He traces his finger down my cheek, across my jaw, and down the column of my throat. “Just getting acquainted with you.”

Chills skate across my heated skin. “Okay,” I choke out.

“Feel free to touch me too,” he says with a small laugh.

I remember this is Brock. Anya’s baby brother, and pull away. “I should get ready.”

“Okay, I’ll be at the bar.”

I beeline across the room, making my way into the bathroom. I shut the door, leaning my back against it, sucking in a lungful of air. What the hell am I thinking?

This is a terrible idea.

But before I can think twice about it, my phone dings from the pocket of my jeans. I pull it out, glancing down at the screen to find a text message from Lake.

Asshole (DO NOT ANSWER): Can we talk?

Mother fluffer, it’s working. My ex. Lake’s texted me. A warmth radiates outward from my chest as I read the message over and over. This plan of Brock’s is working, now I need to get ready to look my best tonight. I’ve got an ex to make jealous.

Chapter 4

Brock

I toss back half my beer in one gulp, trying to keep myself in check. When I suggested Willow and I practice a few things, I didn’t expect to feel myself getting hard while doing it. Especially since all I did was touch her briefly. It’s probably just because it’s been a minute since I’ve been with a girl, at least that’s what I keep telling myself.

This is Willow. She’s always been around and I’ve enjoyed every second of it because I love teasing her. She gets worked up so easily, it’s fun watching. That’s what makes this situation so perfect because neither of us could possibly fall for the other.

Even if I did enjoy the limited time I had touching her.

What worries me is her reaction.

When I touched her in front of everyone she visibly stiffened and that can’t happen. Not if we are going to make this believable. However, when I touched her upstairs, she was fine, until she wasn’t. She ran off to the bathroom like I set her clothes on fire. I’m not sure if she’s so hung up on that asshole, Lake, or if my touch nauseated her, but she couldn’t get away fast enough.

I need to talk to her and get her to understand this will work if we play it right. Now I’m trying to get myself to relax with a bit of liquid courage and I’m hoping she’ll do the same when she comes down.

“Hey little brother, where’s your girl?” Paxton asks, slapping my back as he raises an eyebrow.

I sip my beer and grin. “Getting ready. She’ll be down shortly.”

He thinks I’m gonna say this is all bullshit, but he’s wrong.

“This happened kinda suddenly, no?”

“No, it didn’t. I’ve always flirted with her, disguised as teasing. But when I saw her and Fake Lake together and got jealous, I knew,” I lie.

“Fake Lake?” he asks, laughing.

I lift a shoulder and lean against the bar. “The guy is a tool. I mean he cheated on Willow and hurt her. I should kick his ass, but it’s your wedding week, so I’ll be respectful.”

“Thanks for that.” He turns to face me and sighs. “Don’t hurt her for your own gain. You just said she was hurt, don’t add to it.”

Fire burns in my stomach as I stand tall and cross my arms, feeling immediately defensive and pissed. “That’s not who I am and I take offense to you suggesting differently. I’m not saying I’m in love here, but I like her a lot. We’re having fun and that’s enough for us right now.”

He holds his hands up in defense and steps back. “All right, sorry. Hartford and Anya asked me to talk to you and now I have. I’m happy for you guys. Willow is great and I’ve always had a hunch all the teasing was flirting.”

I relax a bit and finish off my beer. The lies come easily and I should probably question why, but I don’t.

“Hey, where is everyone?” Shepherd asks, pulling Felicity closer to his side.