Chapter 17
NOAH
My heart pumps erratically, almost as if in tune with the ragged state of my emotions.
I’m in the bathroom at the restaurant where we’re meeting Sage and Kade for brunch.
Makeup brush in hand, I touch up my cheekbone, hoping the extra color corrector disguises my bruises.
The repercussions of the stunt I pulled at the awards show still linger almost a week later.
Bradley’s voice echoes in my mind, You shouldn’t be so defiant, Noah.
Know your fucking place. All week, I’ve run through my options, looking over the contract, praying I’d find a way out of this mess, but there is none.
I’ve called Harold, he won’t budge, and that only leaves me with one choice—finish out the terms of the agreement.
Then, as soon as I can, pack my shit and go home.
Bradley will be lucky if I can hide the bruises well enough from Sage and Kade, not to mention the hundreds of guests he’s invited to witness this sham of a wedding.
The sooner the next act of this fucking charade over with, the better. Once I’m satisfied everything has been covered, I top up my setting powder to hold the illusion in place.
Making my way back to our reserved table, I avoid eye contact with Bradley.
Anxiously shuffling in my seat, I focus my attention out the window of the high-end restaurant—both nervous and terrified how this first meeting between my friends and fiancé will play out.
Sage knows me too well … and Kade? Well, he’s too good at sniffing out trouble.
As each pre-wedding event is completed, I edge closer to sealing my own fate. Everything I’ve worked for is on the line—my entire future is at stake. My stomach twists into a knot. I wish I had never met Bradley, never been tempted by the career that he and his father offered me.
There’s not an actor in this town that could pull off the level of deception I already have.
The performance I’ve put on thus far has been nothing short of Oscar-worthy.
At every family event, from the first meeting of our parents, an afternoon at the club with his cousins, and drinks with his three closest college buddies, I’ve presented myself as the blushing and excited bride.
Somehow, I got through all that without anyone noticing that my heart is so far removed from Bradley, it may as well be back in Idaho. Fuck. Maybe that’s because it is.
My eyelashes flutter shut as a slow inhale grounds me, but instead, I choke on it.
Today’s brunch with my closest friends is the final hurdle to conquer before the rehearsal dinner tomorrow night.
Exhaling unsteadily, I tug at the long sleeves of my silk blouse and sneak a glance at Bradley.
His heavy hand is the reason for my careful selection of outfits this week.
This attire isn’t really California summer appropriate, and I hope no one notices.
Unfortunately, my internal angst somehow attracts Bradley’s attention, and his eyes shrewdly assess every anxious twitch of my body.
A shiver quakes down my spine, and his lip curls.
“Is my whore of a bride ready for this?” Reaching over, his movements are hidden by the tablecloth, and he grips my thigh just above the knee in a crushing, viselike hold.
“Remember, you are ecstatic about our wedding. We are a couple in love, eager to walk down the aisle this weekend. These are the best days of our lives. You will not embarrass me, or you will be in breach of the agreement we made.”
Nodding once, my eyes cast toward the front of the restaurant.
Honestly, once Bradley and I passed my mother’s sniff test last night, I was feeling pretty good about our ability to make everyone believe we’re a happy couple.
But now, as Sage and Kade walk toward the table, my stomach flips upside down like it’s on an amusement park ride that is anything but fun.
Putting one over on Mama Lane had been an impressive feat, but fooling Sage might be damn near impossible. I’ve got to try, though.
Bradley claws my leg, his fingers digging into my skin, and I turn my head toward him with a saccharine smile on my lips. Under my breath, I speak quickly. “If you don’t take your hand off me, I can’t greet them like I normally would, and that’ll make them watch more carefully.”
After one more vicious squeeze, he relents, releasing me.
Smiling and cupping my cheek, the bastard steers my face to his and plants a lingering kiss on my lips.
Sick roils in my stomach, threatening, even though it’s completely empty.
I’ve hardly been able to eat since the awards show, knowing that I’m getting closer and closer to losing Rhett forever.
How am I going to survive this man? A bright smile paints my lips, and I scoot out of the booth, hurrying with outstretched arms into the embrace of my best friend.
“It’s so good to see you,” I breathe out, holding her to me for a couple extra beats before letting go.
I pivot to look up at Kade with a fake-as-fuck sassy grin plastered across my lips.
“Hey, hot stuff. Have you been treating my girl right?” A teasing wink accompanies my question.
Irony at its finest, considering my own situation.
Bradley’s unamused, calculating gaze bores into me, and I know I’ve made a mistake.
“You know it,” he grits out. “And she puts up with me without too much complaint.” Placing a chaste kiss on Sage’s forehead, he touches a few fingers to the brim of his hat as he inclines his head toward me. “Good to see you again, Noah.”
“Same.” Regret rushes through me that I have to introduce my friends to the abusive prick at my side as the love of my life, but do my best to hide it.
“This is my fiancé, Bradley.” Just like that, his expression morphs from disgruntled to one of the polished businessman and highly sought-after music manager that he presents to the world.
Flashing them a blindingly bright smile, he tugs his expensive suit coat into place, and eyes the six-foot-six rancher with an appraising lift of his brow.
