He’d been excited all day about tonight, albeit a little nervous. He’d thought he’d have the chance to spend some time with Erin, even if among family and friends. But no. She was at a different table with another man—who didn’t join the bachelor line-up on stage and wasn’t at all prodded by Marilyn to do so.
What the hell did that mean? Had Erin and Tristan started dating? How could Tristan do that to him? They might not be very close, but they were still friends. How could Tristan make a move on his girl, and so soon after he and Erin had broken up?
He slumped in his seat, mightily pissed off at himself. Of course Tristan didn’t know how he felt for Erin. No one knew about the extent of his feelings for Erin. He couldn’t really blame anyone else for his current predicament.
“Alright, everyone,” Marilyn’s voice said through the loudspeakers. “It’s time for the bachelorettes to get up here.”
Brad glanced at Erin. She wasn’t getting up. In fact, she was leaning close to Tristan as she whispered something in his ear, with Tristan’s grandmother looking on in approval.
“Hey, you okay?” Lexie asked.
“Why didn’t you tell me that Erin was here with Tristan?” He’d been trying not to ask that question all night, but his crankiness was getting the better of him.
“Would it have mattered?”
“Come on, Lex. Erin and I may still be adjusting to what happened, but we’re still friends. I was expecting her to sit with us tonight. I don’t like being surprised like this.”
Lexie sighed. “Sorry. I did think about telling you, but since you didn’t even ask if Erin was coming tonight, I thought you didn’t want to know. I’ve made it a point not to talk to either of you about the other unless you specifically asked.”
“So they’re here as each other’s date?”
“Yeah,” Lexie said with a shrug. “It’s good for Erin not to look alone tonight, you know.”
Well, Erin certainly didn’t look alone. In fact, she seemed to be having a great time. With Tristan. Fuck.
He swivelled in his seat to pretend to watch the bachelorette dance auction, trying to ignore the heavy compression in his chest. Erin was truly moving on, and any joy remaining in him had just evaporated.
Damn it. Regardless of how it might be perceived, he would try to dance with Erin tonight. It could be his only chance to take her in his arms again and give her an indication that his problems might be close to being solved, with Warren’s help. Perhaps then she might hold off on this getting-over-him business?
Christ, now he wasn’t making any sense. How would doing that continue to protect Erin?
“Are you going to bid on anyone?” Gavin asked from the other side of him.
“I’m going to lay low. I don’t want any more attention from anybody here.” Besides, he didn’t want Erin to miscomprehend that he was interested in any of the single girls on stage—if she was even thinking about him at all.
“Good idea,” Gavin answered, keeping his voice low enough that no one else could hear. “I have some more bad news. There are already some whispers here tonight that it might have been Erin, and not you, who was responsible for your break-up.”
“You’ve spoken to some people about this?”
“No. I have someone else working the room tonight. She’s floating around, chatting with people and trying to pick up something that might be of interest to us.”
He nodded, appreciating Gavin’s thoroughness. “What are they saying?”
Gavin smiled mirthlessly. “There’s some talk that she might have cheated on you. Even Kevin’s name was mentioned.”
“That’s crazy,” he growled.
Gavin shrugged. “What they can see is that she’s here on a date with someone else a mere three weeks after your engagement was called off.”
Brad narrowed his eyes at Erin’s direction. How could she not see that her actions tonight weren’t doing her any favours? She was supposed to be the wronged one in their relationship—not him. Sure, she didn’t know what was being said behind her back, but couldn’t she be more careful for her own sake?
He turned to Lexie. “Apparently, people are starting to think that Erin was the bad person in our relationship.”
“Oh, really?” Lexie said, her eyes rounding.
“Yeah,” he said accusingly. “So didn’t you girls think of that consequence when you let Erin come here with Tristan?”
“No.”
“Talk to her, Lex,” he ordered. “And tell her that she’s being gossiped about right now because she’s with another man so soon after our engagement had ended. There’s still time to mitigate this situation.”
“Why are you so angry?”
“Because...” He took a deep breath, calming himself down.
“Because what?” Lexie asked gently.
“Because we’re trying to minimise negative rumours, and she’s not helping.”
“Okay, I’ll talk to her after this auction.”
With a resigned sigh, he turned his attention back to the stage, although his mind wasn’t on the goings-on happening on it.
How could no one else—including Erin herself—not have thought of the repercussions of Erin being Tristan’s date tonight? He had to fix this somehow. He hadn’t broken up with her for nothing!
*****
Brad watched surreptitiously as Lexie chatted with Erin in a quiet spot near a big ornamental plant.
God, Erin looked really stunning tonight, and it was taking all his self-control not to approach her and say hello.
He frowned as Erin shook her head at Lexie, a stubborn expression on her face. Clearly, she was disagreeing with what her friend was telling her.
With a deep breath, he walked towards them, looking around. Surely, no one would make a big deal of him saying hi to an ex. He had to make sure Erin understood the gravity of the situation.
“Hi, Brad,” Erin said with a smile when he joined them.
“Hi,” he said, his heart beating like a drum. This was the first time in weeks that he’d heard her voice and, even though it was just a friendly greeting, it was like a soothing balm to his ravaged heart.
