Avoiding Temptation (Avoiding 3)

Lexi had been surprised to find out that their parents had left garage space for their two children even though they had both moved out years ago. It led her to believe they had attachment issues, and that slightly terrified her.

They piled out of the car and took the short route through the Bridges’ mansion, out the back doors, and down the stairs that led to the backyard. Their parents were already set up at the pavilion with the afternoon drinks and cigars, as promised. Some lemonade, sweet tea, and finger foods were also on display. Only one other couple from brunch had arrived. Likely, the others would go home and freshen up before returning.

Ramsey picked up lemonade for Lexi while he poured himself a whiskey drink to match his father. She wasn’t sure how he had known that she wasn’t in the mood to drink…or maybe he had just known how much of a lightweight she was, and he hadn’t wanted her to get drunk in front of his parents. Ramsey’s tolerance was through the roof though, so she knew that whiskey wouldn’t do much to him.

“Excuse me,” Ramsey said to the group as soon as everyone had a drink in hand. “I have an announcement to make.”

Lexi’s stomach twisted as everyone turned to face him. He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her in closer. The silence before he spoke was like a hundred-pound weight on her shoulders. Bekah suspiciously looked at Ramsey, her eyes darting between Ramsey and Lexi, like she was trying to piece together the puzzle. Parker only had eyes for Ramsey. She didn’t glance at Lexi once.

Lexi took a deep breath and waited.

“I wanted y’all to know that I asked Lexi to marry me,” he said softly. His eyes found hers, and he smiled. “And she said yes.”

She only saw him in that moment, and the emotions that had crashed down all around her the night he had asked her to marry him ripped through her again. She was very, very lucky to have found someone who loved her unconditionally, who put up with all of her indecision, and believed in her despite her own fears. She beamed up at him, lost in the moment, lost to this man.

And then, the moment was broken.

But not from the commotion she had been expecting. It was from the silence. She turned to face the small crowd they had around them. Various looks of shock crossed their faces, but no one moved or said anything at first.

“We’re getting married,” Ramsey confirmed when still no one had said anything.

“Oh, Ramsey,” his mother said, walking forward slowly, “that’s wonderful news.”

“Congratulations, son,” his father said. He was as stoic as ever.

Neither of them really sounded excited.

His mother moved to Lexi and wrapped her in a hug. “So glad to hear, dear.”

Parker opened her mouth and then closed it. She looked between them as if she didn’t even know where to begin, then she swallowed and walked up to Lexi. “Congratulations,” she said, hugging Lexi next after Ramsey’s mother. “I’m sure you’ll be very happy together.”

“Thank you,” Lexi whispered.

She hadn’t expected Parker to be so genuine, but she didn’t sound spiteful at all. Maybe Parker was a little shocked, but everyone seemed to be shocked.

The other couple that had been standing with Ramsey’s parents came forward and issued their own congratulatory hugs and handshakes. They said something to Ramsey that made him laugh, and it seemed then, for a second, as if all the tension had broken.

Yet, Bekah still hadn’t said anything. Lexi chanced a glance in her direction, and she wasn’t sure what she saw reflected back in Bekah’s baby-blue eyes. Was Bekah realizing that after everything, she was giving up Jack, and Lexi was still going to marry her brother? Was Bekah plotting a way to ruin it? Could she be that stupid? Lexi would never trust her to do anything less.

“Jack and I are getting a divorce,” Bekah said, straightening visibly as the words tumbled from her mouth.

The silence that had been there at Ramsey’s declaration was now nowhere to be seen. Everyone spoke at once, and Lexi couldn’t even differentiate who was speaking and where the shouting was coming from. Lexi smacked her hands over her ears and hunched slightly at the uproar.

Bekah’s announcement had shaken everyone to the core, and now, all the attention was on her—just like she liked it. Lexi glanced up at Ramsey, who looked furious. She figured it was because his sister had once again stolen his thunder.

After all, no one had even asked to see Lexi’s ring.

“Rebekah Caroline!” her father bellowed over everyone else. “Explain yourself!”

He looked beyond furious. His chest was puffed out, his eyebrows were drawn down as he surveyed his daughter, and his hand squeezed the glass of whiskey so hard that Lexi was sure he was going to break it, like in a movie.

“Daddy…” Bekah murmured.

“Do not daddy me, young lady,” he growled.

Bekah’s eyes narrowed. She didn’t look happy that everyone wasn’t already on board with this. They had only been married for two years. It was an insanely short period of time, considering her parents displeasure for each other. Not to mention, they had spent nearly a million dollars on a wedding that was now being broken so quickly afterward. Lexi couldn’t blame them for being pissed.

“He cheated on me with other women while we were married. I can’t continue to be with someone who cares so little for our marriage…and for me.”

In that moment, Lexi was glad that she had met with Jack, and she had already known this was coming because she was sure that she would have snorted with laughter at the comment any other time. As it was, she was already well aware of Bekah’s accusations.

“Do you have proof of this?” her father asked.

“Yes,” she said confidently.

Lexi wondered what that proof was. Had Bekah hired a private investigator? Was there video evidence or just pictures? No. Lexi was not part of this case. She was not going to be an attorney at the moment. She was just Lexi—hearing about the person she hated and the man she had loved splitting up. She could just be happy about it while everyone else freaked out.

Then, she looked at Bekah and took her in from head to toe. Maybe Jack hadn’t been lying. Bekah was too confident, and Lexi never trusted her when she got like that. Could Bekah be bluffing?

“At least the prenup will hold,” her father said, still clearly angry but deflating.