"So freaking cool, right?"
Jackson nodded.
Brianna was glad he could bond not only with her but Derrick and Frank as well over the cars.
"It looks like they've picked the cars they want to play in." Frank stepped forward. "The keys are in the ignition, boys." Frank pointed to the left. "Jackson, that's your track. Derrick, you'll take the right one."
"No way," Jackson looked like a little boy at Christmas. "I can sit in it?"
"Sit? Yes, and drive it. These are our VIP test cars. There's a Tesla too." Frank pointed to a candy apple red car, and Jackson moaned in pleasure as he darted to it next.
"Hey, hands-off. This one is mine first," Derrick playfully slapped Jackson's hands away.
"One lap, then trade?" Jackson suggested while Brianna and Callie moved to the side to watch their men enjoy the surprise.
"Deal." Derrick and Jackson shook hands.
Frank smirked and crossed his arms. "Unless you break Brianna's heart, you'll be back, and I'll be more than happy to share my love of cars." Stepping towards the cars, Frank began to discuss the various components and details with Jackson and Derrick.
It all went over Brianna's head. Her car got her from point A to point B as fast as possible. And she'd had it for years and would have it for years more since Frank had been the one to get it restored for her.
When Frank had Jackson settled in the Cobra and Derrick in the Tesla, he stepped back. Jackson headed one way, and Derrick headed the other both with big grins. Frank joined them as they watched the two men speed around the track.
"He seems nice."
"I really like him, Frank."
"Does he know about the whole Briony contract?"
"Not yet, we're telling him tomorrow," Callie chimed in. "But he's good people."
"Okay. I trust your judgment."
Offended, Brianna slapped his arm. "What about my judgment?"
"You signed that stupid ass contract, so I'm still on the fence."
She flipped him off. "Well, since I'm sleeping with him, then it's my damned judgment that matters."
Frank tipped his head from side to side. "Maybe. We'll see."
Wanting to give her friend more so he wouldn't worry, she explained about Jackson's past with Callie filling in when Brianna wasn't sure how to put something into words. She really wanted Frank to like Jackson and not worry as he would travel to another state tomorrow morning with his cars.
"He's solid, dependable, and honest to a fault. He's someone I could build a foundation with and never doubt they mean what they say," Brianna stated.
Frank hugged her. "If he hurts you, I'll be the first in line to destroy him."
"Second," Callie said. "You'll have to get behind me and take the leftovers."
Frank chuckled. "Done."
"Oh, the boys are coming in," Brianna said.
"Let's get them swapped out." Frank clasped her shoulder. "I'm glad you found someone worthy of you, Bri."
Brianna kissed Frank's cheek. "Thanks, Frank."
"Hey, no making moves on my date," Jackson called his smile a startling contrast to his tan skin.
He jogged over to Brianna and threw his arms around her. "That was the best experience ever. Thank you." A smacking kiss to her cheek.
She wrapped her arms around his hard waist, no give to be found. "It's not over yet."
"He's really going to let us swap cars?" He dropped his arms and untangled hers from around him.
"Come on over, Jackson," Frank called, motioning to the driver's door of the Tesla.
"Dumped for a car. I see how it is." She teased glad he was having fun.
"I'll make it up to you. I swear," Jackson said, barely glancing her way as he slid into the red car Frank stood next to.
Letting him enjoy this experience, Brianna memorized the moment. Her friends laughing and joking with the man that had captured her heart.
* * * *
Brianna couldn't contain her excitement. The entire day had been a dream. Callie had been demanding time alone with Jackson to get to know him better. With how close she was to Callie and how they were basically in each other's back pockets it was good to get him desensitized now. Or find out if he had a problem with her best friend.
But there were no problems, the two got along like a house on fire. And if she didn't see the difference between Jackson's lust-filled gaze when he looked at her and his more brotherly gaze when he looked at Callie, Brianna might have been jealous. Instead, she was ecstatic. Now, they were on their way to the big surprise. The finale of the day. Something she and Callie had put together for the men. They were going to go nuts.
