“Pester him?” Teller had the audacity to look scandalized. “I just happened to mention that I’ve been seeing his truck at the cabin a lot.”
All eyes were on me. Lane pressed his fist against his mouth, trying not to laugh.
Rhys scratched at his jaw. “I forgot how ruthless you guys are.”
All my brothers grinned.
Gideon glanced at Myles. “What’s it like not getting run right off?”
Autumn patted his arm. “They couldn’t run you off, hon.”
“Myles either.” Wynter’s expression was smug.
“Jonah ran himself off,” Summer said and Jonah nodded.
Tate tipped his head, his eyes full of mirth. “I’m still debating about Rhys.”
Rhys pointed a finger at him. “You did once. Remember?”
Confusion entered Tate’s expression. “No, I don’t.”
Rhys’s eyes got a faraway look. “It was when I was thirteen and I’d just snuck my first kiss with June in the barn, and you walked in. You said I’d better not beup to no good, or you’d bury me under the manure pile.”
Tate’s laughter rang across the yard. “I was kidding, and I didn’t know you two were making out in there.”
I peeked at Mama, my face hot. “It was a kiss.”
“You were practically an adult, Tate.” Humor filled Rhys’s voice. “Scared the crap outta me.”
“Mama,” I said in a mock angry tone. “Aren’t you ashamed of your oldest? Not that the others are innocent.”
Mama rocked away, a faint smile on her lips. “It was a good way of weeding out the fakes. The ones who stuck around knew my girls were worth it.”
The dopey, lovey-dovey looks my sisters gave their spouses made me nauseous. I rolled my eyes toward Rhys in acan you believe this?way.
His gaze softened. “You were worth it,” he said only loud enough for me to hear. “Always have been.”
I melted inside. Absolutely liquid. I could pull him into the barn and finish what we’d started all those years ago.
Conversation continued around us, but Rhys and I were in our own little bubble.
“The girls called,” he said.
“They okay?”
“They’re worried about missing two weeks of lessons, but I said you’re working on the album and preparing for the fundraiser.”
The fundraiser was nothing. I would show up and sing what I wanted. A novel occurrence. There was no set list, no warm-up, no interviews or autograph signing. I planned to arrive and sing and enjoy myself. No pressure. I couldn’t wait.
“I can give them lessons next Sunday.” A week before I left.
He scanned the people around us. “Is it bad that I want to keep you to myself this week?”
“No.” I wanted to be selfish too.
“Tonight, June Bug.” He glanced around at everyone once more. “Your brothers haven’t scared me off yet.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
