Lainey snapped round, almost knocking into Jake. “Probably Scott.”
Jake chuckled. “That’s just local loyalty. The Rose Garden were definitely better.”
“Possibly. But I’m voting for Scott.” She toyed with her phone; the e-ticket containing a link to vote online. It was a no brainer, even if the indie band was better.
“He won’t appreciate it. He’s too grumpy.” Jake shook his head, walking with her to the bar. “Another drink?”
She shook her head. “I think I’ve had enough. Keren and Sorrell aren’t good influences. Do you have to tidy up after these have gone?”
The crowd had started to gather in the larger barn, spilling outside, waiting for the announcement as to who’d won, which was in another ten minutes or so. The barbecue had stopped now, the evening coming to an end. Any music that was playing through the system had now been lowered, the beat far more chilled.
Lainey had noticed a lot of people from Severton, even the Coven were there, and not just to serve Gran’s Gin: they appeared to have drunk a fair bit of it themselves. There were also a lot of people who she didn’t recognise, ones that had come over from the surrounding six towns that made up the area. There’d been the expected rows and just the one fight – no one knew what it was over, not even the people involved, but this was all part of the entertainment and no one was hurt, except maybe pride.
Lainey voted for Scott, even if he wouldn’t appreciate it, and looked up from her phone to see Jake watching her.
“Do you need a hand tidying up?” He hadn’t answered her before.
“No.” His voice was quiet, contemplative even. He put a hand on her back, starting to guide her towards the stage where they were going to announce the winner.
Someone spoke over the mic - there was just a minute left to vote, which resulted in a loud cheer and a few calls to vote for one band or another.
“I put you down to lead the clean-up party tomorrow morning.” He kept his voice level.
Lainey didn’t elbow him in his stomach. There was no point in injuring him yet. “I’ll look forward to that.”
Jake’s chuckle was barely audible. “No, it’s okay. I figured you would be busy enough trying to keep up with what we raise here with your little fundraiser.”
She did elbow him this time, just not very hard. “The only lot we’ll be let down by, is yours.”
“Because you’re going to be blocking any bids but your own? Making sure you get that date with me, Lainey?”
The smug grin on his face was worthy of another elbow, but the compere had come on to the stage and she didn’t want to cause a scene.
“I’d pay not to go on a date with you, Jake Maynard. Wouldn’t take the chance of catching anything.” She smiled as prettily as she could.
His hand slipped from her back to her waist, pulling her a little closer to him. They were in a crowd of people who had been drinking for a good few hours, so no one would particularly care where Jake’s hand was. She should’ve moved it away; she shouldn’t be liking how it felt right there, or leaning a little into him, because that was just contradicting what she was saying.
“I think you’ll be the biggest bidder. You won’t be able to stand anyone else going on a date with me. I was thinking of something simple, like an evening at one of the glamping pods, but with a catered meal, so it was private. Hire a chef, but then after they’ve gone, we can toast marshmallows on a campfire, enjoy the hot tub… What do you think? Reckon that’ll get me a few more bids?”
She caught the scent of his aftershave; the same one he’d been wearing the night he’d kissed her and she’d kissed him back. Her skin prickled, that same tingle of anticipation ran through her nervous system.
“Maybe. I’m not sure. You’re kind of old news around here. You know, used goods.” She knew this wasn’t anywhere near true
He laughed again. “You liked those used goods when we were in your bathroom.” His words were whispered into her ear.
The shiver that went through her wasn’t because she was cold.
“We weren’t going to talk about that.” She’d resolved not to be another notch on his bedpost, which she imagined was pretty carved already. She’d also resolved not to get another horse which was a good indication of how strong her resolve actually was.
“We don’t have to talk about it.” His hand slipped under her top, sitting on her skin just above her jeans.
Lainey closed her eyes and prayed for some sort of strength. One night. Just one night with this delightfully delicious man that she’d never normally let herself be with, but then there were no suits in Severton to scratch any sort of itch.
A name was announced. Someone had won the battle of the bands. Cheers and chants went up around the barn and outside. Scott Maynard came back on stage, holding up his guitar, so it must’ve been his band that’d won.
“Predictable.” She heard Jake mutter. “Shouldn’t have let them enter.”
“That wouldn’t have been fair.”
