Page 56 of Breaking Bristol

“Don’t call me that, Suzanne!”

“Okay, Mommy.”

“Child, you’re not too old to get your ass paddled!” Aunt Heidi yelled back.

I chuckled at their foolery, and Susie grinned. “She’s so easy to mess with.”

We went to the kitchen, and my aunt greeted me with a big smile and a warm hug, then swatted at Susie with a wooden spoon. Ignoring their antics, I grabbed a couple of cold ones from the fridge, then went to the den and gave Uncle Lou a beer. We shot the breeze and watched a game while we waited until supper was done.

“Smells amazing as always,” I complimented as I took a seat at the kitchen table. “Why is there a fifth place setting?”

“Oh, I invited Bristol. Ran into her at the market this morning,” Aunt Heidi said. Just then, the doorbell rang. “Speaking of, she’s right on time.”

Fuck. What was happening? I missed her and wanted to see her so badly, but all I could think about was how scared she looked and the fact that I put that fear in her beautiful eyes. If I had more answers, I could handle her with better care to give her what she needed. I didn’t want to push her, just like she didn’t push me, but it was killing me not to know more about her past. What I did know made my blood boil, and I needed to find out who’d hurt her so I could protect her.

Beau knew more than I did, and when I tried to get him to tell me, he refused. I’d been fucked up all week, and that shit pissed me off more than it should have. Her being here pissed me off too, but not because I didn’t want to see her, but because she would be in an awkward position.

“Why’d you invite her?” I snapped. Aunt Heidi raised an eyebrow. “Sorry,” I mumbled.

She placed a gravy boat in front of my plate. “She’s coming because I asked her. Poor girl is all alone in that cabin, cookin’ for herself, and instead of bringing her a plate of leftovers, I figured she could just enjoy a meal at the table. Why is that a problem for you? Aren’t y’all still seein’ each other?”

Susie snickered next to me, and I kicked her under the table. “No, ma’am. It’s not a problem, but she’s shy, so don’t make her uncomfortable with talks of us being together, okay? I’m serious, all of you.”

“We’ll behave. Go let her in, Beck.” Aunt Heidi propped her hands on her hips. “You know better than to leave a lady waiting.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I glared at Susie, who wasn’t hiding her knowing smirk, as I strode past her. But when I opened the front door, all my manners went out the window.

Bristol was stunningly beautiful.

It had been a week, but it felt like a year since I’d laid eyes on her, and all I could do was stare.

Her makeup was light, and she wore jeans and a soft pink T-shirt, with her hair half up, the rest curled in waves down either side of her neck. I wanted to pull her into my arms, wanted to kiss her until she was breathless. I just wanted her.

“Hi,” she whispered.

“Hey.”

She averted her gaze. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were going to be here. I can go…”

“No.” I lunged toward her, but caught myself halfway and took a step back. “No. Stay. Please. I want you to be here.”

I motioned for her to come inside, and after I closed the door, I wiped my sweaty palms on my jeans, then placed one on her back in an attempt to lead her down the hallway. But as soon as I touched her, we both stayed rooted.

Her lips parted, and I licked mine. She shivered as I ran the tips of my fingers up her spine until they reached her neck, then I dipped my head. She smelled good, like flowers and sunshine. “I’ve missed you.”

“Me, too,” she breathed, and being so close, seeing so deep into her eyes, I realized something was wrong. I wanted to ask now, but she took a deep breath before heading toward the kitchen, leaving me puzzled as to what that look meant.

I followed and held her chair out, everyone greeting her while she sat. “I’m so glad you could make it,” Aunt Heidi said, plopping a mound of mashed potatoes on her plate.

“Thanks for inviting me. This looks amazing.”

“Pot roast. Beck’s favorite.”

Her eyes came to mine with a glimmer, and I pressed my lips together so I wouldn’t laugh.

“So”—Susie pointed her fork at Bristol—“you feeling all right after last night?”

“What was last night?” I asked, my focus locked on Bristol.

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