Always the Best Man

by Michelle Major

  “Noah flirted with everything with a pulse before Katie,” Emily muttered.

  “But with me he was trying to make Josh jealous.” Sara’s smile was devious. “You have points in your favor for being related to Noah, but there are other reasons I like you.”

  “You barely know me.” Emily wiped the back of her hand across her mouth. “You definitely don’t know me well enough to comment on my sex life.” She heard the pretentiousness in her voice that she’d perfected during her short marriage.

  Sara only laughed again. It was a rich, musical sound that projected across the vast pasture spreading out behind the house. Sara was petite with pale blond hair and luminous blue eyes. Her bigger-than-life presence made her hard to ignore. Emily supposed the “it girl” vibe contributed to Sara’s fame from the time she’d been a child actor.

  “We met at the dinner to celebrate your mom’s recovery,” Sara told her. “You were there with your son, and it’s clear you’re devoted to him. Another plus in your favor.”

  “I remember but—”

  “You looked tense and defensive, like you might snap in two at any moment.” Sara waved a hand toward Emily. “Now you’re relaxed and you can’t control the good-sex grin on your face—”

  “I can control my smile,” Emily argued, then thought of Jase and felt the corners of her mouth tug upward. She pressed her fingers to her mouth and glanced at April.

  “Don’t look at me. I’m certainly not smiling like that.”

  “Which is what we’re working on next,” Sara said, moving to April’s side. “You’ve been alone for too long, my friend.”

  April shook her head, a tangle of red curls bouncing around her face. “One marriage was quite enough, thank you. I’m perfectly content without a man in my life.”

  “Don’t forget I was married, too.” Emily wasn’t sure why she felt compelled to argue this point. The idea that these women she was only beginning to know could read her was scary as hell. “I have a son and he’s my priority. I don’t have time for anything else.”

  “But you’ve been making time,” Sara said.

  April’s voice was gentle. “You do seem happier, which is a good thing.”

  “Maybe it’s the yoga.” Emily pointed at April. “I’ve been coming to your classes. Maybe you should take credit for my newfound calm, if that’s what I have.”

  “It’s more than calm,” April told her with a smile. “It’s a glow. I’d love to believe it was the yoga but—”

  “It’s sex.” Sara winked. “You don’t have to admit it for it to be true.”

  “Don’t tell Katie,” Emily mumbled after a moment. “She and Noah will want there to be more to it than there is.” She bit down on her lip, then grinned. “And it’s great the way it is.”

  It had been more than great and her stomach did a slow, sweet roll at the thought of the time she’d spent with Jase. It was easy to have him come to the farm with Ruby after work under the guise of discussing wedding plans or the mayor’s race, and he’d become a fixture at their dinner table. Emily’s mother had even insisted he bring Declan to join them for several evening meals.

  At first it amazed her how seriously he seemed to value her opinion. Whether on reception details or the more important campaign strategies, he listened to her ideas and often used them as the foundation from which to build his own.

  Emily liked being someone’s foundation. And she loved the private, stolen moments when Jase would wrap her in his arms and shower her with kisses. She felt the telltale goofy smile tug at her mouth again.

  Sara threw an arm around April’s shoulder. “Yoga classes are lovely but nothing is better than the restorative powers of great sex.” She pointed at Emily. “Are you going to tell us who it is?”

  “Do I have to?”

  Sara thought about that for a moment. “No, but if you don’t I’ll be forced to ask your soon-to-be sister-in-law.”

  April lifted her hand to clamp it over Sara’s mouth. “Forgive her. She means well. You don’t have to tell us anything.” April’s voice was gentle, her tone so motherly it made Emily warm inside. “For the record,” April added, “I think Jase is great.”

  “He is...” Emily narrowed her eyes. “Wait. That was sneaky.” A gorgeous earth mother with a little edge.

  “April’s the worst,” Sara said when April dropped her hand. “She’s gentle and sweet, so people don’t realize she’s also whip smart and far too observant. The thing that makes it less annoying is she’ll protect your secrets to her grave.”

