Page 92 of Love Me, I Dare You

Annoyed by the deflection but also aware of how much of a good mood I’ve been since Nash kissed me outside of my daddy’s ranch this morning, I try to hide the blush that permanently stains my cheeks.

However, Monroe tenses beside me at Billie’s question. I know it’s not because she doesn’t approve of Nash and me—she’s slowly been working on mending her relationship with him—and instead, because the entire topic makes her uncomfortable. I mean, I would feel the same if we were talking about my brother and her.

“Honestly, I think so. We haven’t officially said it, but, at least for me, I don’t see how I could ever go back to the way things were before Nash came back to Crossroads. He also doesn't seem as eager to leave.”

“He’s not going anywhere, Bailey,” Monroe assures me, our gazes all shifting to where he’s standing with Monty, lost in easy conversation like he and his brother have spent the entire last decade together.

It amazes me how easily the Bishops have accepted their differences and forgiven the past choices they’ve made. Franklin’s death was really a blessing in disguise for them, allowing them to reunite and, for once, grieve the same loss again, reminding them they only have each other to look out for.

I wish my family saw things that way when in reality our unity in the public eye is strictly to allow people to see this image of a perfect family, though we are far from it. Everything my parents have forgiven, every indiscretion my siblings and I caused, is erased all to keep up appearances. Though the judgment and resentment is only buried deep beneath the surface where it builds and builds until it can no longer be held back by lies, and erupts, taking us and those closest to us with it.

“I sure hope so. Now all that’s left to do is the impossible—get my brother and family to see Nash and our love the way we do.”

Billie throws her arm over my shoulder and gives me a sly wink. “Who said anything about it being impossible?”

Chapter Thirty-Three

Nash

Out of body experiences were always something I’d heard about but was never familiar with. The sudden feeling of being an outsider looking in on life unfolding before you with no control over how it plays out.

The only time I ever came close to something of this nature was about five years ago, when I first left California after spending a year and a half living with Dex’s crew. It’s then I fell even more in love with the open road.

I spent six months on the road, back and forth through the southern border of the country, in search of some antique watches a client of mine had lost. His ex-wife had taken off with her lover and stolen his most prized possession of antique timepieces worth nearly ten million dollars. Why a man had so many watches was beyond me.

Bottom line is I spent so long without a decent place to rest my head at night. Even if I had the money for it, I had to keep a low profile in my line of work. That meant skeezy motels and even worse places to eat where I wouldn’t be forced to talk to anyone or be recognized if someone were to come asking aroundabout me. I was so detached from the world and every other person; I felt like I was outside of my body watching life happen around me.

So much has happened in the last week. I’m not sure I’ve had time to process it all. It’s as if I’m right back in the sketchy dive bar in Alabama, where I found the briefcase of watches stashed under the floorboards in the filthy bathroom, right before I arrived back in Crossroads.

From my father’s passing, to Monroe’s pregnancy—which I have yet to fully accept is real—to the night I just spent with Bailey and her family, nothing about this seems like reality.

When I left the dinner party at the King’s Ranch, I was uneasy, to say the least. Not only were Mayor King's comments about my father and our ranch out of pocket and frankly suspicious, but the conversation we’d had in his study was not something I’d planned on. Neither was Bailey almost overhearing us as she and Jase were close by in another room.

At first, when I noticed her demeanor change from just moments before, I could have sworn she’d overheard. Though I chalked it up to the awkward conversations her parents had provoked, that made her feel slightly embarrassed. I didn’t blame her. I was uncomfortable with the way things played out, too.

When she stayed behind, I had to fight with the doubt that riddled my brain and focus on how I was going to prove to her I’d meant every word I’d said. I want a future with Bailey King, and I’m determined to do whatever it takes to make her mine.

Showing up at her daddy’s ranch, and kissing her in the middle of the driveway in front of him and everyone else was only the beginning. All of Crossroads was soon going to know the woman was mine and only mine. Showing up at her daddy’s ranch, and kissing her in the middle of the driveway for him and everyone else to see—just hours after he warned me away again—is only the beginning. All of Crossroads is soon going to find out the woman is mine and only mine.

The festival is in full swing. Patrons lining up outside the Stingers Beer Garden, and around to the HoneyBees' tent Bailey is currently in. When I agreed to work at the event for Jase, I didn’t picture being so incredibly busy I wouldn’t be able to stop by and spend any time with Bailey. What was the point of coming out to the festival if I wouldn’t spend any time with her?

“I can’t believe I’m back at one of these things,” Theo says, patting me on the back as he stands beside me with his guitar strapped to him. Much like Monty, Monroe and I, Theo’s thick, brown hair is a testament of our Bishop blood. Though unlike our variations of blue and green eyes, Theo’s honeyed hazel eyes make his golden complexion practically glisten in the sunshine.

Those attributes have deemed him Country Music’s Golden Boy.

I don’t bother looking my brother’s way, instead focusing my attention on the blonde beauty currently across from me, smiling like she’s the happiest I’ve ever seen her. “Thought you and Beau would come out here for the holidays over the years?”

Theo nods, his attention following the direction my eyes are zeroed in on. “Yeah, but I’d never stay more than a few nights. Never long enough to come out here, nor would I have done so if I had the time. But tonight feels different.”

The sun has set, illuminating the sky in a blanket of stars visible on this clear autumn night. The breeze has picked up, but I’m so amped up I can feel a damn thing. Bright twinkling lights flicker above us, draped along the roofless tent we procured, to allow for a clear view of the sky. This time of year is usually decorated for the upcoming Christmas season though in Crossroads, they typically wait until after the Harvest Festival to decorate storefronts and the town square around city hall.

Running a hand over my beard, I muffle a laugh. “I never thought I’d be back in Crossroads, so there’s that.”

“Yeah, what gives? I get why you came back. But now that you’ve helped Monty with the ranch and our father is no longer with us, therefore no longer a problem, what’s keeping you in town?” Beau’s question is rhetorical, given the knowing smirk on his and Theo’s face.

I chance a glance at my two brothers, who watch me curiously. The three of us, along with Monty, are only about two years apart, respectively. Beau and I are the closest in age by only sixteen months, though our looks couldn’t be more different. His blonde hair is a stark contrast to mine, as is his lack of facial hair.

“Monty hasn’t given y’all the rundown?”

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