One Big Mistake - Jennifer Youngblood Page 0,11

lips. “You’ve got it bad, bro,” he taunted. “I saw that tough-guy smirk you gave Hartley.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Ramsey countered stiffly. Normally, he felt like he was completely in control of his emotions, but lately everything was off kilter. He sat back in his seat, hunching his shoulders.

“Don’t worry, dude. I won’t tell anyone,” Mason said.

This caught Jaxson’s attention. He leaned forward in his seat and craned his head around Mason to look at Ramsey. “Tell anyone what?” he asked, interest simmering in his eyes.

“Nothing,” Ramsey grumbled, shooting Mason a warning look.

“Ramsey’s got a thing for Hartley Raines,” Mason snorted.

Jax’s eyes widened. “Seriously?”

“No,” Ramsey said hotly. “I don’t.” He swiped a hand against Mason’s hair.

Mason tried to dodge out of his reach. “Hey, now. Don’t be messing with the hair.” Laughing, he turned to Jaxson. “You should’ve seen Ramsey drooling over her. Like he’d seen his first Mustang.”

“Does Cash know?” Jaxson asked with wide, troubled eyes.

“There’s nothing to know,” Ramsey mumbled. He wanted to shove a sock in Mason’s traitorous mouth.

“What’s up?” Noah asked. He and Piper were sitting on the other side of Ramsey.

Ramsey huffed out an exasperated breath. “Nothing. Geez, Louise, can’t everyone mind their own dad-gum business?”

“What’s eating him?” Noah asked, directing his question to Mason and Jaxson.

A corner of Mason’s mouth tugged up. “Ramsey’s in love.” He made kissing motions with his mouth.

“Would you put a cork in it?” Ramsey growled. He was used to being razzed by his brothers, but he didn’t appreciate being teased about Hartley, especially when he was trying so hard to fight this stupid attraction thing.

Noah’s eyes rounded as he nudged Ramsey’s arm. “Oh, wow. That’s awesome. Who’s the lucky girl?”

Ramsey rolled his eyes. “There is no girl. Mason’s just spouting off at the mouth.”

“Sure, I am,” Mason drawled, fluttering his eyelashes. “You’ve got it bad,” he taunted.

After the concert was over, a crew came in to remove the chairs and prepare the ballroom for the reception and party, which overflowed throughout the mansion. Ramsey couldn’t help it. He found himself scanning the area in the hope of catching sight of Hartley.

“You look handsome,” Ramsey’s mama, Birdie, said as she stepped up to him and touched his arm.

“Thank you.” Ramsey looked her up and down. “You look beautiful.”

“Thanks,” Mama said with a gracious smile. Mama’s blonde hair was shimmering like gold beneath the lights from the chandeliers. Her gold dress was classy and showed off her curvy figure.

“Are y’all staying for the party?” Ramsey asked.

Knox joined in the conversation as he draped an arm around Birdie’s shoulders. “Your Mama and I are gonna take Milo and Madison home so Zoe and Briggs can stay awhile.”

“We need to get the kiddos into bed, so they’ll be ready for school tomorrow,” Birdie added.

Madison scrunched her nose. “I’m not ready to go home yet. I wanna stay for the party,” she whined.

Milo rolled his eyes. “We’ve got school tomorrow,” he pointed out in the superior tone of the older brother.

“How about we stop and grab some ice cream on the way home?” Knox suggested.

A large grin filled Madison’s face as she nodded, her pigtails bobbing up and down.

“Thanks for taking the kids home,” Zoe said to Knox and Birdie.

“Of course,” Birdie smiled. “It’s our pleasure.”

Zoe gave Milo and Madison hugs. “Y’all be good for Momaw and Papaw.”

“We will,” Milo said dutifully, rolling his eyes like he couldn’t believe his mother would insinuate that he’d be anything but good.

“Goodnight, folks,” Knox chimed as he and Birdie left with the grandkids.

Briggs flashed a large smile as he stepped close to Zoe and slid an arm around her shoulders. “I’m looking forward to dancing with this beautiful lady.” He looked deep into Zoe’s eyes as the two got lost in one another.

“Let’s see if y’all can keep up,” Noah boasted as he reached for Piper’s hand and pulled her toward what had now become a dance floor in the center of the ballroom.

Zoe chuckled. “We’ll see what we can do.” She winked at Piper, who grinned. Zoe and Piper had gotten really close. It was nice that the two could share their love of photography and art. Zoe and Briggs rushed off to join Noah and Piper.

Jaxson grinned. “And then there were three.”

“Yep, just us lonely, single folks,” Ramsey said morosely.

Jaxson chuckled. “Speak for yourself.” He shoved his hands into his front pockets and rocked forward on the balls of his feet. “Welp, I think I’ll mingle.” He glanced at an attractive brunette