Page 36 of Heartbreaker
“Oh, we have no doubt,” Crew says. “But if she needs something, we’re not just down the road anymore. I can’t be there in a quick drive if something happens.”
“I have no doubt you would be if she called,” I say, turning back to the three of them, and it makes him laugh. He nods, unable to deny it, but no one continues the conversation further.
After a moment, Crew slaps his hands on his knees and stands from the lawn chair, stretching his limbs, and we all follow suit.
“Goodnight, gentlemen. We’ll see you in the morning for breakfast before you leave,” Nash says, picking up the cooler and dumping the melted ice water onto the remaining flame. A quiet sizzle follows before he offers a final nod and leaves.
“Brooks, you mind if I get a word?” Crew asks before I can do the same. Brody chuckles, shaking his head without so much as a supportive glance, and walks toward the guest house. “Look, I didn’t mean to call you out…about Savannah.”
“No harm done,” I say, except for the fact that apparently I’m not as good about hiding how I feel about her as I thought.
“I’m just a little concerned.”
Concerned?
“You understand where I’m coming from, right?”
“I don’t think I do.”
“Well, you know, you’re known for being a bit of a...How do I say this? Manwhore.”
“You mean I used to be known as that, but you can’t believe everything you hear.”
“So, you weren’t sleeping with Chelsea Rafferty to get in good with her father?” Crew’s brow raises, arms crossing over his chest.
I don’t even try to hide my scoff. Is that supposed to be a joke? “Y’know, I’ve heard a lot of rumors about myself, but this is the first time I’ve heard that one. No, I have never—and would never—sleep with Chelsea Rafferty. But I especially wouldn’t sleep with Chelsea to get in good with Amos. I don’t know what you think you know, Crew, but I’ve worked my ass off to get where I am.” I shake my head, glancing toward the barn where the window still shines like a beacon in the night. “When it comes to Savannah, I’ve kept my distance from her because that’s what she wants—”
“You seem pretty attached for someone who just met her a few months ago.” His dark brow cocks a little further.
Remember when I said I liked the Williams brothers? I might have to take it back. Don’t get me wrong, I get it. If it were my little sister, I’d be doing the same thing, but I’m not the one they need to worry about.
“I care about your sister more than I’ve cared about someone in a long time. It’s hard to explain, and I don’t totally understand it myself, but I’m not here to cause problems, Crew. I would never push her to do something she’s uncomfortable with. I respect her, and I respect her decision not to date a coworker. Honestly, it’s probably the smartest thing she could do, knowing some of the guys we work with. But that doesn’t mean I can’t be her friend.”
Even in the shadows, I can see the small smile tug on Crew’s face. Digging his hands into his pockets, he takes a deep breath and nods.
“You’re a good guy, Brooks,” he says, and it feels like there is more he wants to say, but for whatever reason, he doesn’t. After a second, he chuckles. “But if you break my sister’s heart, I’ll kill you.”
Right hook, left hook, kick. Right hook, left hook, kick. I repeat the motions over and over, waiting to feel some relief, but none comes. I’ve been wound tighter than one of the rattlesnakes in the field since this morning. Every time I start to unwind, I’m reminded of my conversation with Jaxon this morning.
I could feel John’s observant gaze on me all night, and not just his. Rae had clocked my discomfort from across the breakfast table. She cornered me as we strolled through the flea market outside of town earlier, but I brushed off her concern. I didn’t feel like rehashing my morning activities, especially not in a place where the town gossips had ears everywhere. Mrs. Daniels couldn’t wait to get the next juicy piece to talk about with her friends over tea, and if one of her lackeys heard I was out with Jaxon this morning, they’d run straight to her.
My time with Jaxon had been fine…at first. We met at Celestia Eatery, a small diner in town, and went through the normal topics: work, health, life updates, and family. But as soon as there was a lull in the conversation, he took the opportunity to ask the question he’d really wanted to ask when he saw me at the coffee shop days before. “So.” He cleared his throat, wiping his mouth. “What’s the deal with that guy?”
“What guy?” I asked, even though I knew exactly who he meant.
“Big bulky dude…He was with you the other day. That your boyfriend or something?”
“Why?” It came out snappier than I meant.
Jaxon shrugged, using his straw to stir what was left of the iced coffee in his glass. “I’m just curious. Way he acted, seemed like more than just a friend.”
I scoffed. “Jax, that’s—”
“So, you’re not dating him?”
“That’s none of your business, Jaxon.”
“A guy can’t be curious?”
