by LYNN, K. C.
“That won’t happen,” Catherine assures her. “Even if it did, we have a backup plan. Everything is under control.”
“She’s right,” Grace adds. “Everything is going to be perfect. Isn’t that right, Sawyer?” She shoots her husband a nasty look.
He grunts but gets the message loud and clear.
“Why don’t you guys go on in and get settled,” Catherine suggests. “Dinner will be ready in about an hour.”
“That’s a great idea,” Sawyer agrees cheerfully, a little too cheerfully. “Why don’t I show Jase where he will be sleeping for the weekend.”
Now it’s my turn to grunt. If he thinks I’m sleeping in a separate room from his sister just because he’s around he is about to get a major fucking wake-up call.
Sam clears her throat. “No, it’s fine. I’ll show him.”
My gaze snaps to hers, all the confidence I felt moments ago wavering as she pays close attention to the ground.
Surely the fucker is not telling the truth.
The more I look to Sam for reassurance, the harder she examines her sandaled feet.
“Go on in then.” Catherine gently ushers us inside. “We’ll meet you down in the kitchen whenever you’re ready.”
Sam leads me up the large grand staircase, silence raining between us as she continues to avoid eye contact.
Once at the top, she steers me to one of the bedrooms on the left. Opening the door, she waits for me to enter.
I carry both our suitcases inside, placing them next to the bed.
Without looking at me, she walks in, takes hers and sets it back outside the door.
I don’t fucking think so, Peaches!
Striding forward, I grab her suitcase and set it next to mine again.
“Jase.” Regret coats my name as she finally looks up at me.
“Don’t fucking say it.” I point at her. “Don’t you dare tell me that asshole was telling the truth.”
Biting her lip, she has the audacity to look sheepish. “I’m sorry, I should have told you sooner.”
“Tell me what, Sam?”
“It’s my father…he’s…old-fashioned.”
“Old-fashioned?” I all but practically yell. “He has a son like Sawyer and you want me to believe he’s old-fashioned?”
“Keep your voice down,” she scolds, closing the door.
“How the hell do you expect me to do that when I find out that I am not allowed to sleep in the same room as my woman?”
“I know it’s not ideal but it’s just two days and I’ll be right across the hall,” she says this as if that should make me feel better.
It doesn’t.
“This doesn’t make any sense. We already live together. Why the hell would your father care?”
“Because we’re sleeping under his roof,” she says, clearly thinking this is a perfectly logical explanation. “Besides, I thought it might be kinda neat to not sleep in the same bed until our wedding night.”
Neat? Has she lost her fucking mind?
That means no sex. No foreplay. No feeling her body against mine as I sleep… How the fuck am I supposed to survive two nights without that?
She chews on her thumbnail nervously. “What are you thinking right now?”
“That I’m glad I just fucked you on the side of the road before coming here and I probably would have had a round two had I known better.”
She bursts out laughing but I find no amusement in this whatsoever.
“Come on, it’s not that bad.” Stepping closer, she wraps her arms around my neck, probably trying to drug me with that peach scent of hers.
Not this time, Peaches!
“You never know. It could be fun.”
“There is nothing fun about any of it,” I grumble, pouting like a petulant child.
“Sure there is. Just think how fun it will be when I’m sneaking in here at night to do all the dirty things with you.”
The sultry tone paired with suggestive words has my cock standing to attention.
“Sneak in, huh?” I ask, my interest piquing.
“Mmmhmm.” She brushes her lips against mine. “I have big plans for you, Crawford.”
My hands drop to her ass, squeezing the supple flesh as I bring her against me, letting her feel how hard I am. “Is that a fact?”
“Oh yeah. All sorts of dirty plans.” She follows up the promise with a sharp nip to my bottom lip before soothing the sting with her tongue.
Growling, I grab the back of her head and claim her mouth the way I want her body, showing her exactly what I don’t want to live without for the next two nights.
Unfortunately, she breaks the connection too soon but it’s clear she is as affected as I am. Her lips are swollen, eyes hooded with the same need that hammers in my veins but it slowly fades with what she says next.
“Are we okay?”
Hating the uncertainty in her voice, I lift my hand to her face, cupping her soft cheek. “Yeah, Sam. We’re good.”
I might not like this sleeping arrangement but I’ll suffer through it if it means a lifetime of nights with her.
“Good.” She turns her face, pressing a kiss to the palm of my hand. “I’m going to take my suitcase to my room then and catch up with Jesse real quick. Mind if I meet you downstairs in a little while?”
“That’s fine. I have a few phone calls to make anyway.” I walk her to the door and watch her cross the hall, hating that every step takes her further away from me.
Just as she makes it to the door, she turns back one last time, gracing me with a sweet smile and blowing me a kiss before disappearing inside.
The moment her door closes the one next to hers open, revealing that pansy-ass mama’s boy.
Of course his fucking room is right next to hers. He probably planned that all along.
My suspicion is confirmed when he flashes me that smug grin before giving me the finger.
