He’d noticed lately that the men in the family weren’t finishing their sentences with as long as it wasn’t Avery. For years they’d terrorized him and reminded him she was off limits. They now seemed to be treating him like an adult…and he liked it. After lunch, they’d gone back into the studio, and Tate let him mind the console while he laid down a few tracks. When Wyatt got ready to leave, Tate offered to let him come along as a roadie on the upcoming tour. He was so excited about the offer he’d left his cell phone in the recording studio.
Now Wyatt hustled inside the Bright Star and stepped behind the bar. “Cal. Sorry I’m late. I left my cell phone at Tate’s, so I couldn’t call.”
“Boy, I think you’d be late to your own funeral.” Cal gave him a sideways glance. “Tate called here. He said someone would be coming by with your phone later.”
“But I did stop and get the lemons you asked for.” He held up the bag. “Looks like I got here just in time. It’s a full house.”
“Yeah, your friend Kelly is here. She’s been to the bar three times asking if you arrived yet.”
Wyatt groaned.
Cal only grinned. “I remember the days when I was a handsome young buck. I had to beat the ladies off with a stick.”
“It’s more trouble than it’s worth,” Wyatt replied, grabbing a pint and heading to the taps to fill an order from one of the regulars.
Wyatt busied himself taking orders from the patrons seated at the bar. He liked working there. He was fast and didn’t skimp on the liquor so he got good tips. It was especially nice to hang out with Cal because he’d tell Wyatt stories about his mom, Bonnie, and Bo Sr. Cal’s version of the couple was a frenzy of colorful escapades that had resulted in their marriage.
A few hours into his shift, he saw a cutie waving frantically at him from the door. She reminded him of Avery. He squinted to get a better look. That was Avery. He stalked over to the door and held it open with his foot, but stood in front of it to make sure she didn’t try to come in. “Avery. You’re not allowed in here.”
“Nice to see you too.” She put her hand on her hip. “Are you mad because you can’t run away from me?”
“No. Of course not. But Cal’s going to call the ranch, and you’ll get into trouble.” He stepped to the side to let patrons in.
“I came to bring you this.” She handed him the phone. “I was at the ranch riding Comet and having dinner later with Parker. I offered to bring it to you.”
“Oh.” He gaped at it, feeling stupid. “Thanks.”
“Not worried I snooped?”
“You wouldn’t do that. You have a rigid code of ethics.” He put it in his pocket. “You wouldn’t find anything anyway.”
“This place is a little off the beaten track for your snooty neighbor.” She nodded at Kelly and her friend in a booth in the corner.
“Rick told her I worked here.” He held up his hand signaling to Rusty, the new bartender, that he needed five minutes. “You should probably head out. I don’t know if Cal can get fined for having someone under twenty-one in here.”
She frowned. “I’m not drinking anything.”
“Yeah, but—”
“Whatever she wants, I’m paying,” a familiar voice interrupted.
Wyatt turned around and saw Riley Sloane coming up the steps with a group of people.
“Riley,” Avery said, her eyes widening. “What are you doing here?”
“Yeah,” Wyatt huffed. “What are you doing here?”
“Avery. This is a pleasant surprise,” Riley said to her. Then he laughed and threw a glance Wyatt’s way. “I don’t need a special access keycard to get in here, do I? Last time I checked this is a public bar.” Riley motioned for his group to continue into the bar.
“No. But there is a ‘no jackass’ policy.” Wyatt pointed to the big sign on the wall behind the bar that said jackasses belong in the barn, not in my bar.
“Is that applicable to employees too?”
“How’s the football going?” Avery interjected before Wyatt could reply.
Riley grinned. “We won again.”
Wyatt shrugged. “In spite of your performance.”
“A victory is a victory.” He wedged in next to Avery. “But it would have been sweeter if you had attended the game with your family.”
“I was there last week,” Wyatt said sweetly. “I was the one screaming for you to throw the ball to McKinney for that touchdown you botched.”
