Chapter 18
Chapter eighteen
Cam
The air’s thick with the heat and humidity of summer, and Knox’s back porch smells like freshly cut grass and smoked ribs. He’s manning the grill like it’s game day, tongs in one hand, beer in the other.
I’m in the lawn chair across from him, watching the smoke curl up into the sky, trying to find the right words to say something that sounds less insane than it is.
He glances over his shoulder. “You’ve been quiet, Wells. That’s usually my move.”
“I’m thinking.”
“That’s your first mistake.”
I huff out a laugh, but it dies fast.
He narrows his eyes, catching it immediately. “All right, spill it. You’ve got that look that says you’re about to do something heroic or really stupid.”
“Maybe both,” I admit.
Knox flips a rack of ribs, sets down the tongs, and gives me his full attention. “Hit me.”
I take a sip of my beer, staring out at the yard. “I went over to Kate’s place yesterday.”
He smirks. “Well, that explains the stupid part.”
“Not like that,” I say, though he’s not wrong. “We were talking about the custody case.”
His expression sobers. “How’s she holding up?”
“Barely,” I say quietly. “Her lawyer thinks Daniel’s got a strong case on paper. Kate’s terrified she’s gonna lose time with Evie.”
Knox’s jaw tightens. “That’s bullshit.”
“Yeah.” I lean forward, elbows on my knees. “So I made her a proposition.”
He looks at me. “What did you do?”
“Told her we should get married.”
Knox’s eyebrows shoot to his hairline. “You proposed to her?”
“Not like propose propose,” I say, dragging a hand through my hair. “I told her we could fake it. Make it look like she’s got the same kind of stability he does.”
For a long moment, Knox just stares at me. Then he laughs. Hard.
“Jesus, Cam,” he says, shaking his head. “That’s one way to declare your feelings.”
“It’s not like that,” I argue, though even I don't sound convinced. “It’s practical. Strategic.”
He gives me a look. “Right. Because when I think of fake marriages, I think practical.”
I groan. “I’m serious, man.”
“So am I.” He wipes his hands on a towel, expression softening. “Have you thought this through?”
“More than I want to admit.”
Knox leans against the railing, studying me. “You’re in love with her.”
It’s not a question, and I don’t bother pretending. “I don’t know what I am,” I say honestly. “All I know is that she’s breaking, and I can’t just sit back and watch it happen. She could use the help, and the idea that some guy who skipped town gets to swoop in and play father of the year? No way.”
He nods slowly, understanding flickering in his eyes. “You want to protect her.”
I shrug. “Maybe.”
Knox leans back against the railing, arms crossed. “So you help her keep full custody of Evie.” His brow pinches. “And what’s left when the mediation’s over and everything settles?”
“We figure it out then.”
“And if she keeps it strictly business?” he asks gently. “If she walks away once the storm passes?”
I exhale. “Then I know Evie is where she belongs and I can walk away knowing we did the right thing. Yeah, I’ll probably be crushed, but I don’t just care for Kate, I care about that little girl and I want what’s best for her.”
Knox lets that sit between us. No arguing, no teasing—just the weight of what I’m saying.
Finally, he nods once. “You’ve always been the guy who thinks before he jumps. So if you’re standing on this ledge?” His voice softens. “You’re all in.”
“Yeah,” I breathe. “I am.”
He nods. “Then make sure the reason is solid. Not just to patch holes for her. Do it because you’re choosing her—for the long haul, even when things calm down and the town has moved on to its next scandal. Even with the possibility that she could walk away.”
The truth sits heavy. “You think I’m not ready for that?”
Knox’s mouth curves. “I think you already stepped into it whether you’re ready or not. The rest is just paperwork.”
Silence stretches between us, broken only by the hiss of the grill. He pokes at the ribs, then points the tongs at me with a grin.
“I hope you know if you go through with this, Brynn’s going to be all over it. She’ll have the wedding playlist made by dinner.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “That tracks.”
He grins. “Hell, she’ll probably volunteer to officiate.”
We both laugh, easing the moment, but when the sound fades, I stare past the yard, past the fence, past everything that’s supposed to scare me off.
Maybe it’s crazy. Maybe nobody in their right mind would sign up for a marriage they can’t guarantee a happy ending to. But if this gives Kate a fighting chance, if it protects Evie from being treated like a project or a trophy, then the risk isn’t really a risk at all.
