Love Me Like I Love You

by Willow Winters

  “Need any help?” I asked Lottie, desperate for a topic change as she fluttered around the kitchen, preparing various dishes.

  She glanced over her shoulder with a skeptical look. I grinned teasingly, because we both knew how badly I lacked culinary skills. I could barely chop celery.

  “No. I think I’ll handle it myself, thank you very much. This kitchen is still relatively new, and I think Tucker would have a panic attack if you burned this place to the ground. You just sit there and look pretty and drink your wine.”

  “Now that, I can do.” I raised my glass toward her in a mock salute before taking another drink.

  After Lottie finished up with all the sides, we moved to the backyard and sat at the picnic table to hang out. Tucker and Aaron were already out there preparing the grill. The three of us girls continued with our idle chatter and I began to relax, the wine now flowing easily down my throat. Maybe this night wouldn’t be so bad, after all.

  We’d moved on to our second bottle when Leighton leaned in, her eyes zeroing in on me. “Okay. I just can’t stand it anymore. I have to know. What the hell was Wes referring to the other day with the Hurling Hannah nickname? I tried to get it out of him, and he refused to tell me.”

  Wine burned in my nostrils as I nearly choked on the drink I’d just taken. I coughed, covering my mouth, looking between Lottie and Leighton. I shook my head, not wanting to go there. But when Leighton gave me those big, brown puppy dog-type eyes and pouty lip, I gave in like a sucker. I mean, what did it matter at this point? I’d already told Wes.

  “Fine,” I sighed, my shoulders sagging as I leaned in with her. “I’ll tell you two, but you have to promise to keep your mouths shut, it never goes beyond the three of us here, and we are to never speak of it again. Got it?”

  They both nodded eagerly, like starved children waiting for a piece of candy. Making sure neither Tucker nor Aaron were in earshot, I leaned in, giving them the whole humiliating story…mostly. I decided to leave off my slip of the tongue, the way Billy ran afterward, and my broken heart that followed. Even being a little tipsy at the moment, there was only so much a girl was willing to share.

  When I was done, they both sat back, their eyes wide in shock. It was the briefest of moments. Then the shock wore off, and they simultaneously burst out laughing. I sighed, covering my face with my hands. When would I learn that drinking was the gateway to spilling all my secrets?

  “Oh my god, I can’t believe you did that!” Leighton chuckled, clutching her stomach. “So gross, but so awesome! Take that brother! That’s what he gets for all those years of wet willies and torment.”

  “Poor Billy,” Lottie giggled beside her. “I can see why you didn’t want to talk about it before.”

  I flipped them both the finger, guzzling more wine down my throat. “I seriously hate you two right now.”

  Lottie’s laugh stopped abruptly, her face turning serious. “Oh gosh, please tell me you washed my sheets.”

  “You know what? I wish I hadn’t now. Some friend you are!” I picked up a discarded cork and lobbed it at her.

  She swatted it away, nearly falling off the bench seat. Served her right.

  Aaron and Tucker looked across the yard at us with curious expressions until their attention was pulled to the screen door that was opening off the kitchen. Our heads all turned as we heard the squeak, the two of them still working to calm their fits of laughter.

  Wes and Billy walked through the door, each carrying a case of beer. Wes greeted all of us ladies first while Billy took the beer from his hand to put on ice in the cooler.

  “Sounds like a party over here,” Wes said, leaning in to give Lottie a hug and then Leighton.

  I gave them both a warning look. Even though Wes already knew, I didn’t want him to think it was now a free-for-all to know. Thankfully, they both kept their mouths shut.

  “Oh, you know, just a little girl talk,” Lottie deflected. “Want to join us?”

  “As tempting as that sounds and as beautiful as you three are, I think I’ll see what the men are up to.” He winked before walking away.

  I faced my two friends as they watched him go. “Have you guys ever noticed that funny thing with his eye? It’s like he just can’t quit winking.”

  Lottie snorted a laugh. “I think it’s part of his charmer routine.”

