needed to find Michelle. Make this right. Tell her he had a lapse of judgment. Or an aneurysm. Something to make it better.
He wished he could take it all back. The festival, the parade, the carnival, and even bumping into her in his father’s study. This was all proving to be the biggest mistake of his life. What was he thinking, agreeing to Michelle’s plan? He’d been into her for as long as he could remember. There had always been something about her. Something different and beautiful.
As a kid, he used to leave flowers in her lunch box, hoping she’d like them. In high school, he’d been too nervous to even speak to her, let alone ask her out. He’d watched her from afar, warning off jerks who found her in their radar. Protecting her.
It was always clear that she had feelings for Garret. His biggest fear was going after her, only to have his brother go after her as well. He knew even then he would lose out. That Michelle would choose Garret over him. So he’d stayed away.
He thought those feelings for her had long since faded, but the last two days had brought them raging back. Along with his inability to maintain his cool around her. He’d practically ordered her to forget his brother and take him to the ball instead. What kind of guy did that? A jerk, that was who. A jerk who threw his own little brother under the bus.
Scrubbing his face with his hand, he leaned against the wall of the shed and mentally berated himself. He should’ve known better. Michelle had been in love with Garret forever. She didn’t want him.
She didn’t love him.
“Hey bro, you seen Michelle?” Garret came waltzing up, his Coke in hand.
He had the careless and free vibe that made girls go crazy for him. Here he was, about to ask the most amazing woman in the world to the Harvest Ball and he wasn’t even breaking a sweat. Joseph had never been envious of his little brother until now. And boy, did his heart hurt with the weight of that jealousy.
“She ran off,” Joseph said, pushing the wooden sign into Garret’s chest. “But when you find her, will you give her this? She forgot it.”
Garret took it and frowned. “You leaving?”
“Yeah, I’ve had enough of crowds to last me for the rest of the month.” He scanned the room, hoping against hope to catch a glimpse of Michelle’s golden hair. No luck. “I’m going to call it a day.”
“Back to the study it is?”
“Yeah. Have fun at the ball with Michelle.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to go?” Garret rose up to his highest height and looked over the crowd. “I’m sure I could find someone for you to take. I heard Leslie Brown is back in town. The two of you might like a reunion.”
Joseph made a face. The last person he wanted to take to the Harvest Ball was Leslie Brown. She’d probably ditch him the second they got there. Just like she did when he took her to his senior prom. Been there, done that. And he didn’t need to be in the same room as Michelle and his brother, watching them dance together. Knowing what was running through their minds. The thought was far too painful. He needed to be as far away from that as possible.
“I think I’m better off staying home,” he said. “I’ve got a police manual to study, if I’m going to make the squad. I’m going to pick up a procedural book on the way home.”
“Girls love a man in uniform,” Garret said with a grin. “You’re going to have to beat them off with a stick after you join the force.”
He tried to laugh at his joke, but there was only one woman he cared about in that moment. And there was no way she’d be coming after him, uniform or not.
“Just have fun tonight,” he said, taking a step backwards. “Treat her well.”
Garret placed a hand on his shoulder, halting him from walking off. “Are you sure you’re okay with me asking Michelle? If there’s even a tiny part of you that’s into her, dude, I won’t go there.”
Joseph grimaced, his gut twisting. As much as the possessive green monster in him wanted to snarl and tell his little brother to keep his paws off, that wasn’t what Michelle wanted. She’d been gearing up for Garret to ask her to the ball. He couldn’t disappoint her. She deserved to be happy. Even if it killed him.
“No, you need to ask her.” A trickle of hot sweat went down the back of his neck. It was too hot out here. He needed to get away. “She’s been into you since we were kids.”
Garret pulled back, an incredulous smile growing on his face. “Really? I never knew.”
That was because Garret was too busy chasing after things that didn’t last. Like popularity and the latest fashion. He lived his life t
hat way, in the fast lane. But as much as he’d hate to admit it aloud, there were times when Joseph wished he were more like his resilient little brother. He let things slide off his back like oil. His carefree lifestyle was something Joseph could never have.
No matter how much he wished in that moment that he didn’t care about Michelle.
“Just treat her well,” he said, patting his brother on the shoulder. “She deserves to be treated with respect. Don’t break her heart.”
He took a step toward the door when his brother’s voice halted him in his tracks.
“I know she’s special, Joey. I’m not going to ruin this.”
He turned, his expression pained. “I’m glad.”
Garret was watching him, his eyes reflecting a serious glow. “She’s too good for me. I know that.”
“I never said that—”
“She’s smart. Driven. Has her feet solidly on the ground.” He shoved his hands in his front pockets and sucked in his cheeks. “To tell you the truth, I admire her for it. She knows where she’s going to be ten years from now and I have no idea where I’ll be ten hours from now. She’s beautiful, and kind, and perfect. Don’t think I don’t know these things. I’m not as clueless as you think.”
Joseph grunted. “I don’t think you’re clueless.”
“Right.” He turned his head away and harrumphed. “You’re going to act like you don’t silently judge me for wanting to travel the world when I graduate? Or that I repeat every mistake you’ve ever made? Come on, admit it.”
Joseph chuckled and shook his head. Apparently, his kid brother had grown up without telling him. He’d underestimated his maturity. If he really felt all of those things about Michelle, then maybe he would treat her well. It was the least Joseph could ask for.
“All right, I admit it,” he said in a low voice. “I’m sorry if I didn’t take you seriously. It’s an older brother flaw, I’m afraid. One that I need to work on breaking.”
Blessed by the Fake Boyfriend Page 5
