Even if it’s not what I want.
Nobody seems to be letting go of the wholenot-girlfriendthing. Not that Emmett or I are trying very hard to stop it.
If I’m honest, I don’t hate it.
At least, not until I imagine sharing a girl with my brother.
That’s where the fantasy ends.
Instead, I’m stuck in this version of reality. The one where I spent all morning untangling busted wire while trying not to picture his hands on her.
Dad told me to pull Lane to help, but starting my day with him sounds like my own personal hell. Hard fucking pass.
I need to let it go.
Lane breaking Dad’s rule pisses me off more than it should—but if I say something, Sadie will think I’m being a dick. Like I’m trying to get in her way.
I’ve done enough damage on that front.
Land won’t rat him out either, so I guess Lane gets to keep flying under the radar.
For now.
Eventually, someone’s gonna catch them. Secrets like that can only last for so long before the bubble bursts.
But it’s none of my business.
I’m getting over it, remember?
I leave the lodge after lunch, brushing past Lane at the bar without saying a word. We sat next to each other the whole damn time in complete silence.
I make it less than ten steps before nearly plowing straight into her.
“Ohshit,“ she blurts. “I’m sorry.”
I step back, shoving my hands in my pockets. “All good.”
Her cheeks are a little pink from the sun. Wisps of hair have fallen from her braid into her face, and she brushes them back without thinking—oblivious to the effect she has on me.
I look away before I can finish the thought, keeping my expression neutral.
“She’s inside,” I say, tipping my head toward the lodge. “If you’re looking for Lydia.”
“I wasn’t.”
I nod “Alright. Just figured maybe you were meeting with her or…someone.”
A beat of silence.
Her lips curve. “Someone like Lane, you mean.”
“Didn’t say that.”
“But you were thinking it.”
I shrug. “Doesn’t matter to me.”
“Sure,” she says, with a little too much amusement.