  “A lot of ladies must like it, because he has no problem getting any,” Leighton added.

  “Ain’t that the truth,” Lottie agreed. “I just wish he’d find a nice girl and settle down.”

  “Listen to you, Mrs. Lottie Monroe. Oh, how the tides have turned,” I teased.

  She picked up the cork I’d thrown earlier, chunking it right back at me. It sailed through the air and I ducked to avoid it. It missed me, flying over my head and landing in Billy’s capable hands.

  “Hey, now! What kind of welcome is that?” He grinned over at Lottie.

  “Sorry, Billy. That was meant for Hannah and her smart mouth.”

  His low, familiar chuckle echoed behind me. My elbows propped on the table, I anxiously twisted my ring, wanting to turn around but terrified to. I was afraid to look at him, afraid of what I might see.

  I felt his hands on my shoulders, and my body tensed as he pressed a kiss to the back of my head, both of which he quickly removed before walking around the table to hug Leighton and Lottie. As quickly as he appeared at my back, he disappeared, joining the rest of the men at the grill.

  My two friends exchanged more looks, and I rolled my eyes. “Will you two quit doing that? I’m not blind, I can see the looks you’re giving each other.”

  “Okay. Fine,” Lottie said, putting her elbows on the table and lacing her fingers together. “What was that about then?”

  “What?” I shrugged, picking at my nails.

  I guess I should be more careful about what I ask for. I hadn’t meant to bring on the interrogation. I only wanted them to stop having their silent conversation about Billy and me.

  She tilted her head to the side, her eyes narrowing. “Did something happen?”

  “No. We’re fine. Not everyone is into PDA.”

  “Where was that attitude at my barbecue last year?” Leighton snorted a laugh behind her glass of wine.

  “Oh, suck it, you two. I was drunk then. It doesn’t count,” I argued.

  “And you’re as sober as an alcoholic right now,” Lottie goaded me some more.

  “You know what?” I stood from the table. “I don’t need this from you two. You’re the worst two friends a woman could ever have.”

  “Where are you going?” They giggled as I walked away.

  “Where else? To get another bottle of wine for you two lushes!”

  I walked into the kitchen and headed straight for the wine fridge, where Lottie had another bottle of sparkling rosé chilling. Pulling the bottle from the fridge, I glanced around for the corkscrew that I was sure we’d left on the counter.

  The screen door creaked open behind me. “Hey, where’d that corkscrew go?” I asked mid-turn, stopping short when I saw it wasn’t Lottie or Leighton walking in behind me but Billy. “Oh. It’s you.”

  He stopped a few feet in front of me. “Don’t sound so disappointed, Han.” He took the bottle from my hands. “Don’t you think you’ve had enough?”

  I shrugged, crossing my arms. “It’s not like I’m driving. You know, because I have no car. That made it a little bit of a challenge to meet you here.”

  “Yet you managed…by calling Wes.” His eyes narrowed with his accusation, his entire body rigid.

  “I didn’t have a lot of options,” I remarked flippantly.

  “You could’ve called me.”

  “You were working.”

  “So was Wes, Hannah!” He threw his arms out from his sides. “I would’ve left the same as him to come get you.”

  “What are you more upset about right now, Billy? The fact that I called Wes and not you? Or the fact that I’m standing here at all?”
>
  “Don’t, Hannah. Don’t even go there. You know I want you here.”

  “Could’ve fooled me,” I mumbled, grabbing the bottle back from his hands as I brushed past him to leave.

  His hand clamped around my wrist, and my head jerked to the side to look at him. My veins pulsed as heat flushed through me.

  “I don’t know what to do here, Hannah. Or what you expect me to say.”

  “That’s the problem, Billy. I don’t know either. I just know this isn’t how I wanted our last night together to be. If you’re gonna break my heart, then just break it. Because I’m not gonna stand here all night, waiting for you to figure it out.”

  I lifted his hand from my wrist and walked out. I plopped back down on the bench at the picnic table, both Leighton and Lottie falling silent as I did. I spotted the corkscrew lying in the middle of the table between us. Annoyed, I picked it up and started twisting it into the bottle.

