Fake Love Page 4

  “Hi, Dad,” I murmur. “I’m home.”

  If you say so.

  Carter

  It doesn’t take long for me to understand why Vale was so hesitant to come home.

  At first, I wondered if she was letting some past drama influence the present, but that was before I met her father.

  Mr. Martin is a big man, the sort of man who takes up all the space in a room just by virtue of the fact that he’s in it. The barn doesn’t feel big enough for both of us as he marches our way.

  Instead of acknowledging his daughter, he comes straight at me. “You intend to marry my daughter?”

  “Yes, sir,” I lie. Part of me wants to tell the truth, if only to avoid being shot. Not that he’s carrying a gun, but I wouldn’t put it past him to grab the nearest rifle.

  “Dad, this is my fiancé, Carter Crawford.” Vale wraps both her hands around my bicep.

  Her father hasn’t taken his eyes off me. “What do you do, Carter Crawford?” he asks.

  “I’m a sports agent, sir. I work for—”

  “A sports agent?” he sneers. “As in you’re one of those guys who takes part of a man’s hard-earned money all because you sat there while he signed his name on the dotted line?”

  “Dad.” Vale’s voice has an edge to it now. “Don’t do that.”

  “With all due respect, sir, there’s a lot more to it than that,” I say.

  All this gets me is a snort. “If you say so. In your line of work, do they teach you it’s appropriate to ask a girl for her hand in marriage without first asking for her father’s permission?”

  He doesn’t wait for an answer before placing an arm around my shoulders and leading me away from the barn. “Let’s have a chat, Carter Crawford.”

  “Dad, we just got here!” Vale trots along beside us, throwing me huge, apologetic eyes.

  “He can spare a minute for me, all things considered,” her father counters.

  There’s not so much as a hint of invitation. I’m not being invited to chat with him. I’m being ordered to.

  And I can play along. I’m a good negotiator. I’m good in a room. I’m used to men thinking they are smarter than me because I was an athlete myself.

  Mr. Martin leads me into his house, which I see is both cozy and extremely well-appointed, steering me toward what I assume is his study and depositing me inside.

  Closing the door, he looks me up and down. “So, you plan to marry my Vale.”

  “I do, sir. As for not asking for your blessing, it was spontaneous. My proposing, I mean. I didn’t plan on asking her before speaking with you, but I guess I got swept up in the moment.”

  His brow furrows. “You get swept up in the moment a lot?”

  “Only when your daughter is involved.”

  I get the feeling he wants to approve of this comment, but something holds him back.

  “Your family? Tell me about them.”

  I happily give him the rundown. I’m incredibly proud of my family. “I’m sort of the middle child. My older brother, Cade, is recently married, and he and Palmer Montlake are expecting their first child soon. My younger siblings are twins. Cash is married to Ashlyn Roberts.” I decide to leave out the part about how they met at a wedding and drunkenly got married in Vegas that same night. “And then there’s Chloe. She’s a jewelry designer. My parents are still married and in love. We’re very close. Take vacations together every year without fail.”

  “Glad to hear that. Family is everything. Legacy. Leaving something behind.” He gestures to a row of framed photos on one wall.

  “You have a beautiful family, Mr. Martin.” Now that it seems like he might let me live, I can breathe a little easier. “And from what I noticed on the drive through town, you’ve built quite a legacy to pass down.”

  “We know how to do business in these small towns just as well as you do out in Los Angeles,” he informs me with a wry smile. “It’s a shame this wasn’t good enough for all my children though. I have to wonder what sort of legacy a sports agent could leave for his children,” he says.

  “I’d like to imagine my children, should I be fortunate enough to have them, would carry a legacy of unconditional love with them, first and foremost. I am lucky enough to know what it means to be fully and truly supported in every aspect of my life by my parents. And I hope that I can do them justice by passing that on to my children. My parents taught us to work hard, be decent and fair, and to follow our hearts. Considering how well we’ve all done for ourselves, I think they did a pretty good job. If you’re concerned about financial matters, I can assure you, there’s nothing to worry about.”

