Fake Marriage (Contemporary Romance Box Set)

by Ajme Williams

  It was my own doing and perhaps Sinclair was right in that I needed to talk to someone. The problem was that Salvation was a small town. While the few therapists that were here kept client confidentiality, their offices were in places where people would see me. I didn’t want people knowing I was seeing a counselor. My business was my business. Perhaps I was too proud. Maybe people wouldn’t care that I was getting help. Maybe they’d be glad. All I knew was that I’d felt like people watched and talked about my family while I was a kid. I didn’t want that now that I was grown up.

  I was just sending the mayor a recent financial report from the parks and rec department when Sinclair stormed into the main area of the office and slammed a newspaper down on my desk.

  “Did you have something to do with this?” she demanded.

  I stared at her in stunned confusion and then looked down at the paper, reading the headline. “Wallace is running for mayor. You think I set that up?”

  She jammed her finger on the article again.

  I looked again, noting the subheadline. “And Stark is backing him.” I shrugged, still failing to see why she was hot and bothered. She knew she wasn’t going to run for mayor uncontested. Supporting her rival seemed right up Stark’s alley, so I don’t know why that bothered her, except maybe he was funneling a lot of money into his campaign.

  “Look at the picture,” she said tightly.

  I studied the grainy black and white newspaper photo showing a tent and lots of hoity toity dressed up people.

  “He’s got rich people backing him. I still don’t see—”

  “That’s Ryder!”

  I jumped at her voice but looked where her finger was pointed. Sure enough, Ryder was standing on a platform playing his guitar. I studied it further noting that he was alone. His bandmates weren’t there. That didn’t seem right. I frowned. And then I realized what Sinclair had accused me of.

  “You think I made him do that? Why? I don’t like Stark. He doesn’t like Stark.” I was baffled.

  “Maybe you told him he was a loser and needed money.”

  The comment hurt, even though I knew why she’d think it. “I’d never ask him to do—”

  “You were chummy with Stark the other week. Maybe you manipulated him.”

  I wasn’t sure if she meant I manipulated Stark to hire Ryder, or Ryder to play for Stark, but it didn’t matter, I resented the implication. I could feel myself getting hot, physically and emotionally, but I did my damnedest to hold it in.

  “I don’t know what you think you saw Stark say to me, but he and I weren’t chummy, although he had more manners than you right now.” I pushed the newspaper back toward her.

  “My brother betrayed me. The one who all of a sudden is worried about money.”

  “He’s having a baby,” I said. “Maybe he is concerned about that.”

  “Yes, I wonder why?” Again, her tone was accusatory.

  “Look Sinclair, I haven’t seen nor talked to Ryder in over a week.” Jesus, had it been that long? No wonder I missed him. “If you have questions about this, maybe you should talk to him, because his playing for Stark wasn’t my idea. I didn’t even know it was happening.” I looked at the picture again, shocked that he’d have agreed to play for Stark. “I’m sure there’s an explanation.” I looked up at her again. “Ryder loves you and I think maybe this picture isn’t telling the whole story. You shouldn’t assume the worst.”

  “That’s a funny thing to hear from the person who’s always thinking the worst of people,” she sniped.

  I sighed. She wasn’t wrong about that either. I remembered accusing Ryder of moving on with Erica Edmonds because of the business card. In retrospect, I mishandled that. I shouldn’t have acted jealous because I knew where we stood. Hell, I was eager to get home and on with my own life alone. I ignored the voice in my head that called me a liar.

  Then, speaking of the devil, Erica walked into the office.

  “Oh good, you’re here,” she said walking up to Sinclair. “I was wondering if I could get a statement from you on the fact that Simon Stark is backing your rival for the mayor’s position.”

  Sinclair’s eyes narrowed. “I’ve got a comment—”

  I shot up from my chair. “The deputy mayor will send her comments to you in writing, Ms. Edmonds.” Sinclair and I might be on the outs at the moment, but I wasn’t going to let this man-stealing viper hurt my friend. And Sinclair, with her own temper snapping about was likely to say something that could hurt her campaign.

