Page 24 of Accidentally Hitched (Unintentionally Yours #1)

Callum

“ I ’m not sure I should be wearing this in public. It feels…scandalous,” Amanda whispers but I just smirk down at her with hungry eyes.

“You look gorgeous,” I reassure her, my hand on her lower back as usual.

“But what if someone sees and takes photos? I’ll never hear the end of it.”

I can’t help but grin now. “For fuck’s sake, sweetheart, it’s a dress, not lingerie. There’s nothing scandalous about it.”

“But it’s for my sister’s wedding!” she whisper yells as we pass a group of people headed to the main building of the Country Club.

Our meeting with my family is out back and we are going straight to the bar.

I’m not about to have a small talk, cucumber sandwich, patio lunch for whatever charity this was for without a stiff drink in my hand.

“So?” I ask, a fake smile plastered on my face. Paparazzi is never allowed in country clubs, but they always find a way. Anyone could be a photographer. The granny by the ping pong table. The guy wearing a fucking argyle sweater pretending it’s not a hundred degrees and humid. The waitress…

“So, if Kate finds out she’ll have an aneurysm.”

“You look hot. And that dress fits the vibe here.”

“I don’t fit the vibe here,” she mumbles, and I stop. I grab her by the hand and yank her into me, talking right into her face.

“You are here with me. You are mine. And if I say you look gorgeous and you belong here, you look gorgeous and belong here. Is that clear, baby girl?”

Amanda blinks and nods. Her breath is caught in her throat, I can tell by the way her lips are parted. I’d love to give her CPR right now, a little mouth to mouth to make sure she’s breathing right now. A small peck on the lips will have to do.

After I pull my mouth away from hers (which takes way more physical willpower than expected) I keep walking towards the bar. Amanda follows close behind, still holding my hand.

“Whiskey neat. And a gin and tonic,” I say as soon as we reach the bar.

“You got it,” the guy says and gets to work.

I turn around and lean back against the edge of the bar top taking the scene in.

If there is anything I hate, it’s Country Clubs.

Why we get sucked into them, I don’t know.

It has something to do with the gated community our father lives in and charity events.

I’m all for charity. But this…this is torture.

“I hope Iris will be able to get in the gate okay,” Amanda says, fidgeting with her dress. I grab her hand to hopefully ease her nervousness. Her eyes dart up to mine and her glossy, mauve stained lips ease into a smile.

“Security knows who is on the list and who isn’t,” I tell her as the bartender sets our drinks down. It’s an open bar for the event but I slide him a twenty anyways.

“Thank you for letting me invite her,” Amanda says, reaching for her own drink. “I feel like I never see her anymore.”

“We should arrange for you to see her more often,” I say, taking a sip. “Work shouldn’t consume every minute of your day. That was never my intention.”

“I appreciate that,” Amanda says as we make our way over to the tables where my family is set up. “But Kate is to blame as of recently. Talk about a bridezilla.”

“There’s no way your micromanaging sister’s short leash on you is specific only to her wedding. If I had to guess, she treats you like this all the time.”

Amanda sighs. “I mean…you’re not wrong.”

I don’t say any more. She already knows how I feel about her relationship with her sister, which is not great. The woman is a spoiled, manipulative princess. But I do understand with siblings sometimes you have to play the game. Do the dance. And speaking of the dance–

“Look who decided to show up,” Avery’s voice rises over the table before we even make our way up the steps. Our party is situated on a patio away from everyone else.

Amanda gives my hand a small, undetectable squeeze and she plasters on a gorgeous, easy smile.

My face is less good at lying, at least in Avery’s presence.

Maybe it’s because he knows me. Maybe it’s because I’m tired of being fake.

Either way, he knows the comment got under my skin, as he intended it.

And unfortunately, it’s the beginning of a passive aggressive tennis match that we will be playing all afternoon.

“Zoe, your dress is stunning,” Amanda says as we take a seat.

Luckily, we are next to each other this time with Avery and Zoe across from us, an empty seat next to Amanda for her friend Iris, Noah and Cass sitting across from each other on the other side of Zoe and a woman I haven’t met across from Cass.

Then, of course, heading the table is our father who is slowly nursing a drink with a bowl of fresh fruit in front of him.

“Oh thanks, it’s from last year but I figured who cares? I doubt I’ll see anyone I know at a quaint country club anyway,” Zoe lets out a fluttery laugh and I look at Avery who very much makes a point of not meeting my eyes.

