Fake Wife Page 8

  My mom’s smile looks genuine enough, but it’s all fake. She can no longer hide the emotionless blank expression in her eyes. She’s simply following her husband’s social cues like she’s been trained to do for over thirty years. And he’s killed any true excitement she used to have.

  The familiar rage at my father being a complete asshole slithers through my veins.

  “Nice to meet you as well, Teagan,” my mom says, dipping her head in acknowledgment.

  “The pleasure is all mine,” Teagan says, dropping her hand and placing it on my forearm like she’s not bothered in the least they ignore it. “You have a lovely son. I’m certain I have you to thank for raising such a gentleman.”

  The proverbial smack at my father goes unnoticed by neither me nor my father, whose scowl turns vicious. I move to protect Teagan, trying to shift her to my side, but she holds her ground. I can practically feel her physically brace herself.

  “Yes, quite a gentleman he is,” my dad says, his voice low and menacing. “Rescuing the damsel on the street and then moving her into his house. I’m wondering exactly what kind of payment plan you’re on for his car you so carelessly wrecked.”

  His tone is clear. But I will not allow anyone, especially this serial adulterer, to insinuate Teagan’s a whore.

  Teagan’s hand tightens on my arm, either warning me or comforting me, I can’t tell. It doesn’t matter. Before I can respond, she quickly replies, “No payment plan is necessary, Mr. Lane. We haven’t even discussed it, have we?” She turns to me, her hand soothingly running up and down my arm. “We’ve had other…matters to discuss.” She turns back to my mom and her smile widens. “I’ve been greatly enjoying getting to know Corbin. You know what’s it like, don’t you Mrs. Lane? That moment when you meet someone and you just know your life is going to change in the most delightful ways?” A soft expression hits her eyes, and good Lord, give this girl an Emmy. I don’t know yet whether to throw my head back and laugh or shove my tongue back into her throat. “That’s what it was like the moment I met Corbin. I thought he’d yell at me and we’d exchange insurance information, but instead it’s been one of the best weeks of my life, and I have your son to thank for it.”

  “No thanks necessary,” I cut in, knowing my cue. My father’s veins at his temples are bulging and he’s ready to pop. Very rarely does he issue such insults, especially to women, and not leave them flustered and feeling less than him. Yet Teagan has risen to the occasion, even if she is starting to lay it on a bit too thick. I pull Teagan back to my side, smiling down at her, but this isn’t fake. “I’m glad you crashed into me. It’s definitely changed my life.”

  And I mean it. Not simply because of the will. If I haven’t been with Teagan, I’ve been thinking about her. Not a minute has gone by when she hasn’t been in my thoughts or I haven’t been staring at the photos of her on my phone.

  Fuck, she’s completely twisting me up. And now that I’ve gotten the hint of what she’s like beneath all her kindness, I want more.

  “Meeting you, I think, is going to be one of the best things that has ever happened to me.”

  My voice is soft, but thick. The words are meant more for her than for the company still watching us. Teagan’s expression softens further.

  “Corbin,” she whispers.

  “Quite ironic you’ve met a woman you claim to enjoy so much the same day you learn you must marry.” I glare at my father, somehow managing to pull my gaze off Teagan’s tempting lips.

  I will not allow him to get the best of me. Not tonight. “Quite, isn’t it? Funny how life somehow works out exactly the way you hope it will. Right, Dad?”

  I drop my hand from Teagan’s waist and clasp her hand in mine, tugging her backward. It’s the perfect moment for an escape as my dad turns a dark shade of purple.

  “Excuse us.” I nod and look at my mom, whose fake smile is still plastered on her face. She knows exactly what I’m implying. She’s a master at her facade and it makes me want to slam my fist into my father’s face. “We’ll see you at dinner on Sunday.”

  My mother’s smile falters, but I made it clear when I called her I don’t want my father in attendance, not that the likelihood of him being there was high anyway. When he doesn’t have to be at home, he prefers to be with his other family.

  As I pull Teagan behind me, I kiss my mom’s cheek again and then get Teagan out of there without giving her the option to say her own goodbyes.

