Accidental Love (Fake Marriage Romance 1)

Jeez, not him too?

“That’s the first time you’ve ever said anything that I agree with,” Trina quipped.

Ryder leaned over the bar toward Trina. “Oh, I don’t know. There was that night in high school, where you agreed with everything I said…and did.”

I wanted to tell them to get a room already. Whatever had started to simmer in high school, still snapped and crackled between them, but for some reason, they ignored it. Since I didn’t want to get in between my brother and friend, I tried to stay out of it.

“Shut up, Ryder and make me a drink,” Trina quipped.

He smirked and poured us both a shot of whisky. “Looks like you both could use it.”

“Cheers.” I held up my drink and then downed it. I closed my eyes as the smooth burn flowed down to my gut.

“So, what’s this about Wyatt and saving the farm? Stark after his land too?” Ryder asked.

“Yes. Apparently, there’s a question about Wyatt’s rights to the land now that his father ran off.”

“Nothing a little marriage couldn’t help fix,” Trina said, holding out her glass for another shot.

Ryder looked at Trina. “Why her? You could marry him.”

“I’d do it in a minute.” Trina waggled her brows.

My brother frowned.

“But my bestest friend and deputy mayor is a better option if the goal is to stop this prison. Plus, you should have seen the lasers she shot at me when Wyatt asked if I’d marry him.”

My brother choked on the water he was drinking. “He what?”

Trina waved her hand. “He was just annoyed that Sinclair rejected him.”

Ryder looked at me.

“Personally, I think he likes you,” Trina said. “At the very least, he was hurt that you thought the idea was too ridiculous.”

“He was not.” I tapped my empty glass on the counter, telling my brother I needed another drink.

She shook her head. “Sometimes I wonder how it was that you ever ended up pregnant. You’re clueless when it comes to men. First the mayor and now Wyatt Jones. You’re like the Pied Piper.” Trina finished her drink and hopped down from the stool. “I’m going to the ladies’ room. When I get back, Ryder, I’d like another drink.”

“As you wish.” He nodded like he was a servant. Ryder waited until she was out of earshot and then said, “Marriage or not, he needs to know about Alyssa.”

“I know.” I looked down, feeling the weight of the ramifications of a summer day ten years ago bearing down on me.

Ryder put his hand over mine. “You know I’m here for you, no matter what?”

“I do.” I narrowed my eyes at him. “How come you’re not mad at Wyatt for running off like that and now showing up like nothing happened.”

My brother shrugged and grabbed a towel to wipe the bar. He hadn’t been that upset ten years ago when Wyatt had left which made me wonder if he knew something I didn’t about Wyatt.

Then again, I had my own secrets around Wyatt. It wasn’t until I found out I was pregnant that I confided in Ryder about my relationship with his friend. I’d been in college for a couple of weeks when I realized I was pregnant. Everyone except my brother thought it was a fling with a college boy.

But I’d told Ryder at first to get help in finding Wyatt so I could tell him. I’d been so sure that if he knew he was going to be a father, he’d come back to me and follow through on his promises. While I felt like Ryder wouldn’t be angry at my and Wyatt’s relationship, he’d likely be hurt that he hadn’t been told. And I wasn’t sure how’d he react to Wyatt’s knocking me up.

Fortunately, Ryder was supportive and loving. He was a fantastic uncle, and I was glad to have a father-like figure in Alyssa’s life since Wyatt wasn’t around. But now he was around.

“Did you know he was leaving Salvation?” I prodded.

“No. But I have no doubt that he felt the need to go.”