“If Katherine is already making moves, we can safely confirm she’s behind the review and the false allegation,” he explains.“Is this why you’ve been in a shit mood?I thought it was after seeing what you did at Mina’s house, and seeing her hurt.”
“That was the day the police came to the house.It was the reason I was late for work,” I admit.“It’s been going around in my head every day since.It’s not a secret I sleep around, but I would never harass someone into it.I’ve just been waiting for the day she finally decides to come forward and take it further.”
“Which is probably what she wanted you to do,” Wyatt guesses.“Eli said she’s sick and twisted.”
Guilt eats at me when I look at him.“Look, I’m sorry for my behaviour.I’ll tone it down, especially at work.”
“Okay, well, you’re done for the day, but I’ll remind you, it’s going to be ten times worse if you do it again after this talk,” Jaxon warns.
“And if you ever speak about Evie in that way again, you’ll be shitting out teeth for a week,” Wyatt states, moving over to his desk.
I lower my gaze with shame.I should never have spoken about her like that.About any of them.They’re like sisters to me.
“Get to the party.I hear Paisley is looking for you,” Jaxon tells me.
I grin.“I bet it’s about the brownies.”
Jaxon glares my way.“Are you the fucker who ate them?”
I gulp, grabbing my jacket from the side.“Um, no.Landon did,” I lie.“I let down his tyres in retaliation.”
Truth is, I let them down because he ate the stew Paisley left in the bed and breakfast’s kitchen for me.
Before they can question me further or take back my leave, I hightail it out of there.
*** *** ***
Ibring the cold glassbottle to my lips and take a sip of my beer as I glance around the garden.The sun set over an hour ago, but the lights Paisley strung up give the space enough light.
She’s done good.Really good.I couldn’t be any prouder.
As much as I wanted to be here earlier, I’m not feeling it now.I don’t see the need to put on a show now the truth about the accusation is out.There’s only ever been one thing that has gotten to me like this before, and that’s the death of our dad.But even then, when kids would taunt me about my dad's death, I never felt anywhere near what I did when the police told me why they wanted to speak to me.I had never been so scared in my life.Not because there was a possibility of it being true, but because I knew if it went to court, I would lose.My track record when it comes to women isn’t clean, but I’ve never harassed, forced, or gas-lighted anyone into fucking me.I’ve flirted, teased, and put on the charm, but I would never cross a line I couldn't come back from.As conceited as it makes me, I’ve never needed to.
Mum pulls me out of my pity party when she approaches me.“Did you get your food?”
I jerk my chin over to the corner where Max is.“You should know by now not to leave food unattended withhimhere.”
She lowers her glass of wine to one of the tall standing tables Paisley set up in preparation for tonight.“Reid, there is still food available.I expected you to arrive late after speaking to Jaxon and planned accordingly.”
I shrug.“It’s okay, Mum.I’ll grab something later—if there’s anything left—or just eat something at home.”I glance back over at Max, my jaw clenching.“Not sure why he’s glaring though.It’s not him going without food.”
“I think he may still be angry that Malia—the eldest of the women who moved into Bluebird Farm—laughed in his face when he offered to do a food contest with her.”
My grievances forgotten, I glance at my mum.“Food contest?Why on earth would he challenge someone he knows he will beat?Doesn’t seem like the Max we know.”
Her eyes light up with amusement.“Malia has won one of these contests in the past.According to Charlotte, the Addison sisters seem to love food as much as the Carters.”
My eyes widen.“Please tell me they aren’t related.I can’t deal with two families who steal food.”
She laughs.“No, that question has already been asked.Though I am concerned Malia will wake up one morning to discover Max has organised a food contest in her front garden.”
I snort.“I hate to give the guy credit, but she has no chance of beating him.I’ve seen him eat.I’m pretty sure he doesn’t have a gut.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure.So far, she has eaten six pulled pork baps, demolished an entire tray of pigs in blankets and a plate of cookies, and now seems to be snacking on the stew I made just in case the pork ran out.And that’s only the things I’ve seen.I think Max knows she’s competition.He hasn’t stopped glaring at her since he found out she has a trophy for it.”
My lips pull up into a grin.“Is it bad that I actually want them to compete in the hope she beats him?”
“I’m pretty sure Hayden is making her rounds and taking bets,” she reveals, then leans into me.“Son, are you okay?You know you can talk to me about anything, right?”
