Page 9 of Mountain Wood

All eyes stay glued to her, but she doesn’t seem to notice.

And I don’t like the possessiveness I feel knowing Bennet’s gawking at her. Before I say something I’ll regret, the door opens again and Nick strolls in, saving me from being a dickhead to one of my best friends.

Conner hollers at him, dragging Bennet and I back into reality and we both look away from Grace. It’s rude to pretend I don’t notice her, but it’s also probably creepy to go over there and greet her. I should just mind my business and stay where I belong.

“Here ya go, Dean.” Jesse slides my beer over to me. “Your food will be out in about fifteen minutes.”

“Thanks.” Keeping my head down, I head back to my friend group, fighting the urge to look at Grace again.

“Who the hell isthat?” Nick asks. “Because oh my damn.”

My hands ball into fists. I don’t even want my friends looking at Grace, let alone having the audacity to walk up and ask for her number.

Which is exactly what Bennet is about to do. I grab his arm before he can get past me. “She’s not for you.”

She’s not for me either, but I can’t bear the thought of anyone here hitting on her.

“Do you know her?” Nick’s mischievous smirk falls into a scowl. “Wait. She’s a city girl. Is she from that real estate group that tried to take your land a few months ago?” Anger instantly rushes blood up his neck and mottles his cheeks red.

“No, man. She’s not with them. I thought she was when she came by earlier, but she’s just a guest staying at one of my cabins.”

Nick cocks his brow. “You sure she’s not anop?”

It never occurred to me. “I don’t think so.”

If she is, she’s damn good at fooling me.

Or my deprived dick is making me more stupid than usual.

We all stare at her, which I don’t realize until she looks up, her gaze landing straight on me, and I bristle, acting like I’m looking all around the tiny bar and hadn’t noticed her. My friends are even worse. Nick whistles and glances at the ceiling. Connersuddenly finds his pool stick incredibly interesting. And Bennet chugs his beer, facing the bathrooms.

Kill me now.

Grace casually waves when my gaze falls on her again and I man up and tip my chin in awhat’s upgesture that makes me feel like a fucking tool.

I really need to get off my mountain more. I think I’ve lost all my social skills. I’vedefinitelylost all my charm and charisma. Not that I had much to start with.

Before I make more of an ass out of myself, I turn around and rack the balls, preparing for the next game. “Who’s my first victim?”

Nick volunteers as tribute and I hand him his ass twice before Conner takes his place. And, because Nick has zero shame, he’s got his phone out recording us.

“Are you kidding me, bro?” Bennet wracks the balls. “Why do we have to film this?”

“You have no idea how hot someone’s going to find four mountain men shooting pool. Trust me, Ben. Post it on your account and watch the views climb.”

All of us have resorted to thirst trapping for extra cash.

Nick’s right. Someone out there will love the clips.

I’ve peeked at Grace a couple times, because I can’t shake the urge to invite her to join us. Watching her eat alone is tearing me up. But she never catches me looking, and when I check on her a third time, she’s gone.

Why doesn’t that make me feel better?

“Time for me to go, fellas.”

“Aww come on.” Nick tosses his hands up. “You just got here.”

“Yeah, well, I have things to do.”

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