Page 23 of Simply Yours

“Her number!”

“No!” Matthew snapped, jumping to his feet. “This guy – this attitude right here – is precisely why you aren’t getting her number from me. You think you are in control of everyone and everything –and surprise, surprise– YOU AIN’T.”

“Aren’t,” Jason grumbled, correcting him.

“See? I can say what I want and just because it doesn’t suit you doesn’t mean it’s wrong. It means you need to get over yourself, quit pushing yourself around, and quit pretending to like her.”

“I’m not pretending… and I don’t know if I like her or not.”

“Oh my gosh, do you even hear yourself?” Matthew shouted in disbelief, grabbing his hair like his mind was utterly blown. “Why on God’s green earth would I ever put my best friend in a situation that you weren’t sure of? If I fool around with girls, it’s because I like them, and they know it.”

“I’m not looking to do anything with Caitlin.”

“Then you definitely cannot have her cell number?”

“Because I won’t treat her like trash and sleep with her?”

“First off – I don’t treat my girls like trash… and I don’t sleep with them. That involves a morning-after that I don’t want to face. I’d rather chew my arm off…” Matthew shivered visibly. “I am not a commitment man.”

“I know.”

“Neither are you, you know!”

“Sure I am.”

“No, you aren’t – you are so focused on being in charge of everything the idea of having a partner rubs you the wrong way. It’s taken you years to let any of us help with the farm, and we’re family. She’s nobody to you.”

“Fine,” Jason said harshly, walking off. He wasn’t going to stand there and justify his interest in Caitlin to someone it shouldn’t matter to. If being his brother wasn’t enough, then maybe Matthew knew something he didn’t and was protecting the both of them. “Finish spreading the hay,” he tossed behind him to Matthew.

“No – you are the horses, remember? I’m the gorgeous face of the farm, remember? I’m in P.R., not your personal laborer!”

“P.R. doesn’t involve your overblown ego or your face.”

“Huh? Wait a second… it doesn’t?”

“No – finish the hay, and I’ll show you after dinner what your new ‘job’ entails.”

“I’m still not giving you Caitlin’s number.”

“I don’t want it.”

“I freakin’ knew it!” Matthew hollered angrily, practically throwing a tantrum as Jason turned to look at him. His brother was kicking at nothing, swinging his arms in the air, and frowning hotly, muttering under his breath before bunching his fists at his side. “That’s why I wouldn’t give it to you – you… you…”

“Buttwad?” Jason offered drolly, crossing his arms over his chest and lifting an eyebrow at him.

“Yes!”

“Get to work,” Jason muttered, pointing at the pitchfork again. “I’ve got bills to pay, and you can help out.”

“You’re leaving because you know I’m right…”

He clenched his jaw so tightly it ached, but he refused to let his brother see how much the words cut him.

Jason didn’t answer.

He couldn’t.

There was no point in arguing when the damage was already done. His brother had made it clear—he wasn’t worth Caitlin’s time. Not as a friend, not as anything more. And maybe the worst part? Jason wasn’t even sure he disagreed.

---