“Don’t worry, I’ve got plenty of immature thoughts left in my head,” Garret quipped back, a goofy grin on his face. He took a sip of his Coke. “And plenty of mistakes to make. Don’t stop being my disapproving older brother just yet. I’ve still got miles to go.”
Joseph barked out a laugh. He really had underestimated his brother and how aware he was of his older brother’s disapproving eye. The guys in his troop had always lovingly referred to him as Papa Joseph, as if he were the overbearing grandfather of the group, keeping his cadets in line. Until now, he’d shrugged off the nickname as ridiculous, but apparently Garret had felt the same. He had judged them. He’d judged them all. Instead, he should’ve been focused on himself.
Garret would be okay, eventually. Maybe he still needed to sow a few wild oats, but he’d land on his feet. He always did. Now, Joseph needed to focus on living his own life. Moving forward with his new career plans. Putting his past behind him.
And that included his feelings for Michelle.
Chapter Nine
Michelle’s cheeks still burned with shame as she stared out at the small pond on the Benedict Homestead Heritage Farm. A few colorful ducks floated gracefully on the dark water, the shrill noises they made doing nothing to distract her from her misery. She couldn’t believe she’d run away from Joseph like that. The man deserved an answer and she’d been too overwhelmed to give him one. Her head was still reeling from the encounter, her heart aching in her chest.
Footsteps sounded behind her and she turned, hoping that it was Joseph and she could apologize to him. Set everything right and return to just a few hours ago when her greatest desire was simply for his younger brother to ask her to the Harvest Ball. But it wasn’t him. It was Garret, holding a Coke cup in his hand and the wooden sign she’d abandoned with Joseph just fifteen minutes ago.
“I think you forgot this,” he said, setting the sign on the ground and taking a seat on the log next to her. His long legs stretched nearly to the edge of the water. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye and smiled. “Are you missing school already?”
She shook her head. “No, I’m ready to graduate and come back home. I’ve missed this place. Blessings is a part of my soul.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, I love it. Always have. The people, the small town life, and even the weather. You can’t imagine how much it rains in Rhode Island.”
“I guess I never felt the same way.” He leaned back, his hands splayed on either side of the log beside him. “I couldn’t wait to get out of this town. Going to school in Manhattan was a baby step away. Traveling the world after graduation will be when the real fun starts.”
She leaned her elbows on her knees and cradled her chin in her hands. A few of her friends at school felt the same way and had already applied for internships and jobs in exotic locations. She wished them well, but the warmth of home still called to her.
“Can I ask you a random question?” Garret scratched the back of his head and glanced at her.
“Sure.”
“Joseph said that you’ve been into me since we were kids. Is that true?”
She groaned and covered her face with her hands, feeling her cheeks burn hot beneath her fingers. “Maybe...”
Why had Joseph spilled her secret after the conversation they’d just had? He’d asked her to choose him over his little brother. So why was he telling Garret she was into him? It wasn’t exactly the surest way to win the girl.
“Well, I think it’s cool,” Garret said. He nudged her with his shoulder and chuckled. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
She peered at him from between her fingers. “I did tell you.”
He shook his head. “What? When?”
“The night of our graduation. I found you at Noah Tollefson’s party. You were sitting on the front porch swing.”
His eyes widened. “You sat with me?”
“Yes.” Her cheeks burned. “And everything spilled out of me. About how I’d liked you since we were kids and how I liked you still. But you just gave me a pat on the back and went back inside to your ex-girlfriend.”
Garret groaned and scrubbed his face with his hands. “Michelle, I was not in a fit state that night to hear anyone’s confession. I’m pretty sure I blacked out for half of the party. The only thing I remember about our conversation is you saying that you were moving away for school. That’s it. I’m so sorry.”
She laughed, pulling her knees in to wrap her arms around them. All this time, she’d been petrified of Garret bringing it up, but he hadn’t remembered a single thing about her confession. She’s spent so much wasted time worrying and beating herself up. It was ridiculous.
“And to think,” she said, glancing at him, “all this time I thought you rejected me. When really, you were too drunk to listen.”
“Yeah and I got in a lot of trouble that night. Believe me, waking up your parents at three in the morning by throwing up in the guest bath isn’t pretty. They threatened to make me march down to the police station and turn myself in for underaged drinking. Instead, they sentenced me to a summer of volunteering at church to polish the pews. I still hate the smell of polish.”
She chuckled softly, imagining him on his hands and knees, peeling gum off the bottom of the pews. It sounded like the kind of punishment her parents would dole out for the same thing. Not that she ever had to find out.
Garret studied her for a long moment, his frown deepening. “Why didn’t you tell me before graduation?”
She sighed. “You were always so cool. So confident. I had braces, frizzy hair, and a bad case of word vomit whenever you were around. I was pretty sure you’d laugh.”
His chest rose and fell with a deep breath. “I wouldn’t have laughed at you.”
“Right.” She dropped her hands to her knees and stared pointedly at him. “But you didn’t feel that way about me. I think you barely knew I existed.”
The grin melted from his face and he looked out across the pond, his jaw working. “I want to lie to you and say that’s not true, but I can’t. You’re right, I didn’t notice you. I’m sorry.”
