TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING
I wake up in a good mood. I feel great, invincible almost, and it might be because Mama invited Kiera over for lunch, and I’ll get to see her without Dr. Douchebag interrupting again.
Feeding the horses goes by quickly, and so do my morning horse lessons. At some point, Trent shows up to look over a horse that’s been sick the past week. Our conversation stays short and straight to the point, and we don’t dare make eye contact. Every time he comes to the ranch, it gets more awkward between us.
Before he started dating Kiera, I didn’t care for his condescending attitude, and since he’s been with her, I dislike him on a whole new level. However, he’s decent at what he does and has always been good with the horses. I’ve told Mama I wanted to start using the other vet in the area, but Dad refuses to allow me to do that, considering my family knows I don’t like him because he’s dating Kiera. I hate the way Trent treats me as if I’m below him and an inconvenience. It’s obvious he hates Kiera’s and my relationship, and by the way he looks at me, I know he wishes I’d just go away, but that’s not happening anytime soon. Being around him only makes me think of Kiera even more, and knowing his sleazy lips and hands have touched her puts me into a rage, but I somehow find the strength to push it away. I don’t know what she sees in him anyway.
Eventually, he leaves, and I finish cleaning the first two stalls before heading out. After I’m done, I hop in my truck and head to my parents’ house. I know Mama is trying to keep Kiera close since our relationship has been rocky the past few months, which I actually don’t mind. Mama has always seen her as a second daughter, and any time I get to be around her is time well spent.
As I park the truck, I see Kiera is already inside, and the smile I had this morning when I thought about her returns to my face. Sucking in a deep breath, I mentally prepare myself before opening the door and heading inside the house. As soon as I’m through the front door, I hear Kiera’s laughter from the kitchen. John’s voice echoes throughout the house, and I smile wider when I realize he’s chatting about Maize and her antics.
As soon as I enter the room, Kiera’s eyes meet mine, causing my heart to lurch forward. I give her a wink, but Mama distracts me before I can go talk to her.
“There he is,” Mama says.
“Whatcha cookin’, Mama?” I give her a side hug, noticing the pasta on the stove.
“Made Kiera’s favorite. Fried chicken and my special macaroni salad.” Mama gives me a knowing grin.
I take off my cowboy hat and sit at the table in front of Kiera. She’s smiling at me like a crazy person.
With a smirk, I lean over the table, and whisper, “Isn’t it a bit too early to be drinkin’?”
She laughs. “I’m not drunk, Jackson. You have shit in your teeth.”
John glances over at me and bursts into laughter. “Looks like pepper from the eggs you ate at the B&B this morning.”
“Well shit! I’ve talked to so many people today, and not one person said a damn thing,” I say, lifting a fork and trying to see my teeth in the reflection. “I even had four lessons this morning.”
And I saw Trent, so I’m sure he had a good laugh knowing pepper was between my two front teeth. I let out a groan and try to get it out. It’s the size of fucking Texas.
Alex and Evan walk in and sit at the table arguing about cows and fences. Dad follows them, and I give him a smile. He smiles back, but he looks exhausted.
“None of that fussin’.” Mama places homemade biscuits, fried chicken, and the macaroni salad on the table, glaring at Alex and Evan, so they stop talking about work.
I finally manage to get the huge ass speck of pepper out of my teeth but am almost tempted to leave it there because Kiera thinks it’s hilarious. I’m pretty sure I even talked to John this morning after I ate. Bastard.
“How’s the wedding plannin’ going so far?” Mama asks Kiera once we all sit down to eat, but I wish she wouldn’t have mentioned it. It seems as if Kiera doesn’t want to discuss it either and keeps her answers short and to the point. I’m halfway hoping she’ll come to her senses and call the whole thing off, but then she starts gloating about how perfect Trent is, and I have to physically stop myself from groaning aloud. I pretend to throw up in my mouth instead, and Mama shoots daggers at me. It’s so damn hard for me to keep my side comments to myself, but for once I do, though I have a million different things I want to say.