  They’re pointless anyway. My dad fired first, but I ended it with the deadly shot.

  “What was that?” Teagan whispers, hurrying on her heels to stay at my side. I guide us to another area of the ballroom. A bar, tucked into a back corner, is exactly where I need to be, and when I reach it, I slam down my hand, getting the bartender’s attention.

  “Scotch,” I demand, my fury beginning to match my own father’s. Of course, the one trait I get from my father is his temper.

  “Corbin?”

  “Give me a sec,” I snap at Teagan, and squeeze my eyes closed. Inhaling a deep breath, I wait for the bartender to hand me my drink before I toss most of it back in one large, unsatisfying swallow. “Sorry.”

  “No apology necessary,” Teagan answers.

  “There is. My dad’s a dick, which I warned you about. It also means I don’t want you around him or anyone loyal to him, which is ninety percent of the people here, without Trey or me close to you. Ever, Teagan. Understand?”

  “Well, no.” Her gaze roams the crowd, and I don’t ask what or whom she’s searching for. “I don’t understand, but I’ll trust you. Can you tell me why that made him so angry?”

  Yeah…because right now I want to tell her that the love of my father’s life was a fucking waitress at some diner he met, fell in love with, and knocked up, and he’s spent the last twenty-five years taking care of Jill and Grant Maverick while completely turning his back on his original family in the process.

  That’s exactly the kind of conversation I want to have with someone like Teagan, who’s probably never been touched by the kind of ugliness in my family.

  “I will someday.” She’ll learn eventually anyway. “Just not tonight.” I drain the rest of my scotch and order another, along with a glass of wine for Teagan.

  But my mood is hard to shake, so we fall into a tense silence. When Trey and Caitlin head toward us, laughing and joking with each other like only great friends can do, I welcome the distraction.

  “Be prepared,” I say, my voice lighter, liquor warming my blood. “If you thought that was easy, this will be a whole new ball game.”

  Chapter 11

  Teagan

  I barely have my fresh glass of crisp white wine in my hand before Corbin spins me to his side, his hand curling into my hip and holding me tight.

  “Who am I looking at?” I ask as two beautiful people walk toward us, Corbin their intended target based on the woman’s smile and the assessing gaze of the man.

  Trey.

  Of course. Corbin is correct: I’ve been more nervous about meeting his friend than I have been over seeing his parents. I wasn’t quite prepared for the exceptionally gorgeous woman to greet us as well, her smile friendly, but her eyes even more keen than Trey’s.

  “Trey and Caitlin,” Corbin whispers in my ear. And damn, his voice. His body essentially wrapped around mine does funny things to me. A tightly wound coil low in my stomach loosens, warmth and attraction spreading through my limbs.

  I take a sip of wine but it does nothing to cool me. I’m losing my mind. I’ve been able to control it all week. But he’s vulnerable after his conversation with his father, and it’s calling to the part of me that wants to care for others. Take care of him, pull him to me and hold him tight.

  “I figured,” I answer, but my voice is hoarse, too breathy.

  “Hey.” His thumb presses against my chin and he tilts my head back. I recognize the minute he sees what I’m battling—attraction, lust. His eyes dilate and his lips part. Does his hand tig
hten on my hip? Pull me close to him? It must be my imagination on overdrive. He’s surrounded by beautiful, magazine-worthy women all the time. I know the long list of lovers he’s had. I don’t come anywhere close to fitting the bill. Which is why his friends will never believe this is real. God, this is a disaster. “Teagan—”

  “So, you look like a shiny, new happy couple.”

  At the new voice, I’m guessing Trey’s, Corbin doesn’t move. His eyes stay on mine, his thumb at my chin. I can do nothing except remind myself to breathe. Nodding once, he drops his hand from my chin and looks to his friends.

  “Hey, man.” I shift quickly in his hold, needlessly brushing my hands down my dress at my thighs. “Caitlin. How are you?”

  She leans in and kisses his cheek, stepping back before turning to me. “You must be Teagan. It’s nice to meet you.”

