Trey cocked his head to the side, appraising her.
“What?” she asked, tucking her long hair behind her ear.
“That may be the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
“Don’t get used to it,” she threw back at him. Even though her words were teasing, there was something deep in her voice, something that sounded like he’d hurt her.
“I said something wrong. What was it?”
She shook her head. “No, you’re great. So, the home health nurse is coming soon to be with Papa, so Mama will be on her way over to get Austin and go for a hike with him to the lake. I’m not sure when Gavin will be home, but if you’re not hungry, we can wait for Gavin, Austin, and Mama and all eat together after their hike.”
“I’d like that.” Though he didn’t know how Gavin would act about Trey and Ella spending all this alone time together. Would he think Trey was manipulating the situation? He squirmed a little inside. He kind of worried he might be, but he had felt horrible and tired today, and he was still a little cloudy about the accident. Doc didn’t want him to put pressure on his leg, and that was going to make getting around hard. Man, he hated being injured. Sadly, it was part of his life with all the risks he took.
He glanced around. He hadn’t left this couch for … how long? “What time is it?” The shadows were lengthening outside, and she was talking about dinner, but his accident had happened this morning, right? Man, he hated being loopy. At least he could remember now that he got hit by a car; that’s what everyone had told him.
“It’s almost six.”
“Wow. What a way to waste a day.” When she stiffened again, Trey immediately corrected himself. “If I knew I’d be stuck inside all day with the woman of my dreams, I wish I would’ve at least been awake enough to enjoy it.”
She shook her head and backed up. “Do you need anything else? I might make a salad and … cookies to go with the dinner.”
The entire main level of the house was open, so he could watch her work in the kitchen from here, but he selfishly wanted her closer, wanted to smell her and touch her and somehow break through this wall she’d put up. She’d flirted so adorably with him this morning. How did he get back there? “I actually need to use the restroom and I’d love to shower.”
“I am not helping you with either of those,” she protested.
He swallowed down the rush of desire at the way she’d protested, what she’d implied. “I didn’t mean … Can you help me get upstairs, and then I can shuffle around and clean myself up? Can you imagine how Mama would react to seeing me all stinky and unpresentable?”
Ella softened and smiled. All of them had joked about how Mama always wanted them to be “presentable.” How many times had he heard, “You’re a Strong; look like it”? And he wasn’t an actual member of the family.
“Okay,” she said, giving in. “I’ll help you.”
Trey hid his smile. He’d never thought of himself as conniving, but he had to be sneaky to get her to give him a chance. He pushed up to his feet, balancing on his left leg and the couch. The room swayed, and he must’ve swayed with it, because Ella rushed over and wrapped her arm around his waist.
“Whoa, you okay?” she asked.
“Yeah, I’m good.” Everything settled as he placed his arm around her shoulder and leaned close. “The stairs might be rough, though.”
“Just take them one at a time.” She smiled up at him, so sweet, so perfect.
Trey had a sudden thought. “I like that. Ella, would you take things between us one step at a time?”
“What do you mean?” Her body stiffened against him.
Trey had always been a straight shooter and he didn’t want to play games, especially with her. “I think I’ve made it more than obvious that I’m interested in you, and not as a sister.” He couldn’t keep the disgust from his voice. “You’re scared of giving me a chance for some reason.” He paused, but though her dark eyes were filled with interest, they were also wary and that beautiful bow of a mouth gave nothing away. They made it to the stairs and started up. “Can’t we just take it a step at a time? You give me a chance, and we see where it leads?”
He thought it was a pretty good persuasive argument, but Ella still didn’t say anything. Had Gavin poisoned her against him? He and Gavin were going to have words when his friend finally got home tonight. Trey tried hard to be a good person, and he saw no reason why Gavin would keep Ella away from him.
“Let’s get you upstairs,” Ella murmured.
Trey’s mouth tightened and his eyes narrowed. This was not going to be an easy battle.
Chapter Eight
Ella tried to ignore the rush of warmth and desire she felt as Trey leaned against her and they shuffled upstairs. He’d blatantly told her he was interested in her, but then he’d made her face the bullet: Take it one step at a time? See where it leads? He should’ve just revealed the truth: I’m a big-time heartbreaker, and I will be more than happy to take you for a day or two and then move on because it’s going to lead nowhere. The thought of him loving and leaving her burned like acid in her throat. Yet she knew there was no good way for this to end. Trey had a life of adventure and travel to get back to, charming women as he went. She had her job in Salt Lake to get back to, her big chance in the real world. She couldn’t say it was the most exciting job ever, but she was doing great work and was well liked by her boss and associates. Maybe it was lonely living in a crowded city with no family around, but she was okay.
They started up the stairs and she was worried it would be rough going, but Trey was impressively strong. He held on to the railing with his left hand, balanced himself on her shoulders with his right, and hopped up the stairs easily on his left foot.
She helped him all the way to his room, and he sat on the edge of the bed. His face looked white again.
“You okay?”
He nodded, took a few drawn-out breaths, then said, “These head injuries are no joke, right?”
“How many have you had?” she asked.
“I don’t keep track of injuries.”
