Page 25 of Ever With Me

“I couldn’t have put it better myself.” Maddie rolled the rim of her bottle against her full lower lip, and Brooks’s stomach lurched. He tore his gaze away as she went on. “He’s awkward. Likes to crash into things. Sounds like Brooks Kent, the ladies’ man, is just anothermedia fabrication.”

He choked back a laugh, avoiding looking at her. She wasn’t shy, that was for goddamn sure. But maybe she hadn’t realized how sexual that might sound, considering what Cormac might have overheard.

He should just tell Cormac that this girl was using him and explain how they knew each other.

But, then again, he’d have to explain why he’d lied about his car breaking down and being in a local shop.

He didn’t even really know the answer to that.

The lie had just come easily. Naturally. He had few good friends, and Cormac was one of them. Unlike a lot of other musicians who’d worked with him, Cormac was a steady, honest guy. Responsible. Someone he could count on to be sober after a show when the rest of his band was stoned. He’d tried recruiting Cormac to play for him regularly, but Darren had shot the idea down.

Whatever the reason, Brooks would have to figure out a way to tell Cormac he’d lied about the car and admit that he’d crashed into the store. No doubt that was better than him thinking Brooks had hooked up with Maddie—especially if he cared about her somehow.

“You two act like old friends,” Cormac observed with a guarded look. “Speaking of Logan, is he still on his way?”

Jesus, how many people did Cormac invite over here?

Then again, if it were any other person than Maddie, Brooks wouldn’t have given a damn. This was how things went whenever he went to anyone else’s hometown. He’d hang out with them and meet their friends, their family. Always the outsider.

But itwasMaddie, and Brooks was sure she’d orchestrated this.

“I think so. He was just going to grab some crab cakes from the pub.”

Cormac nodded. “I’ll get the grill going for those steaks. I haven’t had steaks from the Pearsons’ place in forever.”

“I can do that. Where’s the grill?” Maddie said.

Cormac scratched his head. “It’s up on the deck. But you don’t have?—”

“I’m already standing.” She waved her hand. “And I’m used to grilling. I’ll get it.” She grinned and hurried down the dock again.

She must be rattled.

Brooks finished his beer as tense silence settled between him and Cormac.

“Well, that was fast,” Cormac said at last, his gaze focused on the lake.

Brooks cut a look at him. “What was?”

“You snuck out of her place this morning?” Cormac cocked his chin, his lips curling with a smile.

Yup. He overheard.Still, Brooks broke eye contact. “It wasn’t like that.”

“Wasn’t it? I guess it should have surprised me when Maddie practically dragged Logan over to say hi while I was at the butcher. Just figured she was being friendly. But she clearly already knew you and I were hanging out.”

“Man, I really am not trying to get between you and a woman you like?—”

“No, no, there’s nothing between Maddie and me. I haven’t seen her in a few years.” Cormac chuckled. “I’m not trying to find a girl from my hometown to drag me back. How did you meet her, though?”

“Hey, Cormac,” a male voice called.

Both men looked up to see another man standing near the driveway. From the similarity in their appearance, he must be Maddie’s older brother, Logan.

But why in the hell did Logan have a suitcase with him?

“Uncle Books!”

Audrey’s voice pierced the quiet of the yard. Then he saw her, dark brown ringlets streaming in the air as she barreled through the grass toward him, dropping her stuffed gorilla.

---