  I shake her offered hand and do the same to Trey.

  “Nice to meet both of you,” I reply. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

  Trey’s hand squeezes mine, holding on longer than polite. “I’ve heard quite a bit about you this week, too. Must take a special person to rear-end someone and then move in.”

  “Trey—” Corbin’s voice is a warning, but all I see is amusement glimmering in Trey’s dark brown eyes as he smiles down at me.

  “What can I say?” I shrug. “Sometimes a little rear-ending ends up making a girl happy.”

  He laughs at my joke, and instead of releasing my hand, he yanks me out of Corbin’s hold and hugs me. “Beautiful. I like you. You ever want to hit something else, I can help you.”

  Corbin whisks me back to his side like I’ve become the new toy.

  Caitlin’s hand lands on Trey’s chest, smacking him against what I can only imagine is one perfect and hard chest. “Shut up, you moron.”

  “Back to the dick jokes,” Corbin says. “Do you ever grow up?”

  “God, I hope not.” Trey takes a large drink from his glass, beer I assume, which is surprising. In a room filled with the richest of the rich in Portland, I wouldn’t think beer would be on the menu. Trey doesn’t look like he gives a shit, either. Dressed in a black suit, white shirt, and pink tie, he’s one of the few men not in a tux. I have a feeling Trey enjoys dancing to the beat of music only he can hear. “Adulting is for losers.”

  Caitlin snorts, shoving him again. “Yeah, us folks that have to work real jobs for a living to pay our bills are so worthless.”

  “Hey, I work.”

  “Yeah, in your pajamas and from your bed.”

  “Make more than you do.”

  She sticks out her tongue, making a face at Trey, and turns to me. “Don’t let either of these guys get away with crap. I’ve known them long enough to know their egos are too big.”

  “Along with other parts of me.”

  “God, Trey.” She rolls her eyes, but keeps her attention on me. “Trust me, their egos are bigger than their dicks. I’ve seen them after they get out of the water.” She jerks her thumb back. “Especially this guy’s.”

  She turns to the bar as Trey’s jaw drops. Completely defiant, he argues, “Hey! The river was cold. Haven’t you ever heard of the shrinkage factor?” His eyes snap to me. “Trust me. That water was fucking cold. Don’t listen to a single word she says.” He leans in, and his voice drops to a whisper. “She’s a witch. I swear it. All that bright red hair makes her evil, evil, evil.”

  I’m way too far lost in the conversation to follow. Are they together? Friends? Related? Enemies? Frenemies? My mind is spinning. I’m jolted by Corbin’s body shaking against mine as he roars with laughter.

  I look at him and he grins at me. “Don’t listen to either of them. They both suck.”

  “Blowing’s more my thing,” Caitlin says. “And trust me, Teagan. You stay with this guy you’ll need all the friends you can get. Anything you want to know about him, I’m your girl. With the dirt I have on them that hasn’t hit the headlines, I could make more millions than either of them have combined.”

  “Yeah, that’s why you’re still our friend, shrimp,” Corbin teases. “Because of the blackmail factor.”

  If she’s offended by the shrimp comment—and she is quite petite, at least several inches shorter than I am—she doesn’t show it. She makes a face at Corbin and swigs back the rest of her champagne. “Whatever. You both love me and you know it.” A serious expression settles on her face and she turns to me again. “But honestly, these guys are good people. Better than most. And if you have questions, ask. Sometimes it’s difficult navigating the minefields of the bitchy women we’ve all known since our nannies were getting drunk during playdates before we started grammar school. You have questions, ask me. In fact, give me your phone. I’ll give you my number. We should do lunch.”

  For someone so small, she has quite the powerful presence. I pull my phone out of my clutch and hand it to her without thinking. Perhaps Trey is correct and she is a witch. I don’t need any bad voodoo magic going on in my life right now.

  With perfectly manicured fingers, a bright red that matches her hair and complements her silver dress perfectly, she taps wildly on my phone before handing it back to me.

