Bold(19)

The chorus of Keith Whitley’s song “Don’t Close Your Eyes” sent a pang straight to her heart that forced her eyes wide.

God. She loved Reece’s voice. He used to patronize her from time to time, singing to her just to get her to do something she hadn’t wanted to when they were children. As they had grown up, so had his voice. Deep. Sexy. In their teens she had deliberately caused problems or acted out just to hear him sing.

The memories proved too much for her to bear. “Let’s get out of here.” She hated the weak plea, but she wouldn’t stay there and put herself through such torture.

“Sure.” Jack weaved his fingers through hers. Before they left the bar they stopped to retrieve her sweater. They had just slipped outside when Devon called her name.

Pushing her arms through the sleeves of her cardigan, she glanced over her shoulder at him. “What?” she snapped.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he grumbled.

“For a walk.”

“You won’t get far in those useless shoes.”

She whirled around so fast that she nearly lost her balance in those useless shoes. “Cram it, Devon. I’m twenty-one. What I do is my business. Now deal with it.”

The concern burning in her brother’s eyes nearly undid her, but he had to learn she was responsible for her actions. Good or bad. He couldn’t watch over her forever. Feeling like something scraped off the bottom of those useless shoes, she released Jack’s hand and strolled over to Devon.

“I love you, bro, but it’s time to let me go.” Just like she had Reece.

His strained gaze darted to Jack before returning to hers. “I know, but I don’t want you to get hurt.”

Too late—been there, done that, bought the fuckin’ heartbreak T-shirt.

Perched on tiptoes, she eased up and kissed him tenderly on the cheek, whispering, “I’ll be okay,” in his ear.

“Promise me.”

Forcing a smile, she said, “Promise.”

She could feel Devon’s gaze on her back as she returned to Jack.

As they ambled in no particular direction, he asked, “You okay?”

“Honestly? I’ve been better.” She pulled to a stop. “You know, Jack, I’m really sorry, but I think I’ve had enough fun for one night.”

“Will you be around tomorrow?”

“I have a full day of preparing for the festival, but I might drop by the Seaside Pub later in the evening, if you’ll save me a dance.”

“It’s a date.”

Jack slid an arm around her waist and drew her to him. When his mouth captured hers, she expected some spark of chemistry. Maybe not Fourth of July fireworks, but anything other than the numbness he left on her lips, the complete opposite from Reece’s kiss.

Hell. She could still feel the tingles of delight that man had left behind along with his memories. With nothing more to say, she turned and walked away.

It was going to be a long, lonely night.





Chapter Five

“Damn, McGrath! What’s wrong with you?” Devon flinched, missing the careless swing of Reece’s hammer. “You’re acting like a bear with a thorn in its paw.”

Reece silently swore. He hit the shutter so hard a chunk of wood and paint fell off. He’d have to remember to patch it later. His mind hadn’t been on what he was doing. Instead, he kept wondering where Tabby was this morning. She had left the bar alone while he’d been singing at Hauk’s last night. He knew that since her friend had returned without her.

“I didn’t sleep well,” he mumbled past the finishing nails squeezed between his teeth and lips. It was as good an excuse as the truth. Surely his friend didn’t want to know that images of his sister naked beneath him had interfered with his slumber.

“Something has been screwing with your head these last couple days. I’ve never had to say this to you, but whatever it is, shake it off.” Out of nowhere Devon smacked his palm against his forehead. “Ah hell, Reece. It’s Lauren, isn’t it? Please don’t tell me you’ve gone and fallen in love?”

Reece nearly swallowed the last two nails in his mouth.

Love?

No. He couldn’t possibly be in love with Tabby. He didn’t even know what love was, but they were friends. Of course, friends didn’t screw friends. He liked Tabby.

Uh. What was he saying? He more than liked Tabby. But love?

“What are you two jabberwocking about?” Harold barked, arms crossed over his barrel chest.

Reece nearly jumped out of his skin. Where the hell had the man come from, or was he so lost in his thoughts he couldn’t see past his nose?

“Our boy has gone and fallen in love.” Devon said the words with a sappy, lovesick tone that really pissed Reece off.