CHAPTER ELEVEN
T he buzzing in my pocket hasn’t quit for five minutes. Whoever it is better have a damn good reason for blowing up my phone during a meeting. I signal to my uncle and cousins before blindly swiping across the screen to answer. The device is barely lifted to my ear when unleashed hostility barks at me.
“Hello, brother.”
“Bianca,” I greet. “This is a surprise. How’s the trip?”
“Cut the shit,” she growls. “You kissed Paisley.”
“And?”
My sister sputters. “That’s crossing a line.”
I scoff at her dramatics. “It didn’t mean anything.”
“So I’ve heard.” Disdain drips from her tone. “She told me about Dad’s demands and your brilliant idea to drag her into a scam.”
A dry chuckle shakes free. “Oh?”
“This isn’t funny. She’s not getting involved with you and your obligations. ”
“Too late,” I drawl.
“Is not,” she fires in return. “Find someone else. Lucy will gladly volunteer.”
I grimace at the name of my former no-strings arrangement. “It’s been months since I’ve seen her.”
“All the more reason to reunite.”
“Lucy isn’t eligible for the role. This connection needs to appear genuine and different. The one nobody saw coming. I have to make everyone believe Paisley has changed me, which includes Dad.”
Bianca huffs. “She’s done nothing but play nice and you’re acting like a manipulative jerk.”
“Sorry to burst your bubble, but Paisley is far from innocent.”
“I’m willing to bet you started it.”
And I damn well plan to finish it, not that my sister needs to hear about those plans. “I’m not keeping score.”
Her frustration is almost audible. “What harm has she caused?”
The pressure in my chest triples. “She’s a drain on my sanity and productivity. Might as well make use of her while I have some sense left.”
A pathetic whimper comes from her end. “Don’t do this, Brody. It isn’t you.”
“I’m doing what needs to be done.”
“There’s a better way. Find someone you can actually build a future with. Why lie about it?”
“I don’t need the complications or commitment of a real relationship. Too messy,” I explain.
“Well, fine. But my best friend is off-limits. Buy a cardboard cutout to pose as your girlfriend for all I care. ”
The idea has potential, but will ultimately fall flat. “It’s almost sweet that you care so much, but Paisley can make her own decisions. She’s a big girl.”
“I’m protecting her. That’s what friends do.”
Sawdust and irritability scent the air when I inhale. “How endearing. Do you braid her hair while offering shoddy advice too?”
“We watch out for each other. Simple as that,” she snips.
“Call it whatever you want, but my plans remain the same.”
“You’re not listening.” Impatience raises her voice.
“Right back at you.” I grind the toe of my boot into the dirt. “You ran off to heal and find yourself. Worry about that, Bianca. Your friend is in capable hands. We’ll reach an understanding that’s mutually beneficial.”
Silence echoes down the line for several seconds. “I’m calling Dad.”
“Be my guest,” I laugh. “Who do you think suggested your precious friend in the first place?”
Her response is a jumble of colorful curses that would make a hardened criminal blush. “Don’t make me fly home early.”
“If that’s what you think is best.” I expel what’s left of my patience in a long-winded sigh. “Great catching up, but I need to go.”
“We’re not finished.”
I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose. “Now isn’t the time.”
“Make time.”
“Jimmy and our cousins are waiting on me. We’re at the auction barn. ”
“Let them wait longer,” she growls. “This is more important, unless you really want to earn the title of villain.”
“It’s a done deal, Bianca. You need to accept that. Call me every insult in the book if it makes you feel better. I can play the bad guy. That won’t change the outcome.”
“What’s happened to you?” The wobble in her voice almost penetrates my resolve.
Instead, I square my shoulders and remember what’s at stake. “You should know by now that I’ll do anything for the farm. It’s my one true purpose.”
“Even if that means sacrificing your happiness and forcing others into dishonest situations?”
“It’s not permanent.”
“That doesn’t excuse what you’re trying to do. Leave. Paisley. Alone.” Three resounding slaps punctuate the demand. The image of her smacking a fist against the table is comical.
My chuckle is rewarded with another streak of expletives. I sober and push off the wall to conclude this spiral. “As I already mentioned, it’s too late. The whole town is fully invested in our little charade.”