  “Yeah, I noticed that flashy car you drove up in and the boulder on Vale’s hand.” He smirks. “I suppose they do those highfalutin sort of things out where you’re from.”

  “It’s been known to happen, sir.”

  I can tell he wants to see how easily ruffled I am. When he doesn’t get anything more from me, the smirk turns to a grin.

  “Make yourself comfortable for a moment while I get us something to drink.”

  I settle into a leather wing chair while he pours scotch for the two of us. A little early in the day for a drink maybe, but it’s already been a long one. To think, I woke up this morning in my house, and it was just another Thursday.

  Now, I’m accepting a drink from my supposed soon-to-be father-in-law and looking around his study. While doing so, I notice a book stacked with others on a small table behind his desk. The spine reads VALE in block letters.

  “What’s that?” I ask, accepting my drink. “A book about Vale? Embarrassing baby pictures?”

  He’s gruff when he responds, “A collection of Vale’s work. Modeling, you know. Her photos.”

  I think I understand the man better than he wants me to.

  “Hey, Dad?” Blake opens the door a crack and sticks his head in. “Sorry to interrupt, but we could use another set of hands out here, and AJ went to pick up chairs from the Pattersons. Could we borrow Carter?”

  “Of course,” Mr. Martin says.

  I finish my drink and thank him before heading out to the hall with Blake.

  Blake snickers, elbowing me with a gleam in his eye. “You’re welcome.”

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Catch you any day.

  Vale

  “Come on! We can use all the help we can get. Unless you would like to get changed first?” Lakelyn looks at my outfit, including the heels.

  I realize I should’ve dressed more appropriately. This is the farm, not brunch in LA.

  “I’ve run around the barn barefoot before,” I remind her. With one more look at the house, where Carter just disappeared with my father, I let her lead me back to the barn.

  “I can’t believe you are here and engaged to Carter Crawford. Why didn’t you tell me that last night when I called you, crying about AJ and the draft?”

  “I wanted to surprise you all with the engagement.”

  “You still could have told me you knew him. He represents Danny Diamond, and he’s the GOAT.”

  “Goat?” I ask.

  “Greatest Of All Time,” she says with a grin. “Why didn’t you tell me that’s who you’ve been seeing? Who you got engaged to?” She grabs my arm again and looks at the ring on my finger.

  Because I didn’t think he would actually come.

  “I hope it’s not awkward, him being here. Just because he’s going to be family doesn’t mean you or AJ have to discuss business with Carter. He won’t even bring it up.”

  “I wish he would bring it up,” she says with a frown.

  “Carter did tell me that he reached out to AJ at some point but was told he had representation.”

  “Yeah, his uncle. Which is a huge mistake, if you ask me. He needs a good, experienced agent in his corner. It worries me to think of what might happen if he gets steered in the wrong direction.”

  “Do you think that will happen?”

  She’s always had a good head on her sho
ulders. AJ is lucky to have her.

  She shrugs. “I hope not. But I doubt he’ll get as good of a deal without a skilled agent telling him what to look out for. I respect whatever decision he comes to, but it affects me too. It’s our future.”

  I take a look at her. She’s so grown-up now, so smart and wise. Her dress is bright and cheerful, flowing around her thighs with each step she takes. Her hair is fashioned into a long braid.

  “When did you get so grown-up?” I ask before we enter the barn.

  “Oh, it happened gradually.” She winks before handing me a mimosa from a table set up near the doors. “Drink up, sis. It’s going to be a long weekend.”

  No kidding. Especially because I am probably going to have to sleep in the same room as Carter and try to keep my hands—and the numerous other body parts he knows how to make feel good—to myself.

  “I can’t help but feel bad for Carter,” I confess to Brooke and Raine as we hang crepe paper in Lakelyn’s wedding colors of pink and cream. “I can only imagine what Daddy’s saying to him up there.”

