Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
Angus
“ S o? What do you think?” Callen asks as we wait for our drinks at the bar. We're at The House, where we’ve closed for the night to host the rehearsal dinner.
I’m surprised they didn’t ask to have the wedding here instead of the barn. I know the space is free, but you’d think they would want to change it up a bit. First the combined bachelor and bachelorette party, and now the rehearsal dinner.
“About what?” I play stupid, even though I know exactly what he’s asking. Callen, Charlotte, and Daisy seem to think there could be a possible love connection between me and Karissa, Charlie’s best friend, but I have zero interest. It’s not that she isn’t attractive, because she is. She’s funny and I do like her, but when Mia is in the room, no other women exist.
The day has been a blissful torment for me. I’m walking Mia down the aisle at Callen and Charlotte’s New Year’s Eve wedding tomorrow night, which means I’ve spent a lot of time not only near her but touching her. Like a pubescent kid who feels each innocent grazing of her fingers like it’s some sort of foreplay, I have savored each brush of her skin against mine, likely inconsequential to her but they’re everything to me.
Earlier today, she slid her arm through mine as we practiced our pace down the makeshift aisle in the enormous barn usually used for storage, but has been transformed into the perfect wedding venue. Her breast kept brushing my bicep as we walked, making me curse under my breath.
For fun, Callen and Charlotte made each of the paired-up couples pose for photos like we were going to prom. It was supposed to be funny, and I suppose it was, but having Mia in my arms, my hands on her hips. It was no laughing matter.
There was nothing funny about it at all.
As if the fleeting touches weren’t blissfully painful enough, considering they’ll never be the real thing, that was just the beginning. I’ve had to watch her make conversation with Mark all night. Just like Callen and Daisy are trying to set me up with Karissa, they think Mark is a perfect match for Mia. I used to think my brother and sister were smart people, but they don’t have a clue what they’re doing because there is no way Mark is the man for her.
“Karissa,” Callen says, bringing me back to the present. “What do you think?”
“She’s nice enough, but I don’t think she’s my type.”
“Since when do you have a type?”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“Well, the parade of women going in and out of your apartment would lead me to believe your only type is female.”
“Whatever. It’s not a crime to not want to get tied down. Besides, what’s wrong with trying out the sample pack life throws at you?”
I’m making light of the truth that he's slinging my way, but only because he’s right. I bury myself in one-night stands because there’s only one woman I want the real deal with. But big brother doesn’t need to know that.
“Nothing wrong with it. Just saying I didn’t know you had a type.”
“Well, now you know.”
She’s five foot three, with the brightest blue eyes you’ll ever see. Her long dark waves are striking against her pale skin and the formfitting navy dress she’s wearing tonight makes it hard for me to breathe. She and my sister have matching tattoos of a tiny star constellation on the inside of their left wrists and her laugh, when aimed at you... well, it will fill even the coldest, darkest soul with a peaceful light that warms you from the inside out.
And right now, that laugh is being aimed at someone else and it’s eating away at my cold, dark soul instead of lighting it up like it usually does.
Mark, the lawyer from L.A., whose bank account balance likely has seven or more digits in it and who even I can admit is moderately attractive, has said something that has genuinely made her laugh. Not a courtesy laugh, but an honest-to-goodness hold on to your sides laugh. And doesn’t that fucking suck?
“C’mon, man. Just talk to her. She’s great.”
“I have talked to her. How could I not, when you sat her right next to me at dinner?”
“You haven’t had a serious relationship since you came home. It’s been ten years, Gus. I’m sorry if I want to see you happy.”
Giving my brother’s shoulder a squeeze, I take a deep breath and sling him more bullshit. “I know you do. And I appreciate it, but for now, I’m happy with the way my life is going. Besides, tonight is all about you and your blushing bride.”
I point to where Charlotte is talking to Knox. When they see us looking, they hold up their glasses from across the room.
“Is it me, or is it strange to see him back home?” Callen asks.
I think about what he’s saying, and he’s right. Knox, being one of the biggest rock stars in the world, doesn’t come home often. His life is either on the road, in Los Angeles or in New York. He had outgrown our little town before he ever left it. He wanted more. And he sure as hell got what he was looking for.
Always the tallest, most handsome guy in the room. He was the only one of us boys who grew his hair out and went through that angry, rebellious teenage phase. He’s the king of his own little universe, but whenever we need our big brother, he never fails us.
“It is. But, thanks to you, he didn’t just fly in and fly out for the holiday. It’s got to be killing him to be here for a week straight. Christmas, the wedding, and New Year’s all in one trip. You know he’s itching to get on that private jet of his as soon as he can. I’ve never understood why he wanted out of this town so badly. You couldn't pay me to trade small town living for his life of fame and lack of privacy.”
“Yeah, but that’s him,” Callen shrugs. “He feeds off the chaos.”
And I avoid it at all costs.
There was enough chaos during my six and a half years in the military. Enough to last me a lifetime.