“I think you’re overreacting,” Erin said nonchalantly.
His brows lifted. “Overreacting?”
“Yeah. So what if a handful of people are gossiping about me? I bet even if I turned up here alone, they’d still gossip.”
“The point is, they wouldn’t be saying nasty things about you if they thought you were the wronged woman. Being all sweet with Tristan gives them a different impression,” he said, trying to keep the emotion out of his voice.
“I was actually more concerned of the talk that would go around if you and I both came alone. I mean, people might think there’s a prospect of a reconciliation when there isn’t one. But you have a point. I’ll try not to look too sweet with Tristan,” she said, giving him a conciliatory smile.
He stared at her, his heart aching like hell. So she really was dating Tristan?
“So does Gavin have any suggestions on how to deal with this?” Lexie asked.
“I’ll talk to him again,” he said. “I do want a minute with Erin, if you don’t mind, Lex.”
Lexie frowned. “Is it a good idea for you two to be seen chatting alone?”
“Probably not,” Erin quipped. “Anyway, I’m sure Lexie can listen in, Brad. She knows everything that’s going on, anyway. Unless, you’re gonna berate me further for my lapse in judgement,” she added in a teasing tone.
“No,” he said, repressing a sigh. “I just wanted to see how you are.”
“I’m good! Really. Everyone knows it was hard for me initially, but because I know you have good intentions, it’s easy to get over the whole thing. Don’t worry about me, Brad. You have nothing to feel guilty about.”
His heart withered some more. “As long as you’re happy,” he murmured, forcing a smile.
“Like I said, don’t worry,” Erin said cheerfully. “Anyway, I better re
join the others. We wouldn’t want more gossip, would we?”
“You go ahead,” Lexie said. “I just want to discuss something with Brad.”
Brad followed Erin with his eyes as she walked away from them. From the upbeat way she moved, there was no reason for him to disbelieve her declarations.
“Are you happy, Brad?” Lexie asked softly.
“As happy as I can be considering the situation I find myself in,” he answered, opting for some truth.
“And what situation is that?”
“What do you mean?”
“What specifically is depressing you?”
He snickered. “Do you have to ask? You know the whole story.”
“Not the whole story, by the looks of it. Are you regretting letting Erin go?”
“No,” he said definitively, looking Lexie straight in the eye. He’d never regret protecting Erin’s career and livelihood. His heart might be breaking to pieces, but he wouldn’t change any decision he’d made in the past. Anything different and they would have had an unhealthy relationship, destroyed by his guilt and self-recrimination.
“Okay. I just thought... Never mind. Shall we mingle?”
“Yes,” he said, dreading the thought. Unfortunately, he couldn’t go home yet, even if he wanted to. Better show everyone he was unaffected by Erin and Tristan being together tonight. That would hopefully further alleviate any negative criticism levelled on Erin.
He’d never thought he’d be this... in love to want to be making huge sacrifices for another person. And it had never occurred to him that he could be this gutted over losing someone.
Well, didn’t he say he never intended to get married anyway? Perhaps he was caught in a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Argh. He shouldn’t be thinking this way, or he might as well find a hole to crawl in.
“You look like shit,” a voice said behind them.
“Rick!” Lexie said, slapping her fiancé’s arm.
“Well, he does. He’s obviously in some pain but is keeping it all in.”
Brad smirked. “What are you? A psychologist? How do you know?”
“Because I’ve seen that look in the mirror many times before, when I thought I couldn’t be with Lexie,” Rick said, putting an arm around his fiancée and kissing her temple.
“Well,” he drawled sarcastically, clamping down on the envy that rose up his throat at the couple’s gesture. “I do have pain, and it’s in my butt. The sooner this sabotage thing is resolved, the faster I can fix the damage it’s doing to my company.”
“Liar,” Rick muttered.
“Is your fiancé drunk?” he asked Lexie, ignoring Rick, who was starting to piss him off. This wasn’t the time and place to talk about his broken heart.
“Are you really telling the truth?” Lexie countered.
He faced his sister fully. “Do you want your best friend to have the same problem I’m having? For gossip to taint her reputation and affect her career?”
“No,” Lexie said in a small voice.
“Then stop asking me questions,” he said with irritation before hurrying away from the two people who had no business pressing him about his feelings. What was the point, when it could unravel everything he’d done to protect Erin?
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
“Dance, Erin?”
“Sure,” Erin answered, taking Tristan’s hand but trying to keep an eye on the ballroom doors. She’d seen Brad walk out, and she couldn’t help but wait for him to come back in.
Something about Brad’s demeanour tonight had been bothering her. He was being too quiet and broody, like something heavy was distracting him. She didn’t like the thought that he was carrying his problems all by himself. Why wouldn’t he let anyone else help?
Yes, he had Gavin, who was doing all he could to identify the culprit. But Brad seemed to close himself off to emotional support, even from his sister.
The doors opened and in walked Brad, making her heart skip a beat. She noticed him frown at the Grants’ table, which was now empty, before he surveyed the dance floor, a bleak expression on his face.
“You should talk to him,” Tristan said.
