Read Online The Trouble With Scarecrows (The Trouble With Men Book 2) by Dorlana Vann - Free Book Online

talking?”
    “Technically, we live under the same roof, and I don’t really know you. How do I know that you’re not some sort of pervert? You’re decent looking and can cook but you’re not married and you don’t have girlfriend. So tell me, what’s wrong with you?”
    She wanted to know his story. Fine! He sat up straight and turned his chair to face hers and maneuvered until her legs were in between his, as close as he could get without touching her. He leaned in closer, as close as he dared, just close enough for a nervous reaction. And he got one: she swallowed, and he felt the exhalation of the breath that he had apparently taken away.
    But she didn’t turn away or even blink when he caught her stare.
    “I was in love with my best friend’s wife.”

Chapter 9
    Brenda hated the tingles that were induced by Neal’s sudden stare-down and confession. This was a dangerous game she played, getting to know Neal. Sure, his piercing blue eyes and his in-your-face masculinity turned her on. But she could control her sexual side.
    But this conversation had taken a turn toward the serious, and she had started it. She had a choice now: turn around and say something snarky like: ‘I’m not surprised, now shut the hell up and be my scarecrow,’ or she could let her curiosity get the best of her. “What happened?”
    “I wanted Alexandria the moment Jay married her. Which sounds awful, I know. At first I wrote it off as wanting the unobtainable. For months we shared glances, and I would imagine her showing up at my doorstep, saying she couldn’t get me out of her mind, and imagining how it would be to kiss her. I was miserable. Jay had been my friend since grade school.
    “One moment, I would be like, this is stupid. Alexandria loves Jay. They belong together . I knew it would destroy their marriage and our friendship. But the pull toward her was unbearable. She haunted my dreams. I couldn’t stop thinking about her. And one night we found ourselves alone.” He seemed far away now, and his voice had become whisper.
    Brenda leaned in, trying to block out the other noises in the bar.
    “She said she had to leave,” Neal said, suddenly losing eye contact with Brenda. “In the next second, my life changed forever. I stopped her from leaving by touching her arm. We stood there for a second like that until our eyes met, and I could see her thinking as her chest heaved in and out. I knew right then that she wanted me as much as I wanted her. That was all I needed.
    “I don’t remember what I thought at that moment, certainly nothing about Jay. I kissed her, and so help me, she kissed me back. When I pulled away, I was half expecting her to slap me and that would have been the end of that. But she didn’t . . .” Neal shook his head and finally looked at Brenda and shrugged.
    “Y’all slept together.” Brenda picked up her wine and took a sip without taking her eyes off of Neal.
    He blinked a couple of times, as if coming out of a trance and then met Brenda’s waiting stare. “Yep. And I was so stupid that I thought that once we got it out of our systems, we could all go back to being friends.”
    “I’m guessing that’s not what happened.”
    Neal shook his head. “Turns out, I was in love with her, sick in love, and she said loved me too. I would’ve done anything for her.” Neal shook his head. “When we talked in secret, I told her that we needed to tell Jay. That we needed to come clean so that we could be together. That was all I could think about, being with her again. I was willing to stab my buddy in the back for her.” He sighed. “Well, after weeks of torment, I couldn’t wait any longer. I told her I was going to tell him. That’s when she told me the truth. She said she did love me, but she loved Jay more. She chose him.”
    “Ouch. Did he ever find out?”
    “Nope. She begged me not to say anything and brought me back to reality, telling me how it would hurt Jay. I felt guilty after I