Knox rests a hand on my shoulder. “Whatever you choose,” he says quietly, “you’ve got backup.”
Knox’s grill is still cooling when the screen door slams open and Brynn barrels onto the back porch like a woman on a mission.
She’s lit up light a Christmas tree, sunglasses perched on her head, and there’s a grin on her face that makes me instantly wary.
“Before either of you say a word,” she announces, “I just came from brunch, and I have thoughts.”
Knox doesn’t even look up from his beer. “That’s my cue to leave.”
“Sit down,” she says, waving him off. “You too, Cam. We’re having a meeting.”
I glance at Knox, who mutters, “God help us,” before settling back into his chair.
Brynn drops into the seat across from me, elbows on the table, eyes bright. “So. Kate told us everything.”
I sigh. “Of course she did.”
“She’s scared,” Brynn continues, ignoring my tone. “And rightfully so. But you”—she points a manicured finger at me—“you offered to marry her. Fake or not, that’s…huge.”
Knox smirks. “Ballsy, too.”
Brynn spins toward him. “And romantic.”
“Practical,” I correct. “It’s practical, not romantic.”
“Sweetheart,” she says with a teasing smile, “you can’t say things like marry me and then pretend there’s no romance involved.”
Knox chuckles. “She’s got you there.”
I scrub a hand over my jaw. “Look, I just want to help. Kate’s terrified she’ll lose time with Evie, and I can’t let that happen.”
Brynn softens. “I know. And it’s good you’re thinking like that. But if you’re gonna do this, you need to do it right.”
I narrow my eyes. “Define ‘right.’”
“You will need to be convincing,” she says, like it’s obvious. “You can’t just stroll into mediation with a marriage certificate and expect everyone to buy it. You need the whole town believing it first.”
Knox sighs. “Oh, here we go.”
Brynn leans forward, undeterred. “This is Cedar Falls, gossip spreads faster than wildfire. If Haddie Carmichael posts that you two are in love, it’ll be accepted as gospel by lunchtime.”
I groan. “Brynn, no.”
“Yes,” she insists. “You want credibility? Haddie’s the key. She runs that Facebook page like it’s the Cedar Falls News Network. If we get her talking, the town does the rest.”
Knox snorts. “You’re really suggesting PR through Haddie’s rumor feed?”
“Exactly,” Brynn says proudly. “People see you two together, they start talking. Haddie gets wind of it, posts one of her ‘spotted at Cedar Perk’ updates, and suddenly everyone believes Coach Wells and the librarian are the real deal.”
I stare at her. “You’re out of your mind.”
“Maybe,” she says with a grin, “but I think you know I’m right.”
Knox laughs into his beer. “Honestly, she’s terrifying when she’s right.”
“Thank you,” Brynn says sweetly.
I shake my head. “You realize this is basically social media manipulation for a fake marriage.”
“It’s marketing,” she corrects. “And it’s for a good cause. If people think you two are serious, that stability image looks bulletproof. And maybe”—she gives me a pointed look—“it won’t have to stay fake.”
“Brynn,” I warn.
She just smirks, unbothered. “I’m texting Haddie.”
Knox bursts out laughing. “Oh, this is gonna be good.”
“Brynn, don’t you dare—”
Too late. She’s already typing furiously, muttering as she goes: “Something simple…‘Spotted leaving Penny’s Cafe: Coach Wells and our favorite librarian, looking cozy over coffee. Could love be in the air in Cedar Falls?’ Perfect.”
I groan. “You didn’t actually send that.”
She beams. “I did.”
Knox wheezes out a laugh. “You’re officially front-page news, buddy.”
I drop my head into my hands. “I hate everything about this.”
“No, you don’t,” Brynn sings. “Because deep down, you know it’s going to work.”
Knox grins. “She’s not wrong, man. Once Haddie gets hold of this, you and Kate will be the talk of the town by dinner.”
I look up at them, half exasperated, half amused. “You realize the entire population of Cedar Falls is going to think we’re engaged by sunset.”
Brynn smiles like that’s exactly what she wants. “Good. We’re going to make this the most believable wedding ever.”
Knox raises his beer in salute. “To the happy couple.”
I glare at him. “Don’t start.”
He laughs. “Too late. You’re screwed, man.”
And as Brynn starts outlining “Phase Two” of her master plan, I lean back in my chair and pray Kate doesn’t check Facebook before I can warn her.
Because knowing Haddie Carmichael and this town, the post is already viral.