Page 24 of Crossed Lines

I lift my freshly delivered beer up in a toast. “Cheers to you and Aspen.”

We all clink our bottles together and take a drink.

“It’ll be strange having a baby on the ranch again,” he says.

I chuckle. “Yeah, but don’t worry, Jade will be all over that. Your baby will always be entertained.”

“I don’t doubt that. How’s the summer going with her?” Brooks asks. We haven’t talked much other than some business things recently, so I haven’t updated him.

“Good. Really good. I love having her here, and she loves having Willow to hang out with.”

“Yeah? How’s that going?” Brooks gives me a knowing look before he glances slightly in Sawyer’s direction. Shit. Did I make my attraction to her too obvious?

I swallow another gulp of my beer before answering. “Good. Willow’s great with Jade.”

“He’s keeping Willow busy,” Sawyer adds. “Early mornings. Late nights. But it’s good for her. She said she wanted some extra money.”

“Hmm. You paying her well, Beck?” Brooks asks. There’s a glint in his eye, and I know he’s teasing me. I shift uncomfortably in my seat, hoping Sawyer doesn’t catch on to anything.

“Yeah, I think so. She hasn’t complained yet.” I narrow my eyes at him. He better not be trying to get me in trouble. Technically speaking, I haven’t done anything wrong.

“Hey, I’ll be right back. Gonna go say hey to Hailey.” Sawyer stands and nods his head in the direction of a woman I recognize from around town.

Once he’s gone, Brooks leans in. “So how’s it really going with Willow?”

“What are you talking about?” I ask.

“Don’t play dumb with me, Beck. I know you too well. I saw the way you looked at her the other day at the stables. You held her hand.”

Shit. I was hoping he didn’t see. I don’t know why I did that other than I was so excited to see her that day. “I-I don’t know, ok? I feel myself being drawn to her even when I don’t want to. It’s fucked up. I don’t know what I’m doing.”

“Why is it fucked up? Because she’s Sawyer’s sister?”

“Yeah. That. And I practically grew up with her. She’s only twenty-one, for fucks sake.”

“You gotta remember that she’s been gone, though. She was away at school for what? Three years? I’m sure she’s grown up since she left here and is a different person,” he says.

“She feels like a different person, but also the same.”

“Maybe that’s why you feel drawn to her. You’re comfortable with her.”

I rub my hand down my face. “Yeah, maybe. I don’t know. I just know Sawyer would kill me if he found out how I’m feeling.”

Brooks looks over his shoulder in Sawyer’s direction. I know my friend well enough to know that he would not be happy if I crossed any lines with Willow.

“Maybe just keep it to yourself for now,” Brooks says, turning back to me. “Nothing has happened, right? And she’s only here for the summer. Just don’t do anything stupid while she’s here. Let her finish school, and if you still feel this way when she’s done, then maybe you talk to Sawyer.”

He’s right, I know he’s right. Willow is young and has a lot of life to live. I don’t think I could handle having her and then losing her. She deserves the opportunity to live her dreams. Going to Italy. Getting her degree. Choosing her own place to live and her own career wherever she wants, and not just because I’m here in Blue Haven. Yeah, Brooks is right. I need to keep myself in check.

Sawyer makes his way back to our table. I try to act calm and hope my face doesn’t show that I was just thinking about his sister.

“So, Hailey has some friends with her. They’re gonna come over in a bit. Maybe you can find someone you like?” He’s looking directly in my direction.

I groan. “Man, you know I’m not looking to date right now.” Especially when my head is all fucked up. I’m obviously not in love or anything, but my attention is heavily skewed toward Willow.

“I’m not asking you to be in a committed relationship, but it wouldn’t hurt to spend some time with a woman. I mean, when was the last time you… you know?”

I roll my eyes, not wanting to answer. It’s been an embarrassingly long time. “None of your business.”