Page 37 of Wrangling Nash

Wylie finished rinsing and towel-dried his hands. “It’s a little late for that.”

Fuck.

“Wylie, what did you do?” I groaned.

He shrugged and headed back to the room he was sleeping in. “Got a date with Lana; I’m going to go wash up, but I’d bet,” he glanced down at his watch, “your real boyfriend who you both refuse to acknowledge as such is probably pulling up right about now.”

Fuck.

Not ten seconds after Wylie disappeared into the bedroom, Nash burst through the front door, his eyes heated and full of anger.

Chapter 31: Jovie

“Why do you care?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest as Nash paced back and forth in my bedroom. After Nash burst into the house like a bull in a rodeo ring, he'd poured a stiff drink as I explained why Patrick had shown up, how I’d ended things with him months ago, and that I hadn’t had any contact with him since I left Houston.

Every damn thing I’d already told him a few weeks ago.

“I mean, seriously, why does it matter? This is just a friends-with-benefits thing for 12 months. You can’t get all jealous and upset just because an ex shows up here.” I shrugged.

“He drove over three hours to see you, Jovie. He's an ex who was waiting for you and clearly wants to get back together with you.”

“But why does that matter? I was clear with him that things were through between us when I left.”

“And you’re not planning on going back to him at the end of your time here?” Nash asked.

I threw my hands up in the air exasperatedly. “For the thousandth time, no, Nash, but also, I can’t predict the rest of my life. I’m returning to Houston, the same city he lives and works in. Our paths are bound to cross again but that doesn't mean I'm planning on getting back together with him.”

Nash clenched his jaw and when I looked in his eyes again, I noticed for the first time what I recognized in mine; he was jealous. And if he was jealous, I needed him to admit it. To admit that there was something more between us.

“Why didn’t you respond to his texts? Why didn’t you tell him you were seeing someone?” Nash asked.

“Why would I do that? We aren’t seeing each other; it’s just hooking up, right? That’s what you said. I didn’t think that he’d actually drive down here and surprise me.” I hissed into the darkness.

Nash looked like he wanted to say something more as he opened his mouth then clamped it shut, then reopened it. “You’re right, that’s all this is. I don’t have any right to get upset or jealous.”

Not the response I was looking for.

I moved closer to Nash, my fingers trailed up the fabric of his work shirt and across his broad chest. If I had any lingering doubts about how Nash felt, I needed to lay my cards all out on the table now though I still wasn’t sure what this would mean for us.

“It doesn’t have to be all there is,” I spoke, my voice low and sultry as I unbuttoned the buttons, peeling the fabric from his chest and running my fingers up and down his firm abs.

It should be illegal to be this attractive and cover it up with clothing.

“Jovie, we agreed. Nothing more.” His voice was husky as he looked down at me. “You’re not going back on our agreement, are you?”

“I think you already have. I think you showed up here tonight because you were jealous. I think you have feelings beyond mere attraction for me too.” I said whispering the words that I hoped would ignite something within him.

“No,” Nash spoke as he took a step back. “I don’t. There’s no future for us in Lonestar Junction, Jovie. You’ve always known that.”

My heart broke as I listened to his words. Of course there wasn't a future for us in Lonestar Junction, but my heart had gotten ahead of my head. Now, here I was throwing myself at Nash and looking like a fool for it.

“I’m sorry, Jovie. If you can’t handle that, maybe we should stop things now before we go any further.” Nash spoke, and whatever pieces of my heart that had yet to break, shattered at his words.

“Just get out.” I sighed, turning to open my bedroom door, and pointed into the dark living room.

Nash hesitated, still standing in my room as he watched me closely.

“You’re right, I have developed feelings for you. Can you blame me? You’re kind, passionate, protective and fun. I broke our agreement.” I stated as tears started to stream down my cheeks, “please save me the embarrassment of crying in front of you and just leave!”

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