Ella blinked at him. “Trey, you’re an extreme athlete, and you don’t keep track of how many injuries you have? Do you realize that repeated concussions can make you … I don’t know, messed up and stupid?”
He nodded. “I’ve heard that.”
“You need to take better care of yourself. Think about the people who love you, and stop taking stupid risks.”
His head whipped up and his warm blue gaze pinned her in place. “Are you one of those people who love me?”
Ella could only blink at him. Finally, she muttered, “I told you you’re like a brother to me.”
“I don’t want to be your brother,” he growled, pushing to his feet.
She backed up quickly, and very luckily for Ella, he wasn’t supposed to put pressure on that right leg. She all but ran from the room, calling over her shoulder, “I’ll just make some cookies while you get cleaned up.”
The look in his eyes was part amusement at the wimpy way she was acting and part frustration that she wouldn’t engage when he was giving her so many openings, but how else was she to protect her heart?
She checked that Austin was still happily shooting hoops. For a spoiled boy, he was definitely good to entertain himself, well adjusted, and so funny and cute she knew she’d spoil him worse than Mama, Papa, and Gavin if she lived close.
Then, instead of starting the cookies, she did the dumbest thing she could: she opened Instagram and typed in #treynelsonstunts. Sure enough, there were pictures of him doing incredible tricks, but there were far more of him with different women. His arm would be wrapped around them, and he’d grant the girl or the camera his perfect grin. Jealousy rolled through her. Trey lived in a different world—a world she had no desire to live in.
Slamming her phone down, she yanked butter from the fridge and found the brown and white sugar in the pantry.
A voice called from upstairs, “Ella?”
“Would you mind finding some garbage sacks and tape and helping me cover the wrapping he put on my right leg? I figured that would be easier than rewrapping and re-bandaging it after I shower.”
“Oh.” She swallowed hard, finally peeling her eyes from his chest and making it to his face. His handsome face was very smug, and his blue eyes were lit with mischievousness. He knew exactly how good he looked without a shirt on and was playing it to his advantage. Yet how could she not help him when she was supposed to be the one watching out for him? If only Mama or Gavin would show up to help and insulate her from his charms. “Okay. I’ll be right up,” she managed.
Turning away, she started looking through cabinets and drawers. Gavin knew she was here taking care of Trey and Austin. If he wanted her to stay strong, he’d better get his rear home quick, or she was going to cave and kiss that smirky mouth of Trey’s and reveal that she’d loved him her entire life. A thrill of excitement went through her, but then she wondered if Trey would laugh about her devotion when he dumped her and left her Monday afternoon, or if he’d feel guilty about it. Trey cared about her, so he would probably feel guilty. She clamped her mouth shut and clung to the garbage sacks and tape. No way was she revealing her lifelong devotion.
She glanced at the bracelet on her wrist. She’d basically broadcast to him and Gavin how interested she was by immediately putting it on. Trey thought they could have some meaningless fling this weekend, but she could not allow that to happen. Slowly, she took the bracelet off and put it in the drawer where she’d found the tape. It hurt to see it lying there, all dejected. Yet she’d be the one dejected if she let herself fall for him.
Squaring her shoulders, she clung to the garbage bags and tape and walked slowly up the stairs like she was going to her own execution.
Trey was sitting in the chair in the corner. He smiled up at her. “Thanks for helping me.”
Ella swallowed hard and willed her pulse to slow down. Focus on his face, focus on his face. But that didn’t really help, as his handsome face was as perfect and appealing as his chest. Especially as he was giving her a secretive smile that wrapped around her like a warm blanket, sealing the two of them together in its cocoon.
No. He probably gave that smile to every girl.
She walked forward on shaky legs and then sank to her knees in front of him.
“That’s right, love, bow down to the man you adore.”
Ella’s back straightened. “Never,” she shot at him.
Trey laughed, but then his eyes flickered to her left wrist and his laughter disappeared. “Where’s the bracelet?” he asked.
Ella’s eyebrows rose. Trey was never one to beat around the bush, but the head injury seemed to make him even more open. She swallowed and looked away. “I took it off.”
He didn’t say anything, just took the garbage sacks from her and wrapped one tightly around his knee and part of his thigh and calf. “I think that’ll work.” His voice was gruff, strained.
Had she really hurt him that much by removing the bracelet? She almost laughed at herself. She couldn’t possibly hurt the ultimate player.
“Will you tape the top and the bottom?” he asked.
“Sure.” Swallowing hard, she took the tape he handed over. His fingers brushed hers, sending a spark shooting through her. Glancing up at him, she expected a smirk, but instead his gaze was intent on her and the awareness she felt was reflected in his blue eyes.
She looked down and tried to focus on taping up his leg like an efficient nurse would, but the house was too quiet with only their breathing and the muted thumping of the basketball outside. She could swear he was breathing faster than normal just like she was, and she wondered if the out-of-control thumping of her heart was as audible as the basketball dribbling, or if it was just in her own ears.