  “I was afraid Seth might wet his pants when he got the big talk,” Raine whispers, giggling. “And he had known Daddy for years.”

  “Your guy is a big-shot agent though,” Brooke reminds me. “I’m sure he’s probably used to intense negotiations.”

  “Neither of you are helping.”

  But I can’t help laughing a little. It’s like no time has passed at all. We’ve fallen right back into our roles. Maybe that’s what being siblings is all about.

  “You have to tell us all about how he popped the question!” Mom says, interrupting us. She is beside herself with excitement.

  “This weekend is all about Lakelyn,” I insist, eyeing the bride-to-be.

  I also can’t help but take note of Trent standing on the other side of the barn, taking a sudden interest in what I have to say.

  “I want to hear it!” Lakelyn claps her hands, bouncing on the balls of her feet.

  I’m standing on a ladder, which doesn’t help since I’m now the center of attention. “So, uh, we were at a charity golf event at a hotel on a cliff overlooking the ocean.”

  “Ooh,” Brooke sighs.

  She’s already swept away, and I haven’t gotten into the story yet.

  “We went out to watch the sunset. And I should’ve probably known something was up when he suggested we leave our phones in the room, so we wouldn’t have any distractions.”

  I have total command of the room now. If a pin dropped, we’d hear it.

  “He took me down a walking path that goes around the property and had views of the ocean …” I pause for a second. “And there were rose petals leading up to a wooden bridge.”

  Note to self: make sure to tell him about the rose petals.

  “And there were lanterns floating on the water under the bridge.”

  And about the lanterns.

  “It was magical.” I sigh, knowing I’m getting way too caught up in this fantasy. But I can’t seem to stop myself. “And as the sun was about to set, it was all low in the sky, and it gave the trees surrounding us this golden glow. It was like being in an enchanted forest. Just the two of us.”

  “I can hardly breathe,” Raine whispers while my mother fans herself.

  “And a string quartet was playing on the other side of the bridge.” Because why not? “And as they played, Carter dropped to one knee and …” I can’t bear to say the actual words, the words I wish he would say to me for real. “Well, I don’t want to tell you exactly what he said. Um, because it’s personal.”

  I have to turn my face away a little because I almost convinced myself it’d all actually happened. I can practically see it in front of me—and the weight of the ring on my finger isn’t helping me keep my fantasy separate from reality.

  “I’m crying. I can’t believe it.” My mother laughs, wiping a hand under her eyes.

  I am such a terrible person for lying like this.

  “Anyway, that’s how it happened.” I shrug with a way-too-sunny smile.

  Which is when Sophie runs into the ladder I’m standing on and it tips to the side. The next thing I know, I’m falling.

  And then landing in a pair of strong, familiar arms.

  “Hey there.” Trent laughs, holding on to me. “We can’t have the maid of honor breaking an arm right before the wedding.”

  “Thank you,” I can hardly breathe. My heart’s racing so fast. And it’s not because I am this close to Trent again. I’m still wrapped up in my engagement fantasy.

  Trent pulls me in a little closer. “I’d catch you any day, Vale.”

  “Hey!” Blake strolls into the barn with Carter beside him. “I freed your boy, sis!”

  Carter’s expression changes from amusement to anything but when he sees me in Trent’s arms, and for a moment, he actually looks jealous.

  But he isn’t, and he never will be, and I need to remember that.

  So romantic.

  Carter

  I’m not sure how I feel about this.

  No. Wait. I am sure.

  I hate it.

  This Trent—BTO—guy makes a big show of putting Vale down on her feet. “There you go. Safe and sound,” he says, yet he still holds her by the waist, and it’s a little too close for my comfort.

  For the first time since we started this charade, I’m glad we’re supposed to be engaged. It gives me a legitimate reason to do what I’m about to do.

  I take a few long strides toward her and possessively wrap my arm around her, pulling her close to me. “Can’t leave you alone for a second, can I?”

  Fortunately, she places her arms around my neck. “No, you can’t, and you shouldn’t,” she says sexily.

