Page 90 of A Photo Finish
“Be a lot cooler if you did.”
I snort. “Dazed and confused. That’s me these days for sure.”
She chuckles and takes a swig of her own beer, staring out at DD’s paddock. The black horse is munching on his hay, swishing his tail happily. A multimillion-dollar pet. I shake my head.
“Beer isn’t healthy,” I continue, trying to qualify my statement—and mostly just change the subject.
She outright laughs now, waving her hand over my body. “Neither is whatever you’re doing to your blood pressure right now.”
A sigh whooshes from my mouth, and I take a deep gulp of the beer. She’s right. Billie is perceptive like that. She’s smart. People smart. The kind of smart they don’t teach you in school. I remember setting Vaughn straight when he almost blew it with her. She knows right from wrong, and she taught my little brother a lesson in that.
I like them together.
“You must think I’m a real dick.”
“Nope.” She still doesn’t look my way. Thoughtful eyes stare at the hills beyond the paddock, the ones that lead to the barn—to Violet. “I think you’re doing the best you can with the shit hand life dealt you. Just like the rest of us.”
Okay. That’s not what I was expecting. But then, I know Billie has her own share of family drama. Her own set of daddy issues to contend with. Maybe we’re more kindred than I ever realized.
She drinks again, looking thoughtful. “The shitty thing is, Violet’s out of your league.” I just grunt. And then drink. Because she’s not wrong about that either. “The good thing is, she’s too fucking angelic to see it that way.” She inclines her head toward me and holds her beer up in a silent cheer. “So, you’ve got that working for ya.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence, sis.” I figure if she’s going to dish it out, I might as well give it right back.
Her lips tip up in a small, satisfied smile. “What you need to do is level up. It’s not about Violet. It’s about you believing you’re worthy of her.”
“You know I pay someone to help me with these types of revelations.”
She doesn’t miss a beat. “Okay. Cash or check is fine.”
I chuckle. I can’t help it. I hate to admit it, but Billie is funny.
“What would make you feel worthy of her?”
“That’s a great fucking question. I . . . don’t know.”
“What’s holding you back? This?” She taps her finger to my temple. “Or this?” She taps my prosthetic.
I pause, turning my head slowly to stare back at her. Bright feline eyes regard me inquisitively. “How did you know about that?”
“If you’re asking if Violet told me, the answer is no. But I watch people and horses for a living. I think I see things that other people don’t. Body language. Ticks. Clues. Is a horse scared? Uncomfortable? Where can I diagnose a problem? I’m constantly assessing. And you... you hide it well. But your gait is just alittleoff. You always wear long pants and high socks, no matter the temperature. You massage your leg without even noticing. I put it together a while ago.”
“And you just haven’t said anything?”
Her nose wrinkles up in confusion. “Why would I say something? First, it doesn’t matter to me. Second, it’s not my business.”
“Does Vaughn know?”
“Nope. You once told him that my secret was a conversation to be had between me and him. And my feelings on this are the same. That’s for the two of you to talk about.”
My chest caves in a little. “Do you think he’ll forgive me?”
She shakes her head absently, looking back at her horse. “Forgive you for what? He’s your little brother. He loves you.”
My eyes sting with the simplicity of her statement. Like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. The most natural. I hate how badly I’ve failed Vaughn.
“What about Violet?”
“Same question: for what? You plan on breaking her heart?”
