Page 90 of Can't Fight the Moonlight

"I can tell you this much. I had an experience with a fan that shook me up, made me question whether I wanted to be a public figure, whether I could keep on singing. In the end, I was able to find my voice again. Brodie helped a lot with that. Lizzie, too. Music is important to me, and I came to realize that I couldn't let one person stop me from doing what I was meant to do."

Her cryptic story made him even more curious than if she'd told him nothing, but he wanted to respect her privacy. "Well, I'm glad you found your way back to what you love."

"Lizzie told me a little about your business. It sounds very cool and on the cutting edge."

"I've always liked to lead from the front, even if I sometimes make mistakes. I'd rather be the first one to try something than the last."

"You must not be afraid to fail."

"I usually learn something when I do."

"Does that go for love, too?"

He frowned. "Are we talking about love?"

"I don't want my sister to get hurt. And I saw you talking earlier. The way you looked at her…the way she looked at you…there's something going on."

"You should talk to her if you're concerned."

"Oh, she'll just tell me she knows what she's doing. She always says that. She hates to ask anyone for help. She thinks it makes her look weak."

Knowing now about Lizzie's learning disabilities, he understood better why she would worry about looking weak or dumb or any of the bad labels she used to put on herself.

"But I'm her big sis," Chelsea continued. "And I'm putting you on notice—don't hurt her. She's not as tough as she looks."

"Got it." He actually appreciated her sisterly protectiveness. In some ways, she reminded him of his brother. In fact, he could see Sean now, standing up to Rex Hillerman, the bully in Justin's fifth-grade class. Sean had taken Rex by the arm and given him a shake and told him to stay the hell away from his little brother, or he'd answer to him. Rex had been so scared he'd practically peed his pants in his hurry to get away. Justin had never had any trouble with him again.God, he missed Sean.

The pain hit him hard and unexpectedly. He'd thought he'd gotten past those shocking waves, but somehow being here in Whisper Lake was making his absence feel so much stronger, the loss so much more recent.

"What are you two talking about?" Lizzie asked, as she joined them with a curious smile.

"How we're going to take you on in cornhole," Chelsea lied.

"Really? You two are going to pair up? Then I need a partner," Lizzie returned. "And guess who just arrived?" She waved her hand toward the man approaching.

Justin frowned at the brown-haired, good-looking, muscled guy in jeans and a T-shirt, and a pair of aviator glasses over his eyes. He disliked him even more when Lizzie gave the guy a hug.

Then she turned to him. "Justin, I want you to meet Jake MacKenzie. He's the owner of Adventure Sports. Jake, this is Justin Blackwood, one of my guests."

He was a hell of a lot more than one of her guests, but he managed to refrain from saying that. "Nice to meet you," he muttered, as Jake gave him a friendly smile.

"You, too."

"So, what do you say?" Chelsea asked. "You two want to engage in a little friendly cornhole competition?"

"Always game," Jake said.

"I'll take Justin," Chelsea said. "You and Lizzie can partner up."

"Sounds good," Jake said.

Justin didn't think it sounded good at all. He would have preferred to be partnering with Lizzie, but she and Jake were already walking away.

Chelsea gave him a grin. "They're just friends."

"I don't care."

"Good, because I like to win, so I'd prefer if you weren't distracted."

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