"So, ladies, where are you taking us?" Jackson laced their fingers together.
She nudged his hip with hers. "It's a surprise so quit interrogating us."
He leaned in; his breath sent a shiver down her spine as he whispered. "But it's one of my specialties."
"Hey, Callie. Hey, Brianna."
Brianna jumped well away from Jackson as her face heated at being caught thinking about Jackson's other specialties. His dark chuckle made her cut her eyes at her errant boyfriend.
Ignoring him, Brianna spotted their three regulars who came out to ride the trails a few times throughout the year and headed their way. Bobby Lowe flagged them down and she and Callie fell into discussing when his group would be coming again but she still heard Jackson's whistle of appreciation as he took in the sleek lines of Bobby's Shelby Mustang. It was his prize with the Wimbledon White and blue panel stripes. She remembered him complaining years ago when he first got the car to fix up. Someone had painted the car candy apple red which to Bobby was a travesty. Luckily, Callie knew a great body shop and sent Bobby their way.
"I'm shocked someone brought this car out." Jackson reached out to brush his fingers across the shiny
"They're meant to be enjoyed, not just tucked away in a garage or climate controlled safe," Bobby stated rounding the vehicle to show off his baby.
Brianna introduced them, "Jackson McCord, this is Bobby Lowe."
"Nice to meet you," The white-haired man shook Jackson's hand.
In a glance, Brianna put the man in his early sixties. Designer jeans, a burgundy shirt and mirrored aviator sunglasses completed the picture of a rich man knocking around with friends. She had forgotten Bobby came from money so used to his rougher trail clothes when he came to knock around with them. Sitting on either side of Bobby's empty chair, were Wayne and Silas. Both men sprang from their seats and introduced themselves before joining the discussion.
Wayne's hair was more gray than white and Silas only had a thin ring of gray the rest of his head was bald.
"So, you like Bobby's Shelby? How about ya' come see my fully restored Camaro," Wayne said gesturing up the row to the right.
"Don't nobody wanna see the Camaro, Wayne. They're gonna wanna see my Corvette—"
"Pfft." Wayne half turned, taking up what looked like a continuing argument with Silas.
Bobby waved his hand an exasperated look on his face. "Come with me, boys. I'll show you around while those two settle their argument."
Brianna smiled, shaking her head. "Thanks, Mr. Lowe, but we're meeting Frank Garrett."
Bobby's eyes widened. "I might wander down to the track then."
"We've gotta hurry or we'll be late," Brianna took Jackson's hand again while Callie disentangled Derrick from Wayne and Silas. The tossed a wave towards Bobby and his friends before facing forward and loping to the far end of the field. Callie and Derrick quickly moving ahead as Derrick seemed to realize what the surprise was.
Before Brianna could suggest they catch up, Jackson pulled her to a stop. "Who's Frank?"
Surprised, she tipped her head to the side. Could he be jealous? Snorting at that thought, she tightened the grip she had on his fingers. "Frank and Callie were my only friends in school. Briony used to call them the F's. She said I was even a failure at the friends department—"
"Not to speak
ill of the dead, but your sister really isn't a nice person."
Brianna grinned. "You wanted to call her a witch."
"No, I wanted to call her a bitch, but seeing as how you're related to her and she's not here to defend herself anymore I'll go with the softer version."
She hugged this facet of his personality close. As rough as he looked and sounded, he still treated people with respect and dignity. Even if they didn't deserve it.
"So, what does he do?"
"Well, Frank is one of the primary backers of these shows an—"
His green eyes narrowed on her. "You didn't use your parent's contacts for any of this?"
"What? No! I don't associate with my parent's or their friends unless I absolutely have to."
"So, Frank won't call you Briony?"
Her heart melted at his concern. "No, he won't call me Briony. He even calls me Brianna if my family's around."