  “Is Jase a secret?” April asked, her eyes all too perceptive.

  “Yes.” Emily shook her head. “I mean, no. We’re friends.”

  “April needs a friend like that,” Sara said with a laugh.

  “Why don’t you worry about your own love life and leave mine alone?” April crossed her arms over her chest and did her best to glare at Sara. She still looked sweet.

  “No worries in my life.” Sara wiggled her brows. “Josh is absolutely perfect. In fact, just last night...”

  “Save it,” April said quickly. “We’re talking about Emily.”

  “Feel free to move on,” Emily told them, then held up a hand to Sara. “I’m not asking for details about your private life.”

  Sara grabbed a muffin off the table and dropped into a chair. “You don’t seem like a sell-it-to-the-tabloids type of person.”

  “No.”

  “Of course she’s not,” April agreed. “So you and Jase are friends.” April pointed at Emily. “The kind of friends that have seen each other naked.”

  “That’s one way to put it,” Emily answered, making a face.

  “You like him?”

  Emily nodded.

  “A lot?” Sara asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Everyone in town loves him,” April offered. “Why just friends and why the secret?”

  “Because,” Sara added, popping a bite of muffin in her mouth. “You understand this town can’t keep a secret? People will find out.”

  “If they don’t already know,” April said.

  “We want something that belongs to us.”

  Now Sara’s face softened. “Oh, yes. I understand.” She glanced at April. “We both do.”

  Sara stood and came to give Emily a hug. She glanced over her shoulder at April. “Come on. Group embrace.”

  The willowy redhead, who smelled of vanilla and cloves, wrapped them both in a tight hug. “What is between you and Jase is yours,” she whispered. “But don’t hold on to it too tight. Love is like a garden, Emily. It needs light and air to breathe, or it will shrivel before it has a chance to grow strong.”

  Emily gasped. “It’s not love,” she murmured. “It can’t be.”

  Neither Sara nor April answered. They only tightened their hold on her.

  * * *

  By the time the last team came through the doors of the brewpub in downtown Crimson, Jase’s mood was as dark as the mahogany paneling lining the walls.

  Luckily his friends didn’t seem to notice. Everyone had loved Emily’s scavenger hunt. The teams had raced through Crimson collecting mementoes that were special to Noah and Katie.

  Now they were sharing stories about the couple, laughing and toasting the impending nuptials as the bride and groom held court at one of the large tables in the center of the bar. The entire evening had been a success if he ignored the fact that Emily was doing her best to avoid him.

  With so many of their friends around, it was easy to accomplish. No matter how many times Jase tried to meet her gaze or talk to her alone, she managed to slip away. He knew she’d spent the day working out at Crimson Ranch with Sara and April, but he couldn’t imagine how things could have changed between them so quickly.

  He watched her st
ep away from the main group to take a call on her cell phone, her brows puckering at whatever was being said on the other line. The conversation only lasted a few minutes, and he moved behind her as she ended the call.

  “Everything okay?”

  She jumped, pressing a hand to her chest. “Sneak up much?”

  “Avoid people much?” he countered.

  Color rose to her cheeks and she looked everywhere but into his eyes. The sudden distance between them made him angry. This had been the best week of his whole damn life. Even with the campaign, work and all the other pressures of regular life, Jase had felt happier than he could remember. He wanted more from Emily. He wanted the right to give more to her.

  Maybe it was excitement around the wedding or so many of his friends in relationships, but he was convinced Emily was meant for him. He’d always made decisions in his life based on what was smart and responsible. Duty had governed his actions for as long as he could remember. Being with Emily was about making himself happy. Making her happy. For the first time, he wanted to commit to something more than this town and restoring his family name.

  He wanted something of his own.

  He wanted Emily.

  “It’s been a hectic day,” she said, her tone stiff. “I want everything to be perfect for Noah and Katie.”

  “I thought we agreed perfection is overrated.”