She’d never seen Garret so serious before now. He was the kind of guy who always goofed around. The class clown with the ornery grin. His apology made her reach out and place her hand comfortingly on his.
“It’s okay. We’re both different people now.”
“Yeah, and you’d better believe I learned my lesson.” He turned to look at her, his blue eyes staring intently into hers. “You’re so beautiful, Michelle. I’m not sure how I missed it. I see it, now.”
She waited for the heavens to split open above them and for trumpets to sound. This was the moment she’d been waiting for. But as Garret leaned in toward her, his gaze directed toward her lips, she felt a flash of panic go through her chest. He placed his hand on the side of her cheek and moved closer until not even an inch separated them. His other hand dropped to her waist.
She urgently scanned his face, noticing the absurdly long length of his eyelashes and the definition of his jawline. She’d day-dreamed about that face for so long, but it had never felt like this. In her mind, this moment would be filled with tingles and fireworks. Instead, it felt all wrong.
“I can’t do this.” She pulled away from him suddenly, gasping as she looked out over the pond.
What had just happened?
Joseph’s face swam before her teary gaze. The soft crinkle of his eyes when he smiled, the gentle curve of his smile. The heat of his hand on hers. Her heart quickened when she thought of his last request to her. He’d wanted her to choose him.
“I’m so sorry. I think I’ve made a terrible mistake,” she said, burying her face in her hands.
She flinched when she felt an arm cross over her shoulders. Looking up, she saw Garret watching her with a sympathetic expression on his face. He squeezed her shoulder comfortingly and shook his shaggy head.
“It’s okay. I’m all right with just sitting here with you.”
She smiled gratefully at him, wondering what was wrong with her. She’d had two men wanting her in a single day and she couldn’t seem to translate what her heart was trying to tell her.
“Do you want to tell me about it?” Garret asked, picking up a handful of rocks from under the log.
“Something happened this weekend.” She wished she could melt into the sand beneath their feet and disappear forever among the lily pads and reeds. It was mortifying to make this confession to Garret, but she knew it needed to be said. “Joseph and I were trying to get you to ask me to the Harvest Ball. To notice me, for once. That’s why he was flirting with me. He figured you’d go after me, too.”
His eyebrows raised and he chuckled. “You faked liking each other just so I would ask you to the dance?”
Her chest felt splotchy and itchy. “Yes...I’m so embarrassed. I’m sorry we manipulated you that way.”
“Well, I guess it worked. And I guess I’m more predictable than I thought.” He sat back on the log, a frown forming on his lips. “Joey always accused me of following along a little too closely in his footsteps, but I always denied it. I guess he was right. The last thing I ever wanted to be in this life was predictable.”
“But that’s not all you are.” She turned to him, splaying her hands palm up in front of her torso. “You’re funny, you’re charming, you’re adventurous. I wish I had half of your courage.”
His lips twitched with a smile. “If I’m all of that, then what’s so wrong with me that you can’t kiss me back?”
She licked her lips and took a deep breath. “You’re just not Joseph.”
He breathed in through his nose, his nostrils flaring, and looked down at the ground. She wished she could know what he was thinking. Never in a million years had she expected this outcome. She’d been dead set on getting Garret’s attention, but now that she had it, it wasn’t what she’d expected.
Joseph had been a different case. From the moment she barged into his dad’s study, they’d clicked. Not only did he know how to make her laugh, but he also helped her feel confident in a way that Garret never had. And now, it was the only way she wanted to feel. She didn’t want to give that up.
“I hope you don’t hate me,” she said quietly, picking at the hem of her sweater. “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”
“At the very least, I can say that I bounce back quickly,” he replied, shooting her a smile. “I’ll live. But I think you should really be telling my brother all of this.”
She gulped and shook her head violently. “No way. The last time we spoke, he asked me to choose him and I pretty much ran away as fast as I could. You should’ve seen the look on his face.”
Her memory conjured up an image of Joseph as he held her hand and asked her to go to the ball with him. His expression had been so earnest, as if he were putting his heart on the line and she’d just stomped on it. No, she couldn’t tell Joseph these things. She’d lost that right the moment her silly head and heart had stopped communicating to her what she really wanted.
“Well, you should’ve seen the look on his face when he told me to take care of you.” Garret arched an eyebrow and tossed a rock into the pond, breaking the smooth surface. “I’ve never seen him like that, but it all makes sense now. He’s totally into you. He has been since we were little.”
“What? No.” Michelle shook her head. “That doesn’t sound right.”
“It’s true! I remember how he would go down to the ditch near our house just to pick flowers every day for you. I thought he was just being stupid, but I guess he liked you even then.”
Her mouth fell open in awe. “You mean those dandelions that he would shove into my lunchbox? I thought he was just teasing me.”
“No, I think they were a third grader’s way of announcing his love for you.” Garret threw his head back and chuckled. “I think I even remember him grabbing Alex Knottly by the collar in the high school locker room and threatening to deal with him if he ever said something rude about you again. I didn’t think much of it then, but now it makes sense.”
