Page 42 of Wrangling Nash

Unable to sleep, with a full day of cooking and animal care ahead for our Thanksgiving dinner, I slipped out of bed. Heading to the kitchen, I poured a glass of ice water. Standing in the darkness, sipping slowly, replaying Stevie’s words, something caught my attention.

“It was that year you fell out of the treehouse and hit your head, knocking yourself out.”

Suddenly, the memories flooded back. It was the day after Thanksgiving, and my grandma had invited the Cameron family for leftovers at the ranch. I’d been playing in the treehouse when a boy showed up who I thought had wanted to play with me. The next thing I remembered was waking up on the ground to the boys’ lips pressed on mine. I didn’t know who he was at the time, and I hadn’t remembered these memories, but I did now. I think it had been Nash.

I sucked in my breath at the revelation, recalling my mom had rushed me to the ER and the voices of the nurses who said it was common I might forget things post a head injury. I’d never thought about that memory since.

Creeping back to bed, I slid in next to Nash, who was still sleeping peacefully. Nash had been my first kiss and one of the first boys I’d known. And now, as an adult, 25 years later, I was smitten by him. What were the chances?

I curled my body around him as he reflexively, in his sleep, reached out to pull me closer. The gesture made my heart flutter in an otherworldly way, and I knew I hadn’t just fallen for Nash; I had sunk.

****The next morning****

I dozed off at some point after my revelation in Nash’s arms, only to wake up to my 5 o’clock alarm and realize Nash had already left to tend to his father’s ranch before our big holiday meal.

I headed out to begin my day with Clay in tow as we laughed and caught up on his latest brewing adventures between feeding animals and checking on fences and security systems. It was a light crew day since most were with their families for the holidays, but we still needed to be sure everything was safe for the animals, and no serious issues would arise before Stevie, and I started prepping the meal.

By noon, Clay and I were knee-deep in prepping sides with the groceries Gloria had brought yesterday when Stevie and Wylie emerged from a bedroom together, their clothing rumpled and hair in that 'just been fucked' style.

“Please tell me you didn’t?” I asked, my face falling as I stopped stirring the mashed potatoes.

Stevie grinned, walked over to me, and planted a kiss on my cheek, “Okay, sis, we didn’t.”

Rolling my eyes, Wylie’s usual shit-eating grin was nowhere to be found. He watched Stevie a little too intently as she moved about the room gracefully, making coffee. Stevie was gorgeous, with the same long curls as me but blonde instead of brown, and her eyes were big and round. She tended to have this effect on men wherever she went, but truly, I’d never seen Wylie look at someone the way he was looking at her now.

“What about Lana?” I hissed in Stevie’s ear before she left.

She shrugged, “he said he broke up with her last week.”

I arched one brow at that response as she gave another shrug, “I’m going to go shower, then I’ll help you with the meal, sis.”

Once the bathroom door was securely closed, I turned on Wylie, who was now sipping a glass of ice water, “Please don’t draw my sister into your roller coaster relationship with Lana,” I begged.

He looked at me, his eyes having a seriousness I wasn’t accustomed to seeing in him, and I immediately started worrying whether something was wrong with him. “Everything okay?” I asked.

“I broke up with Lana last week,” Wylie said, and I could tell he was being honest.

“Okay, but you guys break up all the time. Is she going to come burn my grandfather’s house down when she finds out you hooked up with Stevie?”

Wylie raised his brows as he set his glass down on the counter. “I made it clear to Lana when we broke up, before I ever touched Stevie, that things between us were over. I haven't seen her in seven days and don't intend to. I’m not going back to her, Jovie.”

My heart sank at Wylie’s words as I nodded. The intensity of his gaze was one I was familiar with because it spoke of feelings I understood. Wylie had fallen for my sister the same way I’d fallen for Nash.

But would the people we loved most be there to catch us when they realized?

Chapter 36: Jovie

Later that night…

Thanksgiving dinner at my grandfather’s house was winding down. All three of the Cameron boys, Stevie, Rig, Gloria, and her new boyfriend attended our holiday gathering.

With lots of wine, good eats, and laughter, our gathering enjoyed playing football in the backyard and spending the day together. I felt a sense of home around the group, and every time I caught myself smiling while watching Nash, it was as if he sensed my gaze, catching my eyes and reciprocating with a grin.

Later that night, after everyone had dispersed except for Wylie and Stevie, who were still by the pool, wrapped up in a blanket and talking, Nash helped me clean up.

“You think Wylie’s got it bad?” I asked as Nash came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and brushing his nose against my neck.

“I don’t have time to think about my brother when I’m too busy having it bad for one of the Vector sisters.”

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