You Can't Run by Hope Davis (pdf e book reader .TXT) 📕

He smiled. “You assume correct. That’s basic guy code, sisters are off limits without permission.”

“And?”

Kevin got a hole in one. “He’s more than okay with it. He knows I’m a good guy.”

“Oh really?” She finished taking her turn, getting another hole in two shots.

“Yes really, those were his exact words actually.”

They were almost done with the fourth hole. “So, then Kevin good guy, what are your plans for the future?”

He was quiet for a moment while he took his shot. “Well, I guess keep working my way up in the construction world. I’d like to eventually buy a few rental properties and that way those could be a bit of income insurance when I retire.”  Naya watched him without saying anything. “Is this your way of asking me if I want kids?”

She shook her head. “Not necessarily. I mean I suppose if that’s what you wanted you would mention it? I’m asking what you want out of life, and clearly kids didn’t make the cut.”

He grabbed both of their balls again and headed for the next hole. He handed Naya hers and she began to line up her swing. “I guess I should ask you the same question.”

She watched where her ball went, thinking for a moment about her answer.

“If you had asked me a year ago, I would’ve had an answer for you. But now I’m not sure.”

“What do you mean?” His eyes searched her face, as if he could find the answer himself.

“A year ago, I was happy as sheriff of a small town and ready to start looking for a man, maybe buy a nice house, or build my own to my exact specifications…and now, well my whole life has been turned upside down and is hanging in limbo.” Kevin knew what she was referring to, she didn’t have to explain.

They finished the eighth hole and headed for the ninth. Naya couldn’t believe how fast time was going by, she felt like she could spend forever just talking to Kevin.

“So, you already know a lot about my family life thanks to Vance, but tell me a little bit about yours?” She looked at Kevin, loving the way the setting sun was reflecting off his blond hair turning his curls golden.

“Well, that’s easy. I’m a lonely only child as you already know. Vance is the closest thing I’ve ever had to a brother. That’s why I’m always around. I know we didn’t have an entire childhood together like the two of you but I feel like I’m part of Vance’s family and he’s part of mine.”

He watched from the side lines and she lined up her ball on the next hole. This one had a tricky windmill that you had to time, if you shot early or late the blade would send the ball right back to the start.

“And where are your parents?” She took the shot, pumping the air when she got it through the windmill obstacle on the first try.

Kevin chuckled at her little victory dance and began to line up his own shot. “My mom was a single mom, she did everything for me herself. And she’s in Castle Rock. She’s actually been wanting to visit Vance at some point soon, so maybe you’ll be able to meet her.

“Is Vance close to your mom?”

Kevin shrugged. “When Vance first moved here, he would spend the smaller holidays and occasional weekend he couldn’t make it home for with us, like the 4th of July, so I guess you could say so? Honestly, you’d have to ask Vance.”

Naya was beginning to realize just how off her perception of her brother had been. She leaned down to line up her ball on what was now the fourteenth hole. When she had moved up here, she had done so thinking Vance had no support because his family was so far away.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Kevin watched her cautiously, seemingly worried he had said something wrong.

“Oh, I was just thinking. When I moved up here, I did so because I thought Vance didn’t have anyone. I mean I assumed he had friends, but I guess I just pictured a bunch of college guys who still go out for beers once a month. But you and Vance, you’re so close, it’s just a bit surprising for me to see someone who is as close as family who isn’t of relation, you know?”

“That doesn’t happen in La Junta?” He shaded his eyes and looked towards the setting sun crowned in pink before glancing at the time on his phone.

“I mean, yes and no. There are some friends who are inseparable, but that’s more in school. Once you grow up, it’s expected you get married and have kids and that’s your new support system, you know? Are we late for something?”

“We have reservations for dinner at six. If you aren’t too attached to this game, maybe we should call it a draw? Or we can take our chances on missing our reservation and go as walk-ins.”

She shook her head. “As much as it pains me to leave this golf game, I think food is going to take precedence here. Should I even ask what’s for dinner?”

He took her ball and club from her hands and began heading to the return hut. “Nope, so don’t even try.”

He returned their supplies and grabbed her hand to lead her back to the parking lot. As they reached the car, he spun her around to face him and faster than she could ask what he was doing, he leaned in and kissed her.

Just like the first time, it felt entirely natural, and she kissed him back, running her hands through his soft hair and along the stubble that went down the back of his neck.

He ended the kiss