Page 22 of New River Gorge(ous)
“Not really. He’s Meemaw’s neighbor.”
“Oh,” the man breathes. “You’re the kid?”
My eyes narrow in suspicion at this man. I take him in. He's dressed in faded blue jeans and a dark green tee shirt with a motorcycle silhouette on the breast pocket. He has curly brown hair that’s cut short, and a hint of stubble on his jaw. He’s also at least a foot taller than me, and has massive arm muscles. Matt would be jealous.
I raise a brow. “Kid?”
“June MacCord’s granddaughter, the kid Beck has been all upset about having to keep an eye on.”
I bristle. “I can assure you, Dr. Whistler doesn’t have to keep an eye on me at all.”
“Somehow I don’t think heisn’tkeeping an eye on you.” The man sticks out his hand for me to shake. “I’m Ben.”
“Brooke Bastion.” I grasp his meaty hand in mine.
His hazel eyes narrow. “Brooke,” he repeats. “Well, I’ve known Beck for a long time, and don’t mind me saying this, but give him a chance.”
I blink. “A chance? I’m just here for a burger for my grandma.”
Ben steps back. “So you’re a local now.”
“I’m here till Meemaw recovers.”
“That’s local. Come on over, let me introduce you to Logan. He’s another friend of Beck and me.” He lowers his voice and whispers, “But you have to ignore the tourists he strings along at every opportunity. Beck’s not like that at all.”
Ben leads the way across the sticky floor to a table in the back corner where another man sits. This one has short but spiky blond hair, wears a white t-shirt with an oar on it, and his arm is wrapped around a woman next to him.
“Hello,” the man says, with a tiny bit too much emphasis on the last syllable. The girl gives him a sharp glare. “I’m Logan. This is Trina. How do you know Beck?”
I almost roll my eyes. “Why does everyone assume I know Beck?”
Logan flashes a blindingly white smile. “Apologies. How does Beck know you?”
“She’s June’s granddaughter,” Ben cuts in.
Logan’s smile grows to Cheshire cat proportions. “The neighbor.”
The woman under Logan’s arm stares at me, then tosses her platinum blonde hair over her shoulder and widens her eyes. “You know the grump?”
Ben laughs. “That’s one way to put it.”
I shrug. “Not really, he’s my grandma’s neighbor. And I’m here helping Meemaw through her ankle recovery.”
“But do you, like, want to know him?” She takes a sip of something fizzy. “He’d be so hot if he wasn’t so grumpy. And a doctor. Goodness.” Trina fans herself with one hand.
Logan tenses for a moment, then shrugs. “Ahh, but that means us lowly rafting guides with personality get the beautiful women all to ourselves.” He hooks her closer with his arm and presses a kiss to her temple. When she turns her face to his, I look away.
Ben’s eyes widen, and his attention is studiously not on the two people making out right in front of us.
I’m saved from the awkwardness when a waitress saunters over. “What can I get you?” she asks.
Relieved, I order two burgers to go.
“That will be just a few minutes. Do you want me to bring it to the table or up front to the to-go counter?”
My eyes catch Logan and Trina still lip-locked. “The to-go counter, please,” I murmur before giving a general wave and turning on my heel.
I sink into one of the benches by the to-go counter and am surprised when Ben sits next to me. For such a big man, he’s light on his feet.
