Page 43 of Deception & Daylight
“Good luck, brother,” Matty says, nostrils flaring as his eyes scan the crowd, his jaw clenched when he finds Maggie in the crowd. I can’t contain my smirk when he notices her newly revealed t-shirt, cursing under his breath.
“Rein it in, Matty. Wouldn’t want to put off your potential dates by showing them what a walking red flag you are.” Goading him probably isn't the best choice, but there’s no way in hell he’s getting Maggie to bid on him, so she’s not in any danger should he decide to retaliate.
With a flourish and a shit-eating grin, Russell calls up Jaxon Hayes to kick off the event. He gives his son a nod as he lists off a few of his attributes. I can’t imagine how awkward it must be to auction off your own kid to the highest bidder. Taking over from Russell, Jax is now the ranch manager at Whispering Oaks. His winning bid of $1000 comes from a pretty redhead I don’t recognize. He hops off the stage and pulls her into a friendly hug.
Next up is Griffin, the second Hayes brother. He’s the horse trainer at the ranch, and his date comes with a trail ride and a picnic catered by Rosie’s Diner. He goes for a whopping $1500 to none other than Ivy Roberts, who’s like an unofficial member of their family. I wouldn’t be surprised if they made some kind of deal to get Griffin out of a date. I furrow my brow in silent question at Luca, who catches the movement and shrugs, wrapping his arms around Ivy’s baby bump.
I’m preparing to take center stage as the next bachelor in line when, at the last second, the oldestHayes brother is called up to shocked gasps and hushed whispers from the crowd.
Wilder hasn’t been seen in Oak Ridge for several years. He married his high school sweetheart and took off to Colorado shortly after they married. She passed away suddenly last year, leaving him alone to raise their now two-year-old daughter. I can only assume that’s why he’s back in town. His family would have insisted he come home so they can support them. With flushed cheeks and anxiety radiating off her in waves, Rosie’s granddaughter Olivia, places the winning bid, but I can’t hear the final price tag over the hushed murmurs of the crowd.
She doesn’t even spare Matty a passing glance, and I can feel his anger is palpable. Shortly after I dissevered his catfishing scheme, I contacted Livie to fill her in. She confronted the bastard, and he didn’t even try to deny it. She left town not long after the incident, and only recently returned.
“You’re up, brother,” Matty says, giving my shoulder a shove.
I step to the front of the stage to a chorus of whoops and hollers from my friends, and a very enthusiastic Paige snapping photos in my periphery. “Up next, we have Oak Ridge’s favorite playboy, Miles Barlow. Rumor has it this one has his sights set on Tennessee’s own Maggie Watson, but don’t let that deter you. Miles comes with an intimate tailgate dinner down by the lake, followed by a night out at the Ridge for drinks and dancing. Starting bid is $200.”
With a mischievous wink, Rosie raises her paddle, placing the first bid.
“Stirring the pot, Ro?” Russell teases. “We have $200, can I get $250?” Paddles start to shoot up every which way and it’s getting harder to keep up as Russ calls out bid after bid. Rosie dropped out around the $600 mark, and a few townies are fighting it out now. “Can I get $900?”
Jen raises her arm, and my stomach plummets when she locks eyes with my girl in the crowd. “I have $900. Can I get $950?”
Not breaking eye contact, Maggie plants her hands on her hips, her chin jutting out in challenge. “$1000,” she calls.That’s my girl.
Before Russell can confirm, Jen is on her feet, shouting over the stunned crowd, “$1200.”
“$1200 to the lady in the front row. Do I have —”
Maggie barrels down the center aisle, standing defiantly next to Jen. “$2000.”
“Your girl’s got spirit, Barlow,” Russell mutters, hand cupped over the mic to muffle his voice. “I have $2000, going once… twice… sold to the very lovely Maggie Watson.” Pulling the mic away from his face, he says, “Go get your girl before she tries to take out the competition.”
“There’s no competition. I only have eyes for Maggie.” The admission slips off my tongue in a moment of stunning clarity.Eyes, heart, body and fucking soul. It’s all hers.
Hopping off the stage, I pull her into my arms, spinning us as I kiss her thoroughly for everyone to see. “Jealousy looks good on you, baby.”
“Fuck off, Miles. I was just saving you from a far worse fate,” she says, pulling out of my hold as she tosses a middle finger over her shoulder towards a very pissed off Jen. Raucous laughter erupts from my cheering section as we approach.
“Well played, Mags,” Cade says, offering his hand in a high five. While he’s distracted, I pluck a wide eyed Sofia from his chest and hold her up in the air as she giggles wildly with her nearly toothless smile. My childhood was far too fucked up for me to consider fatherhood. But Cade was born for the role; watching my best friend become the dad I never had has been cathartic.
When Sofia’s old enough to recognize who I am, Uncle Miles is going to be her favorite person. “Hey there, sweet girl. Is your dad spoiling you rotten today?”
“Every day,” Paige corrects.
“Can’t say I blame him, Sunshine. How could anyone say no to this sweet face?” At that moment, a long string of saliva landed on my cheek. “Not nice, Sof,” I say, snagging the proffered baby wipe from Paige’s hand as Maggie giggles behind me.
“Heads up. It’s Matty’s turn.” Cade says, gesturing to the stage. Maggie’s laughter dies on her tongue as Russell introduces my brother, who’s got his menacing gaze fixed on my girl, his lips turned down into a frown. Handing the little drool monster back to her dad, I wrap a protective arm around Maggie’s shoulders, pulling her body flush against mine. I half expect her to pull away. Instead, she wiggles her ass against my erection and I release a strangled groan. She turns her face, a smirk playing on her lips. “Careful, Wildcat.”
Our heated moment is interrupted when Matty hops off the stage and joins Jen in the front row, who’s no doubt disappointed in her consolation prize. But I guess she wanted a Barlow, one way or another. Matty’s date comes with a fancy dinner at a French restaurant in Willow Valley, and a shopping trip at the strip mall.
As vapid and self-indulgent as she is, it’s no surprise Jen would pick the guy with the deep pockets, though I’m not sure where he’s getting his money unless he’s still in touch with our piece of shit dad. Barring leaving, the best thing that man ever did was hand over control of Barlow Construction. It came at a hefty sum, but it was always meant to be mine, and that’s never sat well with Matty.Barlow Construction is my great-grandfather’s legacy, one I refuse to let my heartless father or my equally callous brother sink into oblivion.
“Let’s go back to the festival and leave Jen to the consequences of her own greed,” Paige suggests. It’s clear she’s getting an immense amount of satisfaction out of today’s events. “I’m hoping there’s another cupcake with my name on it.”
In a move I don’t see coming, Maggie skates her hand along my forearm, interlocking our fingers. My body instantly responds as she tugs me along with her. My eyes fell upon the woman who, a short time ago, couldn’t even bring herself to utter my name, let alone hold my hand. This all feels like a fever dream, and fuck if I don’t want to stay locked in it forever.
“When do you leave?” I ask, hopeful I can stretch this arrangement out for a while longer. Since the shattered moment on the porch, we haven’t broached the topic of our fake dating with benefits arrangement, and I’m eager to get to the benefits.
