Forbidden Best Friend's Brother (Forbidden Small Town Bad Boys Book 5)

by Holly Jaymes

  Mr. Maddox was jovial and left after giving me a kind kiss on the cheek. I rushed off to shower and change before asking Pax what the visit was about. I didn’t even know he was back from wherever he’d been off to.

  Once cleaned up, I put on a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved t-shirt with a V-neck sweater. I returned to the kitchen where Pax was busy cooking some sort of pasta dish.

  “Everything alright with your dad?” I asked as I got a bottle of white wine from the refrigerator.

  “Yep.”

  I waited for him to elaborate but he didn’t. “Did you tell him about our arrangement?” I grabbed a glass from the cupboard and poured the wine.

  “Yep.”

  I frowned and turned to look at him. His back was to me as he stirred a rainbow of vegetables in a pan.

  “Has he heard anything from Lily?” Every day when I checked my messages I dreaded something from her.

  “No.”

  What is the deal with all the one-word responses? “Is something wrong?” I asked.

  “No.”

  I was about to prod some more when my phone beeped a notification. Oh God, it’s probably Lily. I picked up the phone and saw a message from Allie:

  “Bad news.” She included a link which I clicked. It showed a picture of me with Galen at Paradise Java.

  “What’s bad about that?” Galen worked for me. But then I noticed the headline.

  “PAX RYDER’S WIFE A CHEAT?”

  Oh, for God’s sake. I looked over at Pax and wondered if that was why I was getting the one-word treatment. Was that why his father was here earlier?

  “That’s Galen,” I texted back to Allie.

  “I know. Just an FYI if you hadn’t seen.”

  I left the room, going to the TV room and called Galen. He had to have been back in Los Angeles by now.

  “I’ve seen it and I’ve already put out a statement,” he said when he picked up. “Bloodsucking leeches.”

  “You’re the best, Galen. I’m sorry.”

  “Yeah, well, I had the last laugh. I told them that if I was going to have an affair it would have been with Pax.”

  I smiled, loving that I had him in my camp. “I hope you didn’t give them the impression you were actually doing that.”

  “Nah. I toed the line. I told them you were living in wedded bliss. I also told them that we met in Eden Lake because it was half-way between Vegas and L.A. Let them think you’re still in Vegas.”

  “You rock,” I said, looking over at Pax who was putting food on the table.

  “I might have hinted at a lawsuit as well. Some of these gossip rags probably don’t care, but some might think twice about posting lies or making up stories to fit a narrative.”

  “I’m not sure I pay you enough.”

  “I know you don’t. We can discuss it when you get back to work.”

  “Thank you, Gal. Really.”

  “You know I have your back, girl. But if you could finish up with Lisbeth, that would help me help you,” he said.

  “I’ll get on it.”

  We hung up and I re-entered the living area. Pax was at the table eating and looking at a book on historic Eden Lake.

  I tried not to be annoyed that he hadn’t waited for me. I went and got a plate and served myself.

  “Did you know that Tucker’s family is part of a long-time family feud here. Like the Hatfields and McCoys.” I sat across from him and nodded to the book he was reading.

  Pax didn’t look up. “So it says here.”

  “Tucker’s brother married a Haynesville. Feud over.”

  Pax nodded as he took a bite of his pasta.

  I ate some of mine as well. “This is delicious. If that rock star thing doesn’t work out, you have a future as a chef.”

  He turned the page of his book.

  I tossed my fork down with a clang. “What’s wrong with you, Pax?”

  He didn’t look up. “Nothing’s wrong. Just eating dinner and learning about this area.”

  I stared at him. Was he possessed? Then I remembered the pictures of me with Galen. “Is this about the photos that were posted today?”

  He shrugged.

  “Don’t tell me you believe them?”

  He finally looked at me. “We’re here to protect our images.”

  “No.” I pushed my plate away and leaned forward over the table. “We’re here to protect your image.” Was that all he cared about? His image? Was all this between us just to pass the time until he moved on again? Of course it is, I reminded myself.

