Wrong Turn, page 21
She crossed her arms. “I’m not saying yes until I know what it is.”
“It’s Jason.” Stella’s mouth dropped open, but Lexie pleaded. “I know you’ve never really met him, but he’s here on his own. I just don’t want him to feel like everyone is looking at him, or is against him. Could you just attempt to introduce yourself and keep him company? As he’s in the bridal party he’s come solo too.”
Shit. Why was Lexie so worried about her ex-husband who’d put her through hell? He’d been a booze and coke addicted, man-whore, and just because he’d got himself cleaned up all should be forgiven? Lexie had nothing to be guilty about. Jason had cheated on her, abused her and run off with her money. Kade had helped her, supported her, and given Lexie faith enough to love and trust again.
Besides, it wasn’t a good idea given she’d just broken up with Marcus, and Jason was at the top of Marcus’s hate list. Marcus to this day swore it was Jason’s erratic driving that saw him crash in the Monaco race. The crash that destroyed his racing career and almost left him a cripple.
She was about to say no, but Lexie was biting her lip and looking desperate. Stella hoped she didn’t live to regret this. “I will not be his official watcher, but I’ll ensure I talk with him, and if I see him looking lost, I’ll meander to his side.”
Lexie hugged her. “Thank you.”
“Why are you so worried about a man that treated you like dirt?”
Lexie hugged her harder. “Because he was a different person then. Drugs make people do things they wouldn’t normally do. Addiction is an illness.”
Stella always thought addiction was for people too weak to say no. Then the image of a naked Marcus going down on her flooded her head. Suddenly, she knew how hard it was to battle an addiction. Her addiction was an ex-Formula One racing car driver with come to bed eyes. If it had been Marcus, not Lexie, at her door what would she have done?
“If you say so. Now scram, I’m running really late.”
Chapter Three
The next day, just after lunch, Marcus was wishing he’d had time to ring for Karla before this wedding. He’d only just made it through his shower.
He bent backwards, trying to stretch out his back, but the golf he’d played today with the guys meant he was fucked. He knew he shouldn’t have played the last five holes, but then he’d have to explain just how bad his back had gotten. Besides, he wasn’t about to let Jason win the match.
He’d gone to confront Jason last night, but the bastard beat him to it by approaching him with a groveling apology. Part of Jason’s 12-step program, apparently. He’d listened, but he couldn’t quite come to accept Jason’s apology. Besides, Jason hadn’t mentioned the crash. He hadn’t apologized for that. He didn’t trust Jason as far as he could kick him. And he still didn’t like him.
He finished his glass of scotch and made his way to the bathroom and his toiletry bag. He hated having to rely on his pain meds, but he’d never get through this wedding without them. He’d barely made it through the dinner last night and golf today had finished him off.
Stella. Stella dumping his ass. That’s why he’d needed alcohol.
He shouldn’t have had that scotch, but one drink shouldn’t cause any major problems when mixed with his prescribed OxyContin. He needed both to block the pain. But he wouldn’t drink anything else tonight. He wasn’t stupid.
He downed two pills and slipped on his jacket just as someone rapped on his door.
“Bro’ come on, I’m sure you’re pretty enough.” He opened the door to Tom.
“Fuck off.”
“What’s crawled up your ass?”
He could hardly say he was pissed that Stella had dumped him. Tom didn’t know about their arrangement. “I have to go to a wedding and I have to stand next to Jason ‘asshole’ Colter.”
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About the Author
USA Today bestselling author, Bronwen Evans grew up loving books. She writes both historical and contemporary sexy romances for the modern woman who likes intelligent, spirited heroines, and compassionate alpha heroes. Evans is a three-time winner of the RomCon Readers’ Crown and has been nominated for an RT Reviewers’ Choice Award. She lives in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand with her dogs, Brandy and Duke.
www.bronwenevans.com
Afterword
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Also by Bronwen Evans
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Wicked Wagers
To Dare the Duke of Dangerfield – book #1
To Wager the Marquis of Wolverstone – book #2
To Challenge the Earl of Cravenswood - book #3
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Wicked Wagers, The Complete Trilogy Boxed Set
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The Disgraced Lords
A Kiss of Lies – Jan 2014
A Promise of More – April 2014
A Touch of Passion – April 2015
A Whisper of Desire – Dec 2015
A Taste of Seduction – August 2016
A Night of Forever – October 2016
A Love To Remember – August 2017
A Dream Of Redemption – February 2018
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Invitation To Series
Invitation to Ruin
(Winner of RomCon Best Historical 2012, RT Best First Historical 2012 Nominee)
Invitation to Scandal
(TRR Best Historical Nominee 2012)
Invitation to Passion
July 2014
(Winner of RomCon Best Historical 2015)
Invitation To Pleasure
Novella February 2020
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Imperfect Lords Series
Addicted to the Duke – March 2018
Drawn To the Marquess – September 2018
Attracted To The Earl – February 2019
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Contemporaries
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The Reluctant Wife
(Winner of RomCon Best Short Contemporary 2014)
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Coopers Creek
Love Me – book #1
Heal Me – Book #2
Want Me – book #3
Need Me – book #4
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Drive Me Wild
Reckless Curves – book #1
Wrong Turn – book#2
Slow Ride - book #3
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Other Books
Dukes By The Dozen Anthology Boxed Set
Christmas In Kilts Anthology Boxed Set
Highland Wishes And Dreams
Bronwen Evans, Wrong Turn
