Page 16 of Love Me, I Dare You

“Okay, got it, touchy subject.”

Monroe smiles apologetically. “Sorry, B. I didn’t mean to snap at you. I know you’re going through so many emotions too now that Nash is home and are only trying to be helpful, but I just don’t know what to do. Everything’s gone to shit.” Tears pool in her eyes once more and I feel like a horrible friend for adding more to her already overflowing plate of troubles. “Of course I have to tell Monty, but I wasn’t planning on it until I had a better hold on the situation. But now, with Nash here, I feel like things just got so much more complicated.”

Tell me about it. Just when I finally felt like I’d moved on, forgotten the asshole existed, and that our one night together hadn’t put a damper on my entire love life, or lack of, for a fucking decade, he shows up and throws everything into turmoil. I’ve dated, had a handful of relationships and one-night stands myself since, but there’s been no one who remotely made me feel the way Nash still did after all this time.

Like muscle memory, my body remembered him, my mind immediately falling victim to the way I felt about him so long ago.

“So, what now?” I ask, though I think it’s more for me than for her.

Monroe turns her pleading gaze to me. “I was thinking we could hide out here together until he leaves?”

Laughing, I throw my arm around her and pull her in close. “Not a bad idea, but I don’t think avoiding him is the way to go. Nash doesn't get to scare you out of your own home and he sure as hell doesn’t deserve your forgiveness, but he damn well should see firsthand the way his leaving and ignoring you has affected you.”

“Yeah, and I know. Monty won’t let him stay if it means losing me, even if it’s for a few days. The man worries more than a real father should.”

“You're his baby sister. Of course he worries, especially since it’s always been just the two of you and no one else.”

“Can I at least stay the night? I won’t leave home, not when I have my studio there and would have to return to work anyway, but I just can’t go back there today.”

Reaching for the remote, I turn on the television and put on one of our favorite comfort shows, Love Is Blind. “Of course you can, Moe, but neither one of us can run and hide from him and what he did. Nash Bishop doesn’t get to come back after ten years and turn us into the same heartbroken girls we were when he left.”

“We are grown women,” Billie chimes in. “Gorgeous, sexy, and hard-working women any man should be grateful to have. Men should be worshipping the ground we walk on, not making us sobbing hot messes in their wake.”

Monroe leans back on the couch and throws her arms over our shoulders, pulling us in tight for a hug. “I love you girls. Have I told you that before?”

Memories of our time in college come back to me and make me nostalgic. We spent so many nights like this, bundled up on this very couch, crying over boys and our grades. We made vision boards, planned out every aspect of our futures. On this couch is where HoneyBees, Stingers Tavern and Monroe’s interior design business, Monroe Avenue, came to fruition onedrunken night when we were so sick of relying on others to make our dreams a reality.

The three of us have been through so much together, overcoming every obstacle thrown our way, especially once the town I loved turned its back on me when I was no longer the same girl they thought I should be. Crossroads hated change, and when we suddenly had ideas with the potential of bringing Crossroads into the twenty-first century, they didn’t know what to expect. It took time, but it seems like now our home has finally accepted us for who we are, and Nash won’t be allowed to turn our heaven into hell simply by returning to a place he has no business being. Not anymore. Not when it was his choice to stay gone for so long.

Billie nods. “Yes, but you know I love to hear it.”

Monroe leans back, kicking off her sandals and sitting cross-legged on the couch, making herself more comfortable. “Billie Cole, why don’t you distract us with some of your escapades with the male sex, or lack thereof?”

“Oh sugar, trust me. You don’t want to hear about the troubles this girl has had to deal with in the last week. I swear we need to host some sort of matchmaking event to help weed out the meaningless dates and filter the good ones. Online dating is horrendous, but I don’t see how I’ll ever find love anyway else. Not in Crossroads, where the only gorgeous men are related to one of you.”

“You know what, Bills,” I tell her, a little spark of curiosity lighting up inside me. “That’s not such a terrible idea.”

Chapter Seven

Nash

Walking into Stingers, for the third time this week—third time in the five days I’ve been back in town—I’m not exactly sure what my plan is.

I keep telling myself I’m here to see Jase, and finally have those conversations that are long overdue. Yet the moment I walk in and see her, I know that’s a goddamn lie. My gaze is drawn to her instantly—not that there are enough people in the bar for me to overlook her. Though it’s as if I’m unconsciously seeking her out the moment I step foot inside. Past the locals dancing about to the country music playing over the speaker or the groups of men sitting in booths tossing back shot after shot, Bailey stands out above the masses. It’s impossible not to notice her, and as I look around the room, I know I’m not the only one who agrees.

I’m realizing Stingers Tavern is a town staple. Regulars coming in for a drink and taste of comfort after their long workday seems to be the norm around here. Though more than just a dive bar, the live music and crowds joyfully dancing in the middle of the room adds to the ambience. Not to mention thearoma of real southern comfort food coming from the kitchen is insane.

Familiar faces greet me as I walk through the bar, not bothering to give me a second glance. After coming in for three days straight, it looks like I’m no longer a town phenomenon. Running a hand over my beard, I draw in a deep breath and continue my path toward her yet again, reminding myself I didn’t come here to see her. I’m here for Jase, who I’m sure is blatantly avoiding me.

The bastard has returned none of my calls, surely aware that I’m back in town. However, I’m determined to see this plan I have through. I won’t be leaving again without trying to make things right between us—the way I should have tried harder to do before I left in the first place.

If being back in Crossroads has taught me anything, it’s that I caused way more damage when I left than I’d realized.

I could have fought Jase on it. Shouldn’t have betrayed his trust to begin with and broken the unspoken code between brothers, a set of rules I knew better than to break. If I’d thought things through, he wouldn’t have been forced to ruin our friendship and throw away five of the best years of my life. Because believe it or not, I would have done the same thing if I were in his shoes.

The thought of him or anyone else doing to Monroe what I’d done to Bailey makes my blood boil in anger. Yet I did that to him. It’s why I never outright blamed him for the way he reacted or the things he’d said and did in the heat of the moment. Because I knew I deserved all that and more.

My gaze follows Bailey around the room as I make my way to the bar to order a drink. The slow and sensual sway of her hips as she makes her rounds. I’m fucking salivating as I watch the way her skin-tight blue jeans fit perfectly around her perky ass and thick thighs, and the sliver of smooth, milky white skinwhich peeks out from underneath her miniscule top. Even from a distance, I can see the toned muscle of her abdomen which proves she does more than just watch what she eats to keep her figure but works out to ensure her body is as tight as can be, and fuck me it’s paid off. The woman is unmatched.

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