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How did such a perfect night end up like this?
Of course, I already know the answer to that question. Last night, I let myself get carried away. For once in my life, I stopped being sensible and fully gave in to what I wanted. I didn’t let myself think about consequences or right and wrong. My time with Jackson was the best night of my life, but now I’m going to have to pay for not thinking things through properly. I’m going to have to go back to a life without Jackson Ryder. The thought makes my heart clench with pain, and I can’t bring myself to meet Jackson’s gaze.
“What are you saying, Maeve?” he asks lowly.
“I’m…I’m saying that we can’t do this again.” I swallow back my tears, desperate not to let Jackson see me cry. “I’m sorry. I really wish things could be different. You don’t know how much I wish I could…” I cut off with a gasp. I can hear a vehicle approaching outside, and my heart sinks. “Crap! Cade’s home!”
Jackson sighs, taking a step out of my bedroom. “I’ll leave out the back. He won’t see me.”
I nod, my heart stuttering as I hear the sound of my brother’s truck door closing. “I’m sorry, Jackson. Thank you…thank you for everything.”
Jackson doesn’t speak, he just nods, taking one last look at me before he disappears out of the back door. I quickly scan my bedroom, checking for any signs that Jackson was here. When I find none, I race into the living room and grab a book from the shelf that Cade put up for me, opening it up to a random page and jumping onto the couch just as the front door opens.
“Morning, kiddo,” Cade says as he walks into the living room.
“Morning, old man.” I try to keep my voice light, pretending to read my book, but my insides are still churning.
“Everything okay here?”
I nod. “Everything’s fine. It was a quiet night.”
Cade smiles. “Good. Well, I didn’t feel great about leaving you here by yourself, but at least the trip was worth it. It was a great sale. I made almost double what I expected.”
“That’s awesome.” I force a smile in my brother’s direction, but he sees through it, and his face falls slightly.
“You sure everything’s okay?” he asks.
“Sure. Everything’s great.”
I smile again, and this one must be more convincing because Cade looks mollified. He pats me affectionately on the shoulder before heading to the bathroom to take a shower. Once he’s gone, I head straight for the window, peering out at Jackson’s farmhouse. I’m just in time to see Jackson reach his porch steps. He chances a glance up at the cabin before he disappears into his farmhouse, and as a single tear rolls down my cheek, I can’t help but feel like he’s taken a chunk of my heart with him.
9
Jackson
I slam the front door behind me, pacing angrily through the living room. I can’t stand still. I’m too full of emotions. Last night was the best night of my whole fucking life, and somehow, in the cold light of morning, I’ve lost it all. I’ve lost the only girl I’ve ever wanted.
Shit.
I understand Maeve’s concerns. Hell, I spent a week avoiding her because of my own fears, even if I didn’t manage to stay away for long. But everything has changed now. Before last night, it was all just a fantasy, but now it’s real, and I can’t imagine going back to life before Maeve. She has turned my whole world upside down, and it’s too late for me to turn back now.
I can’t leave her.
I just can’t.
Maeve is my girl now. She’s the only woman I will ever want, and I will do anything to be with her. I understand that she doesn’t want to hurt her brother, but I can’t let Cade keep us apart. I’ve known him for twenty years, and he’s a good person with a damn good heart. Even if he’ll almost certainly beat my ass and hate me forever, I know Cade will never abandon his sister. Not for anything.
I need to speak to him. Now.
With a deep breath, I head straight back out of my farmhouse and begin the walk up to Cade’s cabin. I can’t even imagine what my buddy will say when I tell him I’ve fallen for his little sister, but I’ll take my chances. All I care about is being with Maeve.
My sweet, beautiful Maeve.
I reach the front door and knock, spying a flicker of movement at the window before the door opens to reveal Cade.
“Morning, Jackson,” he says cheerfully, his hair still wet from a shower. “Haven’t seen you for a while.”
Obviously, Cade has no idea what happened last night. Maeve must have succeeded in hiding all the evidence.
