That all changed whenhemoved into town. Logan Vaughan. He caught the eye of both of us, but I was the shy one, so Val made her move and ended up dating Logan, as I crushed on him from afar.
We remained besties, but Logan took up a lot of her time, and it was hard on my teenage heart seeing the boy I liked kissing and then hearing about him having sex with my best friend.
So I hid my feelings, often making excuses to not go out with them, not wanting to be a third wheel on their dates. As we got older and things got serious between them to a point I thought they would get married, things took a bad turn.
Valarie’s brother Vinnie was getting into trouble, and Logan would have to bail him out of the situation a lot of the time. I am not one hundred percent on all of the facts but I heard that Vinnie got into drugs while racing.
We all loved cars, I still do. I would love watching Logan and Vinnie race; they were saving money to buy a garage to become mechanics, and for a while it was good. They were winning, people would travel to race Logan who was far better than Vinnie and he knew it— hated it but knew it.
The ladies liked to give Logan attention also, because come on, that man was fine with his light blond hair, blue eyes, and a perfectly chiseled jaw. He used to be slim, but defined like a swimmer’s body; I used to love watching him in the pool.
Valarie hated girls looking at him, and believe me I had to get into a few fights because of her temper over the years. I have the freaking scars as proof.
Slowly we drifted apart, and she became focused on Vinnie and Logan, but I saw her changing, Logan did not. When I talked to him about it, he thought I was seeing things, but the prick told Valarie, and she flipped her shit on me.
The distance between us grew, until one day I stopped trying to fix things between us. It was not worth my time or energywhen she had no intention of fixing. That is not to say that I am not still worried about her; I hate seeing her around with the bikers who look like they eat snakes for breakfast.
Plus the street crew who I know are trouble and deal in drugs, as some of them have been picked up by my cousin, Sheriff Grady Palmer.
Logan left after something big went down, but what I am not sure, as I kept my distance from them all. It hurt my heart when he told Valarie about our conversation, I thought he had some respect for me to listen to my worries, but clearly, he thought very little of me.
“I knew I would find you out here.” I smile looking toward the door, seeing Davis walk out.
Why can’t I find it in me to date this man? Tall, handsome, and sweet, sometimes too sweet. He has asked me out a few times, but each time the timing was off, and I had to turn him down. I am not sure I want to date anyone I work with; can you imagine the drama if we broke up.
No thanks, I hate drama. I am a drama-free girly.
Give me ice cream, Glory, and any Transformers movies and I am done for the night. My friends tease me for being obsessed about the movie franchise but come on, who doesn’t love Bumblebee?
“Just taking in the summer’s heat,” I offer.
“Honey, no one likes Arizona heat,” he quips, making me giggle.
“True. How are the functions’ planning coming along?” Davis plans all the events at the hotel, because this man can plan anything.
Give him a job and he will deliver one of the best events or parties you will ever witness.
“Good. Well, the mayor’s ball is almost ready, just need confirmation on a few things, but the bride who has booked fornext month is a fucking bridezilla. Damn, she is testy about every little thing.”
“I am sure you can handle her.”
“I can handle any woman.” He winks at me.
“You are also shameless, Davis.”
“Yup. You are working the wedding with me, I am sure I saw your name.”
“I am.” I nod. “Aunt Cass is taking Glory with her for the weekend, so I am all yours for whatever you need from me.”
His eyes darken at my words and I groan inwardly. Shit.
“Why won’t you go out with me, Stevie?” He inches closer and I can smell his aftershave. “You know we could be good together.”
I close my eyes, because he does affect me, but right now, I need to concentrate on me after my shitty break-up two months ago.
“I am not ready,” is all I say.
I hear him sigh and he inches back, and when his hand cups my jaw, I notice how soft they are. He has not done any hard labor a day in his life, because if so, he would have rough-skinned hands, calloused even.