Disbelief that she'd let that nugget of information slip, Brianna tried to bury any thoughts of the contract down deep. Tried to wall off that information so she wouldn't slip again because if anyone overheard them … well it could be disastrous. Not that she had much luck today, she had heard him call her Briony a few times. The name at first caused her to immediately go on alert as she looked for her parents but when she realized they weren't anywhere nearby pain had raked across her heart until Callie had reminded her about Jackson's past. The reminder settled something in her and made it easier to accept when he slipped up. Not that it mattered, in a month this whole thing would be done and dusted and she could get on with her life. Hopefully, with Jackson in it.
Turning her attention back to the man she wanted to lay claim to, she held up a hand as he opened his mouth for more questions. "Before you ask, you've met Callie, she doesn't give in to anyone and Frank is the same. Especially, if it has to do with my family, they won't back down."
"So your mother is the one who keeps the whole Briony fiasco alive?" Interest sparked his eyes.
"Yes and no." Huffing out an exasperated breath, Brianna tried to come up with enough of an answer to satisfy him without breaking the NDA. "I'm sure Callie told you that we're explaining everything tomorrow."
Jackson grinned. "She did."
She was happy they'd found a way to share this last secret with Jackson. She hated the wall that the contract represented coming between them constantly. His frown grew fiercer and worry began to eat away at her happiness.
"I'm going to come by early so we can talk."
She flinched but he gathered her to his chest and kissed the top of her head.
"It isn't bad, but you're not the only one who has a past—"
Confused, she traced the Deputy's logo over his heart. "But you already told me about your parents."
He held her tighter. "It doesn't have anything to do with them. This is about why I moved to Alabama."
"I wondered." She met his turbulent gaze. The gray murky and dark. "I heard you talking at the silent auction. It sounded like you enjoyed your job and were moving up the ranks—"
"Tomorrow I'll explain everything and we'll rip both secrets off like a band aide."
She pulled his forehead down until it rested against hers. "Or you could come tonight."
"Can't. I'm on the overnight shift for the Booking station."
"I forgot. So, tomorrow and I can show you around—"
"Hey, you two!" Callie shouted making both of them jump.
Brianna's heart raced at the loud interruption. "What?"
"Move your asses! It's not like Frank can keep these things just for himself. There are other customers you know."
"Shit." Brianna stepped away missing the warmth of his arms the second she left them. But she knew he would love this so she grabbed his hand and began dragging him toward Callie.
He jerked her to a stop and gave her a quick peck. "I would love for you to give me a tour. I heard Callie's kids mention bears."
Brianna grinned. "And you were curious."
"Of course."
"Well, we'll satisfy all your needs tomorrow."
His eyes darkened further as they turned predatory.
"Hello! Am I invisible!"
"Jesus, she's got a big mouth," Jackson muttered.
Brianna laughed.
"Okay, show me the surprise before pipsqueak loses her shit."
They hurried to Callie's side before she started shouting more. Frank was headed toward them as well. The tall lanky man with his shoulder-length brown hair pulled back at the nape of his neck ate up the ground. Dressed casually in jeans and dark green polo he drew many a woman's appreciative gaze. Not her or Callie as they thought of him more of a brother than anything else.
"There you are," Frank shouted running up to her, swinging her up into a hug. "Thought I was gonna have to send out the dogs to look for you."
"Nope, Frank, this is Jackson." Brianna moved to stand by Jackson sighing when he laced their fingers together again.
"Damn you're taller than Callie said." Frank placed his sunglasses on the top of his head and tipped his head back. "You're like a giant."
"Or I'm normal size and you just need to grow some more like pipsqueak there." Jackson hooked a thumb at Callie who had her mouth covered by Derrick again.
Frank laughed. "Good. You'll need a sharp tongue to keep up with me and Callie. And I'm sure Callie already talked to you about not hurting Brianna … she probably mentioned a pencil and your balls. So, I'm just throwing my own warning in as well. However, I don't use pencils … I use my guns."
"Duly noted. They are registered right?"
Brianna laughed. "He's got you there, Frank."