  “Meeting another man when you’re on your honeymoon doesn’t do much for my image. Or yours. You might want to consider that. You have something to lose as well.”

  He wasn’t wrong and I made a mental note to check my social media to see what was being said. I really hoped Galen’s statement put the rumors to rest by now. It would be easy for others to see that he wasn’t just an employee of mine, but also that he wasn’t inclined to be with a woman.

  The fact that Pax was bent out of shape about this suggested he hadn’t done any research about Galen. It seemed to me if he really cared about me, he’d have done that. If I’d seen him with another woman, I’d have Googled everything I could about her and probably hired a private eye to dig up more. But he took the news at face-value which suggested that he was more concerned about his reputation than me.

  The fact that he didn’t ask me about it, but just assumed it was true, also told me that he didn’t respect or trust me. He clearly thought I was a woman who’d cheat. Or at least would sleep with two men at one time.

  All of a sudden, I wasn’t hungry anymore. I stood and carried my plate to the kitchen, tossing my food, rinsing my plate, and shoving it in the dishwasher. As I did, I stewed, getting angrier and angrier that he hadn’t asked me about the photo. He was clearly more concerned about his image than whether or not it was true. It made me think of Lily, and how she’d been treated when the photos of Trask and her came out. Everyone believed the implications of the photos. But I knew Lily. I didn’t even have to ask her if it was true because I knew they weren’t. I called her and told her right off that I knew those photos were wrong. But I wasn’t dealing with Lily. I was dealing with Pax.

  I strode back to the table and gripped the back of a chair. “You’re an asshole, Pax.”

  “Me?” He looked up at me. “I’m not the one meeting men while they’re supposed to be on their honeymoon.”

  “I knew it.” I shook my head. “You’re one of those types that believe what you read instead of the woman you’ve been sleeping with.” I leaned forward. “Tell me, did you think Lily was sleeping with Trask Holloway too? Did you assume the photo was real and not bother to ask her?”

  Pax’s jaw tightened. “That’s not the same.”

  “The hell it isn’t. The man in that photo works for me and as far as sleeping with someone goes, he’d rather sleep with you.” I shook my head in disgust. “Do you really think I’d be sleeping with you and then run off and sleep with someone else? Is that really what you think of me, Pax?” I was so angry, but those last words made me feel pain and tears welled in my eyes.

  He jerked back.

  I inhaled a deep breath because I wasn’t going to cry. Not over Pax Ryder. Not again. “Well, I realize your reputation is the most important thing here so you’ll be pleased to know that Galen, the man in the picture, has already put out a statement that makes these outlets look like idiots for pushing this story. He even hinted at a lawsuit. Hopefully, you and Dane will be able to salvage your pure-as-snow image.”

  His jaw tightened again.

  I turned to go to my room and then whirled back on him. “Oh, it goes without saying, but you can stay in your own room tonight and all the rest of the nights. And when Lily calls, there will be no problem telling her that you’re the last person I’d ever want to be with.”

  I made it to my room and closed the door before the tears fell.

  18

  Maki
ng Amends

  Pax

  My first thought when Victoria confronted me was that she had some nerve making me out to be the bad guy. That started to waiver when I realized she was right. I should have asked her about the meeting. I’d let my mind run to the worst-case scenario and assumed she was capable of the worst.

  I was sitting at the table looking like a schmuck as I wondered if I should go talk to her, when my phone rang. I looked at the caller I.D. Fuck off. It was Dane. I considered ignoring it but he wouldn’t be ignored. He’d simply keep calling, so I picked up.

  “It’s not a good time,” I said by way of answering.

  “Listen, there’s a statement from Victoria’s camp. I don’t always put stock in that sort of thing, but in this case, I think it’s true.”

  I pinched the bridge of my nose. “He works for her.”

  “Right. So, you talked to her?”

  “Sort of.” More like she put me in my place.

  “Turns out this guy isn’t into women, so…the gossip mill got it wrong. Which is good for us.”