  “I’ve entered my name and number and texted myself so I have yours. I’ll call you tomorrow and we’ll do lunch. Have a girls’ day. Oh! I’ll take you shopping!”

  “Um—”

  I glance at Corbin for help. This girl really is a bulldozer, and I’m not sure lunch without him is so great yet. He saves me. “I think we’re busy tomorrow, and Sunday we have dinner with my mom.”

  Caitlin’s nose scrunches. “Bummer. I hate shopping alone. No matter, we’ll set it up and I’ll call you. Do you work?”

  It’s an innocent question, one I wish I could answer honestly. Instead, the answer could easily give them a really bad impression of me even if they’ve been kind so far. “Until last week I worked at the Portland Library, downtown location, but I was laid off.”

  “Oh.” Her mouth opens and her gaze flickers to Trey before turning back to me. Like I expect, it doesn’t sound good. Not if they know I’ve moved in with Corbin.

  Fortunately, Corbin’s hand slides to my lower back as he says, “Dinner’s starting. Let’s grab our seats, shall we?”

  “You got it,” Trey says. “I never miss an opportunity to shove my face full of something sweet and delicious.”

  “Gross,” Caitlin mutters, but she walks with him and we follow.

  “At some point,” I whisper to Corbin, “you’re going to have to give me the scoop on those two.”

  “No scoop. Swear it. They bicker like brother and sister and are the best of friends. She’s the one girl we’ve ever met who’s completely immune to our charm. A tiny pain in the ass, but we haven’t been able to shake her since freshman year of college.”

  Huh. I’d put all my money—what little I currently have—on some hidden sexual tension between the two, but I take Corbin’s word. He’s known them for years, so he’d know best.

  For the next hour, I’m served dish after dish of salads and soups and palate cleansers before the main course. All of it is delivered and then whisked away before I can eat much of anything. Now I know why rich people are so thin and trim. They don’t have enough time to actually eat the food they’ve paid thousands for.

  How bizarre. Fortunately, Corbin and I are sitting at a table with Trey and Caitlin, and if they know the rest of the people, they don’t speak to them more than exchanging common social pleasantries. While I spend most of the time trying to remember which fork is for which meal—mostly by copying Caitlin—the night isn’t entirely stressful.

  I try to be myself, the only thing I can be, and the only way we can swing this. It’s not long before Caitlin has us all laughing with memories of the three of them at Stanford. She relays the story of Trey in the river, which happened after his boat capsized during a rowing practice. Considering it was early May when it happened, I take his word that the water was in fact cold.


  Still, the whole time, Corbin’s presence is heavy next to me. Warm and tender, his hand is on my shoulder, running through my hair, cupping the back of my neck. He touches me easily and confidently, like he’s had his hands all over my body, and the only thing it does is remind me of the kiss in the car.

  The beautiful, mouthwatering kiss that I can’t help but want more of.

  Now.

  Immediately.

  My mind is spinning with the laughter and the friends and his delectable sandalwood scent as he leans in to me. When I feel his lips brush against my ear to whisper something I jump in my chair and tense.

  “You okay?” he asks. I’ve pushed my chair back, away from him, and both Trey and Caitlin are giving me an odd look. I don’t bother to see if anyone else at the table has noticed my strange reaction.

  “Yeah. I, um, just spilled my drink on my dress.”

  I haven’t had anything to drink, and I certainly wasn’t drinking when he whispered to me. All I notice is him. So close and sexy and smelling so good.

  I’m never going to be able to keep this completely business.

  “I should use the restroom and go clean it up.”

  His gaze drops to my dress and he sees nothing. Brows furrowed, his eyes meet mine, and one side of his mouth curves into a smile. He knows.

  Of course he knows.

  “You want some help?”

  “No. I’ve got it. I’ll be back.”

  “Hurry.” He leans in, his lips so close to mine, and mine part, almost begging him to brush his mouth over mine. My goodness, what’s come over me? “And come back to me. I’ll miss you.” As he speaks, he trails the backs of his fingers down my arm. I shiver, goosebumps explode on my flesh, and I can’t hide my reaction to him.