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“I told her I’d probably come in late.”
“You didn’t have a problem stopping at the bar, from what I’ve heard.”
Dammit. I knew this would come back to bite me in the ass. I just didn’t realize how soon that’d happen.
Aaron shakes his head disapprovingly. “News travels fast in our small town, or did you forget that now that you moved to the big city, brother?”
My fingers clench by my side at his jab. “I didn’t come here to fight.”
“What I’m surprised about is that you came at all. The last time I saw you, you said something along the lines of…” He tilts his head to the side, tapping his finger over his chin as if he’s thinking. “Oh, right, I’ll never step foot in this godforsaken town ever again.”
“Trust me, I wouldn’t have disrupted your little family if Emmett didn’t threaten to have my ass kicked if I didn’t show up. And then,Mominsisted I should come here. If it were up to me, I’d be out of here before the wedding was done.”
Aaron scoffs. “Why am I not surprised? You were always good at walking away.”
“You know why I walked away,” I grit, trying to keep my cool. “Hell, you should be happy. This is always what you wanted for your life, and now you don’t have to share it.”
Aaron’s eyes narrow at me. “Don’t you dare tell me what I wanted.”
My jaw clenches as I just stare at my brother. I know he’s pissed, but hell, so am I. Then again, it wasn’t anything strange. All our lives, we’ve been at each other’s throats to the point some days, being on opposite sides of the ranch didn’t help us keep our cool.
“Just go inside,” Aaron sighs, and suddenly he looks so damn tired. His hands fall by his sides. “Mom left the door unlocked and made your old room.”
With that, Aaron turns around and starts walking in the opposite direction, to where his house is.
“Aaron,” I call out after him, loud enough so he can hear me but not loud enough to wake the whole house. “The last thing I wanted was to disrupt your lives.”
Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be back here. Having to deal with the fallout of what happened four years ago. All the harsh words that were spoken.
Aaron comes to a stop and looks over his shoulder. There is a beat of silence, and just when I think he’ll leave me hanging, he shakes his head. “What’s done is done.”
CHAPTER FOUR
REBECCA
Putting the last of the chocolate batter in the pan, I wipe my cheek with the back of my hand, pushing an unruly strand out of my face. I’m not sure why I try because the next thing I know, the stubborn lock falls back in my eye.
Cursing silently, I place the mixing bowl into the sink and grab the coffee cup off the counter. It was my third one today, and considering it’s not even seven a.m., I think that’s saying something. But screw it. I barely slept last night. Every time I’d close my eyes, I’d remember what happened, and I was wide awake all over again. I dare anybody to judge me.
Even thinking about it now has a shiver of unease going down my spine.
Miguel is back home.
It was one possibility I never allowed myself to think of because I knew his stance on this town. The issues he had with his father and everything that played out on his last day in Bluebonnet.
A loud knock comes from the back door. My whole body freezes for a split second. Then my heart starts beating wildly inside my chest. Swallowing the knot in my throat, I slowly look up, only to find Emmett’s face peeking from behind the glass.
Chill, it’s just Emmett.
It’s not likehe’d come here looking for me.
Or that I wanted him to.
No, I most definitely didnotwant him to.
Emmett smiles sheepishly at me and lifts his hand in a small wave.
It’s one of his I’m-your-best-friend-and-I-need-you-to-remember-how-cute-I-am-although-I’m-a-man-and-I-messed-up smiles.
