Page 15 of Jack of All Trades
"We're being watched," he says, his voice low but amused. "Betty Wilson at your four o'clock. Town gossip. By tomorrow morning, half of Pine Haven will think we're dating."
I resist the urge to turn and look. "That's ridiculous. We're just eating funnel cake."
"In Betty's world, sharing food in public is practically an engagement announcement."
Despite myself, I laugh. "Small towns."
"You have no idea," Jack agrees with a rueful smile. "Does it bother you? The gossip, I mean."
I consider the question. In Seattle, I value my privacy, my anonymity. The idea of being the subject of small-town gossip should horrify me.
But strangely, it doesn't.
"I don't care what people think," I say finally. "Let them talk."
Chapter 5 - Jack
I'm about to respond to Maya's bold declaration when I catch sight of a familiar figure approaching behind her.
My stomach drops as Rex Torres cuts through the crowd, his face darkening with each step. He's dressed in his usual black leather jacket, his dark hair pulled back, and the thunderous expression on his face tells me everything I need to know about how he feels seeing his sister sitting across from me, laughing over funnel cake.
"Maya," I say quietly, nodding slightly to indicate the approaching storm.
She turns, and I watch as her expression shifts from relaxed enjoyment to something closer to guilt. "Rex," she says, straightening in her seat. "What are you doing here?"
"Funny," Rex says, his voice deceptively calm as he reaches our table. "I was about to ask you the same thing." His eyes flick to me, hard and accusatory. "Morrison."
"Hey, Rex," I say, keeping my tone casual despite the tension crackling in the air. "Just showing your sister what rodeo's all about."
"Is that right?" Rex's jaw tightens. "Interesting, since she told me she was exploring the town tonight. Didn't mention anything about the rodeo. Or you."
Maya shifts uncomfortably but lifts her chin in defiance. "I didn't think I needed to clear my social calendar with you."
"You don't," Rex says, still staring at me. "But a heads-up would've been nice before I found out from someone else that my sister was seen at the fairgrounds with Jack Morrison."
Word travels fast in Pine Haven, especially when it involves someone like me who's known to most of the town. I should have expected this.
"It's not a big deal, Rex," I say, trying to defuse the situation. "Maya came to watch the competition, and we're grabbing a bite after. That's all."
"That's all," Rex repeats flatly. "Like you grabbing a bite with Tanya Hayes was 'just dinner'? Or how taking Jessica Mills for a drive was 'just showing her the scenic route'?"
I wince internally at the references to my past relationships, if you can even call them that. Both ended badly, though not for the reasons Rex is implying.
"Rex," Maya says, her voice sharp with warning. "I'm a grown woman. I can have funnel cake with whoever I want."
"Not with him." Rex jerks his thumb in my direction. "No offense, Jack. You’re my best friend, but I know your history. And my sister's off-limits."
There it is—the line drawn in the sand. Under normal circumstances, I'd respect it without question. But something about the way Rex is talking about Maya, like she's a child who can't make her own decisions, rubs me the wrong way.
"I think that's Maya's call to make," I tell him.
Rex's eyes narrow. "Stay out of this, Jack."
"I'm sitting right here," Maya snaps, standing up to face her brother. "Stop talking about me like I'm not present. And for the record, this isn't a date. I was curious about rodeo, Jack invited me to watch, and we're having funnel cake. That's literally it."
I stand too, not wanting to be the only one still seated in this increasingly tense confrontation. "Look, Rex, I get why you're concerned—"
"Do you?" Rex challenges, stepping closer. Though we're roughly the same height, his muscular build makes him an intimidating presence. "Do you really understand that she's the only family I've got? That I've spent my entire life making sure she's okay?"
