How to Lose a Fiancé Read online

  How to Lose a Fiancé

  Jepson Brothers Romance

  Cami Checketts

  Contents

  Free Book

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  How to Switch a Groom

  Also by Cami Checketts

  Free Book

  Sign up for Cami’s newsletter and receive a free ebook copy of The Resilient One: A Billionaire Bride Pact Romance here.

  Chapter One

  Kaimbrey Jackson sauntered around to the backyard of her best friend’s engagement party, searching for the future bride. Brikelle and Colt were adorable, and Kaimbrey was thrilled for them. It had been a fast courtship, though, faster than her brother’s Kentucky Derby Thoroughbreds for sure.

  The party was set on the patio of a gorgeous mansion, overlooking Pineview Reservoir in Eden, Utah. She loved this picturesque mountain valley and was excited to meet some people her age, as she’d recently taken a job fifteen minutes away in Ogden, after graduating with a degree in social work and being disowned by her peach of a mother.

  A well-built blond man with startling blue eyes caught her gaze. He filled out his suit and then some. Whoo-ee baby. As she drank in his sculpted, handsome face, the mischievous glint in his eyes, and the way he arched one eyebrow at her as if challenging her to get on over to his side, she could tell this was a guy she wanted to meet.

  “K!” Bri’s delighted voice rang across the yard, yanking Kaimbrey’s attention from the handsome blond.

  Kaimbrey noticed people staring as they ran to each other, but she didn’t care. She hadn’t seen her best gal pal in days. It was going to be rough when Bri got married and Kaimbrey had to play second fiddle, but it was worth it to see Bri so ecstatic.

  They hugged, and Bri whispered in her ear, “Don’t look now, but my future brother-in-law is checking you out!”

  “Hot blond in the pin-striped black suit?”

  “Yep.”

  Kaimbrey grinned, excitement tracing through her.

  “Introductions, now … please.” She made her voice sickly sweet and winked at Bri as they pulled back. Bri looked gorgeous in a short lace dress with floral print heels. Kaimbrey felt confident in her pale yellow fitted dress, which set off her dark skin and hair, and in her three-inch heels. She loved heels, as she was five foot nothing without a little help from Christian Louboutin. She’d better make the shoes and clothes she had last. Her selfish mother was the one who had bought her all her high-end clothing, and that money train was gone. That was fine by Kaimbrey; she’d much rather put the money into her future charity fund.

  Bri laughed, took her hand, and tugged her toward three men, one of whom was the blond guy whose gaze hadn’t left her. She was definitely going out with this one. As soon as they reached the men, Bri released Kaimbrey and cuddled up against her fiancé.

  Colt stuck out his right hand, holding Bri close with his left. “Kaimbrey. Thanks for coming.”

  “I wouldn’t have let you miss me.” She winked.

  Colt chuckled and gestured to his right first. “This is my brother, Tate.”

  Tate, a tall, handsome redhead, stepped forward.

  Kaimbrey shook his hand. “The foot doctor?”

  Tate smiled. “Guilty.”

  “Awesome, but don’t dare try to tell me my heels are too high and are damaging my feet, because I’ll just tell you where to go like I did the last foot doc I met.”

  All of the brothers laughed. Tate held up his hands. “I wouldn’t dare advise a woman on footwear.” He lowered his voice conspiratorially. “When you damage your feet irreparably, give me a call.”

  She winked. “I shore will.” Kaimbrey turned toward the other brother, more than ready for this introduction.

  “My youngest brother, Brody,” Colt said.

  Brody stepped up close and took her hand in his. Yep. This was it. Bam. His hand holding hers was ideal, perfect, giving her tingly feelings all the way down to her polished toes. “I’ve been waiting to meet you, Kaimbrey,” he told her.

  “Really? For how long?” Had Bri told the brothers about her? She knew Brody was a successful financial planner who had played football for Weber State during college and started his own consulting business upon graduation, but that was all she had.

