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You need to get yourself together, Sierra. You can’t have him.
“So, what do you feel like? Tacos? Burgers?” he says with a suggestive wink. “Or maybe we should try the new sushi restaurant on First? I’m easy.”
“Whatyouare is obnoxious,” I tell him, shaking my head. “But sushi sounds good, and I do want to make it up to you for your help with the tire.”
“Nah, you owe me nothing. Just let me do this for you. Now about lunch… I’ll pick you up at noon. Sound good?”
“Sounds good. And Grayson…”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you,” I tell him again. “Really. I appreciate it very much.”
“It’s nothing, Sierra. I’m just happy I could help you out.” His eyes are warm. I take a breath and try to act like the way he’s looking at me right now isn’t turning my insides to mush. It’s not easy acting aloof around Grayson.
As I watch him walk across the lawn to his house, I realize how much lighter I feel when Grayson is around. That dull ache in my chest that has made it hard to breathe since being back in Reed Point seems to fade away whenever he’s around. And lately he seems to be around a lot.
I try to take my eyes off him as he gets closer to his house, watching the way he walks with confidence, not to mention his ass in those jeans. I tell myself to go inside and douse myself in cold water, but I stay standing right where I am.
This is the third time in as many days that I’m hanging out with Grayson, and I can feel it getting harder and harder to remember all the reasons why we can’t be together. The lines are getting blurry. It’s becoming a problem.
Friends is all we can ever be, and I need to remember that.
Grayson
I headout to work the next morning, my laptop in one hand and a piece of toast in the other. I’m just about to hop in my truck when I spot Tucker, who is dragging his garbage bin up from the curb wearing only a pair of old sweats and flip flops.
“You look rough as hell,” I call to him. “Who was she?”
“I think that’s a better question for you.” He smirks, parking the bin in his garage. “What’s the deal with you and Sierra?”
I shrug, trying to hide my grin. I already can’t wait to see her again.
“You’re really not going to admit that you have a thing for Jake’s sister?” Tucker asks, walking towards me. “It’s written all over your face.”
I open my truck door and toss my laptop on the passenger seat, trying to hide the smile on my face. “Shouldn’t you be dressed for work?” I ask, waving a hand at his attire—or lack thereof.
“I’ll get on that when you’ve answered my question,” he presses. “And you might as well tell me the truth. You can’t lie worth shit.”
“There’s nothing going on with me and Sierra. She had a flat tire at that baseball fundraiser we were both at and I helped her with it. That’s it.”
I take a bite of my toast, hoping he’s done with the questions.
“You sure that’s all?” he asks, “I mean, I wouldn’t blame you if you liked her. The girl is hot. Maybe I should—”
“Tuck.” My spine straightens at the comment, annoyance firing up in every part of my body. Sierra is mine. She’s off limits.
Tucker laughs. “Look at you, man. You’re ready to knock my head off my shoulders just for saying your girl’s hot. What did I say? You can’t lie worth shit.”
“She’s not my girl,” I insist, though I have to admit I like the way it would sound if she was.
“Yet,” he says, backing up with a smirk. “I’ll bet you right now that she will be by next week.”
I shake my head and slip into my truck, thinking that’s one bet I’d be happy to lose.
* * *
I’m feeling unusually laidbackfor a Monday morning as I pour myself a second cup of coffee in the break room, stirring in two packets of sugar.
