Page 99 of Tennessee Trouble

That’s it. I know what I need to do. How I can show her that I’m still in this and that one little mistake isn’t going to break us. Because we’re stronger than that.

She’s my forever.

I just need to get my ass in gear.

“I need hops and a cider press,” I say, bolting upright, suddenly energized like someone plugged me in.

My skin is tingling, my heart racing as I try to piece it all together. It’s going to take some doing, but I got this. Lindee is worth it.

“Those two things don’t go together,” Milo replies, one eyebrow quirked upward.

“Oh…but they do…”

25

BRANDT

Alright, let’s do this.

A surge of energy rises in my chest. I haven’t felt this amped up since Ryan Fox dared me to chug one of those dangerously high-caffeine sodas freshman year in high school. This time it’s all natural. And there’s no Ryan Fox to taunt me.

Nope, now it’s all me.

I yank open the door to Tennessee Trouble, walking in like I own the place. Despite the bright sunshine outside, every lightbulb in this place is turned up to eleven, reflecting off the walls and floor. I turn toward the reception desk, ready to plead my case with whomever is sitting there. If they are anything like the woman we have at the welcome desk at Hayes headquarters, I’m going to have to do some smooth talking —and maybe wine and dine her—to even get her to call Lindee.

It doesn’t matter, because I’m cut off.

“You’ve got quite some nerve showing up here.”

I whip around, the stern, judgmental voice hitting me like a sandbag to the knees. To be fair, it’s not as cutthroat as I would have expected.

“Mikayla, hi…” I stumble. “I⁠—”

“Just what do you think you’re doing here? You think that you can simply stroll in here and make everything okay?”

Well, I didn’t think it would be simple…

“Mr. Rawlins, what an unexpected surprise,” Leland drawls, coming up behind Mikayla and placing a hand on her shoulder, like he’s telling a dog to heel. Which, maybe he is. Because comparing Lindee’s older sister to a guard dog would be an understatement. “To what do we owe the honor?”

“I…” I swallow hard, trying to remember everything I practiced on the way up here. “I’m here to talk to Lindee.”

“Fat chance,” Mikayla spits.

Saw that coming.

I take a couple of steps, trying to close the gap that is the entire lobby between us. This conversation doesn’t need to be broadcast for everyone to hear.

“Please. I know that I have a lot of explaining to do, and that’s why I’m here. There are things I need to tell her. Important things.”

Only for her ears things.

“If they were so important, why didn’t you say them before?”

The question is simple, earnest, and heartfelt. She’s asking because her interest is protecting her sister. Not out of some mean-spirited grudge or a power trip. It’s good, old-fashioned sibling defense. Same way I would be if someone broke my sisters’ hearts.

For all the times Mikayla Murray has been mean and cold, this was her opportunity to really lay into me. To let me have it. Instead, she’s keeping it level. Like maybe if I give her the right answer, she’ll grant me access.

“Brandt!” Rylan exclaims, jogging down the long, wide staircase. “Didn’t ever expect to see you again.”