Probably because he knows his date has the emotional intelligence of a short-circuiting hallway lamp.

“Well, I think it’s gorgeous,” Amanda chimes and I could kiss her right now. Actually–

As we sit down I lace my arm around her, giving her a peck on the lips before leaning back and grabbing my drink with the other hand. I can feel Avery’s eyes on me. I smirk.

“Amanda, darling, you look stunning as well,” my father says. “So glad you could make it.”

“Thank you for inviting me. This is all so lovely.”

Her tone is sugary enough to ice the rim of a strawberry margarita glass. And people are eating it up.

“I’m so sorry I’m late,” a fluttery English accent comes from behind us as an understated blonde appears in a peach-colored dress.

“So many new faces,” my dad says, reaching for his drink.

My forced smile loosens a little as I watch him.

He is having trouble gripping the glass and I make mental note to find out just what is going on with his health.

The man is stubborn as fuck (surprise, surprise) and if I had to guess, he’s not telling us half of it.

“I’m sorry,” Amanda apologizes. “This is my friend Iris. Callum said it was okay if I invited her.”

“Of course,” he nods, taking a shaky sip then setting his glass down. I shoot a look in Avery’s direction, wondering if he notices what I am seeing but he makes no expression. “And Noah, who is your guest?”

“Actually,” Cass says, smiling at the new girl. She’s tall and blonde but it’s a natural blonde. Her arms are painted in fine line tattoos, and she has a very down-to-earth vibe. “This is Corinn. She’s with me.”

Corinn smiles and I wave to the waitress. If there is anything I hate more than business talk at the dinner table, it’s small talk. Next we will be talking about the Panthers game and the humidity.

“Well, I think all the fresh blood is great,” Hiram goes on. “Gives me confidence that I am handing my company down to good people. Am I right, son?”

Both Avery and I look at our father, but he is looking at me.

“Of course,” I agree. “Cheers to that.”

I raise my glass and everyone else follows suit. Then, we drink.

The food arrives buffet style. My father always orders food this way, like a potluck of the menus best dishes all splayed out family style.

I don’t know if it’s because he likes the concept of a traditional family dinner or if he just wants to try a little of everything.

Either way, everyone, Noah and Cass included, is content with the spread of chilled shellfish, sweet chili calamari, ahi poke, truffle crab cakes, and wagyu.

Considering this meal will run Hardin no less than $1000, I would hope everyone enjoyed it. And that’s before the drink tab.

After we all have a little food in our stomachs, topped with more alcohol for the nerves, the table is happy and buzzy. My father leans back with a full-belly sigh, another drink in hand and a glossy look in his eyes.

“Let’s talk Nashville.”

I inwardly groan but he goes on.

“I did a little listening and this girl is good. I fully agree that we should combine with Davies. I don’t like getting too cozy with other companies, but I could see this double-headliner being a real money maker.”

“That’s what matters,” Avery nods, taking a sip and sucking the air between his teeth.

“I don’t know if you mentioned Nashville,” Zoe says to Avery.

“Of course I did,” he says back.

She frowns. “Well, I’ll have to go shopping. And get a blowout with a conditioner pack. Nashville is hot. Too hot.”

I snort out a small laugh. Marriage material my ass. Boy better start saving for the alimony now if he plans on putting a ring on that.

“Amanda, dear, are you coming to Nashville?” my father asks. Amanda sits up straighter and looks between my father and me.

“I’m not sure. I–”

“She is,” I cut in. “As soon as we sign the artist, we are going to start writing for her. It’s imperative that Amanda is with us.”

Avery’s snarky brow stitches together. “You’re going to assign her to an artist of that caliber? That tour could determine our outcome for the year. Amanda has only been with us for a short time.”

I lean in. “Amanda is the most qualified writer we’ve ever hired. Agents and songwriters are my department. Maybe let me run it as I see fit, brother.”

“Just making sure you’re not thinking with the wrong head, brother. ”

I can feel the fangs coming out. The venom budding. The anger blurring my vision.

“Well, I for one think Nashville is going to be fire,” Noah cuts in, attempting to put the fire out. “And I’m excited that it’s not a redeye trip either. A little country is good for the soul, you feel me?”

“I agree,” our father says, and I can tell he’s getting tired of the conversation. Unfortunately, I’m amped up and by the grit in my brother’s jawline, I think it’s safe to say that he is too.

