Chapter 19
NINETEEN
G RANT
Levi and I are sitting alone on the back of a couple of carts watching the competition taking place. Everyone’s paired up today to compete in Hazel’s wedding games for an all-inclusive resort vacation at the same couples-only place Hazel and Ramsey are headed to after the wedding. She’s not even trying to be subtle about how she’s paired them off either because she’s got all her friends paired up with her brothers, with the exception of Dakota, who she’s stuck with Hayden yet again.
Two of Hazel’s other college friends, conveniently for us the two we were supposed to be paired with, missed their flights last night and didn’t make it to town in time to get here. I’m not complaining because I’d much rather watch the competition from a distance than be involved, and it means I can keep an eye on where this asshole puts his hands .
I glare at the way Hayden helps line her up for her next shot. She’s probably twice the shot he is, just like she was twice the dancer. But she lets him show her the ropes anyway, and it fucking digs at my temper.
I pop a piece of gum in my mouth just as Dakota giggles and leans into Hayden as they practice another round on the targets. Despite our discussion last night, she’s playing coy and flirting with the damn football player who can’t seem to take his eyes off her. But she’s still got a bandana scarf wrapped around her neck, tied in a pretty little knot to cover up the marks I left there. Ones I might have to make more of if he keeps touching her hips and whispering in her ear as they rack up points in the target practice portion of the games.
“I need a favor.” Anson pulls me aside halfway through the day.
“What’s that?” I rip my attention away from her and look him over.
Anson is Hazel’s oldest brother and, therefore, soon-to-be family again. He’s a lot more than that, though, as we frequently do business together. He owns a construction company, which makes him a convenient partner for all kinds of legal and less-than-legal business dealings.
“Bristol desperately wants to win this thing, and we’re only a few points behind Dakota and Hayden. But lord knows I’m shit at horseshoes, and Bristol’s already convinced she’ll lose to Dakota when they play their ‘Who Knows Hazel Best’ game.” Anson shakes his head, a combination of worry and annoyance written all over his face.
“They’re all pretty close, aren’t they? I’m sure she knows her well enough.” I shield my eyes from the sun as I study him .
“I don’t know. All I know is she’s worried, and I’m trying to help.”
“Guess you better beat them in this next scavenger hunt then.”
“You want Hayden and Dakota going off on a romantic vacation together? ’Cause that’s where this is headed,” Anson warns me.
“Why would I care what she does with her free time? If it makes her happy.” I shrug halfheartedly, and Anson breaks out into slow, stuttered laughter. Levi, for his part, stays quiet and looks between us.
“You think I believe that after your outburst at poker last night? The way you were drilling him at cards. I don’t fucking think so.”
“I just don’t like people like him who think they’re God’s gift to the world. She deserves more respect.”
“Uh-huh. Which is why you’re following them around and watching her like a hawk instead of inside with the A/C and a cold drink.” He eyes me like I’m a bad liar. “Just admit you don’t want her near him, and let’s figure out what we’re going to do.”
“Since when are you so concerned with Bristol?” I turn to look at him and raise a skeptical eyebrow, ready to change the subject.
“She takes care of my kid. She takes care of his grandma. She works hard. She deserves a vacation somewhere nice and a chance to get away.”
“You remember the part where it’s a romantic one?”
“A vacation’s a vacation. It is what you make of it. Leave the details to me,” he grumbles, and I shake my head laughing but stop short when I realize we might just be in the same boat. Two confirmed bachelors, me lifelong and him once again after the death of his wife. We have no business even trying, but I feel for him.
“So what’s your plan?”
“You up for starting another fight with him? Put him in a bad mood and send him back inside?”
“Nah. Ramsey’s already warned me off.”
“Dakota then… You think you can distract her?”
“She doesn’t listen to me; how do you think I’ll get her to do anything I say? Not to mention she’s managing the event.” She’s running herself ragged playing hostess. She’s barely slept or sat down the last few days, and it shows on her face today, even if everyone else is having too much fun to notice it. She needs a break. Food. Water. The fact that he can’t even see that has me irritated all over again.
“All right. Figured I’d try.” Anson frowns at the way Dakota racks up ten more points on the board as Hazel cheers her on.
