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Liv
Werunasagroup today. The guys take turns keeping me company in the back. I’m not in the mood for racing, so I let them go ahead. Luke slows, but I wave him on, and he catches up with the group. The testosterone is flying anyway, so they take off in a mad dash. Hooting and hollering carries up the path to the ranch house, but I veer off when I see Charlie approaching from the barn. He must have returned when we were on our run.
He’s wary as he glances behind me at the group at the house, but he opens his arms. “Hey you.”
“I’m all sweaty,” I say, but he wraps me up anyway. He sighs and holds me a few beats longer than necessary. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too.” Laughter floats towards us and I fuss with the hem of my shirt.
“So, Luke is here with my friends from San Diego. I didn’t invite him.”
“I know. Your dad told me.”
An awkward silence descends as I scramble for what to say.
“Do you want him to be here?” he asks.
I should say no, but the word clogs in my throat. He takes a deep breath, but he looks behind me as footsteps approach. I panic and grab Charlie’s hand. He laces our fingers together and tightens his grip as I step beside him to face the group.
The guys approach with squared shoulders and neutral faces. Luke glances at our joined hands and his jaw clenches, but he doesn’t speak.
“Guys, this is Charlie. He works for Henry and Mike,” Garrett says. He attempts a light tone, but he glances at the guys with concern.Shit. Did I just send Charlie to the firing squad?
Luke surprises me by stepping forward first. He extends his hand, forcing Charlie to either ignore him or let go of my hand to shake his. He chooses the latter.
“I’m Luke,” he says with a polite smile.
Charlie returns it. “I’ve heard a lot about you.” He drops Luke’s hand and takes mine back.
Luke’s gaze tracks the movement. “It’s all true. But I’m here to fix it.”
Charlie’s grip tightens as the guys shift. Luke meets his eyes, confident and challenging. Charlie nods at him and Luke returns the gesture. What the hell just happened? Luke meets my gaze with a soft smile as he steps aside to let the guys meet Charlie. Sweat forms on my brow and I wipe it away.
Dylan steps up to Charlie and grips his hand. “Nice to meet you.” His voice is neutral, but his eyes are hard.
The guys file through, all with their peacock posturing. Jackson doesn’t disappoint, looking Charlie over before he shakes his hand with a grunt. I roll my eyes at him, but he only winks. Mark is the friendliest, offering a genuine smile.
The first chance I get, I pull Charlie back into the barn. “Jesus, you never said you were friends with a bunch of jacked motherfuckers,” Charlie grumbles as he follows me.
“They’re harmless,” I say.
He scoffs. “You sure about that?”
“I’m sorry. I should have known they’d be obnoxious.”
He shrugs and pulls me into him. “I can handle myself. But I need to know where you stand.”
“I’m right here. With you.”
He searches my eyes. “You said you just wanted to be friends, but now you’re holding my hand in front of him like we’re more than that. If you’re not over him, it’s ok. I already told you I’d wait.”
I didn’t even realize I did that, but he’s right. He put up with my bullshit because he’s a good guy. But that’s not fair to him.
“I’m sorry. I panicked.”
His sigh is heavy, but he still holds me close.
“I already told him I was seeing you,” I say.
