Page 4

“Lacey? Wh—where the hell did you come from?” Carson’s smile faltered as he realized I stood before him, and his eyes searched mine.

What kind of friend would I be to wish them anything but happiness?

“Back from the city.” I forced a bright tone. “I read about your engagement inPoppy Daily Online,” I lied. “And I knew I had to come back and wish you well.”

I kept talking—to Emme this time—pasting on a smile. “Oh, and look at you. Aren’t you just gorgeous?”

I pulled her into a too-tight hug.

“Why thank you so much,” Emme said with the sweetest Texas twang, while grinning, and bless her heart for keeping her little left hand hooked into Carson’s elbow. There was his grandmother’s ring on full display, catching the lights—the ring I always thought would look perfect on me.

“Really, I couldn’t be happier for you both. Carson, where’d you find this gem of a woman?” My old Texas twang came back with a vengeance.

“Uh... we went to school with her, remember?” He shifted awkwardly on his feet.

“Well, only the last half of senior year,” Emme added with a laugh. “You probably don’t remember me what with the thick glasses and braces I had back then.”

It clicked. The shy girl we’d teased. She’d transformed—polished, glowing. Oh shit.

A woman called out for Carson, and I recognized her as Mama Goodson. We’d always gotten along, and I even convinced myself she wanted me to be married to one of her boys someday.

“We’d better go, honey. Time for speeches,” Emme urged.

“Right. See you around, Lacey,” Carson added quickly, following her like he needed to get far away from me. Like our previous years together meant nothing.

I stood there, stunned. That’s when I realized—Hudson was still standing beside me.

“Look. You gonna be all right?” He asked, his voice low and deep and concerned, took me by surprise. Why would he care if I just drove thousands of miles only to find out my old best friend didn’t believe in pinkie promises?

He handed me a beer, cap already off. I took it, grateful to have something cold to hold to ground me. “Why don’t you stick around, Lace? There’s plenty of food. Dancing later. I gotta give a speech, but I’ll come check on you soon, okay?”

I couldn’t answer. Couldn’t meet his eyes. Couldn’t think.

I stood there and watched as one by one, speeches were given. The crowd cheered for the pending union of Carson and Emme, which I gathered would be in another month. A rather quick wedding.

I didn’t know what Hudson said during his speech, but after he finished, he headed my way until one of his brothers intercepted. My eyes darted from him to Carson to Emme and back, trying to make sense of it all.

My homecoming wasn’t supposed to be like this. Like a fish out of water, I watched their world from afar—one I no longer belonged in. What the hell made me think I could just waltz back in like I’d never left?

3

THREE BEERS AND A BAD IDEA

HUDSON GOODSON

The entire timeI was obligated to partake of the family engagement festivities, I kept one eye on Lacey. That plastered smile was nothing more than a veiled attempt at hiding her true feelings, I could tell. I’m guessing she came back expecting to find Carson waiting for her.

Hell, that was exactly why I should ignore her. Even if her legs looked stunning under that dress, slender feet set in a pair of fancy leather flats she probably bought at some pricey store on Fifth Avenue.

Yep, just pretend she didn’t exist. Even if I’d like to know what her manicured, painted pink nails would feel like raking down my back. Or her pink lips wrapped around my?—

“City girl visiting, huh? Can’t imagine what the sight of her is doing to you,” Anderson chortled, after I finished my speech. He offered me one of two beers in his hands, but I declined. I had originally intended to party hard tonight with my brothers to celebrate, but with Lacey’s sudden appearance, I stuck to Coke.

“Don’t read into this,” I warned with a growl. Of all my brothers, he was the only one I’d ever confided in about my attraction to her. I think specifically I’d admitted to it in a game of fuck, marry, or kill one night when we were shooting thebreeze after work. I’d named Lacey to marry. Now I hoped I didn’t come to regret it.

He and I were the closest, just a year or so apart. That’s how it was with all of us boys. Before our parents knew it, they had seven sons to raise. The Goodson house was eternally chaotic. Despite it, loving above all. We had our good times and bad, but we stuck together.

“Mama’s pleased as punch,” I observed as her laughter carried over to us at something Emme said.