The Christmas He Loved Her (Bad Boys of Crystal Lake 2)

His face heated when he realized that was exactly what he’d done for the last year and a half. He was no better than her mother—worse, even—because Raine had always counted on him and he’d let her down when it mattered most.

She’d become an extra member of the Edwards family, the third wheel in a lot of the Edwards boys’ shenanigans, and it had come as no surprise to anyone when she’d married one. The serious one, Jesse.

A male voice interrupted his train of thought, and for a moment the hot flush of something fierce washed through him. He jerked his head, hackles up, and stared at her in silence, hands fisted tightly at his sides.

Raine paused in the doorway that led to the living room/dining area and glanced over her shoulder—eyes still questioning, mouth still tight.

“Look what I found on the porch,” she announced and walked into the living room. Jake took a moment and then followed suit, halting just inside the room.

“Son of a bitch!” Mackenzie Draper, one of his oldest buddies, set his beer onto the low-slung table in front of the sofa and rose, a smile splitting his face wide open. “You didn’t say anything about coming home for the holidays.”

Jake grinned. “It wasn’t in the plans last time I saw you.”

“Wait a minute,” Raine interrupted. “When did you see Jake?” Her gaze focused on Mac, who shifted uncomfortably.

“I had business in Texas a few months back, and we got together for a drink.”

“Texas,” Raine muttered. “Right.”

She turned stormy eyes his way, and Jake flinched at the hurt and accusation that colored them a darker hue. He felt even more like a shit.

“Nice that you have time for some of your friends, Jake.”

“It wasn’t planned, really,” Mackenzie began. “I had a couple of extra days and we got together.”

Raine set the puppy down. “That’s a hell of a lot more than I ever got.” She didn’t bother to hide the bitterness in her words.

Jake ignored the taunt and remained silent, his eyes locked on to Mackenzie’s. His friend was dressed in an expensive suit tailored to fit his tall frame, the charcoal gray a nice choice against the plum shirt. Though his collar was loose and a thin black tie lay on the table in front of him, Mac always looked GQ ready. With his thick dirty-blond hair and vibrant green eyes, he’d been labeled a pretty boy his entire life.

Mackenzie, Cain Black, Jake, and his brother Jesse had been the best of friends from the time they were five years old and Mackenzie had come to school with his front teeth missing and a shiner the color of rotted grapes. It had impressed the hell out of the Edwards twins, though they were too young to appreciate the darkness and violence it represented.

It was good to see him. “You home for the holidays too?” Jake asked.

Mackenzie shook his head. “Nah, I don’t think Ben would appreciate it if I crashed his long weekend. I had business in Detroit and thought I’d squeeze in a visit with my mother, but…”

“But?” Jake prodded.

Mac shrugged. “Same old same old. I called ahead and it’s not gonna work. Ben’s already home and liquored up. I guess his long weekend has an extra few days tacked on to it. Mom snuck away and we had coffee.” Mackenzie’s mouth tightened. “She’ll never change. There’s always some reason for the bruises on her arms or the soreness in her side. He beats the crap out of her and she stays.”

“She’ll wake up one day, Mac,” Raine said carefully.

Mackenzie turned to her, with a bitter smile. “I doubt it. In spite of everything, she loves him. How fucked-up is that?” He glanced at his watch. “Anyway, I gotta hit the road. It’s a good ten hours until I hit New York.”

“You sure you don’t want to stay for Thanksgiving? I’ve got—” She halted and cleared her throat. “Well, the spare room isn’t usable right now, but the sofa is yours.” Raine prodded gently, “Maybe Ben will…I don’t know…”

“Do us a favor and kick the bucket?” Mackenzie shook his head. “That son of a bitch will outlive us all.” He enveloped Raine into a bear hug and kissed her on the cheek. “Thanks, but I’d be crap company anyway.”

Mackenzie paused a few inches away, his eyes intense as he studied Jake in silence. “You look like shit, soldier.”

“I’m not a soldier anymore.”

“No, I suppose you’re not.” The two men stared at each other for several moments, and then Mackenzie lowered his voice. “I miss him too.”

The band of pain that sat around Jake’s chest tightened and he nodded, a lump in his throat. “Yeah,” he muttered.

They shook hands, but when Jake would have pulled away, Mackenzie held on for a quick hug. “Don’t be such a douche bag, and stay in touch.” Mackenzie stepped back and cocked his head to the side. “Give your dad my best. He’s a tough son of a bitch, so I wouldn’t worry too much.”

Jake nodded. “Will do.”