“I’ve been thinking about it, Callum. A lot of hasty decisions have been made in your department. I just hope for the company’s sake, for Hardin’s sake, that you aren’t knee jerking too hard. Thrills are fleeting if you know what I mean.”

“I do know,” I smile, taking a sip of my drink. “Which is why Amanda, and I are finally moved in together. Nothing levels the mind like settling down. Isn’t that right, sweetheart?”

I look over at Amanda. For a split second she looks like a deer in the headlights. But she recovers quickly, smiling and placing her hand on my knee. “Yes, of course. It’s so nice to be all moved in.”

“Well, isn’t that nice,” my father says, wiping his mouth with a cloth napkin, a sign that he is done with this dinner and ready to go. “We should celebrate sometime. A housewarming party.”

“Of course. Name the day and time,” I smile and shove my chair back before helping Amanda to her feet as well. I think it’s safe to say, I am done too. But just as we turn to leave, Avery speaks again.

“While we are making celebratory announcements…”

He puts his napkin on the table.

He stands up and turns to Zoe.

Then…

You’ve got to be fucking kidding me…

Avery lowers to his knee and pulls out a Tiffany Blue box.

“Zoe Paris…will you…”

“Oh, my God it’s gorgeous!”

Before Avery can get the proposal out, Zoe snatches the box from his hand and plugs her ring finger into the white gold band. Meanwhile, I think everyone within a ten-foot radius has retina damage from the rock on her hand.

The rest is white noise. I couldn’t tell you if people are clapping, cheering, crying or otherwise. But I am seeing red. I also feel like I’m going to be sick. I also feel like I need another drink.

“I think my ride is here,” Iris says, looking down at her phone.

“I’ll walk you out,” Amanda says. It’s obvious that poor Iris thinks we are all nuts and wants to run away. She doesn’t strike me as the type of girl to be impressed by any of this. Honestly, knowing that Amanda’s best friend is a very grounded person gives me some peace.

I swallow hard, forcing a smile on my tight lips. “I’m going to grab another drink.”

As I walk away, my teeth are clenched. My fists are balled up. I want to punch someone, preferably my brother. I get to the bar, and I don’t even have to order anything. The bartender saw me coming a mile out and is setting down a drink the moment I walk up.

“Trouble in Paradise?” he asks.

I take a sip and hold it in my mouth for a moment, letting the bourbon burn my gums. Then I swallow. “Every day in Paradise is trouble.”

“You know what they say. The grass is always greener.”

Not a moment later, I feel Avery’s presence next to me.

“Correct me if I am wrong, but I sense you aren’t happy for me.”

“What the fuck are you doing?” I spit out.

“I was going to have a drink with my brother to celebrate my engagement, but he doesn’t seem to be in the mood.”

“You don’t love her.”

Avery looks at me, his cocky grin going slat.

“What the fuck do you know about love? What do either of us know about it? Nothing if you ask me.” Avery takes a sip of his drink and stares forward. “All I know is I didn’t come this far to gain nothing. I want it. I want all of it.”

“At the expense of marrying the wrong woman?” I ask.

Avery looks back over his shoulder at Zoe who is busy taking selfies and no doubt posting to every social media platform in existence.

“Take a look around you, Callum. We’re fucking rich.

Disgustingly rich. Fucking hell. If I have to shovel down one more spoonful of caviar or pretend that a two hundred dollar cut of cold steak is good I’m going to puke.

Don’t you ever wish you could just order some wings from some hole in the wall and watch a game?

But no. We are at a country club with our deteriorating father trying to outperform each other in the hopes he’ll let us run his empire.

I want it to be over so I can do what I want with it. ”

“And what is it that you want to do with it?” I ask. I know full well he doesn’t care about the music. He never has. But he does like the money and the status, no matter what he says.

“Whatever requires the least effort from me. So don’t look so smug, Callum.

I know Zoe isn’t exactly a diamond in the rough.

But don’t parade around acting like you didn’t marry for convenience.

Maybe everyone else believes you’ve been privately seeing each other and decided to quietly elope in Vegas but I call bullshit.

You’re up to something and eventually I’ll figure out what it is.

And when I do, our father will hear about it as well.

And you will lose this game of chess once and for all. ”

I open my mouth to say something when Amanda walks up with a smile. “Ready to go?” she asks. Honestly, the timing couldn’t be better. Because I am done talking to Avery.

He may be blood, but he is not my brother.