Sidelines (Wounded Hearts #1)

by S. M. Smith

  “You look so lovely, honey. I’m so glad you could join us. It’s going to be quite the night.” She leans back and gives me a conspiratorial look.

  “So I’ve been told. Thank you. You look stunning too.” Half of her red ringlets have been pulled back and a smidgen of makeup highlights her high cheekbones and sparkling green eyes. She chose a simple chambray shirt, but paired it with a beautiful cream colored lacy skirt and a braided brown leather belt. She looks comfortable and classy at the same time, looking long and very much in love when she glances back to Sam. I didn’t notice him get up until he pulls me into a one-armed hug.

  “Ready to show these sissies how to get it done?” he jokes as he squeezes my shoulder.

  “Ha. We’ll see about that.”

  “Well don’t you worry about a thing. If Logan lets you fall, I’ll—”

  “I’m not going to let her fall, Dad.” He sidles up on my other side, standing so close I feel the warmth of his solid body behind me.

  Standing between the two men, I’ve never felt safer.

  “Better not, son, because I’m sure Cody Gentry won’t be too far away to lend a hand.” He gives Logan a pointed look and nods over his shoulder. Sure enough, sitting a table over Cody is chatting to a couple of other younger couples, but is keeping an eye on the three of us.

  Logan huffs but pulls out a chair and offers it to me. Before I can take it though, Emma and Lucy come barreling through the tent, each dragging their beaus behind them. Despite the fact that I just saw them less than thirty minutes ago, they both wrap their arms around me in one big group hug.

  “You nervous?” Emma asks as she untangles herself and sits down in the chair to my right. Logan immediately gets onto her and she scoots down one more chair but holds a hand up in Logan’s way so he can’t take the seat yet. I can see his patience with his family starting to wane so I take a deep breath, plaster on a confident smile and shake my head.

  “No, I’m good.”

  Emma narrows her eyes at me before glancing up at her brother through her lashes. He gives her a challenging look and she pops up again and gives him a hug. He tries to give off the impression that he’s annoyed, but then his grip on her tightens. I’m beginning to understand that it doesn’t matter how much his baby sisters annoy him, they’ll always mean the world to him.

  “Allie.” Lucy taps my left shoulder and I find that she’s already bouncing in the seat next to me. “This is Carter. Carter, the infamous Allie Mooreland.”

  Carter shakes my hand enthusiastically and tells me it’s a pleasure to meet me. In his zealousness, he starts popping off questions about players I’ve met and games I’m scheduled to attend this upcoming season. Lucy shows little restraint in displaying her irritation with him, and before long she decides to talk over him to Emma. Poor Carter gets the message loud and clear and promptly stops asking me any further questions.

  The conversation around me picks up but I’m too busy checking out my surroundings. The town has blocked off at least three blocks’ worth of street and popped up a bunch of tents. Red and blue lights have been laced around the bracing and matching tinsel hangs like a banner along the edges of the covering. The Lassiters chose a table not far from the make-shift stage that was constructed in the middle block. A band starts to unload their equipment and set up big boxy speakers to be perched on stands at attention on either side of the stage. Long tables with red, white, and blue plastic table cloths line the opposite side of the street from one end of the tents to the other with dish upon covered dish of homestyle cooking. The tantalizing aroma messes with the nerves settling in my stomach and when I feel a hand on the back of my chair, I feel them jolt up to my throat.

  “What’s wrong?” Logan is so close that with just a turn of my chin, we’d totally be lip-locked.

  “Nothing.”

  “You look like you’ve been stung by a bee.”

  Not really thinking about it, I do turn toward him. He leans back an inch or so, but smiles nonetheless.

  “I’m fine.” Then someone plugs in a guitar and starts strumming chords.

  “Mmhmm. You know, you don’t have to dance if you don’t want to.”

  “Then who are you going to dance with?” The words slip out before I really think them through. Logan grins at my obvious jealousy for just a moment before a commotion across the table pulls our attention away from each other.

  “Oh my goodnes! I didn’t think you were coming in until next week?” Jillian flies out of her chair and throws herself into her eldest son’s arms.

