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- Author: Jody Kaye
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Having Drew this close at Eric’s wedding is like a stab wound to my chest. I want to take the knife, cut my heart out, hand it to Drew, and walk away. No heart, no heartache. No subconscious worries he might be after what every other boy was—Grandaddy’s money.
For the most part, it takes minor effort to see through those who want a Kingsbrier for the notoriety. Drew isn’t that translucent, but he’s had years of honing his craft, pulling the wool over my eyes as Adam’s best friend.
Someday I’ll see into your soul for what you are. I think.
I’d given myself a pep talk before the guests arrived. Avoid conversation. Don’t let Drew draw you in. You’ll only fight. God, I miss fighting with him and making up and everything else in between. All those stolen moments when nothing mattered before the sun came up but us. Those were the moments I was positive I meant more to Drew than even Adam had.
Daveigh takes Corey from my arms. I’m lost without my nephew as a distraction. Drew’s gaze is still boring into me. Thank goodness Daveigh stands nearby, so it’s easy to turn my attention and affections back on the baby. I keep the guise of polite conversation with Diana Adair until she and my sister walk away. D’s taffeta skirt swishes behind her.
The cutesy matching spring pink dresses Gin chose for D and me to wear today are wholly nineteen-fifties. I’ve had Corey on my hip most of the afternoon. If let my hair grow a bit longer I’d provide the perfect image of domestic bliss.
I absently touch the tips of my pageboy. I haven’t had long hair since I was a little girl. It was soft like Daveigh’s with wild curls. But I wasn’t demure, girly, or feminine. Or into baths, so I smelled as ripe as my brothers when they hit puberty.
“If you hadn’t set Brier off course before, you won’t accomplish it now. Don’t wait forever on her.” My brother knows I’m determined to get my Bachelor’s in criminal justice.
“Nah, I’m not waiting. Your sister’s too busy sampling the local cuisine to know when a real man is around. Tell me Brier, was one of those girls I met your roommate next fall? I mean, there’s this rule about males and females cohabitatin’ on campus, but no one seems to care that you are all licking each other’s pussies.”
Adam throws his head back with a gut-punch of laughter, doubling over. “YOU? God damn, Brier. I may joke, but the absolute last person I’d ever thought was a lesbian would be you. Hell, you’ve always liked making men drool. S’like you have a penchant for it. Not that I see what any of them are looking at.” Adam talks loud enough to draw attention.
“You are a complete and utter asshole.” I won’t let my brother insult me. And, of anyone, Drew knows what team I play for. I’ll eat crow before he gets away with talking about my roommate the way he is. “Don’t be a pig,” I hiss. “Rumor has it your coach handed you your ass for sneaking off on game day.”
This shuts him up.
When FSU played at Texas State Drew found my dorm room and paid me a visit. There was an itty bitty part of me that had hoped he’d try, though, when he appeared it wasn’t the consolation I’d expected. I should have admitted I wasn’t over him. But, at my breaking point over missing him, I’d taken my true form that afternoon.
It was the wrong move to make. I’m embarrassed by my actions. Drew got a rise out of me, which means he’s aware he still has my attention—even though I kissed another woman as a ruse to be rid of him—and the vicious part of my personality that won’t quit until it wins won’t give up.
Strolling nonchalant between the boys, I give each a hard shove; Adam for taunting me and Drew for bringing up the way I acted last fall. Adam takes two steps back. The wrought iron fencing stops him from stumbling while my brother continues heckling me. Drew’s heel gets stuck on the edge of the pool. He falls backward, landing in the chlorinated water with an enormous splash.
Surfacing, Drew spits and shakes the water from his ears. His blond hair spikes up and his blue eyes shoot venom at me. He grits his teeth, trodding to the side of the pool. Adam lends a hand, hauling him out. Drew’s drenched suit creates a waterfall on the concrete decking.
My mouth is agape. The same firm palm that pushed him is now planted at the center of my chest. Everyone’s eyes land on me. I’m mortified. What kind of sister ruins a wedding because she can’t keep her emotions in check?
Tears prickle my eyes and I have an awful sensation in my gut I’ll be spending a second summer in a row crying.
I turn tail, running through the morning porch doors, down the hall, and up the stairs in the foyer. My entire body slaps against the wall and I dare to glance out the front window before entering my room. A long pane of glass overlooks the driveway. Drew walks, dripping, to his old Cadillac. His head swivels up to where I stand still shaking from embarrassment and he stares right through me.
This time, I took it one step too far. I’ll never see that old car again. It won’t carry me home before the sun rises. I have to learn to live without Drew, not pretend I am.
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36
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“Miss Cavanaugh?”
Oh crap. I’ve talked to everyone else at the small gathering except Cris and now I’m freaking out. He knows it’s personal since nothing he’s done trying to engage me in a conversation has worked.
