Men of Severn, 1
Wesley Blake is my brother's best friend.
He has been a part of my life longer than I can remember.
He’s seen it all: scrapped knees, birthday parties, and the worst moment in my life.
But I’m just a little sister to him.
To me, he is so much more.
He is all I have ever wanted.
I have never even considered anyone else.
But now that I am older, it’s time for me to make a decision.
Do I continue to wait for a man that doesn’t want me?
Or is it time for me to grow up?
Maybe it’s time for me to leave Severn and everyone I know in the rearview mirror.
Excerpt:
Jacob leans into my personal space, his hand resting on my hip. Usually, I wouldn’t allow something like this, but the booze has me functioning a little slower at the moment.
“He’s glaring again,” he whispers in my ear with a chuckle.
That’s the thing with Jacob. For all his faults he is still my friend. Yes, he hurt Lenor but that is between the two of them, not us. He knows me just as well as she does, all my secrets and the things I wish I could hide. Hell, he carried me for three blocks when we were nine years old and I broke my arm. He’s always been part of my life and I love him like a brother. Turning my head, I smile. He is standing so close we are basically nose to nose now.
“Really?”
“Yeah,” he says before licking his lips. “He does not like when I touch you and his head looks like the top might pop right the fuck off.”
“He called me disgusting,” I say softly. My voice is barely a whisper, and I don’t even think he heard me.
It’s not something I want to discuss but the words have been on repeat in my mind since he said them. I can’t put into words just how much hearing him say that hurt.
Jacob’s lips touch mine in a gentle kiss that catches me off guard. I don’t have time to make the decision to push him away or kiss him back before he is gone. It takes a moment for my drunken brain to process that he isn’t kissing me anymore and for me to open my eyes. Looking around, I see Jacob on the floor, his hand covering his nose that is bleeding profusely.
Behind me, I hear a scuffle and turn to see what is happening. Adam has Wesley in his grasp, his arms pulled behind his back as he tries to get at Jacob once more.
“Get the fuck out of my bar!” he roars.
I know the crazed look in his eyes. His temper has always been short and now he has lost it. I’m not sure what pushed him over the edge, but it has my own anger flaring.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I yell. “You’re batting two for two in the asshole awards tonight.”
Bending down, I help Jacob up before leading him around the bar and out the front door. I hear yelling inside, but I ignore whatever is happening to stare at my crazy friend.
“Why are you laughing?” I ask, shoving his shoulder.
“I’m sorry,” he says through his laughter. “But that shit is funny as fuck.”
“I must be drunker than I thought because you aren’t making a lick of sense.”
“You said he called you disgusting but the moment I kissed you he exploded.”
“You kissed me to see what he would do?” I ask, feeling confused and a little pissed off.
I’ve never been attracted to Jacob even though he is a good-looking man and we’ve never been more than friends, but I had just assumed it was the alcohol and the moment. That makes twice I have been rejected by a man tonight.
“Karmen, that man is lying to himself and to you,” Jacob explains. “If he wasn’t into you, it wouldn’t have mattered whether we kissed or not.”
“You know you’re nuts, right?”
“But I’m a good friend. And now you owe me a favor.”
I shake my head. “Go home and get some ice on your face. I also suggest avoiding Wesley for the foreseeable future. He tends to hold a grudge.”
- Series:
- /series-men-of-severn/
