Chapter 3
Chapter three
Sara
"Ihave a suit for you in the back seat." I glance at Hayes out of the corner of my eye, still baffled by how quickly I gave in to this insane plan.
"You brought a man's suit? Were you going to stuff it with pillows and bring it to the ceremony? Call him Bernie?"
I let out a belly laugh, and Hayes grins at me. That movie was a family favorite growing up.
"Hmm, tempting. Maybe I should go with your plan. Can I drop you off here?" I tease, and Hayes narrows his eyes at me playfully. "It was for my brother, Jett."
I turn toward Hayes and then quickly move my eyes back onto the road.
Whenever Hayes looks at me with those chocolate-brown eyes of his, my entire brain turns to mush, and I find myself agreeing to things I would normally nix in two seconds flat.
I'm sort of known for being a hardass, especially among my students.
I care a lot about them, but my bullshit detector is strong.
I do not get pushed around easily. It's why the relationship with Kyle threw me for such a loop.
I don't like that he was able to manipulate me.
And then I go and kiss a random stranger who is suddenly riding shotgun, about to meet my family.
"Jett hates weddings and crowds, so I promised I'd get his suit cleaned when he agreed to come with me.
" I'm babbling, but I need to talk, or I'll give in to the anxiety threatening to take me under.
"He hasn't been to an extended family function in almost a decade.
You guys are about the same size, so hopefully it will fit. "
"He's not going to mind me wearing his suit?" Hayes asks.
I laugh. "Uh, no. The fact that he even owned one is kind of a miracle. He told me he tried it on, but I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't actually fit him come tomorrow."
My phone pings with a text message, followed by two more pings.
"Do you want me to read them to you?" Hayes offers.
"Um, sure." I reach into my purse and unlock my phone before handing it over. "It's probably my sister, wondering if I'm on the road yet. Just tell her I'm almost to Jett's."
When Hayes doesn't respond, I glance over to find him trying to hide a smirk.
"What?"
"The first one is from Betty."
"I'll read them later," I say, quickly reaching for the phone.
Hayes hands it over without question, but his shoulders shake with the effort to hold back his silent laugh.
My cheeks are on fire. I guarantee Hayes knows Betty; everyone in town does. She's the friendliest, most helpful woman in the world, and also the town's biggest gossip with a mouth like a sailor. I can only imagine what's in those texts.
When we get to my brother's place, he's sitting outside on his front porch. Jett raises his eyebrows when he sees Hayes in the passenger seat.
"Am I off the hook?" Jett's deep voice rumbles as I get out of the car.
"Seems so." I shrug. "This is Hayes. He's coming to the wedding with me."
Hayes follows me up the front porch steps and shakes Jett's hand when we get to the top.
"We decided it would be better if she had her boyfriend with her," Hayes says, grinning when I turn to gape at him.
"Works for me," Jett shrugs, not batting an eye at Hayes's use of the word boyfriend.
"Fake boyfriend. Can he use your suit?" I ask.
Jett nods, giving me a long look before turning to Hayes. "Do you need something nicer for tonight?"
Hayes turns to me with a questioning look.
I startle. "I didn't even think about it. It's the rehearsal dinner, but we could skip it."
"No way. I want to meet your family tonight." Hayes turns to Jett. "If you don't mind?"
Jett heads inside, motioning for Hayes to follow.
Hayes starts after him, then pauses.
"For the record," he whispers in my ear, so close that a shiver of pleasure ripples through my body, "I'd like to see you take Betty's advice."
The second Hayes disappears inside, I race back to my car and fumble for my phone. When I read my text messages, I practically choke on my own spit as I stifle a scream.
Betty
Sara, dear. Millie saw you kissing the handsome Hayes and said it looked like you were sending him off to war. Is he going to the wedding with you?
The best way to show a man you're over him is to get under another one.
In case I haven't been clear. I hope you ride young Hayes like your favorite horse this weekend. That man looks like he knows what to do with his hands.
Betty is a long-time family friend and is well-versed on the Kyle drama from this past year. I have no idea why she's flipping me off, though. Is she annoyed that Millie got the tea first?
OMG, Betty. Hayes read these texts! Long story, but yes, he's coming to the wedding. Just to help get Kyle off my back. That's it.
We are NOT dating.
I stare at the three dots that appear immediately after I send my text, thinking that she's right.
Hayes does seem like a guy who knows what to do with his hands.
When the ping sounds on my phone, I jump slightly, startled from my dirty thoughts and the knowledge that we are sharing a room this weekend.
If a weekend away together isn't a date, then I don't know what is.
Why do you keep flipping me off?
What?
You keep sending me middle finger emojis.
Shit. I need to wear my glasses. It was supposed to be fingers crossed. Sorry dear.
lol
The door to the cabin opens, and Jett emerges deep in conversation with Hayes. Hayes says something, and Jett breaks into a rare smile. He asks Hayes a question, laughing at whatever he says.
I raise my eyebrows. I haven't heard my stoic brother laugh in years. It used to be my favorite sound in the world—a sharp giggle that’s contagious.
My heart squeezes. I love my brother, but he has recluse tendencies that border on caveman. Although his taste in dress clothes isn’t half bad.
I stare at Hayes, admiring the way his firm body fills out the slacks and button-down he borrowed from Jett. He holds a plastic bag and gestures up at the sky, making my brother giggle again.
As I watch Hayes shoot the shit with my brother like they're old friends, a ping of desire mixed with something a whole lot deeper zaps through my body.
I've never been so attracted to someone in my life, but is this just lust?
Because, holy shit, Hayes is S-E-X-Y, so lust is definitely present. Why does this feel like more?
My phone pings again.
Well, fuck. I just realized I sent to Father Marshall when he asked if we could run another birdhouse workshop in a few months to raise money for the church.
I'm going to hell.
A snort out a laugh. I live in the weirdest town, but man, is it fun.
Jett and Hayes' voices get louder, and I look up as they approach the car.
"Thank you for the clothes and the toiletries," Hayes says, holding up the plastic bag. "I'll return your pants when I see you for the game next week."
"Keep 'em." Jett turns to me.
"Next week?" It usually takes a desperate need for supplies to get Jett down the mountain. He shrugs and pulls me in for a hug.
"Mom and Grandma are going to be so disappointed," I warn him.
"I think my substitute might make them happy. Say hi to everyone for me."
"I will," I promise, squeezing my big brother as Hayes gets in the car. Jett pulls back, and I whisper, "We're not dating, Jett."
Jett pauses, looking at me for a long moment before responding.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that." His eyes crinkle as he graces me with his laugh, and I can't help but grin.
Well, shit.