Dropping his hand, he blinked in surprise. “Your mother said…I mean, she didn’t mention that.”
“I haven’t told her about him. There’s enough going on around here. This is your week, your wedding. I’ll save my announcements for later.”
Did he go pale? Or was that her imagination?
“Is it someone in Sac?” he asked.
She could’ve said yes and left it at that. She wasn’t entirely sure why she didn’t. Maybe it was because a mere name wouldn’t have the same effect. “No, actually. He’s from Whiskey Creek. Someone you know quite well.”
A muscle flexed in his cheek. “Who?”
She’d already gone too far. But the same desperate compulsion that had overtaken her in the car when she injured her hand seemed to goad her now, until the name that would hurt him most passed her lips. “Brandon.”
The color returned to his face, staining his cheeks a bright red. “My stepbrother?”
“You’re not really related,” she reminded him. “That happens to be important to me, even though it wasn’t to you.”
He seemed to struggle with words. “His mother is married to my father.”
“You lived together for two years. Sadly I’ve had to put up with Noelle my whole life.”
He shook his head as if she’d just cold-cocked him. “Brandon?” he said again. “You’ve got to be joking.”
She lifted her chin. “Why?”
“Because he’d be terrible for you!”
“In what way?” she challenged.
“He-he doesn’t know what it means to really love anyone. The second he gets bored, or a skiing opportunity presents itself, he’ll be gone and you may never hear from him again.”
She sneered. “Funny you should say that.”
“I know I let you down.” He lowered his voice. “But…that doesn’t mean I don’t care about you.”
“Did you think I’d mope around indefinitely?”
“No, of course not. That isn’t what I want. I want you to be happy.”
She smiled broadly. “Brandon makes me happy.”
A scowl replaced his stunned expression. “Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face, Olivia. He hasn’t been able to maintain one serious relationship. He’ll only hurt you in the end.”
She popped the trunk. “I doubt it. Thanks to you, I’m older and wiser than I was.”
“You’re no match for him. He’ll take advantage of how innocent and trusting you are and how deeply you love—”
“I’m not planning to marry him.” She rolled her eyes. “I’ll leave making the Big Commitment to you and my dear sister. Brandon’s good in bed. Right now, that’s all I need.”
When he sagged a little, her heart twisted so painfully she almost admitted the truth. She couldn’t hurt Kyle regardless of what he’d done to her. But Noelle’s voice, filled with suspicion, rang out from the patio. “What’s taking so long?”
Olivia raised the trunk lid, revealing the many boxes of wedding paraphernalia she’d borrowed from River City Resort Club & Spa. She’d been planning to tote it all in herself, regardless of her throbbing hand. She wanted to stay busy, focused. But if Kyle was going to dog her footsteps, she figured he could handle the job.
“Looks like there’s more here than I remembered. If you could bring it into the living room, we’ll get started on the wedding favors right after we eat. I have to leave soon. Brandon’s expecting me,” she said and walked past her sister without saying hello.
Chapter 4
When his mother showed up on his doorstep, Brandon was relieved Olivia was gone. He didn’t feel he owed it to his stepbrother to stay away from her or anything like that. After what Kyle had done, Brandon considered Olivia fair game for any guy, even him. But he knew his mother would get involved if she saw Olivia at his place—and if there was any way to keep his mother from getting involved, it was always best to go that route. Otherwise, she’d give him no peace.
“Hi, what are you doing here?” he asked as he swung the door wide. She rarely came over. But he’d let her last few calls go to voice mail. He’d heard enough about the wedding, hadn’t wanted to hear any more.
That had been a mistake. Instead of leaving him alone, she’d come to harangue him in person.
“I was on my way home and thought I’d stop by,” she said.
Sure, that made sense. Except his place wasn’t on the way to or from anywhere. Only teenagers and hikers bothered to visit the old mine or the trails he loved so much.
“Can I come in?” she asked, sounding slightly miffed that he hadn’t already offered.
Belatedly he realized he was still blocking the entrance. “Of course.” He stepped aside so she could move past him. Then he placed his arms around her in the obligatory hug.
“Have you picked up your tux for the wedding?” she asked as soon as he released her.
“Not yet.”
“Brandon!” Cocking her head, she gave him that searching look that said he was about to get a stern lecture. “You’re not going to do anything to ruin this wedding, are you? Because I’m counting on you. Just once I’d like you to go along with what we have planned and behave yourself. Can you do that? For me?”
“No problem.” He tried to play it straight, but it was difficult not to grimace. He hated the way she catered to Kyle and Kyle’s father. Maybe if she’d give them hell every once in a while, he wouldn’t have to establish their boundaries on his own.
“Good. I’m glad to hear it. I’ll grab your tux when I hit town. If you wait too long, they’ll be closed.”
“There’s always tomorrow, Mom.”
“The wedding rehearsal is tomorrow. There’ll be a lot to do as it is.”
“I can get my own tux!”
Obviously put out by his refusal to let her take control, she sniffed. “And you’ll make the rehearsal?”
“Of course.”
“On time and sober?”
“When have I ever shown up anywhere drunk?” he asked. As an athlete, he worked against the clock as it was. Age would slow him down fast enough; he wasn’t about to destroy his body with alcohol.
“I’m just covering all the bases,” she told him.
For Kyle… “Maybe I’m not the one you should be worried about,” he said.