  Sinclair’s mouth snapped shut. I hoped that meant she understood I was trying to protect her.

  “But I’m here right now,” Erica said.

  “Mr. Jones is on the phone for you,” I said to Sinclair. Of course, Wyatt wasn’t on the phone, but thankfully, Sinclair took my meaning.

  “Yes, I’ll take it in my office.” She turned to leave without a word to Erica.

  Erica started to call after her, but I interrupted. “Listen, I get that gossip sells especially if it hurts people—”

  She recoiled. “I resent that.”

  “Then you understand that the deputy mayor doesn’t need you in her face demanding a statement before she’s prepared to make one.”

  She studied me for a minute. “Or maybe she’s more upset at her brother supporting the competition.”

  Oh lord, here we go, I thought. “You’re the one who seems to want to cover Ryder.” I said the word “cover” in a way that suggested she wanted to get naked with him.

  Her eyes narrowed, clearly not liking what I was saying. “Ryder is a handsome, single man. But I am a professional.”

  I wanted to tell her that Ryder was mine, but of course, I couldn’t. “You accosted me in a bathroom wanting to know his eligibility status. How is that professional?”

  She pursed her lips. “One, I wasn’t working then. And two, if I was, I’d have printed something about your fake marriage deal. What is it about the Simms family that they all get fake married?”

  “So, you are a gossip columnist and not a real journalist after all?”

  Her eyes flashed with heat. “Like I said, I didn’t print that because I wasn’t working.”

  “And your giving Ryder your personal phone number when you were questioning him about Stark? That was professional?”

  She studied me and then laughed. “Okay. I get it. He’s taken—”

  “I didn’t say that.”

  “You don’t have to. Do I think Ryder is handsome? Yes. Would I enjoy seeing him? Yes. But I see what’s going on. I’m not a woman to poach another woman’s man. He’s off limits. I get it.”

  “It’s not like that—”

  “Look. My main interest is in writing a story about Simon Stark. He and the deputy mayor have a history and I’d be remiss if I didn’t include this latest situation in which he’s backing her rival. That’s why I’m here. When the deputy mayor has a statement, have her call me.” Erica handed me her card.

  I took it and nodded. When Erica left, I made my way to Sinclair’s office.

  “I love you too,” she said and hung up the phone, waving me in.

  “Was that Ryder?” I asked, thinking she’d called him to find out what he’d been thinking to play at Stark’s event.

  “No. I took your advice and called Wyatt. I’m not ready to talk to Ryder.”

  “I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation.”

  She pursed her lips at me and I expected her to again point out my hypocrisy since I tended to judge people quickly and harshly.

  “I’ll be curious to hear what it is that makes it okay for him to not only play for my nemesis but betray me by supporting my rival.” She shook her head. “I wish he’d grow up sometimes.”

  I shrugged, because I often thought the same. “I guess that’s part of his charm.”

  “Yeah, well, thanks for not letting me say something stupid to the reporter. That’s just what I need at this time.”

  “It’s part of my job.” I ne
arly added, “that I still have,” but decided not to harp on the fact that so much of my work had been re-delegated.

  “Do you think Stark is after me specifically or am I just another person in his way?” she asked.

  “Maybe a little of both. He doesn’t strike me as a man who takes losing well. But he also seems pragmatic. He’ll focus on the big picture, and if the road to his goals can include getting back at you, he will,” I said.

  “What do you think the big picture is? I mean, he’s already rich. Why is he here in Salvation when he could be in New York or someplace where he could more easily fit in and get richer?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe when Erica’s article comes out, she’ll tell us the answer.”

  “Do you think she realized it was Ryder?” Sinclair asked, looking at the picture of Ryder in the paper again.

  I nodded. “Yes. She mentioned it.”

  “Oh hell.”

