"Hate to break it to you, brother, but it was just a date. I'm not looking to settle down."

Caleb gave him a look. "Then what are you planning? Harper's not the type to date around, McCoy for a mother or not. If she were, you'd have nothing to worry about, and you sure as h.e.l.l wouldn't be here."

Austin supposed there could be worse things his brother could jump to conclusions over. Using Harper to boost his image was one. A big one. "Doesn't matter to me if she's a McCoy or a Hatfield. Besides, Tristan and Lemon have merged our two families enough to last a lifetime. No more grudges or feuds."

"So you won't go out with Harper again?" Caleb asked.

"I didn't say that."

"What are you saying?"

Frustrated, Austin managed to lob a chunk of hay onto a cow's head. He groaned, but the cow didn't seem to mind. "I don't know."

"Hmmm."

Austin narrowed his eyes. "You are not helping."

"Was I supposed to be?"

"d.a.m.n it. Now I know why Mason doesn't like anyone talking about their feelings and s.h.i.t." Keeping clear of the sides, Austin jumped down from the back of the truck and began to march to his truck. "Feed the d.a.m.n cows yourself."

"Don't forget to post about your date," Caleb called out.

"f.u.c.k Facebook," Austin muttered.

"Stop cursing. You're going to make the cow's milk curdle."

"Those are beef cattle, Caleb. I was in 4-H, just like everybody else in this family," he shot back.

Caleb's reply was m.u.f.fled by more cows showing up and mooing. h.e.l.l, his brother was probably talking to them and had forgotten all about Austin by now.

Making a quick detour to the barn, Austin hung up the pitchfork and cleaned off his boots. He might have been raised on a farm, but no way in h.e.l.l was he tracking s.h.i.t into his truck or his house.

Five minutes later, he was back on the road and headed to his waterfront house on the opposite side of town. Luckily, he wouldn't be seeing Harper until two. He hoped the hours in between would be enough so that he could be in a better mood.

She didn't deserve his orneriness. Although, he suspected it was a Lawson family trait and one that whomever he ended up with would have to deal with. Except he was pretty sure his sisters-in-law didn't just deal with his brothers' grumpy-a.s.s moods. Mostly likely, they didn't put up with it.

What would Harper do?

s.h.i.t, did it matter? Like he'd told Caleb, he wasn't looking to settle down. He was twenty-five and in the prime of his career. Most quarterbacks lasted a little over four years, and he'd already used up two of his with the Avengers. Then again, he didn't think of himself as most quarterbacks. He was sure he could make it until he was thirty, maybe even into his early forties like Farve. That man was a beast, one whose record he'd like to imitate.

His phone rang, and he pressed the accept call b.u.t.ton on the steering wheel to send it to Bluetooth. "Lawson."

"Have I told you how perfect Harper Maple Bell is?" Finley said in a tone of voice he hadn't heard since they made the first round of playoffs.

"Only in texts."

"Well, she is. I ran a background check on her, and nothing popped up. She's squeaky clean."

"Great."

"You don't sound happy."

"I'm thrilled."

"She's not a stalker, not a serial killer, and has never had a ticket. How is this a bad thing?"

"You didn't have to do a background check on her to find that out. She's from my hometown. Everyone knows everything about everyone."

"So... you won't be seeing her again? I think she's perfect for your PR boost. I couldn't have picked a better beard myself."

His jaw worked. "She's not a beard-I haven't asked her to pretend to be anything for me."

"Ahh. I got you. Reunited lovers, huh? Didn't see that one coming, but I can work with it."

"Nope."

"d.a.m.n it, Austin. When Coach and I sent you home, we didn't mean you should stay completely off the radar. Okay, so I didn't mean you should. Very limited and very purposeful times are key to-"

"I'm cleared to volunteer at Jessamine Elementary."

"Perfect."

"In Harper's cla.s.sroom," he added, braking for a red light. He exhaled. "Look, the thing with Harper just kind of happened. I think I jumped the gun a little. Went for a play that I shouldn't have."

"Are you feeling guilty for going out with her? Because you shouldn't. If anything, you're doing-"

"Don't say another word."

"What I am saying is that there is no harm to Harper or you if the two of you go out and have a good time while being photographed together."

"I haven't told her about the video, or why I asked her out. Honestly, I wasn't even thinking of that when I asked her."

"Whatever it takes to get you to see things my way," Finley chirped.

Immediately, Austin became suspicious. "Why are so excited about this? You are never excited when any of us decide to publically date."

"Maybe because your job isn't the only one on the line."

"Owners, huh?"

"Yup. They don't see a problem with the video, especially given the fact that you've never caused trouble before... and it's bringing a lot of attention as well as ticket sales for next season."

"They want me back home."

"Yes, but I don't think it's right. The video was bad, no matter if it was your first time or not. She made you look like a first-cla.s.s douche in that video, and no amount of volunteering with kids is going to change the public's mind. They need to see you with a woman they can relate to-one who's approachable and vulnerable. Someone who would make them think the video with Bianca was just a fluke... or one better, it would make them forget all about that video." She sighed. "That's my job, Austin, and if I want to make this a career, if I want to be taken seriously, then you have to let me do it."

"You just had to go there, didn't you?"