"Smart ass, yeah they're registered. Now come on I can see Brianna's all but vibrating with excitement over her surprise and Derrick's been salivating as well." Frank tromped across the packed dirt road into the paved parking lot.
Security nodded to them as they passed through the doorway into the air-conditioned building. A short hallway led to a glass door, then they were outside again with the newest car releases.
"Holy shit." Jackson dropped her hand and immediately made a beeline to the Cobra. The second he reached it; he ran his hands over it in reverence. Derrick headed for the Tesla.
"So freaking cool, right?"
Jackson nodded.
Brianna was glad he could bond not only with her but Derrick and Frank as well over the cars.
"It looks like they've picked the cars they want to play in." Frank stepped forward. "The keys are in the ignition, boys." Frank pointed to the left. "Jackson, that's your track. Derrick, you'll take the right one."
"No way," Jackson looked like a little boy at Christmas. "I can sit in it?"
"Sit? Yeah and drive it. These are our VIP test cars. There's a Tesla too." Frank pointed to a candy apple red car and Jackson moaned in pleasure as he darted to it next.
"Hey, hands off. This one is mine first," Derrick playfully slapped Jackson's hands away.
"One lap then trade?" Jackson suggested while Brianna and Callie moved to the side to watch their men enjoy the surprise.
"Deal." Derrick and Jackson shook hands.
Frank smirked and crossed his arms. "Unless you break Brianna's heart you'll be back and I'll be more than happy to share my love of cars." Stepping towards the cars, Frank began to discuss the various components and details with Jackson and Derrick.
It all went over Brianna's head. Her car got her from point A to point B as fast as possible. And she'd had it for years and would have it for years more since Frank had been the one to get it restored for her.
When Frank had Jackson settled in the Cobra and Derrick in the Tesla, he stepped back. Jackson headed one way and Derrick headed the other both with big grins. Frank joined them as they watched the two men speed around the track.
"He seems nice."
"I really like him, Frank."
"Does he know about the whole Briony contract?"
"Not yet, we're telling him tomorrow
," Callie chimed in. "But he's good people."
"Okay. I trust your judgment."
Offended, Brianna slapped his arm. "What about my judgment?"
"You signed that stupid ass contract, so I'm still on the fence."
She flipped him off. "Well, since I'm sleeping with him then it's my damned judgment that matters."
Frank tipped his head from side to side. "Maybe. We'll see."
Wanting to give her friend more so he wouldn't worry, she explained about Jackson's past with Callie filling in when Brianna wasn't sure how to put something into words. She really wanted Frank to like Jackson and not worry as he would be traveling to another state tomorrow morning with his cars.
"He's solid, dependable and honest to a fault. He's someone I could build a foundation with and never doubt they mean what they say," Brianna stated.
Frank hugged her. "If he hurts you, I'll be the first in line to destroy him."
"Second," Callie said. "You'll have to get behind me and take the leftovers."
Frank chuckled. "Done."
"Oh, the boys are coming in," Brianna said.
"Let's get them swapped out." Frank clasped her shoulder. "I'm glad you found someone worthy of you, Bri."
Brianna kissed Frank's cheek. "Thanks, Frank."
"Hey, no making moves on my date," Jackson called, his smile a startling contrast to his tan skin.
He jogged over to Brianna and threw his arms around her. "That was the best experience ever. Thank you." A smacking kiss to her cheek.
She wrapped her arms around his hard waist, no give to be found. "It's not over yet."
"He's really going to let us swap cars?" He dropped his arms and untangled hers from around him.
"Come on over, Jackson," Frank called motioning to the driver's door of the Tesla.
"Dumped for a car. I see how it is." She teased glad he was having fun.
"I'll make it up to you. I swear," Jackson said barely glancing her way as he slid into the pretty red car Frank stood next to.
Letting him enjoy this experience, Brianna memorized the moment. Her friends laughing and joking with the man that had captured her heart.
Chapter Eleven
The Twin Contract (The Contract Series Book 1) Page 19