“Nah. I got an idea. Just leave it to me.” I feel for him and I’m worried for her. I can at least give it a shot.
“Want to fill me in?”
“You’re better off not knowing. Plausible deniability and all.”
“Fair enough.”
“How much do you love me?” I ask Aspen when I finally find her and manage to wrangle her away from our baby brother and Hazel.
“A lot.” She eyes me apprehensively. “Why do you look like that? What are you up to?”
“I need your help. Just a little favor.”
She gives me a skeptical look and crosses her arms over her chest .
“What kind of help?” My sister grew up in the same family as the rest of us, but she’s a lot like our mother was, more than happy to pretend we were a normal family instead of what we really are. That doesn’t stop her from being constantly suspicious.
“Nothing of the illegal variety. Just a little tipping of the scales for a guy who needs the help.”
“And let me guess, you’re the guy.”
“Nah. Hazel’s brother is the main target.” I nod in Anson’s direction. Despite Bristol’s sideline cheering and support, he appears to be losing the round of horseshoes he’s currently involved in. “I might reap a little side benefit though.”
“I see.” She looks me over like she’s trying to figure out what I’m not telling her. “What do you need?”
“I’m gonna make Dakota disappear for a little bit. She needs a break. She’s working herself to the bone trying to keep everyone happy and make this all fun for Hazel. But she needs food, water, and out of the sun. You know?”
“And you’re going to take care of her? Won’t she bite your head off for that?” The skepticism returns.
“She might bite a little bit. Nothing I can’t take.”
“I don’t see how Anson benefits from this.” Her brow lifts.
“Dakota’s gonna miss a round or so of the game. Give Anson and Bristol a chance to catch up. He really wants to win the vacation for her.”
“Couldn’t he just buy it for her?”
“She’d never take it. She’s too proud. All four of those girls have to do every damn thing themselves.” I tilt my head to the side as I look back at my sister. “You’d know something about that.”
My sister’s lips flatline, and her eyebrow hikes impossibly higher at my mild criticism. Probably not my best timing given I’m asking for her help .
“You’d be doing a lot of favors all around,” I plead with her.
“I’m just trying to figure out how this helps you. It must someway.”
I shrug, but she must see something on my face because hers suddenly morphs into recognition.
“You don’t approve of that guy she’s with this weekend. Do you?”
“Didn’t say that.”
“You don’t have to.” She looks to where the two of them are standing together and then back at me—something dancing behind her eyes I don’t love.
“Can’t I just be worried about her? And yes, maybe a little annoyed he’s not doing a better job watching out for her.”
“You remember you’re not actually related, right?” She gives me another quirk of her eyebrow. I’m half jealous of all she can communicate with that one little arch but annoyed she won’t stop picking at a stone I’d rather not overturn right now.
“Again. Can we quit busting my balls over this and talk about logistics, assuming you’re agreeing?” I grouse.
“What do you need from me?” She relents.
“Just when you see she’s gone, explain that she had a headache from all the sun, and she went to take a rest for a while but didn’t want anyone distracted. Make sure that the last part is clear with Hazel, or she’ll go after her, trying to take care of her. Then Dakota will stress she’s ruining it.”
“Keep Hazel busy. Make things run smoothly. Dakota’s got a headache. Got it.” Aspen’s eyes run over me, still trying to make sense of my motivations.
“They’ve got horseshoes now. Then a scavenger hunt and a game of who knows Hazel best. I’ll bring Dakota back when that’s over. You can text me.”
“It’ll be odd for Dakota not to be at that.”
“Just say she didn’t think it would be fair. Easy. ”
“I’m not good at the lying stuff, remember?”
“I know. It’s like you and Ramsey don’t even belong in this family.” I smirk. “But thank you. Anson would thank you himself, and Dakota, too, really.”
“I don’t know if I’m doing anyone but you a favor.”
“Maybe not. But I’m your favorite, remember?” I smirk, and she rolls her eyes.
“Fine. When is this all going down?”
“I’ll snatch her when they start the scavenger hunt.”
“All right. Good luck.” She nods her agreement, and I hurry off to fill Levi in on the plan. No fucking way can I tell Ramsey because he’ll blurt something to Hazel and ruin it all, but someone else needs to know what’s going on to help keep things going.