Page 29 of Accidentally Checked By My Brother's Best Friend

I can hear their banter as they walk down the hallway from the kitchen toward Scarlett’s room.

Picking up my plate and one of the others on the table, I push my chair back and head to the kitchen, feeling heaviness in my chest.

“Uncle Duncan and I are only playing a part.”

The way Ava explained our situation to Scarlett was perfect and true. But it was like a punch to the gut that had me gasping for air.

Crossing the threshold into the kitchen, I’m greeted by the sound of running water and the sight of David washing the dishes. I put my plates on the counter next to him and turn to clear what’s left on the table.

“Duncan?” David calls, turning off the water, drying his hands, and watching me closely. “Are you really okay with this?”

“Ava asked me the same thing multiple times,” I growl. “And my answer hasn’t changed.”

I know David is worried, but right now, I can’t think about what I agreed to. And I can’t think about how it may affect me. I don’t have that luxury.

“Are you going to beokaywith fake kisses?” He asks the same question his daughter did.

“You didn’t see her when Nathan called or when he showed up at my house. She’s terrified of him.” I scrub my face before running my hand through my hair and blowing out a frustrated breath. “I guess I’ll have to be.”

“There has to be something else we can do, Dunc. Other ideas. Options—”

“I already told Nathan we’re dating.”

David’s brows shoot up, and he lets out a soft whistle, “Oh.”

“Yeah,” I sigh. “It will be all over the internet by tomorrow, if it’s not already, and Nathan will do everything to portray Ava as the villain.”

“She’s stronger than she looks, Duncan.” His voice is gentle.

Meeting his stare, I can see he really believes what he says. But here’s the thing: Ava only pretends to be emotionally tough. She’s really not. I’ve always known this. David, as close as he and Ava are, never saw that side of her because she didn’t let him or Fiona. She didn’t want them to worry about her.

Honestly, she didn’t want me to see either—I just did.

“She’s really not, though,” I say firmly. “I know this isn’t the smartest thing I could do, but I can’t let her go through this alone.”

“Are you still in love with her?” My stomach drops at his question. He pins me with his gaze, saying the quiet part out loud. “Don’t pretend you weren’t. Anyone who paid attention could see it written all over your face.”

Blowing a heavy breath, I shove my hands into my pockets and stare at the ground. “Let’s hope not,” I whisper.

David walks past me, patting my shoulder as he heads back to the table. “Just be careful, okay?”

Meeting his concerned blue eyes, I nod.

Where I am now is way beyond the point of being careful. Careful would’ve been keeping my distance from Ava the moment I found out she was coming to Maple Ridge.

I am officially in the danger zone.

Chapter Fourteen

Ava

Walkingupthestairsto the house, I wipe the sweat from my forehead. This is the first run I’ve gone for since coming to Maple Ridge, and it felt good working my muscles.

Bon Jovi’sShot Through The Heartis blaring through my headphones, and I’m humming along, making my way to the refrigerator to quench this thirst. Grabbing a bottle of water, I close the fridge door.

A scream flies from my mouth; my heart leaps out of my chest, and the bottle I’m holding flies from my hand when I find David standing in front of me. His body shakes as he bends to pick up the water bottle and hand it back to me. The grin he’s wearing shows every one of his teeth.

“You scared me to death,” I yell, making sure to be heard over the music blaring in my ears. His grin gets larger as he points to his ear. Remembering I’m wearing headphones, I take them out. “Sorry. I forgot I had those in.”

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