He may have won this battle but the war will be mine…
CHAPTER THREE
Sam
“Okay, spill it. What’s going on with you and Matt?” I ask my sister as we sit cross-legged from one another on her bed, much like we used to do back in the day whenever some serious girl talk was about to happen.
Jesse and I have always been close, which is how I knew something was wrong the moment I greeted her. Her hug was a little tighter, almost desperate, and that usual light in her eyes is no longer there. It’s incredibly disconcerting.
“What makes you think anything is wrong?” She feigns ignorance, paying close attention to the worn comforter she picks at.
“Because you’re my sister and I know you better than anyone.”
Silence fills the room for all of a second before she shakes her head, giving up the façade. “It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it. This weekend is about you. You don’t need to hear about my problems.”
“You’re my sister, Jesse. It doesn’t matter what day it is or what’s going on, I’ll always be here to listen to your problems.”
She finally lifts her head to look at me and the tears forming in her lost, lonely eyes has my concern reaching a whole new level.
“What is it?” I push when she still doesn’t speak. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
Her bottom lip begins to tremble before she manages to choke out words. “He cheated on me, Sammy.”
My heart plummets at the reveal. Out of all the things I expected to hear it wasn’t this. “Are you sure?”
A bitter laugh escapes her. “Trust me, I’m positive. I caught the bastard red-handed.”
That bit of information has the knot in my stomach tightening. “With who?”
“Some hockey bunny bimbo who is as fake as her tits.” She shrugs. “I hadn’t met her before then.”
I shake my head, still having a hard time comprehending this. “It doesn’t make any sense. That man loves you. I’m certain of it.”
You could see it every time he looked at her. Never in a million years did
I think Matt would do anything like this.
“I thought so, too.” She swallows thickly, fighting to keep her composure. “I don’t get it, Sam. We were talking about starting a family. He was even considering quitting hockey so he could be more present. I don’t know why he would do this to us.” Grief smothers her face before the first sob breaks free.
I pull her into my arms, hugging her close. “I’m sorry, Jesse. So sorry.” I know the words are useless but it’s all I can manage to say at the moment. “Have you told anyone else?”
She pulls back, wiping away the steady flow of tears. “Yeah, Mom and Grace know. I don’t want Dad and Sawyer knowing yet. Not until I figure out what I’m going to do.”
I don’t blame her. My dad and brother act before thinking. No doubt heads are going to roll when they get wind of this.
“What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know,” she whispers brokenly. “I can’t stay, I know that. I just wish I knew how long it has been going on. Is it the first time? Has it been many? Has it been my whole marriage and I was too stupid to see it?”
“Did you ask him?”
“Yeah, but all he does is lie,” she grits. “He completely denied even sleeping with her, despite being caught. The bastard was so convincing I actually started to question what I saw.”
I know what that’s like. Grant lied all the time, made me think it was all in my head until I finally knew better. He was a master at manipulation. Though, I never felt for him what I feel for Jase or what I know my sister feels for Matt. Grant beat me down and belittled me but losing Jase that way would completely destroy me.
“Some days I wish I had never moved to that city,” she says, surprising me. “I should have followed my gut from the beginning.”
“What do you mean?”
She peers back at me before dropping another bombshell. “The truth is, Sam, I’ve never liked living there. I mean, I love my boutique and it’s been good for business but I don’t fit in there. I never have.”
“I had no idea. Why didn’t you ever tell me?”
She shrugs. “I figured it would get better but it’s only gotten worse.”
A moment of silence hangs in the balance, my mind reeling with all she has said.
“You know,” I start carefully, “South Carolina is a great place for a boutique.”
The not-so-subtle suggestion triggers a watery smile from her. “Oh yeah?”
I nod. “You could set up shop next to Grace and be my personal stylist again.” Excitement fills me at the prospect. “Just think about it. We would love to have you there. We’ve all missed you so much, Jesse, especially me.”
This time it’s her who pulls me into a hug. “I’ve missed you, too. More than you will ever know. Life just isn’t the same being so far away from you guys.”
That’s something else I can understand, something I felt deeply when the rest of them moved away from me. I had felt so lost and alone. Until I found Jase.
“Look at us, we’re a mess.” Jesse laughs, wiping the smeared makeup from under her eyes. “Enough about me and my problems. Tell me about you. How excited are you to become Mrs. Jase Crawford?”
Warmth blooms across my chest, dancing its way through every cell of my body as I think about the coming day. “Honestly, more excited than I have ever been about anything. In some strange way, I feel like I’ve waited my whole life for this moment with him.”
Her expression softens. “I’m so happy for you, Sam. It’s going to be an amazing weekend.”
The smile I wear slightly falters when I think about how tense things were between Jase and my brother earlier.
I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t make me sad. It does. I thought by having Sawyer in the wedding party it would force them to put aside their differences and maybe even see that the other isn’t so bad after all. Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened.
I don’t expect them to be best friends but my hope is that one day they can at least let go of the past that plagues them and be in the same room without feeling so much anger and resentment toward one another.