  She looked at him now, her eyes sad. “Not for the two of them. They deserve it.”

  “You deserve—”

  She held up a hand. “I can’t have this conversation now. My mom called. One of Davey’s completed sets fell off the shelf and broke. He’s having a meltdown.” The sound of laughter and music carried to them and she glanced over his shoulder at their friends. She looked so alone it made his gut twist. “I’ve got to go, but I don’t want to worry Noah. Will you cover for me?”

  “Let me come with you.”

  “It’s better if you don’t,” she whispered. “People will talk.”

  “I don’t give a damn what anyone says.”

  She wrapped her arms tight around her middle. “I do.”

  Those two words killed him. He’d told her he wouldn’t push her, and he had to honor that. When she turned to walk away, it took everything in him not to stop her.

  Even more when Aaron Thompson slid off his bar stool as she moved past. The man put a meaty hand on Emily’s arm and she flinched. Jase saw red as Aaron leaned closer and Emily’s face drew into a stiff mask.

  Jase was striding forward by the time she shook free and ran out the pub’s front door.

  “What the hell did you say to her?” He pushed Aaron’s broad chest, and the man stumbled into the empty bar stool, knocking it on its side with a clatter.

  Jase felt the gazes of the crowded bar on him, but for once he didn’t care. He stepped into Aaron’s space as the other man straightened.

  Aaron leaned closer and lowered his voice so only Jase could hear. “I told her she’d have a hard enough time raising that weirdo kid of hers in this town without hitching herself to the Crenshaw wagon.” His beady eyes narrowed farther. “When she’s ready for a real man, she should give me a call. Your dad couldn’t keep a woman satisfied, and I doubt you’re any different.”

  It didn’t matter that Emily was gone. Jase knew Aaron’s words would have prodded at her fears, the same way they slithered into his. “Don’t ever,” he said on a growl, “speak to her again.”

  “Oh, yeah?” Aaron smirked. “Whatcha going to do about it?”

  Jase hauled back his fist and punched Aaron, his knuckles landing against skin with an audible thud. The burly man staggered a few steps before righting himself. Noah and Liam had already grabbed hold of Jase.

  “Dude,” Aaron shouted into the sudden quiet of the bar. “I’m sorry. My dad wants what’s best for this town. You don’t have to threaten our family.”

  “Settle down, man,” Noah said when Jase strained against him.

  “He’s lying.” Jase felt blood pounding against his temples. He glanced around the bar to find himself the center of attention from every corner. He was so used to being universally liked, it took him a minute to recognize the emotions playing in the gazes of the friends and strangers who stared at him.

  Anger. Disappointment. Pity.

  “He’s a liar,” Jase yelled and felt a heavy hand clasp on to his shoulder.

  “What’s the problem?” Cole Bennett, Crimson’s sheriff, stepped between Jase and Aaron.

  Aaron winced. “I made an offhand comment about the election to Jase,” he said, holding a hand to one eye. “You know, may the best man win and whatever. He went crazy on me.” He looked at the sheriff all righteous indignation. “Must have hit a nerve. My dad can tell you plenty of stories about the Crenshaws going ballistic for no reason.”

  Anger radiated through every cell in Jase’s body. He shifted, then realized Noah and Liam were still holding him. “I’m fine,” he said, shrugging away.

  “You sure?” Noah’s voice was concerned.

  “Yeah.” He pointed at Aaron. “That’s not what went down and you know it.”

  Sheriff Bennett stepped closer to him, placing one hand on his chest. “You want to tell me a different side of the story?”

  Jase opened his mouth, then snapped it shut again. He caught Aaron’s smug gaze over Cole’s shoulder and realized tonight was no accident. He’d been set up in this scene and had fallen right into the trap. He couldn’t contradict Aaron’s story without revealing specifics of the truth, which would humiliate Emily.

  “No.” He closed his eyes and tamped down his temper. “I’ve got nothing to say.”

  Cole heaved out a sigh. “Are you sure?”

  Jase met the other man’s gaze. “I am.”