Kade holds out a hand, and Bradley shakes it.
At a glance, I can tell the clasp is more than firm and lasts a few seconds longer than necessary.
“That’s quite the grip you’ve got there, Brad.” I know Kade well enough that beneath his country-boy manners lies a condescending dig. “Nice to meet you.”
Bradley’s lip curls faintly before nodding in agreement. “I trust the flight out wasn’t too bad?”
“First class is definitely better for a man of my size. Thank you.” He looks down, practically at the top of Bradley’s head, and I can totally tell my fiancé is not amused by the way Kade looms over his inferior stature.
My stomach flips over when Bradley turns to Sage, and it’s almost as if he shifts gears, a twinkle lighting his eye.
He looks her up and down. “Well, you’re about as pretty as they come, aren’t you?
” Brave fucking man to do that in front of Kade, but this is how my fiancé deals with all women, charm practically oozing from him with every carefully chosen word that falls from his deceitful lips.
There was a time when a younger me was taken in by his compliments and smooth nature.
It’s partly how I landed in these dire circumstances.
Sage isn’t fooled by him, though, I can tell, and worse, she’s not buying the bullshit act I’m selling either.
Glancing quickly at me, her lips twitch.
She holds out a hand to him, then turns on her own brand of country girl sweetness.
“Thank you. I’m glad we finally get to meet the man who’s swept Noah off her feet.
” Curious blue eyes linger on the ruthless monster I’m about to tie myself to.
With a reassuring nod she smiles at me. “This restaurant is”—her gaze moves around the elegant decor—“wow. Impressive to say the least.”
“Yes. Thanks for inviting us. We’re glad to spend some time with you before the big day.
” Kade gives me a crooked grin I can’t quite read, and I have to wonder if he’s thinking about his brother.
My lungs deflate on a stuttered exhale. My heart clenches so tightly that I feel a bruise coming on.
I prefer thoughts of Rhett that leave a mark on me internally than live with the external wounds Bradley has inflicted.
Eyeing my husband-to-be, I hope he hasn’t noticed the conflicted feelings rising inside me, set to overflow like a river in a storm. Kade and Sage take the ornate chairs on the opposite side of the plush booth. “It’s pretty fancy, I know.”
Once we’re all settled, Kade’s brows raise as he looks over the menu, and I don’t miss the way Sage gently nudges him.
I know what he’s thinking—what they’re both thinking.
This place is pretentious and expensive and way too over the top for Noah Lane.
They’re not wrong, but it’s not because I can’t afford it now or don’t deserve it.
This is simply not me. It’s too bad my friends are aware, but the man I’m marrying doesn’t have a damn clue.
Or maybe he does, and he’s simply more concerned that we’re pulling off the guise of a happy, loving couple.
As the waiter joins us, I press my lips together to contain the part of me that simply wants to explode because I know what’s coming.
Without asking anyone’s preferences, Bradley orders an appetizer for the table.
That wouldn’t be so bad, except, he continues right on.
“My gorgeous fiancée will have a glass of champagne and eggs Benedict.” It’s all I can do not to make a face.
Sage’s brow raises, but she doesn’t comment, even though she’d know after a ten-second perusal of the menu that I’d prefer the Belgian waffles topped with strawberries and fresh whipped cream.
From there, the strained conversation is almost unbearable.
Every time Kade or Sage bring up anything about Black River—or worse, how nice it’d been to have me home—Bradley grabs my wrist under the table.
It’s simply another not-so-subtle reminder that I won’t be back anytime soon and there’s not a damn thing to be done about it.
Somehow I survive his brand of stealthy abuse throughout the meal. Sage and Kade have been observing our interactions almost too carefully, and it’s making me want to bury my face in my hands in mortification. From the way Sage’s eyes are blazing with a slow fire, I know this isn’t going well.
Bradley doesn’t care one bit, if he even notices. All he wants is what me on his arm as his wife will do for his image.
As this high-class torture comes to an end, I exhale, offering Sage and Kade a misty smile before hugging them. Bradley hooks my elbow with his hand, gripping me so tightly, I wince.
“So. Rehearsal dinner at the hotel tomorrow night?” Sage finishes by clamping her bottom lip between her teeth as she looks into my eyes. “Then the big day is Saturday. Are you two ready?”
Kade brings a hand up, resting it on her shoulder. “I’m sure they’ll be sprinting to the altar by the time Saturday rolls around.” He cocks his head, and I can’t help but think his eyes search out everything I’m trying to hide.
Nodding, I push down the swarm of bees buzzing in my stomach and plaster a smile on my face as I turn to gaze adoringly at Bradley. He takes my hand in his and brings it to his lips, brushing a kiss over the back. “Can’t wait to make it official.”
“I bet,” Kade chuckles. “Noah deserves only the best.” A muscle at the back of his jaw jumps, and my heart sinks like lead.
I had the best once upon a time, and I gave him away.
For that, I will never, ever forgive myself.
The pressure builds inside my chest until I’m afraid my heart might burst through my rib cage. There’s no denying that my friends can see through this ruse. But here’s hoping Kade and Sage never figure out exactly what is off between Bradley and me. I’d rather die.
Funny, because marrying Bradley might just kill me.