“You can undo it,” she urges.
Which would defeat the entire purpose. “We’ll talk later. Enjoy yourself over there, sis.”
Bianca is shouting into the phone as I disconnect the call. I tuck my phone away and stroll to where Jimmy is propped against the auction pen entrance. My two cousins flank their dad as I approach. Byron is the oldest and hasn’t been quiet about wanting more responsibility. It must be a new trend. But Chance isn’t following along. The younger brother seems perfectly content completing whatever odd jobs are tossed in his direction, with little ambition to speak of.
I nod at the trio. “Where were we?”
Uncle Jimmy’s eyes narrow on the lingering tension tightening my features. “All good?”
“Yep, just had to deal with Bianca’s moods.”
He offers a quiet hum in understanding. “She’s still in Europe?”
“For now,” I say dismissively.
The three of them resume the overview of our upcoming registered horse sale. These meetings are a formality I’m forced to endure during my father’s personal leave. Once I’m officially in charge, my tolerance for nonsensical shit won’t be so high. The predicted profits and current catalog entries might as well be white noise. At least until their voices come to an abrupt halt.
Dad saunters into the building as if he’d just stepped out to run a quick errand. The four of us turn to stare at his unexpected attendance. Our jaws hang slack at a similar angle.
He’s waving something in his hand. “Got a package for you, Brody.”
“Is it a winning lottery ticket? What’s with the delivery service?”
“Not sure, but the packaging is something else.” He throws the padded envelope at me.
I glance at the bold message stamped on both sides. “Secondhand sex toys?”
“Don’t ask me what you ordered.”
My eyes roll. “This is obviously a prank. Are you responsible?”
“Nope. I’ve quit the shenanigans.” Dad rocks backward, rubbing his palms together. “Open it and find out who has it out for you.”
I rip at the seal with a savage yank that exposes my rising temper. A cloud of glitter explodes outward from the rough treatment. My lack of amusement is doused in the evidence, which sticks to me and the surrounding area like glue. Real fucking clever. Once the sparkly dust clears, I reach inside for the contents.
“A Bag of Dicks,” I read the label aloud.
And that’s exactly what it is. The rainbow candy is shaped like tiny penises. My audience doubles over in laughter as I palm the sack of peens. Dad and Jimmy are howling like a pack of hyenas. Chance has tears in his eyes. Byron is the first to gather his composure.
His low whistle pairs well with a thorough inspection of my embellished attire. “What did you do to deserve all that?”
“Depends who you ask.” I tuck my chin and a river of glitter falls off the brim of my hat. “It seems someone wanted to brighten my day.”
“Is there a note?”
I glare at my cousin. “No.”
“Must be from someone really special.”
There’s only one possibility. It turns out my twinkly cowgirl likes to play dirty too. She’s proving herself to be a serious contender for the upper hand. I almost smile at the acknowledgement.
Dad claps me on the back, sending another gust of glitter into the air. “Things are progressing quite quickly. I’m impressed.”
My glare chastises his jolly grin. “This is your fault.”
He raises his hands. “I’m innocent. ”
“You stuck us together with your constant repairs and mishaps at the farm.”
His weathered skin twitches when he grins. “All that was just a gentle shove in the right direction. Look where it’s led you.”
“Smells like a love connection is brewing to me,” Chance snickers.
“Maybe if you’re stoned and have the munchies,” I mutter in return.
This flirtation is fucking adorable, but it’s getting me nowhere. We’ve been dancing around each other for weeks and getting nowhere fast. Paisley doesn’t even know the extent of my proposal. Getting her to date me is challenging enough. But after this stunt? She’s practically begging for me to ditch what remains of my morals.
Between Paisley’s thoughtful gift and my sister’s attempt at dissuasion, I’m ready to tie the knot on this ruse. I need her as my wife—preferably before Bianca gets home. The rushed process is going to go over about as well as if I dragged her down the aisle kicking and screaming. I’ll have to make a grand gesture she can’t refuse. Or earn the title my sister just bestowed upon me. At this rate, I’m choosing the latter.
Me: Need you to do something for me.
Colton: Name it.