Originally enlisting for four years, I extended for two more when Chris did. There was no way I’d leave him behind. Our six years were up, and it was finally time to come home, we were in so deep the brass basically forced us to stay six months past our contract. It was safer to stay than try to leave. Or so they said. What it really meant was six more months watching families torn apart by war and seeing more people than I like to remember lose their lives. I may have made it out alive, but a piece of me is still over there with my brothers. With Chris.
Owning a bar and all that comes with it is as much drama as I need, and trust me, it comes with plenty.
“Here you go, boss.”
I thank Laurie, taking the beers she slides in my direction and hand one to Cal as we both push off the bar and head toward our big brother and the bride. They’ve known each other for years since she was his entertainment lawyer before she gave it all up to move to our sleepy little town. Now, she’s gone into business with my sister flipping houses and building furniture.
“He says he’s on his farewell tour. Do you think he’ll come back when it’s all over?” I ask Cal before we reach them.
“I don’t think we’ll ever get that lucky. I’m not sure what it is about this place that sends him running, but whatever it is, seems like he can’t get far enough away.”
“I’m not sure if it’s something he's running from or something he's trying to run to,” I say. “He’s more of a free spirit than the rest of us. At least, that’s what I tell myself. Feels better than wondering if he doesn’t want to be around us.”
“Well, he’s here now and, for the most part, he shows up for all the big stuff. We’ll have to take what we can get.”
Callen sneaks up behind the love of his life, wraps his free arm around her waist, and kisses her on the cheek. “Are you two still talking business?”
I don’t hear the rest of their conversation because, on instinct, without realizing it, I’m storming across the room. Because the douche canoe from L.A. is touching Mia.
Touching her like he has the right to.
What a delusional fucking prick.
He’s holding her upturned hand while his fingers trace over the tattoo on her wrist.
The closer I get to them, the hotter my blood boils. All I can think about is punching the smug look off his pretty boy face.
I mean, what the actual fuck? Doesn’t he know she’s a mom and not some random wedding hook-up?
Granted, Mia is single and maybe she is looking for a no-strings-attached roll in the hay. Hell, she fucking deserves one, but not with this guy.
Not on my watch.
When she glances over his shoulder and sees me approaching, the sparkle in her eyes brightens, nearly blinding me.
Now, that feels fucking fantastic.
“Hey, Goof. I brought you a fresh beer,” I say, handing her my barely touched beer. Anything to occupy at least one of her hands.
Luckily, she pulls her hand from his and the fuckwad gets to keep his face intact.
“Thanks. You didn’t need to do that.”
“Well, got to keep you hydrated.”
Smooth, McKinnon. Real smooth.
“Oookay, I appreciate it.”
She sounds as confused as I am pissed.
Setting my feet firmly at her side, I plant my flag and have no intention of leaving.
Mia takes a drink and licks a drop of foam from her lips. God damn her and her sexy mouth.
“This is a great place you’ve got here,” Mark says.
“Thanks.”
“It is great, isn’t it?” Mia beams. “You should have seen it before. It was just an old, rundown firehouse that had been sitting for years. Angus worked his magic and transformed it into the local hot spot.”
Her gaze drifts back to me and I’ll be damned if she doesn’t look at me like I’m worthy of her praise. I’m not, but she doesn’t know that. Thank Christ she doesn’t, because the way she’s smiling at me warms up the coldest corners of my frost covered heart.
“Impressive,” fuckwad replies and I lose the warmth of her eyes and her smile when she turns back to him.
The after effects of her words linger, though, leaving me to think I may have done something right in life after all.
“He sure is. Did you know--”
“Sorry to interrupt.” Daisy scoots in, putting her arm through Mia’s. “But the ladies are heading out. We have to gossip about boys and get our beauty sleep.”
Did he know what? What the hell was she going to say?
“Well, it was nice meeting you, Mark. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She reaches out to shake his hand while I envision ripping his arm off his body and shoving it up his ass.
“I can’t wait,” he says, reverently taking her hand in his. I’m surprised he doesn’t lean down and kiss it as slick as he’s acting.
“Bye, Mark. See you in the morning, Gus,” Daisy says.
The moment she drops his hand I move to follow them before he can. “I’ll walk you out.”
“Uh, I think we’ll be okay.”
Ignoring my sister, I keep pace behind them. I am not letting Mia out of my sight until she’s belted into my mom’s SUV. If Mark thinks he’s gonna come in here like some single mom slayer, he can think again.
With my mom behind the wheel, the rest of the ladies load up and buckle their seatbelt’s. I say goodnight and go to shut the door, but before it closes, big sapphire eyes lock on mine. There’s a question in her gaze, but I’m clueless as to what she’s trying to ask.
When she doesn’t say anything, I close the door. Finally, I can breathe again. It’s been a long damn day. All the close contact has brought up the fake husband scenario, making it impossible to separate fact from fiction. It’s not like we’ve had to pretend to be a couple in front of anyone, but the possibility is always in the back of my mind.
Once they drive away, the worry over her attraction toward the hotshot Hollywood lawyer fades and my body relaxes. Walking back inside the bar, I let her words about how impressed she is with what I’ve done with the place lighten my mood and contemplate what in the world was going through her mind as she drove away.