Page 24 of Forever in the Country

“We’re fine. I’m sorry. I just got caught up in the moment,” I say as I wrap my arms around his waist and press the side of my face to his chest. The cotton of his T-shirt is soft and still smells like the cologne he put on yesterday.

It happens slowly, but Sorren’s arms finally come around me. He sighs into my hair, his lips pressing a lingering kiss on my head.

The coffee pot beeps, breaking the spell between us. Reluctantly, I let go and fix his coffee the way he likes it, my heart hammering as my hands move on autopilot.

Our fingertips brush as he takes the travel mug from me and takes a sip, his eyes locked on mine.

“Thank you,” he murmurs and I nod before grabbing my own mug. He moves toward the door, and before I can stop myself I call out after him.

“Are we okay?”

“Yeah, Sunshine. We’re okay.” He winks and then Sorren Mackay is out the door, and I blow out the breath I’ve been holding since I walked inside the house last night.

12

SORREN

PRESENT DAY

Rage consumes me as I watch Rhea walk out the door. I can’t follow her because—fuck! If I follow her I’m going to kiss the hell out of her.

Maybe I should have kissed her—consequences be dammed.

I drag my hands down my face and slow my breathing so I don’t do something else I’m going to regret.

She’s going on a date?

Fuck that.

Just hearing the words was like a knife to the chest, and I’m so in my own head that I almost miss the sound of a truck outside.

Almost.

The boots are heavy on the sidewalk, and I know who I’m about to face off with before he even comes into view.

Out of all the brothers, Hank and I are the most evenly matched physically. His face is a mask of indifference, but his eyes hold a fury I know well. Stepping inside, he walks straight to the sink and washes his hands.

He’s waiting me out but he doesn’t need to. We both know I’m fucking this up. I just need to figure out how to fix it.

Hank dries his hands on a towel and then sets the oven to preheat before moving to the work bench and attacking the dough with a rolling pin.

“I’m only going to say this once because honestly it’s none of my business and Rhea can take care of herself.” He pauses and then looks me dead in the eye as he says, “She’s the best of all of us. Don’t make her your project. Be her fucking partner, and if that’s not the best you can give her—then let her go.”

“That’s not—”

“She is the best of all of us.” He punctuates each word, and as intended, I feel every single one like a bullet to the chest.

“Did she—” I try again but he cuts me off with a snarl.

“No, she didn’t say anything, asshole. But anyone who has been watchingat allsince you got back knows there’s something going on between you two.”

I don’t like the implication that people have been whispering about us, especially for that long, but I’m not surprised. The miscommunication I failed to correct tonight isn’t that she’s second best—she’s not. She’s so much better than I am and I’m so fucking scared I’m going to lose her, not just as a lover but as a friend.

“What if…” I start and then swallow hard as Hank’s expression goes from murderous to somewhat less lethal, but I don’t know how to form the words.

What if I lose her? What if I lose the only place I feel like I can truly let my guard down and be myself? What if she gets tired of holding me up all the time?

The last one hurts the worst because the wound is still fresh and I hate feeling like I deserve this—like it was only just a matter of time before something good was ripped from my life again.

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