She hadn’t realized that Joseph had done those things for her. Her heart warmed at the thought. If only she’d known. If only she’d realized before now how wrong she and Garret were for each other and how Joseph was the man she needed.
“I don’t know if I can face him again,” she said miserably, her stomach feeling like lead. “I really don’t.”
“Hmmm,” he replied, nodding his head slowly.
They sat sitting staring out at the ducks for a long, quiet moment, before Garret stood and offered her a hand. She took it, dusting off her pants where she’d been sitting on the log. When she looked back at him, he had a look of excitement on his face. His eyes were narrowed in concentration, as if he were just working his way through a thought.
“What if I can fix things?” he asked, rubbing a hand along his chin. “Would you trust me enough to meet me at the ball tonight?”
She hesitated, knowing that the last place she wanted to be tonight was in a crowded hall full of happy couples, but the look in his eye drew her in. “Okay, I trust you.”
“Good.” He gave a nod of his head, a smile returning to his face. “Tonight, I’m lending you all of my courage. So don’t let me down.”
She tried to suppress a smile, but couldn’t help herself as her mood began to lighten. “And can I ask what the plan is?”
“It’s time for a little payback,” he said, rubbing his hands together vigorously.
Chapter Ten
Joseph still couldn’t believe his brother had convinced him to go out this evening. He stared up at the clock on the Town Hall, his stomach heavy with dread. It was a deceptively beautiful night, with the sky above appearing cloudless and as the perfect inky blue color. The stars had just begun to wake up, dotting the sky above like a gorgeous canvas.
He shrugged uncomfortably in his suit jacket and stuffed his hands in his pockets. There was one reason he was here and one reason only. Garret had spoken to Michelle’s dad about his desire to join the force and Chief Bright wanted to talk to him about it tonight. It was like an interview for a job interview. Play his cards right, and he’d have an in at the police force. That was the only thing that could’ve gotten him to set aside his misery for an hour.
“Don’t look so glum,” Garret said, thumping him on the back. He’d worn a nice pair of slacks and a button down pink shirt. “This is supposed to be fun.”
Todd and Russel were on his other side, their dates on their arms. Thankfully for Joseph, Garret had agreed to meet Michelle at the Town Hall. He didn’t even have the sensibility to pick her up at her home like a proper gentleman. Joseph wanted to knock his ears, but he didn’t have the energy. She probably didn’t even care. She got her man.
“As soon as I speak to Chief Bright, I’m out of here,” Joseph grumbled.
“Oh, no you don’t.” Garret put his arm around his older brother and laughed. “I found a date for you, too. I told you this was going to be fun.”
His stomach reeled at the thought. The last thing he wanted tonight was a blind date. He’d just gone after his brother’s girl hours earlier today. Begged her to choose him instead. But here he was, showing up at the Harvest Ball alone. He didn’t deserve a date. And he didn’t want one.
“I’m not going on a blind date, Gar.” He shrugged Garret’s arm off his shoulder.
“I think you’ll change your mind once you see her. She’s really hot.”
He rolled his eyes. “Is that all you ever think about? How hot a girl is?”
Garret made a face. “I think she knows how to read, too. There, is that better?”
Nothing could make this night worse. He was expected to entertain a date who Garret had hand-picked for him while his younger brother danced with the woman he really wanted just across the room. His heart couldn’t take the thought. There was no way he was sticking around for that. His date would have to forgive him.
They jo
ined the line of people making their way into the Town Hall event room. The hallway had been decorated with bales of hay and large orange pumpkins piled in stacks. The strong scent of cinnamon and spices drifted in the air. A friendly-looking scarecrow with big blue eyes greeted them just outside the darkened event hall. Joseph ducked his head as they walked in, not daring to look up. He didn’t want to make eye contact with Michelle tonight. Or any night, for that matter. He’d already humiliated himself enough in front of her. She probably never wanted to see him again.
“Look who’s here,” Garret said behind him, pointing over Joseph’s shoulder.
He had to hold in a massive groan as Leslie Brown waved at them from across the hall. She hadn’t changed much in the years since Joseph had last seen her. Her silvery-blonde hair went down to her elbows with massive, loose curls. She wore a tight-fitting silver dress that very much looked like she’d wrapped herself in tin foil for the big event.
Her hips swayed seductively as she walked toward them in stiletto heels sharp enough to crack a man’s skull. When she got close, Joseph could see that she’d had some work done. Was it her nose? Something was different. But still, she cracked a wide smile when their eyes met and didn’t hesitate to rush him for a hug.
“Joey Smith, is that you?”
He grunted a greeting, trying to turn around to glare at his brother. Was he seriously setting him up with Leslie Brown? But she grabbed ahold of his chin with a vice-like grip and forced him to look at her.
“You’ve gotten hotter,” she exclaimed, her breath minty. She batted her heavily mascaraed eyes and smiled. “I just adore military guys.”
He grabbed her wrists and gently peeled her off of him. “I guess it’s a good thing I’m no longer in the military then.”
Her eyes widened for a second, but then a shrill laugh spilled out of her lips and she slapped him on the shoulder. “Oh, you silly man. You always know how to tease a girl.”
Blessed by the Fake Boyfriend Page 6