Kiera goes on and on about Trent as if she wants us to fall in love with him, too, which will happen over my cold, dead body. However, as she continues, I study her while she speaks. There’s doubt in her eyes, it’s as plain as day, and maybe I’m the only person who can see it because I know her so well. Though I hear the words coming out of her mouth about how much she loves him, I wonder if she’s just paying lip service to their relationship because that’s what everyone expects to hear. Or if she’s trying to talk herself into being with him long term.
Why is she marrying him if she seems so unsure?
Or could my mind be playing tricks on me?
Hell no. Her uncertainty is so goddamn blatant it gives me a glimmer of hope she’ll pull the plug on it. Though I hope she wouldn’t marry the bastard just to appease everyone, but considering she’s already this far in, I worry she might feel that way. Either way, I have to get to the bottom of this.
I narrow my eyes at her, and she notices as she finishes her conversation. Thankfully, she doesn’t say another word about Trent for the rest of our lunch. To fill the silence, Evan tells Mama a funny story about Elizabeth, making all of them laugh.
I shake my head at Kiera. Of course no one notices, but her.
“What?” she mouths.
“I see you,” I whisper. “I see straight through you.”
She rolls her eyes and continues eating. Soon all our plates are cleared, and Mama pulls a homemade apple pie from the oven.
“Oh, Mama.” Kiera groans. “I promised myself I’d stick to my diet until the wedding, which I broke the moment I took a bite of your delicious chicken.”
Mama lifts an eyebrow at Kiera. “Are you sure? I’m not gonna pull your arm and force ya, but I won’t tell anyone if you eat a piece.” Mama flashes her a wink, and I already know she won’t be able to resist.
Kiera chuckles, staring at the pie as the scent fills the room. “Screw it. Give me a slice.”
After lunch, Kiera and I give Mama hugs and thank her for a great lunch. John stays behind and helps Mama clean the kitchen as Kiera and I head out the door.
“What was that about?” she asks, and when I give her a look, she continues. “That back there at the table?”
She’s always been so blunt that it doesn’t surprise me she asks.
“Nothing. Nothing at all. I’ve got my suspicions about something, but only time will tell,” I explain, holding back what I really want to say.
“You better tell me, Jackson!” she demands with her hands on her hips.
I tilt my head at her and scoff. “I’m going to the barn. I’ve got some things to do.”
“Can I come?” she asks. “I have a few hours before I need to be back at the ranch.”
I let out a chuckle. “You know I’m not gonna tell you no.”
Kiera’s in a good mood, and I like seeing her like this. I get in the truck and smile as I look in the rearview mirror and see her following me. We park on the side of the B&B, and when I get out of the truck, she’s already waiting for me.
“Truth or dare?” she asks as we walk side by side toward the barn. Kiera glances at me, and there’s enough sass in her tone to make me want to pull her into my arms and kiss the attitude right out of her.
“I don’t want to play,” I say with a grin.
“That’s not how the game works, Jackson,” she reminds me. I look at her, and that’s when I notice she’s wearing a tank top, cut-off jean shorts that show off her toned legs, and cowboy boots. Standing in front of me is every man’s wet dream, and I have to force my jaw shut so it doesn’t hit the ground. I swear she wears this shit just to get under my skin, like always.
I finally let out a deep breath, knowing, either way, I’m fucked. “Truth.”
Her smile widens, and her eyebrow pops up. “Somehow I knew you’d say that.”
I lick my lips. “It’s because you know me, Pippi. You know everything about me.”
Kiera watches me. “What did you mean back there, during lunch, that you could see straight through me?”
I shake my head. “I don’t want to talk about it right now.” Or ever.
“You have to. You know the rules. Just tell me.” Her eyes soften, making me want to be open and honest with her, but instead, I keep my lips sealed.
Giving her a smirk, I reach for the top button of my shirt and take my time undoing each and every one as I keep my gaze on her. Kiera covers her mouth and shakes her head.
“Jackson, don’t do this. It’s daylight. Someone could see you.” She tries to reason with me, but I refuse to discuss her and Trent when she’s happy like this. It brings the mood to a dark place and ruins our moments together.
