Free Fearless by Cheryl Douglas Page B

not interested.” He looked Luc in the eye. “And I’m getting sick of you jerkin’ her around. If you don’t want her, you need to get the hell out of the way so she can find someone who does.” 
    “You need to mind your own damned business,” Luc warned, leaning across the table.
    “My sister is my business.”
    Josh was not in the mood to act as their referee tonight. “If you guys wanna settle this, step outside. You’re drawing a crowd.” He wished they would have at it so he would have an excuse to leave.
    “I wouldn’t waste my time,” Trey said. “We all know I could kick his ass.”
    Luc threw his head back and laughed. “Not on your best day, buddy.  Hey, there’s Avery.” He lifted his hand to draw her attention.
    “I didn’t know she was going to be here,” Trey said.
    “Yeah, I want her to check out this new singer your label is looking at. I think I’m gonna represent him and I want Avery to act as his publicist.” Luc sighed, watching her walk toward them. “Tell me again why I dumped her.”
    “Same reason she and I didn’t last; we were both in love with other women. Poor girl, I’m surprised she didn’t swear off men after what we put her through.” Trey looked at Josh. “More importantly, I’m indebted to her for cleaning up all the messes I’ve made. She’s the best damn publicist in the business. Don’t know what I would have done without her these past few years.”
    Luc chuckled. “You can say that again, man. You’ve been a colossal screw-up lately. Without Avery, people would be asking, ‘Who’s Trey Turner again? Oh yeah, he’s that country crooner who ended up in re-hab.’”
    Trey grimaced. “Thanks for the vote of confidence. But I don’t think I would have let it get to that point.”
    “Who are you trying to kid, man? If you hadn’t gotten back with Sierra when you did, Avery would have had to be a magician to repair your image.” Luc looked at Josh. “What do you think of Avery?”
    Josh looked at the woman in question. She was warding off the advances of drunken cowboys as she tried to make her way toward their table. She was gorgeous, smart, and sexy. But she wasn’t Lexi. “She’s okay, I guess.”
    Luc rolled his eyes. “In what universe would that woman be considered okay? She’s smokin’.”
    Josh shelled a peanut and popped it into his mouth. “If you like her so much, you ask her out.”
    He would give his classic Corvette to be anywhere else. He couldn’t stand to listen to his friends’ well-meaning advice while he watched the woman he loved cozying up to another man on the dance floor.
    Luc grinned. “I just might do that.” He glanced at the dance floor. “Marisa seems to think she’s the only one who can have a little fun on the side. I think I’ll have to show her that two can play that game.”
    Trey threw a peanut at him. “This isn’t a game, dumbass. This is her life. Not to mention yours. And you’re not gonna use Avery as a pawn in your twisted game. We’ve already put her through enough.”
    Avery slid into the booth beside Luc. “I noticed you boys were dry so I told the waitress to set us up.” She looked at Trey. “Ginger ale for you, right?”
    He nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I’ve got a baby on the way and a beautiful new wife to keep me on the straight and narrow.” 
    She smiled. “Glad to hear it. I meant to tell you, the wedding was beautiful. I just approved the publicity photos today. Wait ‘til you see them; Sierra looks gorgeous.”
    Trey looked over at his bride. He winked when he caught her eye. “She always looks gorgeous.”
    Josh felt a pang of envy. He was happy for his friends, but he would give up everything he owned for a chance at what they shared.
    “What’s got you so down, cowboy?” Avery asked, setting her phone down on the table between them. 
    “Nothin’,” he muttered. It was bad enough his friends knew; he didn’t intend to share his plight with the world. 
    She