  “Since I saw heaven walk into the yard ninety seconds ago.”

  Kaimbrey laughed while the other brothers groaned. “Oh, great, here he goes,” Tate murmured.

  Kaimbrey leveled her gaze at Brody. “It would seem you’re just a flirt.”

  “To whom would it seem I was just a flirt?” His blue eyes twinkled at her, and she was pretty certain he was an accomplished player.

  She wasn’t ready to settle down, though, so it shouldn’t matter. She’d just graduated college and was focused on her new job and getting her charity up and running. Dating right now was just for the fun and free food. Since her parents had cut her off, she’d realized that even eating wasn’t cheap. “To me, apparently, but maybe you can convince me otherwise.”

  “I look forward to it.” Brody still had a hold of her hand, and she loved how naturally it fit into his.

  A large woman huffed over to them. “There you are, loves. I need all you boys to come say hi to Auntie Sarah. She can’t move much, you know?”

  The brothers all nodded. “Momma,” Colt interrupted her before she rushed off again. “This is Kaimbrey, Bri’s best friend.”

  The lady turned to her, and a welcoming grin as wide as Texas stretched across her soft skin. “Oh, yes, she is. C’mere, love, let me give you a proper hug.”

  Kaimbrey was wrapped up in a comforting embrace she hadn’t felt since she’d left Kentucky and the adopted grandmas from her church had bade her goodbye. She immediately adored this lady …

  … except when Momma shooed her sons away. “You go hug your Aunt Sarah; me and this doll will get acquainted.” Tate and Brody obediently said their goodbyes and walked away. When Colt didn’t release Bri’s hand, his momma scolded him: “You go. I’ll keep these beauties with me.”

  Colt kissed Bri and followed after his brothers. Kaimbrey sorely hated to see them go, though she didn’t mind the view of Brody walking away. He glanced over his shoulder at her, and when he caught her looking, he gave her a cocky grin.

  Momma must’ve caught the interaction, because she said, “My boys sure are handsome, aren’t they?”

  “Oh, yes, ma’am. Best I’ve seen in years.”

  “Are you dating anyone seriously, Kaimbrey?”

  “No, ma’am. I’m definitely on the market currently.”

  Momma grinned. “I like you.”

  Kaimbrey smiled while Bri laughed and said, “Everybody likes Kaimbrey, and you like everyone, so this is a great fit.”

  Momma chuckled and then tugged her and Bri over to meet some longtime neighbors of hers, and then some cousins, and then the pastor and his wife and six little girls, and of course they met Auntie Sarah, who was just as welcoming as Colt’s mom.

  Kaimbrey couldn’t keep all the new names and faces straight in her head, except for the one name and face she couldn’t stop thinking about. Brody Jepson. As she followed Momma and Bri around, she thought that Colt’s youngest brother was one of the most appealing, confident, and funny men she’d ever ha
d the privilege of meeting, and they’d only spoken for moments. She’d like to spend a lot more time with him.

  Colt reappeared and attached himself to Bri’s side, but Tate and Brody were off mingling with people. Brody met her gaze from over by the pool, where he was talking to a group of men. His blue eyes seemed to be sharing a joke with her, and the depth of his gaze heated her up clear through. There was definitely something about this guy worth taking a second or third look at—or maybe she was on her eighth.

  Almost half an hour and many more overt glances later, Kaimbrey finally decided it was time to amp up the game. She excused herself from the group she was talking to, tilted her head to the side as an invitation, and walked to a quieter part of the backyard. When she saw him coming, she smiled to herself and turned slightly away, taking the last sip of the slushy drink someone had provided for her.

  “Hey there,” Brody said, walking around in front of her as if to command her entire attention—which he surely did. His form-fitted pin-striped black suit that was the perfect complement to his dark blond hair, tanned skin, and bright blue eyes. She loved the ever-present smirk on his lips and the mischievous glint in his eyes. This was definitely her kind of man.