  “Hannah?”

  “I’m fine. Just wasted the last five minutes of my life searching for this little sucker.” I failed miserably at hiding my anger behind my snide remark.

  Their eyes went to the back side of the house as the screen door slammed open and Billy stomped out.

  Perfect. Everything was just fucking perfect.

  Over the next hour, I stayed close to Lottie and Leighton. Finally acting like true friends, they distracted me with light banter and didn’t press me anymore about Billy. I knew it was obvious to everyone that we were fighting. It was impossible to hide with the two of us keeping our distance and exchanging nothing more than furtive glances from across the yard.

  It wasn’t until Leighton got up to chat with the guys that Lottie gave me the look, the one that said, “start talking.”

  “I don’t want to talk about it.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “No. Yes. Shit. I just…the man is infuriating. It’s like one minute he’s the man of my dreams, and the next he’s a complete douchebag.”

  “Aren’t they all?”

  “Ha!” I huffed a laugh. “Yeah…maybe so…” I silently fiddled with my ring some more. “I told him about my interview last night. And now, he’s…I don’t know… acting cold. I don’t understand it. It’s not like he didn’t know I was going to leave.”

  Her head bobbed up and down as she tucked her lips between her teeth, like she was trying hard to keep her mouth shut and not say what was on her mind.

  “Just say it,” I demanded.

  “Say what?” she feigned ignorance.

  “Whatever you’re thinking.”

  “It’s not my place.”

  “You’re my best friend, Lottie. It’s your place and I’m telling you to just say it.”

  “Okay!” She threw her palms in the air. “It’s just obvious you really like him.”

  I scoffed, crossing my arms.

  “I’ve never, in all my years of knowing you, seen you this bent out of shape over a guy.”

  “We’re just having fun.”

  “Sure.” It was her turn to scoff with sarcasm. “Well, if you ever feel like you’re having so much ‘fun’ you never want to leave, you always have a job here.”

  “You must be drunk, lady. Because there’s no way in hell you’re getting me to move out here. Two weeks was long enough. I’m not cut out for this country living.”

  “Okay, fine. All I’m saying is, it’s a standing offer if you change your mind.”

  She didn’t have to worry about that. I would never make it in a small town. I’d miss sushi, for one. Not to mention the noise and excitement of the city. My soul belonged in Seattle. With a longing gaze over my shoulder, I watched Billy with his friends. If only my heart hadn’t decided it wanted to belong to a small-town cowboy.

  Wes’s long legs appeared out of nowhere as he hiked them over the wooden bench to take the seat beside me, his hands full of unopened beers. Lottie gave me a supportive smile before excusing herself to do some last-minute prep work in the kitchen, leaving the two of us alone.

  “You hanging in there?”

  I looked over at him, surprised by the concern on his face. “Sure.” I snuck another peek over my shoulder at Billy before turning back to look at Wes. “What do you care anyway?”

  Wes smiled, but it lacked its usual enthusiasm. “Figured it’s my responsibility to look out for you.”

  I laughed, taking a sip of my wine. “And where did you get that idea?”

  “You mean other than the fact that we’re BFFs?” He winked, then shrugged a shoulder. “Maybe because you remind me of someone.”

  The jab I’d been ready to deliver died on my lips as I saw the sadness behind his eyes. “Your sister…”

  The realization hit me like a punch to the gut. My heart actually ached for the guy. I remembered Lottie telling me about how she and her husband had tragically passed away, and how close she’d been to her older brothers their whole lives.

  He nodded, cracking open a can. He took a drink as he stared straight ahead, a man lost in his own head.

  “Well, thank you, then.” I leaned to the side, bumping my shoulder softly against his. “I take that as a huge compliment. I may not have known her, but just knowing Lily, I have no doubt in my mind she was awesome.”

  He shook his head with a smirk. “Anyway…” He cleared his throat, dismissing the depressing road we’d been on the verge of going down. “Maybe cut Miller a bit of a break, huh?”