She blushed. “Sorry. I’m just worried about him. You know how tough a time he’s been having lately with all the rumours.”
“I know. So why don’t you guys talk? It’s obvious you’re both missing each other.”
She smirked. “You know the truth, Tristan. I was into him, he wasn’t into me. You can bet your bottom dollar he’s not missing me the way you think he is.”
“I know what I’ve been seeing, and it’s Brad giving me dirty looks all night. And I’m betting my bottom dollar it’s because of you. You care a lot about each other.”
“Sure. But I’ll only ever be a friend to him,” she said, unable to hide the hurt in her voice.
“Aw, come now, Erin. I’m sure you guys can work it out.”
“You know what? I might still be getting over him, but I’m actually okay,” she said lightly, not allowing herself to connect with her deep, dark emotions. She wouldn’t want to break down in here.
“Are you sure?” Tristan asked.
“Yes. I’ve known for years what Brad’s like, so I’m absolutely fine with moving on. Forcing him into something he doesn’t want is just a recipe for disaster, not to mention foolish and futile. I wasn’t expecting him to change, anyway. Lucky for us our friendship is strong enough to withstand a little bit of heartache. Wounds do mend, and I am on the mend.”
“Hey, that’s a great attitude,” Tristan said, sounding impressed. “If only all those women I’ve dated thought like you.”
She laughed. “I forgot I’m talking to another commitment-phobic male. How’s your dating life, by the way? I heard your grandmother has bet pretty big money on you to be the next guy to be captured by love, and that she’d double that money for charity if you won. Surely you wouldn’t deny a worthwhile cause that kind of donation.”
“Heck, I’ll hand over that money to her charity myself without any strings. Marilyn’s just into all sorts of fun and games, and I don’t know why she’s picking on us guys.”
“You have to admit the game is fun. Who would have guessed that Lucas, Rick and Carter would fall so quickly? It wasn’t as if any of those guys decided to fall in love out of the goodness of their hearts for a good cause. Something similar could happen to you,” she teased.
“Anyway, how’s work?” Tristan said dryly.
She laughed some more. “Okay, I get the picture. Seriously, what is it with you and commitment? Why is it so scary for you?”
Tristan shrugged. “I suppose I’m just committed to other things, like my business and the causes I support. I just can’t find it in me to put in the time and effort needed to keep a relationship going.”
“Brad’s the same,” she murmured.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to—”
“It’s okay,” she interrupted. “I get where you’re coming from. That’s why it’s easy to forgive Brad. Not that he’s done anything wrong, mind you. But you know what I mean.”
“Well, not to get your hopes up, but I do think he wants to wring my neck right now,” Tristan said with amusement.
She followed Tristan’s line of sight and spotted Brad glaring at them with a stony face. He averted his gaze when he caught her looking. She sighed. “He’s annoyed because I promised not to look too sweet towards you.”
“Too sweet? This isn’t being too sweet. This is.” Tristan released her hand and put both his arms around her, holding her tight with his head touching hers.
“Tristan!” she whispered urgently, trying to pull back without looking like she was struggling against him.
“If I let go, will you talk to Brad?”
She chuckled mirthlessly. “What’s with wanting me and Brad to talk?”
“Even a commitment-phobe like me can see that there’s something going on here. For some reason, you’re too stubborn to see it.”
“I’
m not being stubborn. I just know Brad. I’ve known him far, far longer than you have. Besides, he’s already made himself perfectly clear he doesn’t want a serious relationship. He’s like you, Tristan.”
“Perhaps. But has it ever occurred to you that he might be lying so you’ll stay away from him?”
She frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Like you said, Brad and I are similar in some respects. If the same thing was happening to me, I’d also be pulling out all stops to protect and save my company. But his insistence to protect you at all cost? That kind of goes against the grain. Yes, you’re good friends, but you’ve insisted on helping him out, haven’t you? You were willing to continue with your relationship and find a different way to tackle this problem together?”
She nodded, her eyes wide.
Tristan smiled. “See, if I were him, I’d take you up on that offer because, first and foremost, my business is my priority. But Brad cares enough about you to make sure you keep the job you love, to the detriment of his own case. Me? I’d offer you a job, or help you find a new one if you happened to lose yours at JMR because of the negativities. I’m probably just a selfish bastard and he’s a good guy, but I know I wouldn’t be putting my whole company in further jeopardy just to stave off some negative rumours about you, which to my eyes are nowhere near as serious as the accusations thrown at him. And here he is tonight, still more worried about you, despite the fact that the business he’s worked hard to build is being severely undermined.”
Her eyes watered. Could it be true?
“Come on,” Tristan said, suddenly taking her by the hand and leading her off the dance floor.
“Where are we going?”
“To Brad, before he starts dancing with that woman who bid for him. And don’t worry about who might be watching. I’m taking you to him. Let them speculate all they want as to why.”
She had to smile, grateful for Tristan’s initiative.
She gulped as they approached Brad, who looked surprised.
“Hey, Brad,” Tristan said. “I have to go hobnob with other people. I thought you and Erin might want to have a dance or two, so here she is.”
The Unintended Fiancé (Captured by Love Book 4) Page 14