  Drew.

  I chance a glance at Logan as he pulls his hand off the back of my chair. Both sisters stand up and rush to hug their big brother while Logan works to school the muscles in his face. I want to reach out to him, comfort him in some way, but before I can he stands and I feel the tension start to escalate. When it’s his time to greet his brother, he shakes his hand, but neither of them reach for a hug. Both give each other solid “good to see you’s” and I’m surprised by how good Logan is at hiding his anger from the rest of his family. When he turns to look at me, I can see the pain flash through his eyes. He holds out a hand to help me out of my seat. When I stand my anxiety simmers down as he squeezes my hand.

  “I believe you’re already familiar with Miss Mooreland.” Logan presents me to his brother, but his hand never leaves mine. And Drew most definitely notices. I pull my hand from Logan so I can shake Drew’s and for some reason feel like I’m betraying him in the process.

  “It’s good to see you again, Drew.”

  “It’s always a pleasure, Mooreland. So you got suckered into this shindig, did you?”

  His choice of words makes Emma and Lucy burst into laughter. I can’t help it, but I find them amusing as well. “You have no idea.”

  I meant it as a joke, but when I glance over my shoulder, the stolid look on Logan’s face tells me he fails to see the humor in my statement.

  Drew gives me a weird look but I shake him off and turn back to my seat. Though just as I’m about to sit, a loud screech comes over the speakers.

  “Welcome to the 34th annual Walker Fourth of July Jubilee.” A man who Logan tells me is Mayor Havenstead stands in jeans and a short-sleeved, red, white, and navy plaid pearl snap shirt on the stage. “We’re so glad you could join us in celebrating this great nation’s birthday. In just a moment we’re gonna get a line started for supper, but before we do, I’ve asked Pastor Mike to ask a blessing over us. Then here in a bit we’ll have some sweet tunes, as the kids call it nowadays, from The Muddy River Buddy Boys. Just a friendly reminder that the fireworks will begin around ten o’clock. And here’s the good Pastor now.”

  ***

  “Oh my word.” Sitting back, I suck in a breath and pray my dress doesn’t split down the side. Every single dish that smelled delightful was equally tasty, and at this point I couldn’t get out on the dance floor even if someone were to roll me.

  “I’ll second that.” Lucy pushes her plate away and leans back in her chair too.

  “So much good food, so little room.” Owen pats his full stomach, too, his hand finding the back of Emma’s neck as she eyes us all over her empty plate.

  “I know how to make room for more.” She eyes him and starts to stand.

  “Where are you two going?” Sam eyes his daughter over his glass of ice tea.

  “To warm up.” Emma takes off her jacket and lays over the back of her seat.

  “Warm up?” I ask. She makes it sound like square dancing is a HIIT workout.

  “Oh! You haven’t seen them dance yet, have you?” Lucy perks up and the ever present excitement lights up her eyes. Her enthusiasm for life is so energizing it’s contagious.

  “Well they did try to teach me how to do the Melon Wobble.”

  “Watermelon Crawl,” Emma corrects. “And that’s not what she’s talking about.”

  I look to Logan hoping he’ll cut to the chase and explain what everyone is so excited about. He gives me
a conspiratorial smile and wipes his mouth on his napkin.

  “Just wait for it,” Drew pipes in. “It’s pretty amazing to watch.” He looks to Logan and I can tell he’s not as enthralled by whatever his sister is about to do as the rest of his family.

  The band wraps up a song just as Emma and Owen join a few of the older couples on the floor. When I shift in my seat to watch them, I feel an arm lay across the back of my seat. Shivers crawl across my clammy skin when Logan leans forward and his breath meets the skin of my neck.

  “Just for the record, I don’t approve.” I suppress the chuckle that wants to escape.

  “Why am I not even surprised right now?” I turn to find him closer than I expected. Those ocean blue-green eyes dart to my lips and I’m suddenly wildly aware that his eyes aren’t the only ones pinned on me. Turning back to watch his sister and Owen start dancing as if they were in some kind of competition, doing all sorts of spins and lifts, I gulp back the rush of emotions fighting their way out. A purely lustful feeling overcomes me and I suddenly, desperately need some space from Logan

  “I think I need some dessert.” I start to stand before a hand meets my shoulder and without thinking about it, I shrug it off.