  “She has a thing for him though, so maybe she won’t bring it up.”

  Sinclair’s head jerked back a bit. “A thing?”

  “Yes.” I tried to act nonchalant.

  “Is Ryder receptive?”

  I remembered how he denied being interested in her when I found the business card. “He says he isn’t.”

  Sinclair arched a brow. “So, you’ve had this discussion?”

  “It wasn’t a discussion as much as it was me accusing him of moving on to her before he’d finished with me.” Crap, maybe I shouldn’t have said that.

  She sighed. “Ryder is a lot of things, but a cheater and liar isn’t one of them.” She looked at the newspaper again and I got the feeling that she was thinking he had to have a good reason for being at Stark’s event.

  She looked up at me. “So, what is with you and Ryder?”

  “We completed the bet.” Sort of. I did leave a day early. I wondered if Ryder would out me on that.

  “That’s it? You slept with him and now it’s done?”

  “Well, not done,” I said pressing my hand over my belly. “But now it’s just about the baby.”

  “Is that what you want?”

  Before I could answer, her phone rang. She looked at the caller ID. “It’s the mayor.”

  I nodded thanking the heavens to be saved by the bell. “I’ll leave you to it.”

  I exited her office shutting the door. She and I were back on even ground again. The rest of my life still felt like a crapshoot, but at least I had her again, I thought as I headed back to my desk.

  25

  Ryder

  I was the worst fucking brother ever. Not only did I betray my sister by playing at a fundraiser for her political rival, but I hadn’t had the guts to tell her about it and beg her forgiveness. After dealing with Mr. Coffey, I’d mostly hidden away.

  When the paper came out, I nearly died. I’d hoped that no one noticed, but I got a few not-so-friendly comments when I was serving at the bar. I tried to ignore them. Instead, I focused on how the money was going to secure my child’s future, but it was damn hard. The fact that I didn’t hear from Sinclair, made me even more nervous. I considered calling Trina to ask about it, but figured she’d be livid too. Turns out I was a coward, as I avoided them both.

  With the ten thousand extra I made from my betrayal, I put most in savings and used some to pay for the structural repair of my porch and other materials to fix up my home.

  When Wyatt came over again to help me fix up the house, I waited for him to give me the what for that I deserved. After all, Stark bullied his mother and harassed them about selling his farm. He’d more than likely feel betrayed too.

  When I opened the door to his knock, he gave me a knowing smirk. “I should kick your ass.”

  “You probably should,” I agreed, letting him in the house.

  “First I have to hear what would compel you to go against your sister.”

  I explained everything. How I wanted the money for the baby and to show Trina I was a safe bet. I hoped he believed me when I told him that I didn’t know it was a fundraiser for Wallace. I felt even sicker speaking it all out loud than I had with it rattling around in my brain. I told him that as well.

  “Not sick enough not to do it or not to take the money,” he quipped.

  Jesus, I thought I might throw up. “I’m buying the Salvation Station with it. That means Stark can’t buy it.” It was a lame excuse, but I needed something to save my soul from eternal damnation.

  Wyatt thought about that. “Use his money against him. I like it.”

  “It’s the least I can do since he tricked me into using me against my sister. By the way, is she going to castrate me?”

  He laughed. “Maybe.”

  At least I’d knocked Trina up because when my sister was done with me, more children might be out of the question, I thought.

  We got to work on the house. Now that the porch was secure, we scraped off the old paint and prepared it for a new coat.

  “Do you think Trina will be impressed by the house and investing in the restaurant, or will she be pissed that you took Stark money to fund your future?” Wyatt asked as we took a break. We sat on two old resin chairs on the porch.

  “I don’t know. It could go either way. She’s unpredictable like that.”

  “That’s why you like her, right?”

  I laughed. “I guess.”

  “But she’s the one, right? Or is all this effort just to do the right thing for the baby?”

  I looked at him surprised. “I love her. I agreed to that dumb bet to win her.”