He held the top of the bag a few inches above his knee, and Ella carefully taped it on. Her fingers kept brushing his thigh, and the firm muscle and smooth skin under her fingertips was making it harder and harder to breathe normally. Finally, she got the top part done, and he bent down low to hold below his knee. She was leaning forward as well, and their cheeks brushed against each other. Ella gasped and her face automatically turned toward his.
Trey turned toward her also, bringing their lips centimeters apart. Ella’s breathing became even more ragged. Trey’s eyes slowly traced over her lips and then rose to meet hers. The turquoise blue was so intriguing and beautiful, she felt like she was on a tropical island, staring into Caribbean waters. Who needed a vacation when they could stare into Trey’s intriguing eyes? Those eyes were full of promise and delicious desire.
“Ella,” he murmured. His hand cupped her jaw, and it was excruciating to wait for him to cover the miniscule space between them.
Ella had never ached for a kiss like this. All the other worries were pushed away as she stared into his eyes. Trey was everything she’d always wanted, and more. She couldn’t even count how many times she’d imagined him saying Ella in that beautiful, husky tone and going for a kiss. Now he was going to lean in, kiss her, and light up her entire world.
“Oh, Ella,” Trey groaned. He released her face and sat back in the chair.
Ella blinked in confusion, swaying on her knees. What had just happened? Why had he pulled away? That was not the way her dreams played out.
“My mouth tastes like a garbage dump,” Trey muttered, staring longingly at her. “I promise that as soon as I brush my teeth, I’ll kiss you until Gavin pulls us apart.”
His overconfident smile returned, but the reminder of her brother was not what she wanted to hear. She could imagine how Gavin would either scoff at her weakness, or—more likely—worry about her if he knew her desperate thoughts around Trey.
Ella focused on taping up the bottom of the garbage sack, trembling from being so close to kissing him and him pulling away. Had he really pulled away because he wanted to brush his teeth? It was for the best, but it still hurt like someone had punched her in the abdomen. She’d wanted that kiss more than anything, and she chastised herself for being so weak, for forgetting so easily that he wasn’t sticking around and neither was she. She couldn’t even stay strong around him for twenty seconds.
Climbing to her feet, she backed away and muttered, “I’m going to go finish dinner.”
She let herself look at him. Trey was focused on her, begging her with his gaze. He used the chair to push himself up and then clung to the armrest and balanced on his one leg. He was glorious to behold with the muscles in his upper body all revealed.
“So yes on the kiss later, or no?” he asked, far too somber. She didn’t know how to take a serious Trey.
“No,” she muttered.
Trey arched his eyebrows. “You’re going to break my heart, love.”
She pushed out a huffy breath. “I highly doubt that.”
He hopped toward her, and she should’ve backed away, but she couldn’t. Using the wall to steady himself, he studied her as if not sure how to proceed, but the determination in his eyes said he wasn’t ready to back down, not even close. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Stop acting like you’re interested in me,” she flung at him, standing as straight and tall as she could.
“I am interested in you.”
“For the weekend,” she spit out.
“You’ve been talking to Gavin.”
“Yeah. And I agree with him. Even if you think you’re interested in me right now, you’ll be moving on to a different spot next week and a different woman.” Her shoulders sagged. “I’m going back to Salt Lake Monday also, so it doesn’t matter.”
“I have to move on because of my career, but it’s completely unfair that you won’t even give me a chance because I’m not the nine-to-five come-home-and-coach-Little-League guy.” He touched her arm, and it made her want to fling herself against that beautiful chest of his. “If you’d give me a chance, maybe I could be that guy.”
That ticked her off. “No, you wouldn’t, so please stop trying to claim you’re interested or you think we have a future. I’m not twelve anymore, Trey. I know we have no future.”
“What does being twelve have to do with it, and why won’t you believe that I’m not only very interested in you; I can see us having a future?”
What did twelve have to do with it? When she was twelve, he’d been eighteen. She’d watched him date the angelic blonde Kaytlyn Klein his entire senior year and wished he would look at Ella like he did at Kaytlyn, like Ella was something other than a sister. She’d known she was much too young for him to notice, but she’d plotted and schemed for when she finally grew up and matured, and then Trey would look at her like he’d looked at Kaytlyn. It never happened. She’d given him the bracelet but hadn’t been brave enough to tell him how she felt. He’d packed up his bags and left for much more important things than a little girl who idolized him.
Every time he’d come home over the next six years, she’d fallen more in love with him, and of course no high school boy could compare to Trey Nelson, the ultra athlete and handsomest, kindest, funniest, and most charming man in the world. Luckily, in college she’d worked extra hours, she’d been diligent about her studies, and she hadn’t come home to visit at the same times as him. She hadn’t seen him in over four years now, except as she followed him on social media.
Now she was in a worst spot than she’d ever been. She was still hopelessly in love with him, and he kept saying things that made her think he could someday care as deeply for her, that they could have a future. But she couldn’t be naïve enough to fall for it. They were both leaving on Monday, and unfortunately for her fragile heart, she did follow him on social media. She knew he wasn’t going to stop dating. He wouldn’t be faithful to her in a long-distance relationship.
Don’t Date Your Brother’s Best Friend: Strong Family Romances Page 7