Busted (Promise Harbor Wedding) - By Sydney Somers Page 0,15
should have tried harder, knowing what the old man meant to him. But he heard what Matt wasn’t saying, that Jackson had been too self-absorbed to return any calls he hadn’t wanted to.
“He’d love to see you.”
Jackson managed a nod, but the pressure that had a chokehold on his lungs kept him from saying anything. He picked up the towel, mopping at the water on floor.
Someone out front yelled for Matt.
“Back in a second. Then I can show you what my piece of shit dishwasher is up to.”
Setting the towel aside, Jackson stopped him. “Can it wait until tomorrow? I should probably see if Josh needs help with anything before I get ready for the wedding.”
“No problem. Thanks for the help with the sink, man.” The door swung open and Matt disappeared.
Jackson switched his attention to Hayley. She didn’t seem fazed by Matt’s departure, but he guessed there was a lot running beneath the surface with her.
He used to think she didn’t care about much. When they were younger, she’d favored sticking to herself and breaking the rules. So much so she’d almost always been grounded the times Jackson went over to see Matt, making it even much more surprising that the troublemaker he remembered had become a cop.
Hayley Stone was a much bigger mystery than he’d realized, and he found himself increasingly drawn to figuring her out.
“So where should I pick you up?”
Hayley carried the toolbox over to the shelves lining one wall at the back of the small kitchen. “It would be easier if I just met you there.”
Easier? Less obvious, maybe. Troublemaker or cop, he got the impression she still liked to fly under the radar, and showing up with him would put her front and center. He couldn’t wait to see how she handled that. He should probably feel a little guilty about looking forward to it, but damn if this wasn’t the most fun he’d had in a while.
The pictures from his agent weren’t a surprise, and neither was the concern about how this might affect a possible job offer Jackson had long ago given up waiting for. But bad publicity could often sell more tickets for a struggling hockey club, so he wasn’t worried too much about it. Still, he took his agent’s advice on using his connection to Hayley and smoothing out the latest dent in his reputation.
A screwdriver slid out of the toolbox, and Jackson beat her at picking it up. “It’s no problem at all for me to pick you up. Where do you live?”
“You weren’t too hung up on that detail earlier.”
He shrugged. “Just figured I’d ask Matt.” He would have eventually remembered he needed that information.
“Ask me what?” The man in question popped back in carrying a tray of dirty glasses.
“Directions to Hayley’s place.”
“Why would you need those?” When neither of them rushed to answer, Matt frowned. “What am I missing?”
“Nothing,” Hayley clarified. “Jackson and I are just doing each other a favor.”
Matt’s eyes narrowed and he tossed aside the towel draped over his shoulder. “We’re not talking sexual favors, right?” The accusation cut sharper than the knife used to slice drink garnishes that rested just inches from Matt’s hand.
“No,” they managed to answer in unison.
“Nothing like that,” Jackson felt compelled to add when his friend still hadn’t relaxed.
Hayley shoved the tools on the shelf. “Eric is back in town. Jackson offered to be my date so Eric won’t have any reason to bother me.”
Jackson wasn’t sure, but he would have sworn Matt’s fingers inched a little closer to the blade.
“Eric’s a dickhead. And what are you getting out of this arrangement?”
Somewhat reassured that his friend was more annoyed about the ex, Jackson answered honestly. “Keeps women from thinking I’m available.”
Barely appeased, Matt loaded the dirty glasses in the dishwasher. “You two could have asked me for help.”
Hayley closed the dishwasher for him. “You can’t flirt with women and keep them away from Jackson at the same time.”
“Jackson’s never had any problem handling himself with women.”
He cringed. Did Matt have to make it sound like he was a complete man-whore? Maybe he hadn’t been a saint when it came to dating women, but he hadn’t been out to score with every single woman he met either.
“You’ve got customers at the bar.” Hayley waved at the window in the door. “I’ll see you at the wedding, Matt.” She shoved her brother ahead of her, then said over her shoulder, “It’s 212 Ridley Road.”
Despite his earlier tone, Matt nodded on Jackson’s