"Listen, I couldn't save Timmons career from going up in flames, but I can yours. I know it, or you wouldn't give a d.a.m.n about my career. Besides, I'm not asking you to use her. I'm asking you to continue to see her and send some pics to me. Upload some to your Instagram. Let people think what they want."

He hit the gas with a little more force than necessary, but there was no one else on the road this early. "I'm not okay with your plan in the least."

"I hear a 'but' in your voice."

He might as well tell her the truth. "I actually like spending time with Harper."

Finley made a noise. "Tell me something I don't know. It was all over your face in the pictures you sent."

"She's not asking to be part of this, and I don't want to hurt her."

"I fail to see how casually dating the woman could hurt her."

"She's not the casual type," he countered.

"Even better! All you have to do is be your charming self for a few weeks."

"Two months is a lot longer than a few."

Finley groaned. "Why did I have to get the smart jock?"

A smile managed to appear on his face. "Same reason I got a ballbuster for a PR manager."

"I have to go, but you'll figure out the best way to win this for both of us. You always do." She ended their call.

"Yeah, and sometimes it f.u.c.king sucks," he muttered, flexing his fingers on the steering wheel.

It was the time of the month that Harper dreaded most. The McCoy Luncheon. Yet, there was nothing she could do to avoid it because her mother always went, and Harper had to be there for support. Although, most of the time, it was Harper who was the punch line of every old maid joke. She endured it though because these special luncheons were only for a select group of McCoy women.

Privately, Harper wondered if the reason they were invited was so that the successful McCoys could use them as examples of what not to do.

"I don't see Lemon or Viola," Pepper, her mother, whispered.

"Maybe Viola's taking care of Lemon. It can't be easy being pregnant with twins," Harper guessed.

Ruby McCoy sat down at their table, and Harper inwardly braced for the worst. "At the rate you're going, that's not something you'll have to worry about. Bless your heart."

Apple joined them, flicking her blue gaze at the blonde. "My, my, Cousin Ruby, those cankles of yours are positively hideous. Be a dear and find another seat, so I can eat in peace."

Ruby's mouth opened in shock, but Apple merely raised a brow and waved her away. "Go on."

With a huff, their cousin got up and found another table.

"Thank the Lord for small favors. I couldn't stand that woman when we did cotillion together. She's gotten worse." Apple smiled at Harper. "Look at you." She leaned over Harper and placed a hand on Pepper's arm. "I swear, I am so jealous of Harper's complexion, and that's entirely your fault. Do tell me the secret."

Pleased as anything, Harper knew, her mother stammered a little. "Back in Holland Springs... there's a family who makes the most divine soaps and lotions."

"The Holland Sisters. Yes, I've heard of them." One of Apple's brows arched. "Supposedly, they are so beautiful that men can't help but fall at their feet, but that doesn't seem right."

"What's not right?" Pepper began in a small voice, as if she were afraid of offending the one person who would stick up for them, "is that they were accused of many things that weren't true by small, jealous-minded people. Their town didn't appreciate what they had to offer, not until recently. While Jessamine has always approved of the McCoy women."

"True, but I must say that you are making this journalist want to do a little digging," Apple replied before picking up a dainty cup and pouring tea.

As the owner of Jessamine's only newspaper, Apple had total control of what was and wasn't printed. Or published online. For the most part, Harper thought Apple did a good job, but there were times when she could become very biased in her reporting of the facts.

"If you'll excuse me, I have to answer a phone call," Apple said before rushing out of the dining room.

Without her protective presence, more than a few McCoy began to look their way and whisper.

"Harper Bell, do tell us about your latest conquest," one of her cousins said.

A full-on flush made her entire body heat. Did they know about Austin?

"Stop teasing the poor girl. You know she's the world's oldest virgin-in the McCoy family, anyway," another said.

Harper's mouth dropped open in shock. Her s.e.x life or status was absolutely no one's business.

Her mother grabbed her hand. "Just because my daughter is picky doesn't make her the world's oldest anything."

"Thanks, Momma."

"Ladies, that's enough," a woman with vibrant red hair said sharply, and Harper began to relax. She gave the woman a grateful smile. Maybe things would be different with a new McCoy in charge. One who wouldn't put up with name-calling and thinly veiled insults. "Harper can't help that her McCoy genes were diluted by her mother's decision to marry a man unworthy of her."

Unworthy meant poor. And while it was true that her family was firmly middle cla.s.s, their economic status had never bothered her... until now.

"So much for change," she muttered under her breath. "Please excuse me." Rising from her chair, she walked as quickly as her high heels would allow her to the ladies' room.

"Harper, please," her mother implored, trailing behind her. "Don't make a scene."

"They did first." Harper shut the door and made sure they were alone before she spoke again. "It's not worth it."

"Please. We can't effect change if we don't get invited back."

"Maybe I don't want to effect change in a family who should love us no matter what."

"Some people need to be taught that love is unconditional."

"I refuse to be a martyr for whatever you have going on in your head."

Pepper leaned against the sink. "I swear, if we get invited back, and things don't change for the better, then I will never ask you to come again."

"Fine," Harper finally agreed. "But I won't put up with nasty comments."

"You don't have to, but I prefer that you not take the bait."

Yet another reason why they shouldn't be here at all. What kind of family did this? Hers certainly didn't.