one to his brother. “So what’s she wantin’ to auction?”
“Us. To the highest bidder.”
It took a minute for the words to process. When they did, Keegan barked a laugh, unable to control himself.
“Did you shudder and shriek? Wouldn’t that kinda thing offend your delicate sensibilities?”
“Fuck off.”
“I assume you told her no.”
“Actually, I called Mayor Stewart and told her to count us in.”
Turning his full attention to Kaden, he waited for him to deliver the punch line, because surely this was a joke. Keegan was the type to jump at the opportunity to have women throwing money his way. Kaden was the one who insisted on flowers and wine and shit.
“It’s on Saturday, by the way.”
“You’re serious?”
On a normal day, his tight-ass brother would’ve been quick with the hell no. Then again, Kaden had a thing for Bristol, and somewhere in that warped and twisted brain, he probably figured this was their way in with her. After all, the effort Kaden had made over the last ten months had gone so well.
“What’s the catch?” There had to be one.
“No catch. It’s for a good cause, and Bristol asked nicely. Who was I to disappoint?”
“You’re hopin’ she’ll bid on us,” he accused.
“I’m hopin’ we won’t stand up there lookin’ like a coupla idiots.”
Keegan took a long pull on his beer, let the information his brother just sprang on him set in. “So the girl you’ve got the hots for wants to auction you for a date. You’re quick to say yes and there’s nothin’ you’re hopin’ to gain from this?”
Sounded like heartache waiting to happen.
Bristol Newton had been playing games with them for the past year, stringing Kaden along. Enough to keep his interest, but never enough to allude to the possibility of more. Typical woman shit. And while he wouldn’t turn Bristol down if she asked, Keegan damn sure wasn’t the sort who was interested in playing games.
“I’m goin’ with the flow,” Kaden stated. “Just like you told me to do.”
“Since when do you listen to me?”
“It’s rare, but it happens.”
He grinned, watching Kaden put the potatoes in the microwave. “You got a date in mind?”
“What?”
Keegan chuckled. “A date. You know, the good time we’re supposed to be offerin’. What do you think those eager ladies will be biddin’ on?”
“Us.”
“Wow.” Keegan’s cheeks hurt from his smile. “How exactly do you carry the weight of that ego around all day?”
Kaden’s responding “fuck you” lacked any heat.
“So why’re you backin’ off from Bristol now? ’Cause we both know you’re not givin’ up completely.”
“What would you have done?”
“Hell, I would’ve signed us up a long time ago. But I’m not the one with the hard-on for the daycare owner.”
Not that he would cop to anyway.
Chapter Three
Thursday morning rolled around and Kaden found himself picking up breakfast at the bakery rather than sitting down to a hot meal at the diner. Keegan’s fault, of course. His brother had stayed up too late playing GTA on his Xbox and had refused to get out of bed in time, something that usually happened once, maybe twice a week.
So Kaden had left his brother at the house and ventured into town, figuring he could spring for some donuts before making his way to the Walker Demo office to check on Autumn. He’d learned yesterday that she was having trouble with one of the general contractors. From what he could tell, she had it handled, but he figured he could be the nice guy, check in with the new boss, see if she needed him to have a chat with the guy. Of course, he had to broach the subject without sounding condescending because that certainly wasn’t how he intended it, so the donuts were more of a way to pave the way.
When he stepped into the small bakery, he was assaulted with the scents of sweet pastries, the aroma of strong coffee, and the dull din of conversations taking place. The few scattered tables were full, the regulars out early to grab a quick breakfast before heading off to do their thing.
Like most up that early, Kaden went through the motions, moving by muscle memory behind the other customers, patiently waiting his turn.
“Good mornin’, Mr. Walker.”
The sassy tone, one he recognized belonging to Coyote Ridge’s mayor, had his head turning, curious as to which of his uncles were there because, when he thought of Mr. Walker, they were the first to come to mind.
His gaze slid right over Bianca Stewart and landed on the woman sitting next to