Page 45 of Coming Home Country
“Fair,” he conceded. “Well, from what I understand, Aaron pursued Bex. He’s a partner at the law firm where she’s the up-and-coming junior associate. She works hard and is well-liked by the founding partners.”
“Sounds like the Bex I know.”
“What Aspen was implying is that it’s a good look for Aaron to have Bex on his arm. She’s practically an accessory. And I hate to say it, but I think she’s well aware of where she stands in that relationship.”
I sighed. “I don’t get why she doesn’t push back. She’s worth so much more than what she’s settling for.”
“You won’t get an argument from me on that, buddy. But the real question is: what are you going to do about it?”
“What can I do? She’smarryingthe guy.”
“Until she says I do, there’s still a chance. Show her the alternative, the life you could offer her. In my mind, it’s no contest. Now it’s up to you to make her see that too.”
If Aaron had blown into town and been some upstanding guy, I would have felt bad about trying to steal his girl—my girl—out from under his nose. But he was a dick who talked down to her, stealing her spark. Regret was so far gone in the rearview mirror that it was practically a speck I had to squint to see.
It was time to take back what was mine.
The Watering Hole was busier than you’d expect for a Thursday night. But the heavier crowd was due to the joint send-off of Mac and Aspen’s single days.
Most Rust Canyon bachelor parties were a couple of guys tossing back a few beers with their legs hanging off the end of a truck bed. Usually, it was because the grooms were underage and bars wouldn’t serve them.
The prelude to my rushed wedding had been more of a death march than a celebration, so I’d skipped out on this tradition when I’d gotten married.
Typically, a few drinks would mellow me out enough to have a good time, but that was impossible when I couldn’t stop glaring at Aaron, who was currently talking the groom’s ear off. The guy couldn’t take a hint; Mac was barely giving him one-word answers, never making eye contact as he nodded along to whatever the prick was yapping on about. To say Mac barely tolerated his presence was almost too generous.
My palm twitched, eyeing the uncut lime resting on the other side of the bar top. I had decent aim, and if I was quick enough, no one else might notice I was the culprit if I decided to bean him with it in the back of the head.
But making a scene wouldn’t earn me any favors with Bex, and that’s where I needed to concentrate my focus. She was what was most important—treating her the way she deserved, giving her the life she always wanted. Everything else was merely background noise.
Loud laughter sounded over the live band playing on stage, and like a magnet, my gaze was drawn to her across the room. With her head tipped back and a smile on her face as she practically howled at something one of the other women had said, she was stunning.
My chest warmed, drinking in the sight of her in a carefree, unguarded moment. That was until the lights caught off the massive diamond resting on her left hand, and I practically ground my molars into dust.
Bex could have any man she wanted falling at her feet, yet she chose to be withhim? It made sense why Aaron wanted to be with her, but what did she get out of it?
“I represent Bellini Real Estate, and they’ve acquired some undeveloped land in areas that are perfect for BlazeLuxe hotels. If you want, I can put you in touch with them.”
Mac’s head whipped around; his normally jovial expression had gone hard.
From beside me, Tripp muttered, “He’s stepped in it now.”
I grunted my agreement. Mac went to great lengths to separate himself from his family’s business. And he especially hated that his last name was an open invitation for people to leverage their relationship with him to elevate themselves.
He’d found solace from those transactional relationships in coming to Rust Canyon. He was free to be himself here, able to make genuine personal connections with the people he interacted with instead of constantly worrying about ulterior motives.
Aaron represented everything Mac loathed about his old life. So, watching him try to broker a business deal made me wish I had popcorn while I enjoyed the show.
Eyes narrowing dangerously, my best friend gritted out, “As my guest, it’sextremelyinappropriate for you to be lobbying for my family to partner with your client. A client, I might add, that has been rumored to have ties to organized crime. Be careful about who you get into bed with, Bishop, because when they go down, they’ll take you with them.”
The count was still out whether Aaron had a death wish or was just plain stupid because he didn’t back down, countering, “Well,excusemefor trying to bring you a deal that would be lucrative for both parties. Their money is as green as anyone else’s, and you said it yourself: those are only rumors.”
Mac shoved off his stool, taking a menacing step forward. “Let’s get one thing straight right now. You’re not bringingme”—he pressed a finger to the center of his chest—“any deals. I have no part in BlazeLuxe or how it’s run. And consider yourself lucky that I don’t because if I did? I’d make sure every client you represent was blacklisted, not only from working with usbut everyone we know. In case you’re wondering, our connections are vast. I would go to the ends of the earth to ruin you.”
Aaron blustered, his face turning red as he huffed, struggling to formulate a rebuttal.
Unfortunately for him, my buddy was determined to have the last word. “Do me a favor. Enjoy the free booze and keep your mouth shut for the rest of the night.”
Confident Mac had the situation handled, I clapped Tripp on the shoulder. “I’m gonna get some air. Be back in a bit.”