Avery flashed him a dirty look, but he didn’t care. Surely she wasn’t falling for this muscle-bound idiot’s flirting?
Riley looked as if he would reply, but Avery beat him to the punch. “I’d love to go to a game, but I’m busy with classes right now. Uncle Seth actually gave me a break on the mandatory family appearance requirement for the games. I hope to make the next one.” Avery flipped her hair over her shoulder and flashed a tight smile.
“I was hoping I’d get to see you again,” Riley said.
Wyatt cleared his throat. “I was hoping you’d go join your party. You’re blocking the door.”
“Patience, my friend,” Riley said with a slow grin. He turned to Avery. “Are you coming in Avery? Remember, it’s on me.”
When Avery had volunteered to take Wyatt’s cell phone to the Bright Star, it’d felt like she had hot coal in her hand. She was tempted to snoop but when she’d touched the screen, the screensaver picture of them on the beach during spring break appeared. They’d had a blast, even though Regency had followed them everywhere they went. She’d loved the way he got tongue-tied over the bikini she’d been wearing.
So in the end she hadn’t snooped. She’d made the trip to the bar, ready to hand over the phone…and then she’d spotted Kelly. But she hadn’t even had time to be irritated over that when Riley had appeared out of nowhere. She could tell Wyatt wasn’t thrilled about the shameless flirting Riley was doing, but it served him right. The hunky quarterback did have a tendency to lay it on a bit thick. He knew how her Uncle Seth felt about it, so that did give him a hint of badass. She was about to decline the offer for a drink when a voice boomed out across the bar.
“Did I just hear you offer to buy my under-aged grandniece a drink?” Cal barked as he stalked toward the door. “Quarterback or no quarterback, I will tan your hide.”
“Uncle Cal.” Avery stood in front of Riley. “He didn’t. He told Wyatt to give me anything I wanted. Tell him, Wyatt.”
Wyatt shrugged his shoulders. “It’s a bit loud in here. I couldn’t catch everything he said.”
“Wyatt!” She glared at him, so shocked she couldn’t think of anything else to say.
Riley cleared his throat. “Mr. Cal. Sir. I did offer to buy her a refreshment, but it was implied I meant something non-alcoholic. I know Avery’s not old enough to drink.”
Wyatt tugged on the towel that lay on his shoulder. “Now you respect boundaries?”
“How is it that you come into my bar when she’s here?” Cal scowled at Riley. “I’m calling the ranch.”
Avery’s cheeks flushed. “Uncle Cal. It really is a misunderstanding. I came here to return Wyatt his phone. There was no way Riley could know I’d be here tonight. Riley would never do something so idiotic and in full public view. I don’t think he came here intending to break the law or going against the entire Blake family. Please don’t make this an issue. Because it’s not.”
Cal kept a stone expression just like John Jacob, so it was hard to tell which way the older man was leaning. One call from him to anyone on the ranch and this would blow up into an awful situation. She sneaked a glance at Riley. He didn’t look scared, but she knew this was a PR nightmare in the making for him.
She wanted to break Wyatt’s fingers as he tapped them on the door. He could have backed her up but he hadn’t. Instead, he’d acted like a jealous child. Now the person she cared most about was acting like a callous jerk while the incessant flirt was trying to be humble.
“OK. I believe you,” Cal finally said g
ruffly. “Riley, you can stay. But no more trouble.”
“I appreciate that.” Riley let out a sigh of relief. “My buddies and I would like a few beers.”
“I’ll send Lurline over,” the owner grumbled. “The first round is on me.”
“Avery, always a pleasure.” Riley smiled and went over to his friends.
Avery kissed Cal on the cheek. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, sugar.”
“I have to get back to the ranch. Parker and I have dinner plans.”
“Have fun and be safe.” Cal walked toward his office leaving her and Wyatt alone.
She turned on him as soon as Cal was out of earshot. “I can’t believe you did that. You could have gotten Riley into serious trouble.”
