Page 12 of Treasured

Presley sighs and gives me a look that says, 'Men...'

"Yes, you did and I had a wonderful time. It wasn't quite the same as seeing Xandra on the stage at a huge arena with thousands of screaming fans."

“You saw Xandra in concert? Oh man, that must have been incredible!”

“It was!” Presley’s face lights up. “That was before she disappeared for a few weeks, remember that? People were crazy looking for her. I guess she needed some time away. Now she doesn’t do those huge concerts.”

“I think she got married, didn’t she?” I say.

Daniel interrupts before Presley and I can go all fan-girl over Xandra.

"That sounds like a nightmare to me."

"Anyway," Presley says after giving Daniel's hand a reassuring squeeze, "let's talk about what you're doing back in town, if you don't mind me asking. It must be fun to live with your aunt. Maxine is such a hoot."

"That's for sure," I say.

"Wait a minute," Nash says, like he just remembered something, "what about Creed and Jake? Do they know you're here?"

“Um… I don’t think so. I mean…um…why would they care?” It sure sounds lame. “A lot of time has passed. I’m sure they’ve moved on.”

“Not based on what I heard about their latest date,” Pat interjects as she refills our coffee cups. “Those two are a hot mess.”

CHAPTER6

Jake

"God,my head hurts. Can't we call Maxine and tell her we'll come tomorrow? Or never?" Between the beer and the bar brawl, not to mention the humiliation of getting our asses kicked and having our date leave with the men who embarrassed us in front of half the town, my head pounds and my vision blurs.

"I know, I feel like I could vomit, but you heard Maxine last night. If we don't show up this morning and deal with this, she'll probably come and pound on our door and that would be even worse."

"Ugh. I hadn't thought of that, but you're right."

Creed backs the truck out of our driveway and we head across town to Maxine's.

Neither of us is saying the thing I know we're both thinking. Maxine is Tracy's aunt. Tracy lived with her after her parents were killed. Maybe she knows something about our fated mate.

Yes, I'm a hopeless romantic.

In the past, pride has kept us from asking about Tracy when we've been at Maxine's house for repairs. And she didn't exaggerate when she said she was one of our longest customers. Sometimes I think she broke stuff just to give us a bit of work.

But right now, I'd like to do anything but go to her house. Not just because my head is killing me but because seeing her will just be another reminder of our failed lives. Just a couple of brothers who are bitter and fight all the time because of a mistake years ago. A mistake that let the girl who was meant for us, chosen by the Great Spirit, get away.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

As we pass through town, Pat's Diner comes into view. I could really go for some coffee and a couple of Pat's pancakes.

"Do you think we have time..." I say, gesturing toward the diner. My stomach growls.

"I wish. But let's get this over with, then we can stop in later. Besides, Maxine said she was making biscuits and you know she'll be mad if we don't eat at least three a piece."

"Today, I think I could."

We stop at a traffic light and I glance at Pat's Diner with longing. I recognize Nash, Daniel and Presley going inside. There's another woman with them, though I can only see her from behind. Something about her sparks my interest but the light turns green and she disappears inside the diner and we head up the hill toward Maxine's house.

"She better not be lying about those biscuits," Creed says as we get out of the truck.

The front door opens and Maxine waves to us, a big smile on her face. Thank goodness she's not yelling like last night. I don't think my head could take it.

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