  “What if I want to press charges?” Aaron asked.

  Cole gave Jase an apologetic look, then turned to the other man. “Do you?”

  “I should. It was a cheap shot.” The bartender handed Aaron a bag of ice and he groaned a little as he pressed it to his eye. “But I guess we can’t expect anything else from a Crenshaw.”

  Noah took a step forward, anger blazing in his eyes. “Don’t be a—”

  “It’s okay,” Jase interrupted, grabbing hold of his friend. “If he wants to press charges—”

  “I don’t. My father taught me to be the better man.”

  “Okay, then. Let’s move on. Everybody back to their regularly scheduled evening.” Cole turned to Jase. “I assume you’re heading out?”

  Jase nodded.

  “I don’t know what he did to deserve that punch,” Cole said, “but I can guarantee it wasn’t the story he told about the election. You sure you don’t want to tell me anything else?”

  “Positive.”

  With a nod, Cole moved away. Liam and Noah took his place.

  “What the hell, Jase?” Noah asked. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you take a swing at somebody.”

  “I’ve got to get out of here,” Jase muttered. “Sorry about causing a scene during your party.”

  Liam placed a hand on his shoulder. “You want company?” When Jase shook his head, Liam nodded and walked back toward their group of friends.

  “Come back to our table,” Noah told him. “Don’t let this ruin the night.”

  “I’m not going to,” Jase answered, “but I need to go now. Give Katie a hug for me. I’ll pick you up in the morning to head out to Crimson Ranch.”

  Noah looked like he wanted to argue but only said, “No one expects you to be perfect, Jase.”

  “I know.” But both of them knew it was a lie. People in this town expected perfection, duty and self-sacrifice from Jase, all of it offered with a smile. He understood that in the way of small towns, the news of the punch would spread like dandel
ion fuzz on the wind. The news, while inconsequential in its retelling, only needed to be nurtured a bit before it took root and grew into the start of a weed that could derail everything he’d worked to create.

  At this moment he couldn’t bring himself to care.

  He left the bar and kept his head down as he walked to his parking space in the alley behind his office building. Driving out of town, he was tempted to take the turnoff toward the Crawfords’ farm. Thoughts of Emily and her reaction to Aaron’s taunts consumed him, but he’d promised not to ask her for more than she was willing to give. In his current mood he might drive a wedge between them if he pushed her.

  Instead he steered his SUV toward the trailer park and pulled into his father’s small lot. The blue-tinted glow from the television was the only thing lighting the inside of the trailer.

  Declan hit the mute button on the remote when Jase walked in. “I thought the big party for Noah was tonight?”

  “It is,” Jase said, lowering himself to the sofa. “What happened to our family, Dad? Why are we so messed up? Mom leaving with Sierra, you and Uncle Steve drinking, Grandpa in jail. Why does every generation of our family have a sad story to tell?”

  His father leaned back against the recliner’s worn cushion. “Not every generation. Not you.”

  “Not yet,” Jase shot back. “It’s like there’s a curse on us, and I don’t know if I’m strong enough to break it.”

  “You already have.”

  “I decked Aaron Thompson tonight.”

  “Hot damn,” Declan muttered. “That little jerk has been giving you grief since grade school.”

  “You noticed?”

  “I’m a drunk, not an idiot. Hitting Aaron does not make you cursed. Hell, I’ve taken a swing or two at Charles over the years.”

  “And gotten yourself cuffed for the trouble.”

  “Worth it every time.”

  “I’m not you.”

  Declan laughed. “Praise the Lord.” He leaned forward, placed his elbows on his knees. “In a town like Crimson, people see what they want. Once a reputation is set, it’s hard to change it. I don’t know how the trouble with our family started, but I do know it’s easier to live down to expectations than to try to change them. At least it was for me. Your grandpa went to jail for the first time when I was ten. My brother and I had our first beers when we were eleven. Working in the mine didn’t help. Nothing much good comes from sticking a bunch of ornery men inside a mountain.”