  “What would you—” Logan’s shock registers on me a second too late.

  “I’m sorry.”

  His features harden and I try to reground myself with a deep breath.

  “Everything okay?”

  I don’t have to look around to know every pair of eyes at our table and a few of the tables around us are watching our every move. Pulling on a confident smile, I nod. “Everything’s great. But I could use some air. I’ll be right back.”

  “I’ll walk you out—”

  “No. Please. I’ll just be a minute.”

  Logan doesn’t look all too happy to let me out of his reach, but I hold that smile on my face until I’m out from under the smothering tent and am half a block down the street. I’m relieved I brought the jacket with me when a cool evening breeze hits my clammy skin. Pulling it on, I reach for the pocket and thank whichever guardian angel placed my phone in it.

  “What’s up, Buttercup?” Walt answers on the first ring.

  “Nothing. I just had a second and wanted to check in. How are you doing?” I pray that he doesn’t hear the rattling in my voice.

  “I’m fine, Allie Cat. But what about you? You sound a little shaky. Everything going okay at that dance thing Logan took you to?”

  “I’m fine. Just need to hear a familiar voice, that’s all.”

  A moment passes and I wonder if he dropped the phone.

  “Aww, Allie. You’re gonna make this old man all weepy-eyed. I miss ya, kid.”

  A lump settles in the back of my throat, all the emotions of the day swirling together and hitting me like a linebacker. The anger and bitterness, followed by the gentle mercy and grace given by the entire Lassiter family. Then add in the sisterly girl time and now all the affection from Logan. It’s a wonder I’m not on a flight home to wallow in my own self pity with a pint of double fudge brownie ice cream and my favorite sweats.

  “I miss you, too. So listen, I should be done in a couple of weeks. I think we need to make a trip out to the beach. Pack up a few sandwiches and the old fishing poles.”

  “I think that sounds like a fine idea. I’ll look forward to it.”

  “Yeah, me too.”

  “Allie, you know if there’s something you want to talk about, I can turn down my hearing aid and pretend that I’m a good listener.”

  A garbled laugh gets hung up on that lump.

  “I’m okay. I promise.”

  “You know, it’s okay to not be okay, kiddo.”

  Unexpected tears fight to the corners of my eyes. Blowing out a hard breath between my lips, I fight to shake off the emotions running wild within.

  “No, everything really is okay. I’m just missing home a bit, that’s all. I love you, old man.”

  “I love you too, kiddo. Listen, I’m starting to get a little worried about you. You’ve been all over the country, at this for quite some time now, and you’ve never called home quite like this before. Are you sure you’re okay?”

  Movement behind me makes me jump, but when I turn I find Logan trying to look inconspicuous in checking on me.

  “Yeah, Walt. I promise I’m okay. I’ll talk to you in the morning, alright?”

  “Sure thing, Allie Cat. I love you, kiddo.”

  “I love you, too. Goodnight.”

  Before I can re-pocket the phone and get my bearings again, Logan is less than a yard away.

  “Everything okay?”

  “Everything is great.”

  His eyes watch me, like a cat trying to calculate his next move. Trying to get the upper hand, I pounce first.

  “Listen, I need to be honest with you. I know these are your people, and you trust them and all, but I need you to back down.”

  “Back down,” he smoothly repeats.

  “Yes.”

  When he takes a step forward, I take a step back.

  “Logan. I need you to understand I’m trying to be a professional here. I don’t want to upset our working relationship. The subtle touches and the personal bubble bursting, I need you to stop.”

  He stares, his eyes darting over my features, his mind clearly trying to figure out how far he’s already pushed.

  “Do you want to go back to the ranch?”

  Surprisingly, I fear he will whisk us back to his sanctuary without thinking twice. Standing next to the old building along Main Street, Walker, Texas, I feel the walls of the ranch house closing in on me.

