Page 29 of Heartbreaker
I don’t have to look to know Savannah wants to say no, but for some reason, she accepts his invitation. Why doesn’t she just say no? From the moment he walked up, it was obvious he made her uncomfortable. Why not tell him to get lost? I’ve never seen her like this before, so…compliant.
Jaxon promises to call her before glancing my way one final time. He pushes by me to leave out the side door. Savannah stands there a moment longer, lost in thought. Before I can ask her what that was all about, Raelynn and Brody make a joyous return with bright smiles on their faces and laughter in their words. Rae asks if we’re ready to go. Without answering, Savannah untangles herself from me and walks out the front door. Head on a swivel, Raelynn looks between her retreating figure and me before she runs after her friend.
“You might want to fix your face,” Brody says with the hint of a smirk. I let out a sigh, rubbing the space between my brows. “Something happen?”
“No.”
“I believe that like I believe Noah isn’t fucking Chelsea.”
He means Noah Callahan, one of the producers for EWE, who people widely speculate has been sleeping with Chelsea Rafferty under her father’s nose. Is it true? I can’t say for certain, but that doesn’t stop the rumor mill from churning out gossip. Either way, I will say I’ve caught them on more than one occasion talking in a flirtatious manner or sharing a longing glance.
“Who was that guy?”
“Not sure, but he’s pushy,” I say.
Brody chuckles. “Was he pushy, or are you just jealous?”
Am I jealous? No…I’m not jealous. I’m simply looking out for my friend who seemed uncomfortable in the presence of that douchebag. I glare at my best friend and roll my eyes. “Shut up.”
Somewhere in the back of my mind, I considered the thought that maybe, just maybe, Bennett would invite John to the ranch. But then I reminded myself that while he and John were friends, that didn’t mean the biggest name in EWE wanted to spend a week with the new kids on the block. That’s why I didn’t invite him or Brody in the first place. This wasn’t supposed to be a big deal, just a few friends hanging out and ringing in the new year together before we had to return to our hectic life on the road. Originally, it was only supposed to be Raelynn, Bennett, Jo, and maybe Jo’s boyfriend—who ended up bailing at the last minute, just like I knew he would, which meant Jo bailed, too.
“I’m the lone wolf, once again,” Bennett said two weeks ago when he asked me who would be joining us in Celestia for New Year’s.
“Is there someone else I should’ve invited?”
“Well, no, but another guy in the mix every once in a while would be nice.”
“Jo’s boyfriend will be there,” I said, and he deadpanned. My brothers would be around, too. Granted, Crew and Nash would probably be working most of the time, and the twins usually kept themselves busy, especially now that they’re seniors in high school. Okay, so maybe I saw his point. “So, who would you suggest?”
“I don’t know…Brody?”
My brow raised. “Did you just say Brody?”
“I thought you liked him.”
“I do, but I doubt he wants to spend the holiday with a bunch of newbies.”
Bennett shrugged, pursing his lips. “We’re notthatnew. Besides, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but he doesn’t seem to mind finding us in a crowded room over practically everyone else in the company.” That was true and had happened on more than one occasion. The real problem I faced with inviting Brody was having to invite John, too.
We still hadn’t addressed the elephant in the room; in fact, I hadn’t seen much of John since my debut. Not that I was surprised. Whether or not it was intentional, I knew he was busy, constantly on the go, always being pulled in a million different directions, finishing one thing just to be whisked away to handle another. I guess that’s part of being the face of the company. But I had been just as busy trying to keep my head above water and stay relevant enough with the people in charge to keep my face on television. I didn’t want to make my debut only to be pushed to the back of the line again.
“Look, B.” I sighed. “I don’t care who you invite. Just know that if they cause problems,youget to deal with it.” The statement rang true for anyone he invited, but mostly Harper, whom he’d practically gotten on his knees and begged to be allowed to come. That was before he started in on the “lone wolf” nonsense.
Now he’s far from a “lone wolf,” but has been too far up Harper’s ass to enjoy it. Which means Rae and I have to deal with it…Not that I mind, but it’s the principle.
I should be in bed, getting some sleep so I can play the proper hostess tomorrow. Not only that, but I should be in bed catching up on the sleep I haven’t been getting while on the road. Everyone else turned in about an hour ago, but I’ve been sitting on the porch taking some space to think. Think about my conversation with John—I mean Brooks—earlier. I’ve decided I should probably call him Brooks—everyone else does. Calling him John would indicate a deeper, more personal relationship, but we’re just co-workers, maybe friends. And he isn’t the only thing on my mind…The unanswered text message on my phone reminds me of the plans I agreed to earlier.
I can’t believe I said I’d consider hanging out with my ex-boyfriend. I should’ve just said no, but Jaxon is nothing if not persistent, and charming, though his usual charm was slipping today. His smile faltered when he saw the way Brooks pulled me close, a presence between me and Jaxon, keeping him at bay. Still, I knew the only way to get him to leave was to agree to whatever he wanted. Was it fucked up? Yes, but the last thing I wanted was for him to say something that might cause John—Brooks, I mean Brooks, damn it—to show him what “dabbling” in wrestling really looked like.Insert eye roll here. Jaxon’s condescending outlook on my newfound career doesn’t shock me, but he could have at least tried to hide it.
A slight prickle raises the hairs on the back of my neck when I hear the soft rustle of grass in the distance. At this time of night, I can think of a few things that might be lurking around, but it’s hard to make out anything in the surrounding fields when the moon hides behind a blanket of clouds. Squinting, I can make out a black silhouette against the inky field, and even shrouded in darkness, I’d know that stance anywhere. The same man who has held permanent residence in my mind since we met walks toward me, almost like I’d plucked him straight from my thoughts by thinking his name too many times. Let’s hope Jaxon isn’t next.
“Thought you might want one of these,” Brooks says when he finally reaches the wooden stairs, a blanket in his arms. I can’t fight my smile. His next steps are cautious as he ascends the porch. “I don’t mean to intrude, but I was coming out for some air and saw you sitting here.”
Mamá insisted that he and Brody needed something more comfortable to sleep on than an air mattress and a couch, so she coaxed Crew and Nash out of the guest house for a few nights. I wouldn’t say my brothers were happy about it—any of them really—because it meant close quarters in the twins’ bedrooms, but they complied with her request anyway.
“Thanks,” I say, and take the soft material from his hands. I recognize it as the Wildcats blankets I gave Crew a few years ago, identical to the one I have tucked away in my blanket basket in Tampa. I drape the soft material over my legs, which were in fact freezing. Why I didn’t bring one out with me in the first place is a great question, but I thought I would be okay in my sweats.
“You okay?” Brooks asks.