“Hey, what’s with the long face all of a sudden?” Jesse asks, sensing my change of mood.
“I’m starting to second-guess the decision I made about all of us staying in the same house,” I confess quietly. “If things are this tense between Sawyer and Jase, what’s going to happen between Dad and Mr. Crawford?”
Just the thought has panic threatening to take hold.
“They all need to get over it already,” she snaps out heatedly. “This feud is ridiculous and has been going on for way too long.”
She’s right, it has, which I think is part of the problem. Maybe too many years of animosity has happened for them to overcome it.
“With that said,” she continues, “they are grown adults and I do believe they can act like it for a weekend.”
“You think?” I ask, grabbing onto that small ray of hope.
“Absolutely. They might not be chummy or best buddies. At worst they’ll completely ignore each other, but that’s better than an all out war.”
This is true.
“So you don’t think it was totally crazy of me to have all of us staying in the same house for the weekend?”
“Oh, it’s definitely crazy,” she says. “Certifiable, actually.”
The hope I just had deflates like a popped balloon. Groaning, I drop my face into my hands.
Jesse pulls my arms away. “Crazy but not a mistake,” she adds softly. “This is one of the most important days of your life, Sam. This isn’t about petty rivalries. It’s about you and Jase and your love for one another. If they love you guys, and I know they do, then they will get through this weekend with smiles on their faces. I will personally see to it.”
The promise eases all the worries I had moments ago. “Thanks, Jesse. You’re the best.”
“Hey, what are big sisters for?”
She’s always been so much more than just a sister. She’s my biggest confidant, cheerleader and…best friend.
A knock on the door brings our conversation to an end.
“Come in,” Jesse calls out, wiping away any remaining tears.
It opens to reveal my brother and that charming grin of his that always manages to get him out of trouble, especially with our mother. “Well if it isn’t my two favorite sisters.”
His only sisters.
“What do you want, suck up?” Jesse asks but doesn’t look his way, probably to hide the fact she’s just been crying.
“Dinner is ready.”
“Oh good, I’m starving.” She jumps from the bed, hoping to make a quick getaway.
She should have known better.
“Hold up.” Sawyer snags her arm before tilting her face up to his. “Have you been crying?”
“No.”
“Liar,” he says.
“Mama’s boy,” she counters.
He doesn’t play the game she tries to deflect with. “What’s going on, Jesse? You’ve been acting weird ever since you got here.”
“Nothing is going on. Now lay off, ya brute.” She rips her arm back but stretches up on her tiptoes, planting a kiss on his cheek. “Thanks for caring though.” Affection fills the last of her words before she ducks her head and walks away, leaving the two of us alone.
He shifts his attention to me next. “I take it you aren’t going to tell me either.”
“Not a chance.” I smile.
He grunts. “Fine. Keep your secrets. I’ll find out on my own.”
I don’t doubt that for one second. He is relentless and as nosy as big brothers come but his heart is always in the right place. At least most of the time. Except when it comes to the man I love…
As if sensing where my thoughts are headed, he too tries for a quick escape. “Welp, I guess I’ll see you downstairs for dinner.”
“Not so fast, Sawyer.”
He halts midstep, his hand pausing on the doorjamb before turning back to m
e.
“We need to talk.”
“Oh?” He feigns ignorance. “What about?”
Climbing from the bed, I come to stand before him. “My soon to be husband.”
His jaw immediately locks in anger. “What about him?”
“You know what. You’ve got to stop antagonizing him, Sawyer.”
“I do not antagonize him,” he blatantly lies.
“Yes, you do. You always do.”
“No way! He’s the one who antagonizes me. Just look how he tried to use my daughter and her pies against me.” He points his finger at me. “He’s goddamn lucky he’s still standing. Everyone knows you don’t fuck with my girls or my pies.”
I roll my eyes at the ridiculousness. “He wouldn’t have done anything if you hadn’t pushed his buttons first.”
“Bullshit!” he bellows. “He’s not the victim here. I am.”
“How so?” I ask, flabbergasted by the comment.
“Because the enemy is about to marry my baby sister. I have to deal with him for the rest of my life. He even torments me by telling me he’s going to knock you up and have a ton of babies with you. He wants to procreate just to annoy me. Do you have any idea how that makes me feel, Sam?”
I gape back at him in utter disbelief before bursting into laughter.
“This isn’t funny!”
“You’re right, it’s not. It’s not funny at all but sometimes, Sawyer, that’s all I can do because the other alternative is to cry.”
His hard expression begins to soften, remorse eventually taking its place.
“Do you have any idea how much it hurts that the two men I love most in the world hate each other so much? All I want is for you guys to respect each other. That’s it. Can’t you do that? At least for this weekend?” Stepping closer, I lay my hand on his arm in a pleading gesture. “Please, Sawyer? For me.”
The last of his resolve slips, a heavy breath escaping his chest. “Yeah, all right. I’ll try harder.”
“Thank you.” Smiling, I wrap my arms around his waist. “You know I’m happy you’re here for this, right?”
