Page 15 of That One Night
His brothers sniggered. “Just doing our brotherly duty.” Pres cleared his throat. “You are being careful, right?”
“Jesus.” Hendrix shook his head. “Now, was there anything else you wanted to talk about, or are you here just to sneak around the house?”
“Mom wants to know if you’re ever going to come for lunch one Sunday. And Delilah keeps asking after you, too,” Pres added. “She misses her Uncle Hendrix.”
Hendrix winced at the mention of his eleven-year-old niece. He’d barely seen her since he came home to Hartson’s Creek. “It’s a busy time on the farm. And I work most Sundays.”
“At least try some time. Mom cares about you, man. It hurts her when she only hears news about you from Uncle Logan.”
Hendrix swallowed hard. “I’ll try.”
“Which means you won’t,” Pres said. “Come on. Just come for an hour. Or I’m gonna start spreading rumors about those panties.”
Hendrix narrowed his eyes. “You wouldn’t.”
“No he wouldn’t.” Marley was always the peacemaker. “But please try to come. For Mom. We’re meeting at their place after church.”
Hendrix let out a breath. “Okay, I’ll try.” He meant it this time, and his brothers knew it. That’s why they both took a mouthful of beer and nodded, not bothering to push the conversation anymore.
“Hey, who’s that?” Pres asked. Hendrix followed his gaze over the road to the Reed farm, where Emery was standing on the porch, talking on her phone. She was wearing a pair of shorts and a tank again. No surprise with this heat. He noticed her legs had gotten more golden – she must have been working out on the farm.
He pulled his gaze away.
“Emery Reed,” he murmured.
Pres’ lips curled. “Don’t let mom know a pretty woman’s in the house next to yours.”
“She’ll be delighted to hear that pretty woman’s engaged to Trenton Montclair,” Hendrix pointed out. As much as for himself as for his brothers. Because there was something about Emery that pulled him in. Not just the fact he’d seen her half naked.
“Montclair,” Marley murmured. “Isn’t he the asshole that planted weed in your locker at school?”
Hendrix nodded. “The very same.”
Because Montclair had been jealous that Hendrix was chosen for the varsity football team, and he hadn’t.
The little shit had made it clear how pissed he was by getting Hendrix into so much trouble that his mom had been called in tosee the Principal, causing her to miss their dad’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
It was years ago, but it still stung. The memory of his mom’s disappointment still rankled. She’d been hurt by him and hated not being able to support his dad.
Marley wrinkled his nose. “What the hell does she see in a guy like that?”
“She probably likes the bad boys.” Pres grinned.
“Shame though,” Marley said. “She’s pretty.”
Yeah, she was. But she was also everything he’d sworn to avoid. Messy, complicated and tempting as hell.
But for once in his life, Hendrix was trying to be the kind of man his mom didn’t have to worry about.
“Honey, is Trenton planning on coming to see you soon?” her mom asked, trying to keep her voice casual, even though Emery could tell there was something on her mind.
“I don’t think so. He’s having to work weekends to get everything done.” It wasn’t a complete lie. He was super busy at work – he always had been. But she hadn’t spoken to him for the last week. For all she knew he was living his best life on the weekends.
The funny thing was, she didn’t care.
“Actually,” she said, because she wanted to shut this conversation down fast. “He said that he might have to fly west for a couple of months. There’s a project in Arizona that needs his attention.” She lifted a brow. “He’s so sorry he can’t be here.”
“Oh.” Her mom frowned. There was clearly something bothering her. Emery felt her jaw tighten. “It’s just that people are asking questions.”