He opened his mouth to reply, but she wasn’t interested in hearing his excuses. Instead, she turned and walked down the stairs to her car.
Wyatt followed after her. “Serves him right for trying to be a big shot.”
She rounded on him again, so angry her fists were shaking. “You’re just pissed he was paying attention to me.”
“Do you like him?”
“What?”
“Are you into him?” He ran a hand through his hair. “It must be a change of pace to be with someone who’s a big success already and has his life together. Come to think of it, he reminds me a little bit of Seth. Handsome quarterback who has a lot going for him.”
“Do you have a point?” she said, her voice cold.
“He may be a major tool, but he’s got some of the same traits as the men you’ve grown up around all your life. You said so yourself, you had a bit of a crush on Seth when he married your Aunt Morgan. Maybe you want that life. If the Blake men lifted the embargo on being around you, he’d try to sweep you off your feet for sure. You wouldn’t have to wait for someone like me to get his act together.”
At first Avery thought he was joking, but the expression on his face told her he was serious. The idea that he thought she’d be naïve enough to fall for Riley’s charm was insulting. But the worst thing about what he’d just said was that he didn’t realize how much he’d just hurt her feelings. How could he not know she was in love with him? They were only a few feet away from each other, but they’d never been farther apart.
“You are such a clueless idiot.” Her voice broke on the last word, but she didn’t cry as she walked slowly to her car, climbed in, and drove off.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Avery closed her book and stared at the ceiling. It had been two weeks since she’d seen Wyatt at the Bright Star. It had also been no surprise that Wyatt found a reason to get out of their monthly meal with John Jacob and Teri-Lyn, who always rode up to the college to check on them. She’d sat through the meal and pretended everything was fine, but she could tell Teri-Lyn didn’t buy it.
She’d done her best to put Wyatt out of her mind with schoolwork, hanging out with Parker, and working at Reed Bradley. After that last fight, she’d come to the conclusion that he was right. She should give him the space he needed to find himself. Clearly he was thinking about his future…and it didn’t include her. Maybe it wasn’t meant to be. He didn’t seem too put off that Kelly was invading his space at the Bright Star. Perhaps there was more to their relationship, and he didn’t want to tell her. Whether it be Kelly chasing after him, or Riley popping up everywhere lately, or Wyatt’s refusal to have a serious talk with her, something was always coming up to put distance between them. So why should she mope around? There was a perfectly available, sexy, bad-boy quarterback who’d been flirting with her since the day she met him. She and Riley seemed to keep running into each other. Maybe it was time to try something new.
She put on a casual yet pretty outfit and jumped in her car and headed for the building where Riley lived. She nodded at the doorman, who was accustomed to seeing her, as she walked past the front desk and got on the elevator. She looked around, hoping not to see any of her family members. How the heck would she explain this? Her hand trembled as she pushed the button for Riley’s floor. She continued to second-guess herself right up until she rang his doorbell.
Riley opened the door and his eyes widened. “Avery.”
“Hi, Riley.” Avery swallowed hard at the sight of him. He had on a tank top, shorts, and was dripping with sweat. “I hope I’m not disturbing you.”
“I was just working out. Do you want to come in?”
“Yes. Thanks.”
“I smell terrible. Give me ten minutes to shower and change.”
“I can come back another time.”
“Not at all. Make yourself at home.” He smiled. “I can fix us some food, and we can talk without the prying eyes of overprotective uncles.”
She opened her mouth to respond, but he zipped out of the living room and headed down the hallway. She put her purse down on the couch and roamed around the room. Riley’s apartment was stylish and a total bachelor pad. There were video games and sports magazines on the coffee table. Most of them had him on the cover. She flipped through one and speed-read over the interview. It was a typical interview about his rise to fame. She picked up the remote and turned on one of the huge flat screen televisions on the wall, and it was no surprise it was already tuned to a sports channel. She scanned the guide but couldn’t find anything interesting to watch. It didn’t matter anyway because she was so nervous about being there with him she probably wouldn’t know what she was watching.