  “Hey your own self.” She winked up at him. “My, oh my, you’re a big one. They build ‘em tough here in Utah, eh?” She’d spent most of the past four years here in Utah going to school at Utah State University in the next valley north of here, but she liked playing up her Southern charm.

  Brody gave her a slow grin. “Yes, ma’am. And where are you from? I love your accent.”

  “Kentucky.” She drawled it out so he could appreciate her accent further: Can-tuck-ae.

  “And what are you hoping to accomplish on your trip to Utah, my beautiful friend?”

  “Now don’t get ahead of your tough self. We ain’t friends yet.”

  “Aw, let a guy hope.”

  She smiled. “Is that all you’re looking for … a friend?”

  “With a beautiful Southern girl like you, I’ll take whatever I can get.”

  Kaimbrey wrinkled her brow. “Now that don’t sound like a proper gentleman.” This one had trouble written all over him. She loved it.

  “Nobody claimed I was a proper gentleman, did they?”

  “Your brothers sure are.” She inclined her chin to where Bri and Colt were greeting guests.

  “Sure, but somebody’s got to bring some spice to life, right?”

  He truly was the one for her. “That’s why I’m here.”

  “Yeah?” He arched an eyebrow.

  “And to be the bridesmaid for Bri.”

  He nodded. “I’ve been thinking about that. Since your best friend is marrying my big brother, we must be destined to hook up. What do you say?”

  Kaimbrey hid a smile. “I’d say you’d better come up with a better line than that if you think I’m going to fall for you.”

  “Please help me, then, my beautiful Southern friend.” Brody took a step closer so that he was in her space, giving her a smoldering look that she found almost as irresistible as his citrus and musk-scented cologne.

  She gazed up at him and said breathlessly, “Not friends yet. You have to earn that title.”

  He gently traced his fingertips along her jawline. “Whatever I have to earn to stay close to you would be worth any amount of work.”

  Her face tingled from his touch. “Well, good on ya, because my friendship don’t come cheap or easy.”

  “I didn’t imagine it would, but I’ve never shied away from hard work.”

  She simply smiled, turned on her heel, and walked away.

  He caught up to her in two quick strides. “Where are you going?”

  “I have to play some kind of hard to get, or my granny would be cussing me from her grave.” She kissed her fingers and pushed them to the heavens. “Rest your soul, sweet Granny.”

  Brody chuckled. “I thought all this talk about earning your friendship was you playing hard to get.”

  She gave him a sidelong gaze, then flipped her dark, curly hair. “Boy, you have no clue what you’re getting your tough self into.”

  Brody grinned. “Challenge accepted.”

  Kaimbrey had to look away from his handsome face, or she’d be at risk of throwing herself against that broad chest. She really, really liked him.

  “Now let me start earning that friendship by getting you a fresh drink,” he said. “And then we’ll find a quiet spot to talk.”

  “Just talk?” she sassed, planting a hand on her hip.

  Brody threw back his head and laughed, then looked at her with a smolder that made his blue eyes deepen. “Oh, I hope not.”

  Kaimbrey lifted her eyebrows. “You’re going to be a lot of work to keep in line, aren’t you?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He tiled his head and said, “Piña colada?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  He took her glass, brushing her fingers with his own. Heat rushed through her at his simple touch. He tilted his chin to her as if he knew exactly how he was affecting her; then he strutted away to the refreshment table. She couldn’t peel her eyes away from him. He moved with athleticism and grace, and she loved that he wasn’t some stuffed-shirt richie like the guys her parents constantly tried to set her up with. Sadness enveloped her as she corrected herself: they used to set her up with those guys. After the fight last week, she was pretty sure she’d been disowned.

  She pushed it all away and watched Brody. He hadn’t even reached the drinks when a gorgeous redhead came dashing up to him, threw her arms around his neck, and kissed him full on the mouth. Brody didn’t appear to put up any kind of resistance.

