A throat clears behind us as Finley takes his hand off my shoulder.
“Do you know this man?” Braxton steps between Finley and me, his voice a low and deep warning, as he glances back at me before boring his eyes into Finley. At least, I assume that is what he’s doing as the giant of a man is blocking my view of Finley.
I step to the side of Braxton to give proper introductions. “Braxton Rawls, meet Finley Andersson.”
Finley reaches to shake his hand while Braxton stares at it like it’s a bomb that’ll explode with the briefest of touches. Finally, he reaches across and gives Finley’s hand a firm shake.
“Sorry, Fins. Braxton doesn’t mean to be a brute. He thinks you’re some rando guy trying to seduce me,” I state. He still doesn’t divert his gaze from Finley.
“So,” Braxton begins, caution still plaguing his tone. “How do you two know each other?”
“We met in college at Ole Miss,” I begin when Finley cuts in.
“I saw Hadley trip while walking across the courtyard. Her books went everywhere, along with the cup of coffee in her hand. People either ignored her or snickered, so I ran in to be her savingprince.” Finley teases the word with a wink at me.
“Did you two ever date?” Braxton outright asks him, then faces me. “I don’t remember you mentioning him before.”
“Like it’s your business,” I snap. “But no—” I say right as Finley shouts “no” a little harshly for my liking. “What would be wrong with dating me?” Good luck with that answer, pal.
“For one, there was this guy named Braxton Rawls that you never quit rambling on about.” Finley flashes a smile at Braxton. “I am happy to see you finally won him over.”
SOMEONE SHUT THE PRINCE UP.
“I—“ I begin, but what are words? Finley Andersson, Prince of Korsa, just ratted out my dearest secret to the one person my secret had no right going to. As my face grows hotter than black asphalt in the dead of a Mississippi summer, Braxton smirks. I only see it out of the corner of my eye because I am currently refusing to look his way.
“Finley.” Braxton practically sings his name. “You are my new favorite person.” Finley tilts his head as if trying to figure out Braxton’s sudden change of mood.
“Next!” The ride conductor calls, and I slide into the cart with Finley getting in beside me.
“I thought you were riding with your sister?”
“She went on one and refuses to go on another,” he states.
“Well then. That gives me plenty of time to yell a string of southern curses to your pretty little face.” I throw a smirk in his direction as the metal bar lowers to secure us in. “No way out now, Fins.”
Chapter Fourteen
Braxton
ThankYou,God,that I am not in Finley Andersson’s place at this moment.I stand amused against a fence as I watch Hadley scold him, alternating with a wagging finger in his face and her arms flying with her words as the roller coaster goes round and round. No doubt the miserable soul is getting a mouthful.
Me?
I’m throwing a parade in my head. Trumpets are blasting, confetti is flying, and drums are beating.
Hadley Dawson never quit talking about me in college.
Those years filled me with dread as I watched her come home time after time with a new man, certain one would put a ring on her finger at any given moment. I had just surrendered my life to Jesus, and I had to focus on my walk with Him, no matter how much it hurt to watch Hadley with alternating men on her arm.
Hadley Dawson never quit talking about me in college.
I have to remind myself that college was six years ago for her. Feelings can change in six years. Mine did. They grew astronomically. My love for the woman runs deeper than the oil deposits I manage.
But anything she felt for me could have disappeared. I could have waited too long. Then again, I’m the one on the road trip with her. She could have called up an ex, or taken Lucy or Lorelei. But no. She asked me. Braxton Rawls. Her guy best friend. The one who is trying to beso much more.
The buzzing in my pocket pulls my attention away from Hadley’s angry show.
“Hey, Dad.”