I drop my shirt to the ground and peel off my undershirt.
“Better take a picture, it’ll last longer,” I tease when I catch her staring at my abs and the tattoos across my chest.
When I reach down to unbuckle my belt, she places her hand on my arm. “Jackson. Don’t. Okay, I take it back.”
My eyebrow pops up. “You know the rules, Pippi. No take backs allowed.”
I watch her cheeks turn pink as she drops her arm. This only encourages me to keep going. The belt drops with a clank on the ground, and Kiera takes a step forward and places her hands on my shoulders just as I reach for the button of my jeans. She’s so fucking close I can smell the sweetness of her soap, her skin, and everything about her completely envelops me. Her hands against my bare skin almost burn, and my breath hitches when I look into her green eyes.
“Jackson, please,” she begs. I find myself staring at her lips, and I don’t care if she notices.
“Don’t do this. You’re going to get in trouble. Someone could see you. Mama will beat your ass black and blue, and I’ll feel guilty as hell.”
“Trouble is my middle name,” I remind her with a wink.
“No. That’s just the persona you want everyone to see. I know better.”
I chuckle, bringing my hands back to the top button of my jeans. She hasn’t moved an inch, and the temptation to place my arms around her waist and pull her closer to me—making us as close as we can be—is evident and strong. Kiera places her hands on my cheeks, forcing me to look into her eyes again, and that’s when I hear yelling coming from behind her. My brows furrow, and I look around her and see Trent charging toward me.
“What the hell? You motherfucker!” he yells. Kiera turns around and sees him coming at us.
“Trent. Stop,” she says softly, but he pushes past her, nearly knocking her down.
I instantly see red.
“Keep your dirty fucking hands off my fiancée,” he yells, pushing me with all his body weight, but I was ready for him. I stumble but gain my footing and put my fists up to block his attempt to hit me. I almost laugh at how mad he is right now.
Trent throws his cowboy hat on the ground and swings again but misses. Kiera runs up to him, trying to pull him away and yells at him that he promised. What that means, I don’t know. Trent’s too caught up in trying to beat my ass, he misses me and hits her. Kiera takes a step back and hunches over, covering her face. Instead of stopping to see if she’s okay, he zeros in on me, and that’s when I completely lose it. It’s evident the asshole doesn’t give two shits about her.
I allow all the anger and hurt I’ve felt since they got together surface and tackle him at the waist, bringing him to the ground. I know that when fighting, you should always expect the unexpected, and by the look on his face, as he tumbles down, I know he didn’t anticipate me doing that. My fist connects with his face, over and over.
“Don’t ever fucking hurt her again, you bastard,” I hiss as my fist connects with his nose and jaw. He tries to block me, to get me off him, but I’m much stronger than him. Trent covers his face with his arms, and Kiera tries pulling me off him.
“Please, Jackson,” she begs, tugging on my bicep, and it’s his only saving grace.
Heaving as I stand, I look at her to see if she’s okay. I place my finger under her chin and get a better look at the eye that’s already starting to turn. Kiera lowers her eyes, unable to even look me in the face.
“I ought to kill his sorry ass,” I growl, trying to catch my breath.
“It’s not worth it. It’s just a big misunderstanding.”
Kiera tries to help Trent up, but he gives her the cold shoulder and nudges her away.
“Don’t you ever fucking step foot on my property again acting like that, Trent. Next time, you won’t be so lucky,” I threaten, my jaw clenching in anger.
“Stop, Jackson,” Kiera says, just as Trent gets up off the ground and comes after me again.
That’s the point when I lose my resolve. I hear screaming in the background as we’re rolling around on the ground, and moments later, I’m being pulled off by someone who’s much stronger than me. When I look up and see Deputy Pettigrew, I instantly know I’m fucked. Out of all the men they could’ve sent out here, it had to be him. Next, I see John standing next to Trent.
“What the hell are you doing, son?” Pettigrew asks, looking me up and down, then glancing over at Trent who’s in the worst shape. Though I want to smile and rub his face in his own shit, I don’t.
“He hit me first,” Trent says, spitting out blood. “I wanna press charges.”
