Page 28 of Deception & Daylight
“I don’t have to touch your ass to get my fill, Mags.” I smirk, a little of my bravado returning with our teasing banter.
With an eye roll, she hops out of the passenger side, giving me a view of the fine ass in question. I bite my knuckle when she catches me staring, and she flips me the bird.That’s my girl.
When we stroll into the bar, Cade waves us over, his eyes snagging on our joined hands as we walk into the bar, and he waves us over. There’s a questioning look on his face as he leans against the bar, arms crossed over his chest. “So y’all are really doing this?”
In response, I stand behind Maggie, wrapping my arms around her waist as I rest my chin on her head. She’s a perfect fucking fit. She freezes for a millisecond before relaxing into my hold.
“Yep.” She pops the p for emphasis, lacing her voice with annoyance, but the way her body melts into mine tells an entirely different story.
“Don’t act like you’re not happy to have me as your arm candy, Pookie.”
“Hard pass, Shnookums.”
“That’s fucking gross,” Cade says with a laugh, placing two coasters on the bar top.
“OoookCowboy,” Mags teases, parking her ass on one of the bar stools. I immediately miss the feel of her body against mine, but I reluctantly slide in next to her, anyway.
“Yeah. And how’sSunshinethis evening?” I add. Mags throws her head back and lets out a bark of laughter. It’s pure and unrestrained, but I don’t miss the way she winces and curls an arm around her ribs.
“Fuck you both,” he deadpans. As Cade slides our usual drinks across the bar, his eyes narrow and his nostrils flare, his gaze fixed on something behind me.
“Heads up,” Cade says with a discreet nod of his head.
A tight knot forms in my stomach when I turn to see my brother striding toward the bar. I suspected he’d show up, but nothing could’ve prepared me for the way Maggie recoils at his approach. Anger surges through me as he plants himself a little too close to my girl. Taking a chance, I reach out a steadying hand to tug her out of her seat, caging her between my spread thighs in an attempt to shield her from whatever chaos he’s about to rain down on us.
Following my lead, she snakes her arms around my shoulders, toying with the hair at the nape of my neck. The sweet gesture makes my heart race, and I instinctively reach out a hand to tuck a stay hair behind her ear, reciprocating a little of her tenderness. Our eyes lock and her breath hitches, and it’s like everything around us disappears. My heartbeat thrums in my ears as I lean down, pressing our foreheads together, our lips barely a breath apart, begging her to close the distance. She didn’t consent to me kissing her tonight, no matter how badly I want to claim her in front of the entire town, so I just hover until a throat clears, startling Mags and breaking our trance.
“Hey there, little minx.” Maggie’s body stiffens, her face flashing with unfettered anger at my brother’s words. She shoves out of my hold as if I slapped her, confusion swirling in my head. I stand from my seat, but before I can stop her, she’s darting towards the bathroom and I’m left standing in front of a deeply satisfied Matty.
“What the fuck do you want?” I snarl.
“I think you already know what I want. Careful brother. Have you forgotten our agreement?”
His words hit me like a punch to the gut, dragging me back tothatnight — the night everything changed.
2 years ago, Cade’s 27th Birthday
“Happy birthday, bro!” Dean, Cara, and I raise our glasses to a sulking Cade. It’s his 27th birthday and he should be celebrating, but instead, he’s wallowing. Ever since Paige pulled away from him, he’s been all twisted up. We’d originally planned a trip to Nashville to celebrate his birthday, but he wasn’t up for it, so we ended up at The Ridge instead. I wish I knew how to help him.
Cade, Dean, and I have been thick as thieves since childhood — more like brothers than friends, really — and I’ve never seen him like this. Dean gives me a knowing look before he pulls his girlfriend, Cara, onto the dance floor, where they melt into each other, leaving me with my brooding best friend.
“Another drink?” I ask, tapping my empty bottle against Cade’s. He nods, lost in thought. When he pulls out his phone, I catch a glimpse of Paige on his lock screen. She’s standing shoulder to shoulder with her best friend, Maggie, covered in pumpkin guts, making a heart with their hands. Damn, maybe I need to ask Cade to hook me up. She’s stunning, even with that shit smeared all over her face and hands.
It’s not the first time I’ve felt drawn to her. Over the last month, I’ve caught glimpses of her over FaceTime and snippets of their conversations — laughter and inside jokes that linger in my mind. That laugh…fuck. There’s just something about her; the way her smile lights up a room, the confidence she exudes even in the most casual moments. It’s magnetic. If it weren’t for the distance, I’d be all over that. But long-distance isn’t for me if the state of my best friend is any indication. He’s down bad and all fucked up over a girl he’s not even dating.
I lean over the bar, signaling Liam for another round. The place is surprisingly empty for a Friday night, but it’s still early. Just as Liam slides two beers my way, a vaguely familiar blonde takes the stool beside me. She’s petite and curvy, with bright blue eyes that sparkle even in the dim bar. If I didn’t have a best friend in distress, I’d be open to taking her home with me.
“Hey Miles,” she says with stunning familiarity, throwing me off balance.
“I’m sorry? Do I know you?”
“Olivia?” Recognition dawns when I look her over again. Olivia Sullivan. Rosie’s granddaughter. I’ve seen her around, but I don’t think I’ve ever given her a second glance, and we’ve never been formally introduced. She unlocks her phone, pulling up a dating profile that looks like me, but it can’t be. Despite my urging Cade to join, I never created my own account.
“I’m sorry. I think there’s been some kind of mistake. I don’t have any dating profiles.” She scans my face for any sign of deception, finding only sincerity. A pang of sympathy courses through me as realization dawns. She’s been catfished and someone used me to do it.
Olivia’s face pales as she searches the room in stunned silence. “I’m such a fucking idiot. I should’ve known the most eligible bachelor in Oak Ridge wouldn’t be interested in me, of all people.”
“Hold on. What’s that supposed to mean?”