  I scoffed. Good for him, maybe. Me? I’d just ruined a friendship. Victoria was right. I should have trusted her. At the very least, I should have asked about it.

  “This kid of hers is smart. He also made the suggestion that you two were still in Vegas. I might have to hunt him down and hire him away from her. He knows PR.”

  I scraped a hand over my face as the magnitude of my error settled over me. “Listen, Dane, I’ve gotta go.”

  “Yeah, okay. I just wanted to let you know. Everything is good. It was all a crazy misunderstanding. We’re pushing the message he sent out and working to make those other outlets look bad.”

  Of course. He’d also been willing to make Victoria look bad, which heightened my guilt.

  I hung up and then cleared my plate as I worked to figure out how I could make this right with her. Of course I’d apologize, but I wondered if I’d irrevocably ruined our relationship. Not the sexual part, but the friendship. I could still see the look in her eyes. It wasn’t the anger that had me feeling like an utter dick, it was the pain. I’d hurt her deeply.

  Fuck.

  Taking a deep breath, I headed to her room. For a moment, I just listened outside the door. I could hear her crying and my heart cracked. I really was an asshole.

  I knocked on the door. “Victoria?”

  “This isn’t your room anymore.”

  I leaned against the door. “I know. I want to say I’m sorry.”

  She didn’t respond.

  I rested my head on the door, knowing I was in a losing battle. “I was wrong not to talk to you or to ask you about the photos.”

  “That’s what you’re sorry about?”

  I sighed. “That and assuming you’d…” Cheat wasn’t the right word, was it? We were having a fling of sorts, but we hadn’t made any commitments. “Be with someone while you were with me.”

  “Dane called, didn’t he? He probably made you come to apologize.”

  “He called, but I’m here because I’m sorry.”

  “After you learned the truth.”

  She wasn’t wrong. Although I’d been second-guessing myself before that, now I knew the truth.

  The door flew open and I nearly fell in. I gripped her shoulders to keep from knocking her over.

  She jerked away. “Don’t touch me.”

  “Sorry, I just…” I didn’t know what to say. Guilt was slashing my gut and I desperately wished I could find the right words to make it up to her. In the end, I could only apologize. “I’m sorry, Victoria.”

  She moved away. Her back was turned as she looked out the window into the darkness. Light flurries fell and it might have been romantic if I hadn’t been such an idiot.

  “Tell me what I can do to make this right,” I said.

  She let out a derisive laugh. “There’s nothing you can do. You’ve shown me how you truly think of me.”

  I closed my eyes, hating that she felt like I thought badly of her.

  “No. I’ve shown you what a dick I am.”

  She didn’t turn around, but her head swiveled around to where she could glance at me over her shoulder.

  I took that as a good sign. I debated how much I should say to her. Did I tell her what was really going on with me and my feelings? After how I’d treated her, it seemed like I owed her that.

  “I was jealous, Victoria.”

  Her eyes closed and slowly she turned to look at me.

  I held my hands out and surrendered my emotions. “He had his hands on you. His mouth…” I looked down as the memory of the jealous pain slashed through me again. Finally, I returned my gaze to her. “I wasn’t thinking. Or…my thought was to protect myself. I don’t know. What I do know is that I fucked it up.”

  Taking a chance, I moved closer to her. I wanted to see into her lovely blue eyes. It was there I’d know if my plea was making a difference. “I know you’re a good person. I was blinded by my own anger and having a rumor like that out in the world. I won’t lie, I didn’t enjoy looking like I was lacking in the sex department. In less than a month into my marriage, my wife was off with another man.”

  “So, this is about your ego?” Her tone was distant and I was sure now that I wasn’t going to win back her respect.

  “A little,” I admitted. “But mostly, I hated the idea of another man touching you. That I wasn’t enough.”

  She rolled her eyes. “So, you did think I was with him? That I’d do that?”

