Page 23 of Crossed Lines

Both of their cars are in the driveway when I pull up to the house. It’s been awhile since I’ve been here. I’m realizing now that he usually comes to my place. It tends to be easier since I have Jade, but it makes me feel like an awful friend. He always goes out of his way for me, and lately I feel like I’ve done nothing for him.

It looks like he’s done a lot of landscaping in his front yard. It looks so good, and I had no idea he even did it. Years ago, that’s the type of thing we would’ve done together.

I knock quickly before I walk right in. It’s not until I’m in and see Willow in the kitchen that I think maybe I should’ve waited for someone to let me in. She always knocks at my place, even though I wouldn’t care if she just walked in.

“Hey,” I say to announce myself. She turns toward me and smiles.

“Hey, you. Boys’ night out, huh?” She stirs something on the stove.

“Yeah, something like that. Been awhile since I’ve gone out.”

“That’s what Sawyer said, too. He’s shown me three different outfit options. It’s almost like y’all are going on a first date rather than the bar.”

I laugh. “You’ll understand when you’re older. It’s hard to find time to hang out with your friends.”

“I don’t doubt it. I see how hard you both work,” she says.

She leans back against the counter and crosses her arms. The movement grabs my attention, and my eyes inadvertently fall to her chest. I can see the outline of her tits in the thin white T-shirt she’s wearing, and she’s very obviously braless.

Damn. I swear, every time I think I can have a normal conversation with her, she does something to turn me on. It’s not her fault, though. Not at all. She’s just standing like a normal person, and I’m over here drooling over her.

“Hey, man.” Sawyer’s voice pulls me out of the trance Willow put me under. I quickly look away, but not before I see her smirk. She knows exactly where I was looking. Dammit.

“Hey. You ready?” I ask, needing to get out of here as quickly as possible.

“Yep.” He turns to Willow. “You sure you’re going to be ok here by yourself?”

She rolls her eyes. “Yes, Dad. I’ll be fine.”

“Just making sure. You can come with us if you don’t want to be alone,” he offers, and my body goes rigid. I cannot be around her and Sawyer at the same time. There is no way he wouldn’t catch me watching her. Whenever she’s around, I can’t keep my eyes off her. I don’t want to want her. Crossing a line like that with her would destroy my friendship with Sawyer, which I would never want. I couldn’t live with myself if that happened.

“No, I’m not crashing boys’ night,” she says, and I feel my shoulders relax. “I’m happy to have a night to myself. And if you bring a woman home, you better keep it quiet.” She points her sauce-covered spoon at Sawyer.

He chuckles. “I don’t plan on bringing anyone home except Beck.”

“I can be quiet, I promise,” I tell them, and we all laugh.

Sawyer directs me out of the house, but not before I spare one last glance at Willow. It makes me feel like shit that I would rather spend the evening with her than out at the bar with my best friend.

Roadside is a short drive from Sawyer’s place, and by the time we get there, it’s already busy. It’s to be expected on a Saturday night. Well, any night really. Not much else to do in a small town. But weekends are always worse.

“Brooks is meeting us here in a few,” I tell Sawyer as we manage to find a small table in the back corner just as another group is leaving.

We order our beers, and before they can even be delivered, Brooks is walking through the door with his signature cowboy hat. It’s always funny to me to see Brooks away from the ranch. He has such an aura of confidence about him, but he’s the nicest guy you’ll ever meet. Which is likely why the town rumor mill quickly passed over the fact that he’s now engaged to his son’s ex-girlfriend.

I wave him over after he orders his beer from the bar. He looks happier than usual. Like he’s excited about something. Of course, I have to call him out on it. “You good, man? You look like you’re about to burst into song or some shit.”

He laughs. “Just got some really good news this week.”

“Oh yeah? What’s that?” I ask.

He looks around the table as if to make sure no one nearby could overhear. Then he leans in and says, “Aspen’s pregnant.”

“What?” I exclaim. “That’s awesome.” I’ve known that Brooks wanted another kid, but I also knew he didn’t want it to end in a disaster like with Zach and Zach’s mom. But Aspen is awesome, and they’re so good together. I’m happy that he’s getting this second chance.

“Thanks. It’s a little early, so don’t run around town announcing it. But we went to the doctor yesterday to confirm, and everything looks great.”

Sawyer claps Brooks on the shoulder. “Congrats, man.”