  “Knocking her up—”

  “Don’t talk to me about knocking a woman up,” I snapped, not sure why I was annoyed at Wyatt’s questioning my level of commitment to Trina. “You were fucking my sister—"

  He held his hands up, one with his beer bottle, in a surrender position. “Don’t get your boxers in a bunch.”

  “Yeah, well, you can’t tell me you didn’t fake marry Sinclair to win her either.”

  He laughed. “Settle down, Ryder. I’ve never seen you get so riled.” He sat back in his chair. “It must be love.”

  He was right. I was agitated. That agitation grew to panic when I saw my sister’s car pull up. I instinctively rested my hand over my groin just in case she really did plan to hit me where it would hurt most.

  “Tell her that,” Wyatt said as he stood to greet Sinclair and Alyssa.

  “What?”

  “That you did Stark’s gig for love. Sinclair is a sucker for love.” He walked down the steps and kissed Sinclair as she stepped out of the car.

  “I’m a sucker for what?” she asked, quirking a brow.

  “Love, baby,” he said, putting an arm around her. I hoped he was holding her back.

  “Daddy, we got some stuff for the baby,” Alyssa said to Wyatt pointing to the back seat.

  “Let me help you.” Then to Sinclair he said, “Try to be nice.”

  Sinclair pointed her scowl on me as she came up the porch steps. “Do you have something to tell me?”

  “I love Trina?” It came out as a question as I wasn’t sure what would protect me from Sinclair’s wrath.

  Her scowl didn’t let up. “You’re blaming Trina for betraying me?”

  I swallowed. “No. She was my motivation. She and the baby. Stark paid thirty grand, which I’m using to buy the Salvation Station and fix my home for Trina and the baby. I didn’t know it was a political fundraiser until I got there.”

  Her eyes widened in surprise. “Thirty grand? Jesus.”

  I nodded. “People think I’m a flake. That I don’t care about the future. Well, I sold my soul and betrayed my sister for my future. For Trina and the baby.” I lifted my chin, daring her to hit back at me.

  She frowned. “Don’t overplay it. But really, you’re buying the Salvation Station?”

  “Yep.”

  “It’s better than that,” Wyatt said, coming up the steps. “He’s using Stark’s money to buy it and therefore Stark can’t buy it.”
/>   A slow grin spread on her face. “Well, that’s something, I suppose.”

  I let out a breath. “Sinclair, really, I’m so sorry. I figured it was some rich dude event and no one would know. I’d turned it down, even though at the time he was offering twenty-five thousand. But then Trina told me she was pregnant and gave me a list of reasons why I wasn’t ready for fatherhood.”

  She looked miffed again. “She’s wrong about that.”

  “Still, I do need to think of the future, and it was a lot of money. Until I got there, I didn’t realize what was really going on. I guess I should have done more research, but I couldn’t pass up the money. Not with a baby on the way.”

  “And Trina to win,” Wyatt added.

  “She stuck up for you, you know,” Sinclair said. “I was ready to throttle you, and she said there had to be a good reason why you did the event. Even when I accused her of putting you up to it.”

  “What? She’d never do that.” I was sure Trina couldn’t be sold. Stark could offer her millions and she’d turn him down. Okay, maybe not millions. She was practical, and would likely see millions in terms of a home and retirement. But it would take a lot for her to sell out.

  “Uncle Ryder, I brought your baby some toys. Mommy says they’re safe for babies,” Alyssa said with her arms filled with stuffed animals.

  “Hey kiddo,” I said, picking her up. “Thank you so much.”

  “Can I help with the baby’s room?” she asked.

  “You sure can. That I’ve already gotten painted.” It was the first room I’d done because it seemed like the most important.

  “I want to see it,” Sinclair said. I showed them all the room that I’d painted in a light yellow figuring it would work for a boy or a girl. “Do you think Trina will like it?”

  Sinclair looked at me. “Are you hoping she’ll move in with you?”