  “I wasn’t thinking, that’s the problem, Victoria. I was reacting. It’s a statement about me, not you.” I blew out a breath. “I know I’ve ruined things between us and I hate it. I just wanted you to know how sorry I am and that I know you’re a good and decent person. I was wrong. So wrong and I’m sorry.”

  I waited a moment for her to say something, but when she didn’t, I turned to leave the room.

  “Why were you jealous?” Her words stopped me. “Because I’m supposed to be your wife? Because it hurts your image?” she asked.

  “No. I was jealous because I don’t like sharing. I know this situation is crazy and our relationship is complicated by more than what happened in Vegas. But for now, I’m enjoying this time with you. You’ll think I’m a Neanderthal, but when I saw that picture, I wanted to rip his head off because, Victoria, right now, you’re mine. I know that probably makes you mad because no one owns you-oomph-”

  I was cut off by Victoria launching herself into my arms. It took me a moment to adjust, but when I realized she was pressed against me, I wrapped my arms around her and held on tight.

  I dipped my head to her neck. “I’m so sorry, Victoria.” I trailed kisses along her neck and jaw, in between telling her I was sorry.

  “This is crazy,” she said in a soft voice.

  “I know. But let’s not worry about all the rest. Right now, it’s just you and me.”

  She nodded as she leaned back and looked at me.

  I hated the red in her eyes and remnants of tears. I did that, my guilty conscience said. “Let’s enjoy this time, whatever time we have. Can we?”

  She nodded. “Yes. Okay.”

  I smiled. “Thank you.” Taking a chance, I pressed my lips softly to hers. She didn’t bite me or push me away. Slowly I took the kiss deeper, sinking into her taste. I moved her to the bed, laying her back. I took my time, soothing her pain, bringing her pleasure. She rewarded me by letting me stay the night.

  The next morning, I was up early. I checked in with Dane and then my manager, who I’d brought into this wacky situation when we’d left Vegas to come to Eden Lake. He’d seen the pictures too, but he did what I hadn’t and that was researched. He’d learned the man was Victoria’s marketing person and didn’t have a thing for women, so he hadn’t bothered to contact me. Instead, we talked about the tour we’d been planning for the summer.

  When I was done with my business, I checked on Victoria. I’d kept her up late last night, so it wasn’t a surpr
ise that she was still sleeping. I nearly got back in bed and woke her with my hands and lips, but instead decided to plan something fun. We were supposed to be hiding, but maybe we needed to get out. Victoria’s marketing guy suggested we were still in Vegas, so if we went out here in Eden Lake, we’d be outing our location. But perhaps we were feeling the effects of cabin fever and getting out was something we needed.

  I found Allie’s number and called her.

  “What’s your intentions with my sister?” Allie said when she picked up the phone.

  “Ah…I was hoping you’d give me an idea of something we could do in Eden Lake that she’d enjoy but wouldn’t cause a media stir.”

  She was quiet for a moment. “Skiing is out. Too many people. Even in snow gear, you’d probably be noticed.”

  I wondered if being noticed might be helpful. It would counteract the photos from yesterday. The problem was, I didn’t ski.

  “I don’t know how to ski.”

  She made a tsk sound. “There’s ice skating, but that’s an enclosed place. Oh, how about snow tubing? Victoria loves that. It brings out the seven-year-old in her.”

  I smiled, wondering what that looked like, desperately wanting to see it. “Where can we do that?”

  “There’s a place up the road from Pine Rest. It's midweek, so it shouldn’t be too crowded. Most people go to the places by the big resorts. That one is more of a local place. I’ll text you the information.”

  “Thank you, Allie.”

  “If you hurt my sister, I’m going to cause you problems, Pax.”

  “I understand.” If I hurt Victoria again, I’d feel like shit, so she didn’t need to threaten me.

  When the link to the snow tubing place came in, I did quick research on what was needed and how to get there. Then I went back to the room. Victoria was out of bed and in the shower.

  My dick perked up at the thought of her naked and wet. I shucked off my lounge pants and t-shirt and joined her, kissing her neck as I pulled her back against me.