  But I see right through it. Both of us are not-so-subtly letting old Trent know he needs to back the fuck off, just for different reasons.

  He doesn’t seem to get the hint though. He kisses the back of her hand and says, “I’ll always be here to rescue you.” Then, he tips his hat at her and goes back to whatever the hell he was doing before.

  “I guess I missed out on all the excitement.”

  Her smile goes wide. “You did actually. Before I fell off the ladder, I was telling everyone about the proposal.”

  “Oh, Carter,” Mrs. Martin says, her hands folded and a smile on her face. “I love how there were rose petals and lanterns and the string quartet. So incredibly romantic.”

  Of course, I’m thrilled she’s happy about whatever Vale told her, but none of that was in our prepared proposal story.

  “It was all so romantic and spontaneous,” Vale gushes toward her mom as she grabs my hand, squeezing it tightly, letting me know to just roll with it.

  “Romantic, yes. Spontaneous, no. I knew I wanted to marry you the first time I met you,” slides out of my mouth. It’s the God’s honest truth but not something I ever dared to tell her.

  She looks at me, her head tilted in question. “Really?”

  “Hey! Look who’s back!” Lakelyn says, causing Vale to turn her attention toward the barn’s entrance.

  Lakelyn runs out of the barn and launches herself at her six-foot-five, three-hundred-pound fiancé, AJ Barnett.

  “I hope this will be enough chairs, Mrs. Martin.” AJ gestures to the bed of his pickup truck. “I couldn’t fit any more.”

  “That should be perfect, sweetheart. Thank you.” Vale’s mother strikes me as the polar opposite of her husband. She’s sweet, soft, and kind, and she has the sort of friendly, open smile that puts you at ease.

  Vale takes my hand and leads me over to AJ—I’m sure to introduce us.

  Just as she starts to open her mouth, AJ turns toward us, looks at me, and says, “You’re Carter Crawford, aren’t you?”

  “Guilty.” I shake his hand.

  “Carter is Vale’s fiancé!” Lakelyn says. “Isn’t that cool?”

  “It is,” he says, but the smile doesn’t quite reach his dark eyes, and he quickly turns and starts unlo
ading his truck.

  And I guess I can’t blame him. I know what a guy like him goes through before the draft. I was going through it myself before I got hurt.

  Vale pulls me aside as everyone else starts focusing on getting the chairs set up. “AJ acted a little cold toward you. Sorry.”

  “I’m sure he’s just surprised that you are engaged. Like everyone else has been.”

  “And I’m sorry about embellishing all the proposal stuff,” she whispers into my ear. I have to ignore the way her breath tickles my skin.

  “So long as you made me look good.”

  She giggles, leaning against me. When I stiffen, her eyes meet mine. “What?”

  “Nothing. Just …” I glance around. We’re generally being ignored in favor of last-minute shower prep. “This is hard. Your family is nice. I feel bad, lying to them. And it’s hell, being this close to you.”

  She stiffens before standing up straight and bolting backward. “Well, I’m sorry that I’m so unattractive.”

  “I didn’t mean that—”

  “Whatever. You agreed to this, and that means you have to at least pretend.”

  “I know that—”

  “But, hey, if it bothers you too much, I guess I could go hang out with Trent instead.”

  I can feel my blood starting to boil over as Mrs. Martin calls out to us, “I nearly forgot my manners. We dragged you into setting up before you even had a chance to get settled. Vale, you’ll be staying in your old room. It’s all ready and waiting for you both.”

  “You’re going to let us share a room?” she asks.

  Her mom laughs, waving a hand. “Well, you are engaged after all.”

  Drowning in lust.

  Vale

  “This is our bed?”

  “Yes,” I tell him.

  “It looks small.”

  “What, are you afraid we might brush against each other in our sleep?”

  He just sighs and starts unpacking.

  I should let it go, but he pissed me off in the barn. And I can’t. “What’s the big deal? It’s not like we’ve never shared a bed.”