Page 43 of Worthy

Cade stares into the distance, at what I don’t know, though I’m not sure he’sseeingso much as thinking. When his gaze finally meets mine, he says, “What about the bi-awakening thing?”

“What about it?”

“You aren’t afraid you’d be just an experiment for me?”

Back home I would be, but here, where I’m pushing some of my boundaries, it’s less of a concern. Here I have the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone to become a man who’s as self-assured as the one standing before me. And even though he’s right that hookups aren’t in my nature, after that kiss, I’m seriously considering the benefits of doing whatever feels right in the moment, cause God knows that kiss felt incredible.

“Everything’s an experiment, until it becomes more. And we both know since I’m just passing through, it could never be more.”

Cade’s blue eyes drift downward, lips pressed firmly together as he nods. Whether that’s in agreement or merely acknowledgment I don’t know.

I wonder if I ever will.

Chapter twelve

Cade

It’s another busy day of work, which normally makes the time pass quickly, but since I can feel the frustration boiling off Deacon it’s making things move extra slow.

He hasn’t said anything to me, but he doesn’t have to. I know he’s pissed that I didn’t play wingman last night, even though my absence probably meant he had both ladies to himself. He’s not mad about having to soldier on as a party of three, he’s mad that I left with Maddox, who he knows I’m not sleeping with.

Okay, I may be slightly to blame for his attitude. For years, I talked up how great it was to live here, probably sharing a little too much detail about how easy it is to score in this town. Now that he’s here, he wants to live that way, with me by his side. That was the original plan, but when Maddox rolled into town, things changed. I’m probably more shocked than Deacon is about that, but whereas I’m not opposed to the change, my unwillingness to participate in the pickup game has to make him feel like I falsely advertised.

I don’t blame him for feeling like that, but he could drop the snark down a notch. Jeesh.

By the time three thirty rolls around, I’m over his attitude. With the exterior framing complete I send everyone home and go to inspect the patio Deacon’s been working on, hoping to clear the air.

″Looks good, cousin.” I survey his work. “How long will it take to build the fireplace?”

″Couple days,” he says stiffly as he straightens, clutching the broom in his fists.

″You doing the plants after that?” I squint to see him in spite of the bright afternoon sun.

″Depends on the weather. I’d rather wait until July so there’s less chance of snow.” He sweeps the last of the dirt off the patio.

I nod my head, agreeing with that logic.

″You ready to tell me what’s on your mind or you gonna keep sulking?” I confront him, wanting to get this over with.

He seems to think about it for a second before turning to face me. “You talk a lot about none of the guys in this town being good enough for Maddox, which honestly should be a moot point since only you and I swing that way sometimes. But since we’re overlooking that I feel the need to point outyou’reone of those guys you’re talking about, but you’re chasing after him like some lovesick puppy and ditching me to do it. You’re being a hypocrite.”

I chew on my lip, pondering his words. He’s not wrong, but he’s not right either.

″Not trying to be a hypocrite.” I shake my head. “I know I’m not good enough for him. I keep trying to tell him that, but he doesn’t seem to agree. Doesn’t judge me either. I’m not used to that, and it’s kinda nice. Makes it hard not to enjoy being around him.”

″What do you mean doesn’t judge you?” Deacon leans on the broom, studying me.

″I told you, he doesn’t look at me like some boy toy who exists for his pleasure.”

″That’s a good thing?” He frowns, clearly confused.

″I think so, yeah. It’s never happened to me before.” I shrug helplessly, because I don’t have the words to explain it any better.

″He doesn’t look at you like a play-thing and you’rehappyabout that? Seriously?” He arches a brow as he leans the broom against the house.

″Yeah.”

Deacon shakes his head with another huff, clearly unimpressed with my reasoning.

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