She’d been so set on proving she could come to his apartment, she hadn’t stopped to think about what would happen after she’d arrived. They hardly knew each other. She took out her cell phone and glanced at her messages. No calls from Wyatt. What was she expecting since their fallout in the Bright Star parking lot? It was obvious they were over. She had to move on with her life.
“Is this better?” Riley said as he sauntered back into the living room.
Better? He was downright gorgeous. He’d swapped out gym clothes for a pair of slacks and a blue shirt that complimented his glacial blue eyes. His hair was perfectly coiffed, and he smelled amazing. He’d even trimmed his beard.
“You clean up good,” she stumbled to get it out. “I’m sorry to just pop in on you. I was in the building and thought I’d say hi and congratulate you on Sunday’s game. I was at the stadium with my family.”
“I saw you on the Jumbo Tron when it panned to the owner’s box. I was sitting on the bench.”
“You saw that?” Wow. She really thought he’d be too into the game to notice.
“I see everything.” He grinned. “Can I offer you something to drink?”
She thought hard. She didn’t want to sound like a kid. She was in a grown man’s luxury apartment after all. What alcoholic beverage sounded sophisticated? Ah, her Aunt Morgan’s old standby. “Would it be too much trouble to whip up a Shirley Temple?”
“No, and it would be totally adorable.” He went over to bar and searched for the grenadine. “I know you’re not legal yet.”
“My birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks. I’ll be turning the big two-one,” she said nervously.
“How exciting. Maybe I can celebrate the special occasion with you. What are your plans?”
“The family has a big party planned.” She bit her lip and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “What are you going to have? Scotch, like my uncles?”
“I’m building up a tolerance for it. I’ve more of a tequila or vodka man, but I don’t think the occasion calls for it. Unless you’re here for a more exciting reason. Does your uncle know you’re here?”
“I don’t report to Uncle Seth every moment of life,” she said, frowning.
“I won’t tell if you won’t.” He placed the tame cocktail in front of her and got a beer for himself, then rounded the bar to sit on the stool across from her.
“I want to apologize for that mess at the Bright Star,” she said.
“No worries. I thought it was nice the way you came to my defense.” He swigged his be
er.
“I’m just glad Cal didn’t hogtie you.”
“He’s a crazy old coot. I don’t think he likes me much.”
“He doesn’t.” She laughed. “He’s says you’re too shiny and pretty. I hope Wyatt wasn’t mean to you after I left.”
“The bartender? No, but he was shooting daggers at me for the rest of the night.” He scratched at his beard. “I didn’t know it was a crime to be handsome in the state of Texas.”
“It’s not. I think people get turned off by how self-aware you are.” She smirked and fingered the bracelet she wore.
“Yes. You were very cold to me when we first met.”
“You were being obnoxious.”
“No, I wasn’t.” He held his hands up.
She glared at him. “Weren’t you?”
“OK, maybe I was overt in showing I was attracted to you, but I toned it down for your uncle. What good it did me. He was practically reading my mind.”
“The horses in the stables could read your mind that day.”
“When I see something I want, I don’t waste any time.”
“There’s something to be said for going slow.”
“Slow is for little boys like your friend Wyatt.”
Avery tensed. “Wyatt’s a different story.”
“I bet.” He slid off the stool and leaned closer to her. “But I’d rather talk about us. We have connection. We keep finding our way to each other. You’ve even defied your uncle’s crazy stay-away policy to pay me a visit. Why is that?”
“I don’t know…”
Avery closed her eyes when she saw Riley coming in for the kiss. It was immediately clear what he wanted, and he wasn’t confused about it. She’d imagined the softness of his lips and how she’d have to lift up on her tiptoes to meet him half way, since there was a significant height difference. She felt his hands on her waist. But it felt wrong. He wasn’t the person she’d spent three years slowly falling in love with every day. Riley may have been a handsome, rich quarterback, but he wasn’t Wyatt.
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