A Lie for a Lie (All In 1)

The rest of their conversation is short and stilted. He holds the door open for her and returns to the truck, his expression tense, which tells me more than I’d like—not just about who they are to each other but also about my feelings for this man. I shouldn’t be jealous. This is a summer fling. But somewhere along the way my heart forgot to consider what my brain knows: that this has to end.

RJ opens the driver’s side door and climbs in, tossing the plastic bag on the center console. “Sorry about that.”

“Sorry about what?” I keep my hands clasped in my lap so I don’t give in to the urge to bite my nails or fidget.

He makes a general hand motion toward the store.

“Oh, you mean your friend? She was flirty.” I hate that it comes out sounding bitter, catty, and insecure.

“Charity flirts with everyone who has a dick. Doesn’t matter if they’re twenty or eighty.” RJ smooths his thumb down the back of my neck, and I jerk away.

“You don’t need to placate me, RJ. It’s obvious there’s something between you. I know I’m not the first woman to share your bed.” And I’m well aware that I won’t be the last either.

“Hey, can you look at me for a second, please?”

I reluctantly shift my gaze to meet his.

“Charity works at one of the bars here. She’s stuck and looking for a way out, or an escape, and I’ve made it clear I’m not going to be that guy. When I come here—it’s always been to spend time with my dad and my brother, not hook up with random women.”

“She’s beautiful, though.”

He shrugs. “She’s not my type.”

“And I am?”

“Yes. You’re exactly my type. You’re gorgeous, smart, funny, adventurous, and just so fucking sweet. You don’t have anything to be jealous of, Lainey.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gotten short with you.”

“I’m going to say something, and I hope you don’t take it the wrong way, okay?”

“Okay?” It’s more of a question than a statement.

“I like that you’re jealous.”

“You do? Why?” I’ve never considered jealousy a positive emotion. It indicates a level of insecurity and vulnerability.

“It means we’re on the same page, because if the tables were turned and it was you coming out of that store and me sitting here watching some guy flirt with you, I probably would’ve made a huge ass out of myself.”

“How do you mean?”

“There’s no way I could’ve played it cool. I would’ve been out of the truck making sure he knew you were mine and that he should back the fuck off.” RJ cringes. “I probably should’ve stopped while I was ahead—now I sound like a possessive douche. What I mean is, I want to be the only one you get jealous over, that’s all. Does that make sense?”

“Yes, it makes sense.”

With that, we head back to the cabin and make good use of that residual jealousy—and the condoms.CHAPTER 11

ALL GOOD THINGS

Lainey

“Lainey, baby, wake up.”

I groan and snuggle into the pillow. “Just let me sleep for five more minutes, RJ, then you can sex me.”

He presses his lips to my cheek, and when he speaks again, his tone makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. “Baby, please. I need you to wake up. I have to go.”

I blink a couple of times and roll over. RJ is sitting on the edge of the bed, fully dressed. His expression is pained. “What’s going on?”

“It’s my brother. Well, it’s actually Joy. She went into labor. She’s more than a month early, and there are complications. I know we’re supposed to fly out together, but he needs me right now.”

I’m still half-asleep, so it takes me a few seconds to absorb what he’s said. “Is the baby going to be okay? Is Joy?”

“I don’t know. It’s pretty touch and go. I need to get out there so he has some support. So they all do, just in case.”

I scrub a hand over my face, trying to process it all. “Right. He definitely needs you. When will you leave?”

“I have a flight in less than two hours. I have to go now.” He keeps skimming my cheek with the back of his hand.

“Now?” I push up on my arms, the weight of his words finally settling.

“I’m sorry, Lainey. I wanted to fly back to Seattle with you.” His expression is pained. “I really don’t want to go, but I have to.”

“No, no, I get it. Your family needs you—you have to be with them.” If it were one of my brothers or sisters, I would do exactly the same thing.

“I’ll call, okay? When I get there, I’ll call and let you know I landed and how everything is going—so you don’t worry.”

“Okay. Yes. Please.”

“I’m sorry I have to leave.” He cups my face in his hands and kisses me, evidently not caring about my sleep breath.