The Best Laid Plans (Brothers of the Bayou) (18 page)

Continue reading for a sample from The Best of Intentions:  Brothers of the Bayou Book 2- Coming in April 2013

Jared had drank entirely too much, even by his standards. If standing up singing a karaoke version of Luke Bryan, shaking his rear to ogling drunk women wasn’t evidence enough, there was also the pounding in his head indicating the still drunk hangover.  He scouted the women, looking for any who might be worth taking home for the night, but none held his interest.  Damn it, maybe he hadn’t had enough to drink if his conscience was still active.  He got off the stage calling it a night, tossing his keys to Rafe. 

“Let’s go, big brother,” he barked, assuming as usual his orders would be followed.

Rafe looked at him with disgust, but took the keys and walked out.  He waited for his brother outside, knowing he was still inside flirting with some girl filled with drunken false bravado.  When Jared still hadn’t exited the building thirty minutes later, Rafe reluctantly went inside to physically drag him out. Sure enough, there he was talking with a cheap blonde whose cleavage left little to the imagination. 

“You’re done here, Jared. Play times over.” Rafe had little use for his brother’s charades, but he was his brother nonetheless.  He loved him too much to allow him shame from another cheap one night stand. 

“Change of plans Rafe, Ashley here will be taking me home.”

“You don’t even know her.  Get moving before I drag you out on your ass.”

“Simmer down bro.”

“Jared, I’m warning you for the last time.”

The cheap blonde flipped her hair back.  “I’ll catch you next time sexy. You’re daddy says it’s bedtime.”

Hell no, Jared thought.  Not only did his brother just cock block him, but embarrassed him in front of… What was that blonde’s name? Not that it mattered now anyway.  He was almost drunk enough to take a slug at his brother but sober enough to know that would be stupid on various levels. Jared could hold his own in a fight but his brother served too many years in the military to mess with.

With an attitude, he stumbled into the passenger seat of his truck tuning out his brother’s lecture. Did Rafe ever just cut loose and have fun?  Sometimes, he wondered if they were really even brothers. Even Beaux knew how to just relax and enjoy life. Okay, so maybe sometimes Jared took it to extremes, but he was young and single why not? His job was stressful and weekends were his time to unwind and recharge. Well, maybe not recharge since it was usually Tuesday by the time he recovered from his drunken exploits over the weekend. He wasn’t opposed to settling down if the right girl ever came along but so far she hadn’t.  A niggling voice in the back of his head tried to tell him something, but he blatantly ignored it.  “Damn conscience again.”

“What did you say?”

“Huh?” Did he speak out loud?

“Seriously Jared, just how much did you have to drink tonight?  You’re sitting there mumbling all types of shit that doesn’t make sense.”

“Whatever Rafe. I don’t need you starting on some sermon right now.”

“You’re pathetic, you know that? You just need to grow the hell up.”

“At least I don’t walk around with a stick up my ass all the time.”

“I’m done with this conversation. I’ll be back tomorrow with your truck.”

Jared didn’t have the energy to argue anymore.  He knew his brother was right even when he was loathe to admit it, but what did he know?  His brother had no feelings to drink away.  He didn’t care about anything, except his career.  Hell, he never even came home except when mom laid a guilt trip on him. He probably had never even known a woman.  The thought of his brother a virgin made him laugh. That would serve him right for being such a stick in the mud all the time.

Staggering up his front steps, he fought with his keys before finally getting the door unlocked.  He made it to the sofa and lay down, hoping to pass out in a drunken blur.  Otherwise his damn conscience might start talking again, telling him what he didn’t want to hear.  Oh screw it, he pulled out his phone and made the phone call he had been dreading.

“Jared? It’s two in the morning. What’s going on?”

Drunken courage was gone when he heard her voice and he hung up without a word.

About the Author:

Renee Peterson is the author of several works with many more in progress.    She spends most of her time raising two young kids and the remaining part of her time reading and creating stories of the places she’s been and the places she wants to go. She grew up in the country side of Maryland, but has traveled around the country living in California’s Mojave Desert, along the Crystal Coast of North Carolina and now resides in the Cajun country of Southern Louisiana where she has fallen in love with the culture and food.  Renee loves hearing from her fans and welcomes their feedback. You can find her on twitter @reneepeterson18 and email [email protected]