My mouth drops open, ticking with anger. “You’re a goddamn liar, Laken. You threw the first punch.”
Trent wipes the blood from his lip with the back of his hand. “Who’s he gonna believe? Someone who’s educated and respected within the community or a fucking troublemaker who gets in fights all the time?”
Pettigrew looks at me, and instead of running my mouth this time, I bite my tongue even though I’m ready to beat Trent’s face in for that comment.
“Can someone here tell me what the hell happened—someone who isn’t either one of them?” Pettigrew asks loudly. Guests from the B&B step out onto the back porch to rubberneck the situation, and I know that if this doesn’t dissipate soon, Mama will be down here to solve it herself. Trent and I are separated and both placed in handcuffs, and all I can think is how this time, I haven’t even had a drink, and I’m going to jail.
“Kiera, you’re gonna have to tell me what happened here,” Pettigrew says, pulling her off to the side. I hate that he’s asking her, putting her word between the both of us, but I hope to hell she tells him the truth. None of this was my fault this time.
I overhear another officer getting a statement from Trent and most of what he says is bullshit, except for the part of why he’s here in the first place. Then again, that could be a lie too. I make a mental note to check the stall where the horse is that he saw earlier because apparently, he forgot something in there. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he caught wind of our lunch today and allowed his jealousy to lead him back to the barn.
I don’t know why he’s making a big fucking deal over her being around me. We’ve known each other much longer than they’ve been together, and we have a history together that no one, not even him, could replace. After all, Kiera is marrying him, but it’s as if he won’t be happy until she agrees to never talk to me again. I hope it doesn’t come to that, but I have a feeling that’s where it’s heading.
Pettigrew walks over and grabs me by the arm, just when I see Mama pulling up in her Cadillac.
“Oh, fuck,” I whisper, but Pettigrew doesn’t say a word. I’m sure he’s thinking the same thing.
Mama parks and slams the car door, and it’s as if everyone feels her wrath because all chatter stops. She glances over at the guests standing on the back porch and nicely tells them to go inside. I notice her fists are in tight balls as she walks up to us. What’s even more frightening is she doesn’t say a word to me, just gives me the evil eye, and walks straight up to Trent.
“You’re fired, Dr. Laken. Coming onto my property, making a scene like that, and disrespecting my family. I outta call your mama right now and tell her what you’ve done.”
I let out a snort, wanting to give Mama a standing ovation. Mama then turns to me with a scowl. “And don’t think you’re clear of any of this, Jackson. So keep your damn mouth shut.” She hardly ever curses, so I know she’s at a dangerous level of pissed off, and that’s a force I don’t want to reckon with.
Trent doesn’t make eye contact with Mama when she turns back around and glares at him. After a moment, she looks at Pettigrew and thanks him for calling her.
“You’re a sellout,” I whisper. He lifts an eyebrow at me, tempting me to keep running my mouth, but I shake my head instead.
Mama walks past me without saying another word and goes straight to Kiera. She grabs her hand and leads her to the car, and they drive off. My heart is racing. I want to ask Kiera if she’s okay and make sure Trent didn’t hurt her too badly, but I already know her eye is going to have a shiner.
“Well, son,” Pettigrew says, removing the handcuffs from my wrists and looking me up and down. I’m filthy from rolling around on the ground, and there’s blood from my busted knuckles. Other than that, I’m fine.
“Kiera told me what happened, and you better be damn glad because I would’ve booked you so fast your mama’s head woulda spun,” he informs. “But I realize Laken lied, and you weren’t responsible for this. Now, I need to know what you’d like to do.”
I let out a deep breath, relieved Kiera told the truth. “I wanna press charges for assault.”
“You sure about that?” I hear John ask from behind as he walks toward me. He’s always trying to be the voice of reason, but I’m not going to change my mind about this. Trent needs to learn not to fuck with me.
“Absolutely.” I look at John and confirm with Pettigrew. This bastard isn’t going to get away with hitting Kiera and trying to kick my ass. He earned every fine he’ll get, and I don’t feel a tad guilty about it. Fuck him.