  “No. I want to go back in there and enjoy an evening out with you and your family. I want to watch you interact with the great people in your community. I want to watch fireworks after dark, and despite the fact that just thinking about it makes me want to throw up, I want to show off my two-stepping skills at some point tonight.”

  Logan fights a smile as he holds out a hand for me. “I’m sorry.”

  I shake his outstretched hand in a truce. “It’s okay.”

  He lets go of my hand and eyes me for a second, a question lingering in his eyes. After a second, he shakes it away and shoves his hands in his pockets. He turns to allow me to lead the way back into the tent, but the whole way back, I try to sort out the craziness that is going on in my head.

  Chapter Nineteen

  “I didn’t know what you’d like so I just got you a little of everything I love.” Lucy grins as she scoops a spoonful of cherries jubilee into her mouth.

  “Thank you.”

  “It’s almost time.” Jillian rubs a hand over her husband’s shoulder and he gazes at her lovingly.

  “Time for what?” I look up at Logan, a pang of fear stabbing at my sweet tooth. He only grins at my alarm.

  “The dance.”

  Despair gurgles up and settles in the back of my throat, only promising to disappear once the dance is over with.

  “Not that dance. Relax,” Logan says quietly, thankfully from the comfort of his own personal space. Relief crashes over me like a water balloon and Lucy giggles.

  “Yet, anyway. You are going to get out there tonight, aren’t you?”

  “Why don’t you wanna dance, Mooreland?” Drew asks from across the table. Since we’ve returned, he’s watched every move Logan and I have made.

  “I’m a terrible dancer.”

  “No, you’re not,” Sam tries to console me, but when Owen gives him a questioning look, he changes his tune. “When you have the right partner.” He grins mischievously at Logan who clears his throat before glancing apologetically at me.

  “Oh, I missed something good, didn’t I?” Drew rubs his palms together playfully.

  “Definitely not something good,” Owen groans, earning himself a round of chuckles from the rest of us.

  “It’s a miracle poor Owen has feeling in his toes today.” I try to appear apologetic but Owen, being the gentleman he is, brushes it off.


  “It wasn’t that bad.”

  Emma grins appreciatively at her suitor as the band finishes up their last cover, and Mayor Havenstead takes the stage again.

  “Alright, ladies and gentlemen. It’s time to brush off those old dancin’ shoes. If y’all will take your places we’ll kick this celebration off the proper way.”

  The Lassiter clan, sans Drew, stand as one and excuses themselves from the table. As Logan pushes in his chair, our eyes meet.

  “You going to be okay for a few?”

  I glance at Drew who is trying to be discreet in his observing us, but is doing a terrible job at it.

  “I’ll be fine. Go do your thing.”

  He nods solemnly and holds his arm out for Lucy. It’s then that I notice Carter is still sitting with Drew and me.

  “You’re not square dancing, Carter?”

  “Oh no. It’s not really my thing.” He watches everyone take their places on the dance floor with horror etched all over his face. Grinning, I turn to find Drew watching me curiously.

  “What about you? Not your thing, either?”

  He slowly shakes his head. “Nah, I’m odd man out since Townsend wriggled his way into my sister’s heart.”

  We watch each other, unspoken questions drifting between us. I fight the urge to bombard him with the questions that have lingered in the back of my mind since Logan told me his side of the story. Judging by the amount of attention he has been giving his brother and me so far tonight, I’m guessing his questions have to do with what is going on between us.

  Well that makes two of us, pal.

  A fiddle clangs in the speakers, pulling my attention back to the dance floor where I find Logan watching me intently. Even as he starts to move, he glances at his brother, clearly over assessing the nothingness that just went down between Drew and I. I sigh in frustration, knowing that when he returns to the table, he’ll be locked up and grumpy once again. The caller, a man I don’t recognize, starts chanting off the instructions and I let myself get distracted by watching the couples follow his lead. It’s rather adorable watching Logan get into the folk dance with his tiny little sister. When they have to lift their arms and let the other couples parade between them, poor Lucy has to dance on her tip toes. Sometime in the dance, Logan lets himself get lost in the performance and by the time it’s done, he’s all smiles with a glowing complexion. The look is dazzling on him.