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Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. What was I thinking?
“Uh—I—we,” I began.
“Don’t,” she interrupted with a hand up.
And then she was gone, out the door and running to the house before I could say anything else.
I climbed out of my truck and gave my brother a glare that I hoped saidWhat. The. Fuck?
“Seriously?” he accused.
I ignored his comment; I wasn’t in the mood for a lecture. “Why are you even out here? You get off on watching us?”
“Screw you. Next time, don’t be trying to get laid in your truck. You’re luckyIwas the one who interrupted andnotour parents, asshole.”
He was right. I shouldn’t have let this happen. “You still didn’t answer my question.”
“I was having a beer with dad and was heading back to the guest house.” His eyebrow raised, and the corner of his mouth turned up. “So, you and Bella?”
“I don’t fucking know.”
“What do you mean you don’t know? You better fucking know—and quick.” Both of his hands came out and shoved me hard.
I stumbled back a bit and glared at him. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
“Haven’t you hurt her enough?” He balled his hands into fists, and I took another step back.
“Her? Whose side are you on?” As soon as the words left my mouth, I wanted to take them back because I loved the relationship Bella had with my family.
“Hers—newsflash, our entire family is on her side—but only because we see what you’re too fucking stupid to see.”
“I know.” I let my head fall forward and rubbed my temples with my thumb and forefinger. “But after this fucked-up day, I can’t process what all this means.”
“Then maybe you shouldn’t have been screwing around in your truck. You need to figure out what you want before you start shit with her. You’re gonna mess everything up if she and Brendan move back to Asheville because you can’t get your head out of your ass.” He let out an exasperated huff.
“Boys, stop arguing,” Mom called from the front porch with Brendan on her hip. “Rhett, come inside and get something to eat.” Although the words sounded welcoming, the frown on her face wasn’t.
“Sorry,” Kyle and I said in unison.
“I’m heading home,” I added to our mom.
“Don’t be silly. I have plenty of leftovers from dinner. And I’m not taking no for an answer.” She stepped down off the porch and placed Brendan on the sidewalk. He immediately ran in my direction, and instinctively, I scooped him into my arms.
My mother was a smart woman, and she knew exactly how to get her way.
“You don’t play fair,” I mumbled as Brendan patted my cheek with his tiny, slightly sticky hand.
“I mean it Rhett. Get your shit together,” Kyle growled while sending me one last glare. He pivoted and followed the path that led down to the guest house.
Once we were in the kitchen, my eyes scanned the room, seeking Bella. I was half relieved that she wasn’t there. The last thing I wanted to do was have an awkward conversation in front of my mother.
“Where’s Bella?”
“She said she needed to change and hurried up the stairs. She seemed flustered and a bit upset. What did you do?”
Was she showering? I swallowed a smirk at the idea. Wet and soapy. A wave of possessiveness washed over me from the need to make this woman mine. But shit, I couldn’t go there. I was standing in my mother’s kitchen.
“Nothing. It’s just been a long day for both of us.” It wasn’t a lie, but also not the whole truth.