In April, Daddy had assigned each of us vineyard tasks. I hadn’t once gone to see Cris at his apartment the whole week. I made a point of staying close to my sister and brothers, using them as safeguards. I didn’t ask after Mateo and my responses to Cris whenever we interacted were clipped. Yes. No. I’ll find out. later on, I’d one of my siblings to give him the correct answer.
Waiting for my response, Cris diverts his attention to Corey who is bouncing in my arms. I take my time wrapping up the conversation with Ginny’s mother, reassuring her Brier’s tough and she’ll be okay. Diana goes to spend a few last minutes with Gin before she and Eric leave for their honeymoon.
I glance at the concrete when I hear his toe tap. Either he’s impatient or I’m rude. Probably both. I’m giving Cris the cold shoulder without giving him a damn good reason why. Growing up, my daddy spanked me for using those kind of manners. Shit, now there’s an image a “sweet girl” like me needs to let go of. Ross won’t take kindly knowing I’m imagining his hired hand bending me over his knee.
Red blooms over my cheeks.
“Are you warm?”
I turn my attention to Cris, refusing to respond to his question. I’m the complete opposite of a withering flower.
Corey is inspecting his shirtsleeve and a shiny cufflink. “He’s a good baby,” Cris comments, trying to break the ice.
I suck in a breath and roll my eyes so Cris understands talking to him is a waste of my time. “Is there something I can do for you?”
“So that must be it.” He lets out a low chuckle and rubs his beard. “I’m sorry if I’ve offended you. The only women I’m around are your mother’s age and Liz had always been upfront with me about stuff like this. Made it easier to figure out what I’d done wrong.”
“Stuff like what?” I ask haughtily.
“When I’ve overstepped. I’m forever asking for your help. Liz said I wasn’t great at reading women.” Cris stops and clears his throat. “Ross, um, your daddy instructed me that you’d be splitting your time this summer between the ranch and the vineyard. I wanted to find out what your schedule was like. Where I could use you—Ah hell, there I go sticking my foot in it again.”
“I was told I had to pick up your morning chores for the summer and, when I finish, to have lunch and go straight to the winery,” I reply curtly.
“Will your sister be there?” He seems eager. “I could use additional workers to the handful Ross has me hiring”
“Why?” I scowl.
“You kids are driven. I watched the boys work themselves into the ground this spring.”
“I doubt it. Brier told me she doesn’t want to spend all of her time at Kingsbrier this summer, so she’s getting her job back at Target.” My acidic tone is in harsh contrast to the gentle sway of my hips as I rock the baby.
“What about you? You don’t mind being stuck at Kingsbrier all summer?”
“This is my home, Mr. Sanchez. And you hardly leave the ranch.” I goad him to get a life, broaden his horizons. Which is insane because Cris has seen more of the world than I have and I already know everything I need to be happy is on this plot of land. “Besides, I’m packing for Amarillo after the party is over.”
Cris snags my wrist as I turn away from him. My emerald green eyes flash at the audacity of his touch.
“Amarillo?” His fingers are warm against my pulse point and he hesitates letting go.
Stop looking for something that isn’t there. My conscience warns me. You have no reason to. “I’m visiting my boyfriend.”
“It’s good you have someone in your life. You’re young and should be dating.” His eyes search my face, resigned, and not matching his words. “I’m going to find Mateo. I guess I’ll see you when you get back. Have a good trip.”
“I will,” I reply after he’s walked away. The sun’s rays are bright, but a breeze whips an icy chill over my skirt. I shiver and the hair on my arms stands on end.
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epilogue
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“Hey, Kingsbrier, let me do this for you” I unclasp the pearls from around Ginny’s neck. She’s taken out her earrings. The satin heels are on the floor near the bed skirt. One standing, one askew on its side. The only thing left to remove is her dress. The zipper is halfway down before she turns, wrapping her arms around my neck, stopping the spaghetti straps from falling against her soft skin.
“Does the ring make that my official moniker?” She admires the simple gold band on her ring finger.
“Nah—you’ve been a Kingsbrier for way longer than a few hours.” I pull her close, working at the zipper.
“I could do without it...not being a Kingsbrier.” There’s a confidence in her voice, reminding me Gin’s intentions are pure. She wants me, not the notoriety of my family name.
I pull the top of her gown loose, exposing a strapless lacy baby blue bra. It’s nothing like the ones Gin normally wears. My pulse quickens, wondering what else is waiting underneath.
My light brow lifts. “Change of heart?” I tease, trailing kisses down her neck, unable to get a visual on the lingerie fast enough.
Ginny tips my chin, guiding my errant concentration back up to her bright smile. “Never. I only ever wanted to be Mrs. Cavanaugh, though, I didn’t think it would happen so soon.”
“Well, you’re stuck with all five of us rambunctious Kingsbriers now. Or does Corey make it six?” I add my son to the finger count of people in the
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