Page 27 of Crazy Little Thing Called Love

“Um, yes. They just went to check on—”

“Because it’s my freaking business, that’s why Jackassons!” Charlie’s loud voice carried through the air.

The oft-repeated nickname made Cassie smile. Not hard to guess where Charlie and the twins were. Sure enough, a few moments later Charlie pushed through the distillery door, followed quickly by BJ and Ace, both looking like they wanted to strangle her neck. A common look for the twins when it came to their baby sister.

“Del, thank God!” Charlie crossed the room, the twins staying behind the bar. “Would you please tell your dumbass brothers that I can handle my own life and date whoever the hell I want?”

Ah, the twins found out about Blain Starkweather. Cassie didn’t particularly care for Charlie’s latest boyfriend—the guy was kind of a jerk—but her friend seemed happy, so who was she to tell her no?

“The guy is bad news, Charlie,” BJ said, crossing his arms over his chest.

Ace struck an identical pose. “Fucking asshole.”

“Yes, but he’s my asshole for the time being. It’s just a few dates. A little fun. It’s not like I’m going to marry the guy.”

At that, Cassie shifted uncomfortably. Del squeezed her hand as if he knew where her thoughts were going and wanted to reassure her. Damn him, it’d be a lot easier to remember this thing was all pretend if he wasn’t being such a nice guy. For all his faults, Del had always been nice. Every Jackson was. The code of honor had been instilled in their DNA at birth.

“Who are you dating? Wait, never mind.” Del shook his head. “I-we have something we need to talk to you about.”

All arguments ceased. Three pairs of identical blue eyes and one pair of timid hazel stared at them. Heart pounding, Cassie unconsciously slid closer to Del.

“We have an announcement,” Del said.

At his words, Charlie’s eyes narrowed, glancing at the close contact between her best friend and brother, gaze roaming to their joined hands

“Oh no,” Charlie’s hand flew to her forehead. “Oh Cassie, tell me you didn’t. Please tell me you didn’t marry my baby brother.”

“What!” BJ exclaimed

“Who’s married?” Ace asked at the same time.

Shouts and chaos filled the room. Everyone—except Penny, who sat stock-still on her stool looking very uncomfortable—began to talk at once, rushing toward them. Del held up a hand and all his siblings stopped in their tracks.

“We’re not married, yet.” This did nothing to quell the looks of disbelief on their faces. “But we plan to be. Cassie and I are engaged.”

“Goddammit, Del!” Charlie smacked her brother upside the back of his head. “How dare you take advantage of my friend.”

On no! This was all wrong. Just like she feared. Charlie was blaming Del when it wasn’t his fault. No one was being taken advantage of. They were both getting something out of the deal. She wanted to tell her friend what was going on, but she couldn’t. Everyone had to believe they were in love.

“Hey!” He rubbed the spot where his sister clocked him.

“And you!” Charlie waved a finger at Cassie. “What happened to the online dating? Was every date so bad you had to drag my little brother into this?”

“This? What’s this?” BJ asked.

“What the hell is going on, Delta?” Ace raised a single brow.

Her heart cracked. This was exactly what she didn’t want. Her best friend hurt, Del’s family angry and confused. She’d lost so many people in her life; she couldn’t afford to lose Charlie and the Jackson clan, too.

“I know you’re desperate Cassie,” Charlie said, “but Del? Seriously?”

“That’s enough! Everyone just shut the hell up and listen.” At Del’s raised voice, everyone quieted.

Penny tried to sneak away, but BJ wrapped an arm around her shoulders, gently pushing her back onto her stool. She looked about as apprehensive as Cassie felt.

“Cassie and I have been seeing each other for a while now.” Charlie snorted, and Del glared at his sister. “We have,” he said. “We didn’t tell anyone because we didn’t want to cause any issues if we…didn’t last.”

Charlie glanced at Cassie, eyes boring into her like she could see the lie if she just looked hard enough.

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