  “You on his side now?”

  “Nah, just figured the poor guy needed someone in his corner. Pretty sure Leighton’s over there ripping him a new one right now… Besides, most men are pretty lost when they meet the one. They never know what to do, so instead they let their pride and defenses push that person away until they leave.”

  I studied him as I processed his words, wondering where this insightful man had suddenly come from. “How do you know this? Is there someone you let get away?”

  “Let’s just say that ship sailed a long time ago for me. And I’m good with playing the field until I die.”

  “Come on, you don’t truly believe that, do you?”

  He took another drink, letting his silence answer for him. And once again, I felt an unexpected sympathy for him.

  “All right, that’s about all I can take of this touchy-feely shit, city.” Wes stood, giving my shoulder a small squeeze before he picked up the other beers and headed back toward the guys.

  Chapter 14

  BILLY

  The smell of smoked hickory filled the hot summer air as I stood by the grill with Tucker, Aaron, and Wes. Tucker lifted the lid, flipping a few pieces of meat while Aaron went on about his predictions for this year’s World Series. Normally I’d be as invested in this conversation as the rest of the guys, but tonight my mind was elsewhere.

  “Anyone need another round?” Wes asked with a slight tilt of his empty beer can.

  I shook my head no while Tucker and Aaron both asked for another. Wes took off in the direction of the cooler that was situated not far from the picnic table where all the ladies were seated and chatting. For a brief second, I glanced over at Hannah, her gorgeous smile on her face as she laughed with Leighton and Lottie.

  She was so damn magnetic. She radiated energy and enthusiasm even when I knew she was feeling anything but on the inside. Or maybe I was a fucking fool to assume she was suffering through the same pain I was at the moment.

  She was leaving in the morning. Again. And there wasn’t a damn thing I could do about it.

  “Hey”—Aaron nudged my arm with his elbow, drawing my attention away from her—“What’s with you and Hannah?” He nodded toward the table.

  “Nothing, man.” I shook my head. I wasn’t getting into it right then, maybe not ever. Hell, I wouldn’t even know what to tell him.

  “Right.” His tone was incredulous as he finished off his beer.

  Tucker shot me a smirk with a doubtful head shake.

  “Then why do you look like you have an invisible
weight on your shoulders?”

  I shrugged. “She leaves tomorrow morning. What do you expect me to look like? You expect me to be jumping for joy?”

  He thrusted his chest forward as he crossed his arms. “Well for one, I sure as hell don’t expect you to be spending more time with us than her. You two have barely said three words to each other since you got here.”

  “Maybe I like spending time with you ugly fuckers more.”

  “Yeah,” he scoffed an arrogant laugh. “That’s the biggest load of shit I’ve ever heard.” Shaking his head, he started to raise his can to his lips, his eyes widening. “Incoming…” he muttered the word.

  Before I could turn to see whom he was referring to, I felt a smack at the back of my head. I ducked, even though it was too late, angling to the side to see who’d hit me from behind.

  “What is wrong with you, Leighton?” I rubbed at the back of my head where she’d got me good.

  “Me?!” she scowled. “What’s wrong with you? What did you do to Hannah?”

  Great. All I needed was Leighton getting involved. It was bad enough Aaron was already butting in and Wes was giving her a ride to places. Hannah probably told him everything on the drive and that bugged the shit out of me about as much as the fact that she didn’t call me to come get her.

  I hadn’t meant to sound like a dick when I said I’d meet her here. I just figured she’d want to spend some time with Lottie before she left town and didn’t want to make her wait around all day for me to get home before she could. I’d been so exhausted from a sleepless night and trying to figure out the shit running through my head, I’d completely forgotten she didn’t have a car.

  “Why do you automatically assume I did something?”

  She looked to Tucker and Aaron, like she was silently asking them, “Do you believe this guy?” before looking back at me. They both just shrugged and turned to their own conversation about sports, leaving me to deal with the angry little sister on my own.

  “I’m not doing this with you, Leighton. This is between Hannah and me.”