Free Condemned by Barbara Huffert Page B

close, damn close, only she had a bad
experience when she was younger and decided to remain celibate until after she
got married.” He shrugged. “I was so relieved to learn she hadn’t run out on me
last week because she’d been raped or something, that one thing led to another
and now we’re engaged.”
    “You can’t be serious! There’s other women out there, Brett.
You don’t have to marry Tish just to get laid.”
    “I know that. But she was so passionate when we almost got
together. Damn it, Jesse, I want her. I know, thinking with the little head
here but it’s done and I can’t just back out. I’m a decent man and I asked. And
she really is a very sweet girl.”
    “Maybe there’s another answer.”
    “There is but you won’t help me and I’m too much of a coward
to take care of it on my own.”
    “You aren’t seriously considering that, Brett?”
    He sighed and met Jesse’s eyes as he drained the bottle.
“No. It’s not really all that bad. Tish may not be exactly the woman I pictured
as my wife but she’ll be fine. And just think how beautiful our kids will be.”
He rose unsteadily and searched the cabinets for more alcohol.
    “Don’t you think you’ve had enough?”
    “Two choices Jesse. Shut the fuck up or get the fuck out.”
In response, Jesse just stared at him. “Hey what are you doing here anyway? I
thought you’d be with Andie if you were in town.”
    “We had dinner earlier. Since I hadn’t seen you lately, I
thought I’d drop by on my way home.”
    “Bet you wish you hadn’t.” Brett grimaced at the taste of the
gin he had found.
    “You’re going to have one hell of a hangover if you keep
this up.”
    “And your point is?” He tipped the bottle again.
    “Can I say something?”
    “Can I prevent you? Go ahead. Give me your best shot. I’m
not likely to remember much after Tish left anyway.”
    “Don’t go through with this, Brett. If you really wanted
this, you would be calling all your friends and dancing in the street, not
sitting here alone, drinking yourself into oblivion. Other people have broken
engagements. You can’t marry her if this is the reaction you’re having to the
mere thought of it.”
    “I have to. I asked,” he repeated vehemently. “And she’s
already off making plans.”
    “But you don’t even like her all that much. I’ve seen you
with plenty of women and I’m surprised she made it long enough for you to even
want to have sex with her.”
    “What about the emails? What about the auction? I have to
try.”
    “Promise me you’ll take a few days and think about it at
least. After the hangover fades and you have a cleared head, give it some more
consideration. I really think you should call Jordan and Shane. I know they
wouldn’t want you to let yourself be forced into anything even if it is of your
own doing. After all, you gave both of them moral support when they needed it.”
    “It’s not the same. And I’m not alone, Jesse. I have you.”
    “Yeah, you do but I haven’t shared all they have with you.
Sometimes you need the people who know you best.”
    “And sometimes the people who know you best are the ones you
should avoid the most. Want a drink?” He held out the bottle. “You still
haven’t congratulated me yet.”
    “Fine,” he said, taking the bottle. “Congratulations on your
impending nuptials. You’ll make a dandy husband. Damn, can’t you find anything
better?”
    “Help yourself.” Brett gestured toward the cabinets. “Since
I thought I was moving, I haven’t been restocking too much. Guess I’ll have to
remedy that tomorrow.”
    Jesse rummaged around until he found a bottle of Southern
Comfort. “Too sweet but it’s a little better than that.”
    “Sharing?” Brett asked although he’d already snagged the
bottle. “What do you think my chances are of having a small, intimate
ceremony?”
    “Probably nonexistent.”
    “Yeah, that’s what I thought too. Have to invite all of
Daddy’s