The Wager

Chapter Forty-seven

Kacey couldn’t help but notice Jace’s black eye as he made his way back to the main table. Char and Jake followed close behind, both of their heads touching. Char laughed. Jake touched her arm.

Oh no.

Kacey’s eyes narrowed as she sent a seething glare toward Grandma, who was at that moment trying to pat herself on the back.

“She’s winning.” Kacey jabbed Travis in the ribs.

“Believe me.” He banged his head loudly against the table. “I know.”

“Oh stop. You have twenty-four hours left.”

“It’s been the longest two weeks of my life.” Travis sighed. “What’s another twenty-four hours?” He put his arm around Kacey, then tensed.

“What? What’s wrong?”

“He kissed her.”

“Huh?”

“That sly son of a bitch.” Travis grinned. “Look at him.”

Kacey looked where Travis was pointing. Jake was smiling at his plate and twirling his wine glass with his fingers. Every few seconds his eyes would meet Char’s and they’d share a private smile.

“Bloody hell,” Travis muttered.

“Still doesn’t work. You aren’t British,” Kacey sighed.

Grandma stood and lifted her glass. “The best man had a few words he wanted to say to the bride and groom. Jake?”

Jake licked his lips and stood, holding his glass out in front of him. “I kissed you first.”

Kacey burst out laughing while Travis growled.

With a wink, Jake continued. “I seem to remember a stupid bet my brother and I made about marrying the girl next door. Well, brother, I think you won. Thanks for the bill by the way, I appreciate it. You’ve both been a huge part of my life, and I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to see both of my best friends marrying each another. To the bride and groom!” He lifted his glass.

“Cheers!” Everyone said in unison.

Jake motioned to Jace. “Didn’t you want to say a few words?”

Jace waved him off. “Nah, I think you said it all.”

“Holy crap,” Kacey whispered. “Something is very, very wrong. They’ve been at each other’s throats all week!”

Travis looked from Char to Jake, back to Jake, and then to Jace. “I don’t get it. They all seem perfectly normal.”

Kacey gripped Travis’s hand like a vise. Grandma winked at both of them and then pointed to the ground.

At her damn microphone case.

“Shit,” Travis muttered. “Damn woman’s going to beat us.”

“I think,” Kacey pointed to Jake, “she already has.”

Jake was sitting across from Char, making such inappropriately lustful gazes that Kacey wasn’t sure if she should just take pity on Travis and cover his eyes for him.

But when she turned to say something to Travis, a wicked smile had formed at his lips.

“Uh oh,” Kacey said. “What are you thinking?”

“I’m thinking we’re going to get even.”

“Even?”

“He wants her so bad.” Travis chuckled. “And he thinks he’s going to get her, tonight, but—”

“What?”

“What type of brother would I be if I didn’t protect my brother’s heart? What type of person would I be if I didn’t protect poor Char’s virtue?” He shook his head and raised his hand to his chest. “I couldn’t live with myself…”

“Jake’s going to murder me.”

“Misery loves company.” Travis took a long gulp of water. “Yes it does.”