One Southern Cowboy - Jennifer Youngblood Page 0,58

dozen or so girls throw themselves at the one guy?”

“Yeah,” Lexi said warily.

“What’s wrong, Luke?” Jaxson teased. “You wishing you could be the lucky bachelor?”

Lucas scowled. “I’m worried about my sister.” He gave Lexi an accusing look. “You didn’t even ask who the bachelor is.”

Lexi’s hand went to her hip. “That’s because the identity of the bachelor isn’t revealed until the start of the show.”

Lucas made a face. “What if he’s dawg ugly?”

Lexi’s voice shot up several octaves. “On The Singing Bachelor?” She giggled. “I can assure you, bro, the guy won’t be ugly. No one would watch the show if he were.”

“He could still be a scumbag,” Lucas grumbled.

“Technically, the premise of the show is about musicians connecting and finding love,” Hartley explained, “but that rarely ever happens.” She looked at Lexi. “What will happen, however, is that people all over the nation will be tuning in to watch you sing. You’ll get an instant fan base.”

“That would be wonderful,” Lexi trilled. “A once in a lifetime opportunity. Thank you.”

“I’ll have Trent give you a call,” Hartley promised as the two exchanged numbers.

Lexi was over-the-moon excited. Lemon could totally understand Lucas’s reservations about the unknown bachelor. Nevertheless, she was thrilled for her best friend. Maybe this would be Lexi’s lucky break.

Lucas stepped up to Lemon and reached for her hand. “I’m so glad you’re okay.” A sentimental smile tipped his lips. “You always were the prettiest girl in the room.” He brought her hand to his lips and planted a soft kiss.

“Thank you,” she stammered, delicately pulling her hand away from Lucas’s grasp. She glanced at Jaxson whose jaw had gone harder than the rocks on the fire-pit.

Lucas cut his eyes at Jaxson, but not before Lemon caught a glimmer of amusement. “Don’t you think it’s time to tell him what really happened? Put the poor guy out of his misery?”

“What’re you talking about?” Jaxson growled.

“Ask your woman,” Lucas said, winking at Lemon as he swaggered away.

“What was that all about?” Jaxson demanded.

“I’ll tell you after everyone leaves.” She touched his arm. “Be patient.” She didn’t know whether she should thank Lucas or slug him for opening up the conversation. She grinned inwardly. Maybe thank him. This conversation was long overdue.

The minute everyone left, Jaxson shifted to face her. “Spill it,” he ordered.

She clucked her tongue. “So bossy.”

He pushed out a heavy sigh. “Just tell me, Lemon.”

“Okay, here goes. You got it all wrong.”

His brows bunched. “What wrong?”

“That night after the graduation party when you came up on me and Lucas. It wasn’t what you thought.” She looked him in the eye. “I was upset. Lucas was trying to console me. Before I even realized what was happening, he leaned over and kissed me. The next thing I knew, you were there—going berserk.” Dang, it felt good to get that out … after all these years.

His face fell. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I would have, but you never gave me the chance. You punched Lucas, started yelling at me. Then, I got ticked, thinking Well, if that’s how little you thought of me, then I’d just let you believe it.”

“All of these years,” he uttered. “We could’ve been together.” He grunted out a sharp laugh as he rubbed his forehead. “Wow, I guess I’m the idiot here. I’m so sorry,” he said quietly. Regret deepened the faint creases around his eyes.

She cupped his cheek with her palm. “Don’t be.” A smile touched her lips. “No more apologizing, remember?” He nodded in agreement, but she could feel his pain and regret, tying a tight noose around them. She sought for the words to help him understand. “It was for the best. I needed to go away and explore my dreams.” She swallowed the tightness in her throat. “It was easier for the two of us to be on the outs. Had we not been, I don’t think I could’ve mustered the strength to let you go.”

“Why didn’t you come back sooner?”

She lowered her hand as she raised an eyebrow. “I wanted to, but by then, you were dating half the countryside.”

“Only because I couldn’t have you,” he shot back, eyes narrowing a fraction.

“I know that now. Truly.” A mercurial smile moved over her lips. “Don’t you think it’s time to move on—forgive and forget?”

Surprise zinged through his eyes before the tension on his face dissolved into an amused grin. “I think I’ve heard that somewhere before.” He searched her face, his voice growing ponderous. “Speaking of forgetting, you sure you’re