  Kaimbrey watched with shock. Her mouth fell open, and her stomach churned. Judging by the way Brody had flirted with her, he was obviously an expert, but she hadn’t expected him to be kissing another woman on his way to get her a drink. Horrific memories of Cameron resurfaced. The handsome wide receiver from Utah State had stolen her heart junior year, until she saw him kissing another girl and found out he was dating half the female population of the university and some of the local high school students as well. Were all flirtatious football players philandering jerks? She’d never wanted to stereotype, but maybe it was true.

  She backed slowly away, her fists clenching. She would not allow herself to be pulled back into the trap of falling for a womanizer. All she and Brody had shared so far were lingering glances and harmless flirtations, but she’d found herself getting way too invested. She needed to stop this … now.

  Brody got their drinks and hurried back her way. He offered her drink to her and said, “Sorry I was so slow. I was—”

  Kaimbrey took the drink and threw its contents in his face.

  “Whoa!” Brody stepped back, swiping the wetness off his face. “What?”

  “You were … what? Busy kissing another woman?” Her voice was icy, yet raw. Maybe she was just drawn to the heartbreakers.

  “You saw that, I …”

  “Don’t.” Kaimbrey held up a hand. “I’ve seen too much and been stomped on too often. You do yourself a favor and stay away from me, boy, if you know what’s good for you.” She whirled and stomped away.

  Brody caught her. “Kaimbrey, please. That wasn’t what it seemed. She’s an old friend.”

  “Yeah? That’s what they all say. My taste in men is as bad as your lame excuses. Do all women everywhere a favor and drop dead.”

  She stomped around some crowds of people. Luckily, he listened and didn’t follow, but when she glanced back, he was still standing there, staring at her as if he deserved another chance. Not in this lifetime.

  Chapter Two

  Kaimbrey threaded her way through groups at the engagement party. She needed a friendly face, but Bri was busy staring into her future husband’s eyes and meeting his friends and family. She didn’t know why she was letting the interaction with Brody upset her so much. They’d barely met and shared some meaningless flirtations. It shouldn’t matter a heap to
her who he kissed, but it did. For heaven’s sake, the man had been going to get her a drink and started smooching on the first pretty girl he ran into. The nerve.

  She saw a tall, thin, classically beautiful blonde speaking with Colt’s other brother, Tate. They would be a gorgeous couple, both tall and perfect-looking, him with reddish-brown hair and her with a sheet of shiny blond. Kaimbrey loved her floral Caroline Herrera dress.

  Tate sauntered away, and the woman watched him go with frustration and fire in her gaze. Two women started squealing over him, and Kaimbrey knew exactly how the blonde felt: alone and rejected.

  Kaimbrey strode determinedly up to her and stuck out her hand. “Kaimbrey Jackson. Nice to meet ya.”

  “Cally Young.” If she was surprised by the abrupt introduction, she covered it well with a lovely smile.

  “You seem like the only other person my age here who hasn’t known everybody from the time they were in diapers.”

  “So how do you fit in?” Cally asked.

  “Bri’s my best friend, college roomie, favorite person in the world, all of that.”

  “She seems like a sweetheart.” Cally’s words were a bit forced, as was her smile.

  “She is a golden angel, the best of the best,” Kaimbrey asserted. If anyone wanted to say otherwise, she’d be happy to throw fists. “This Colt joker better be worthy of her.” And he’d better be nothing like his womanizing brother. “How about you?”

  “I grew up with Colt.”

  Kaimbrey appraised her. “O-kay. So is he worthy of my best gal pal?”

  “He’s amazing.”

  Kaimbrey noticed the wistfulness in Cally’s voice and the way her gaze turned to Colt and Bri. Former girlfriend, or just hopeful dreaming on Cally’s part? “Good to hear.” Kaimbrey’s eyes narrowed. “Because his brother is an absolute jerk.”