Page 20 of Mustang Summer

Josie glared at him, a reaction toward Cash that Brock wasn’t used to seeing.Unless it was after his womanizing cousin bedded them and took off.But Brock was sure Josie hadn’t met Cash yet.If he had to identify what he was feeling, he’d call it relief.

“My brother messed up and I must be just as dirty?Is that it?”

“I don’t know, is it?”

“Enough,” Brock barked without looking back.He was finally talking with her, getting a sense of who Josie Alvarez was, the girl who kept his mind spinning.

Travis tugged Cash’s arm.“Come on, guys.They’re reconvening.”

“Already?”Josie’s ragged whisper and panicked look made Brock want to coax her back down on the bench and sit with her while the mess in the courtroom played out.

“I doubt they needed a long deliberation.”Brock’s tone was even, but the hurt look Josie gave him had him running through what he said.

It’s not always the words, Brock, but the way you say them.And vice versa.

She stepped around him and sashayed back to her seat.He trailed her, but sat as close to her as he could while staying on his side of the room.

The guilty verdict was rattled off and Josie dropped her head.The judge announced sentencing on a different day and dismissed them all.

Murmurs filled the space, but he only had eyes for Josie.Tears rolled down her face as she watched her brother get led out.Elle rubbed Dillon’s back.None of them were happy per se, but they were relieved they didn’t have to worry about Jesse coming after them again.

Although, Jesse’s righteous anger had diminished since the arrest.Could be because he was surrounded by cops and lawyers and his immediate future would likely be behind bars.The years had seemed to pile onto his youthful features and though Brock knew Jesse was a couple of years older than him, the hunch in his shoulders and withdrawn expression made him look more than ten years older.

Brock shook himself out of his reverie and before he could second-guess his own actions, he was following Josie out of the room.He had to use every extra inch of his stride to catch up with her rapid clicks on the marble floor.

“Josie.”

She was at the stairs and if she went any faster, she’d careen out of control.

“Josie!”He raced after her and finally caught her as she stepped out into the muggy air.

She whipped around.“God, Brock.What?”She sniffled and wiped her cheeks, but more tears poured.

“Are you coming back for his sentencing?”

“Probably.Another joyous day for me, right?”

“No.I’m sure it sucks.”

She barked a laugh.“That it does.Jesse’s…not that guy.I never thought my brother would do anything like that.”The slight breeze that staved off the worst of the humidity ruffled her hair and it clung to her wet cheeks.“Listen, I gotta get out of here.”

“Are you going back to Waite Park?”

“Not tonight.I’d like to try to see Jesse before I leave town.”

“Come by before you go.I’ll show you the ’Stangs in the garage.”

“No offense, but your family just put my only sibling in prison for who knows how long.I’m not up to socializing with you.”

He clenched his teeth together.No matter the tone, her words were clear.

She spun and headed to where her red Mustang was parked on the street.

Brock waited until she drove off before he turned back to the courthouse.Everyone stood at the top of the stairs, waiting.

Cash strode down toward him.“There’s plenty of women in Moore who’d get with you.Going after Jesse Rodriguez’s sister is a bad fucking idea.”

The others followed Cash.

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