A Bet Worth Making (Grayson County #2)

by Heather Hildenbrand

  I tugged her closer and she answered by wrapping her arms tight around my neck. I reached my arms around her waist, cupping her ass, and lifted. She wrapped her legs around me, locking them at the ankles. I barely broke away long enough to gauge the distance before I shoved her against the wall by the front door. My tongue tangled with hers. I fumbled with the knob.

  Jordan yanked her mouth from mine and threw her head back, arching her neck and pressing her hips against mine. I barely held back the growl building in my throat. All thoughts of stopping or going gently fled.

  I trailed hungry kisses over her throat, dipping low to lick along the line of her V-neck that had slipped to reveal plenty of skin.

  “Casey,” Jordan whispered.

  Her name built in my mind until I thought my body would burst with how much it wanted her. To claim her. Not just tonight but always.

  Instead of her name, what came out was the same bullshit I’d almost ruined things with earlier. “Stay.”

  I barely registered it—until I felt Jordan stiffen against me. Her kisses stopped. She loosened her grip on my neck—on my everything. “Casey,” she said, but instead of hearing my name, I only heard the regret.

  Motherfucker.

  Why hadn’t I waited to say that ’til later?

  Or better yet—realized she’d never answered it in the first place for a reason. And not just because we’d been interrupted by her grandparents.

  “Let’s talk about it later,” I mumbled, kissing her ear in an attempt to pick up where we’d left off.

  “I can’t.” Jordan unlocked her ankles and I eased away until her feet slid to the floor.

  “Fine, let’s not talk about it at all,” I said, the hardest parts of me still stinging from the sudden and abrupt separation.

  “No, I mean I can’t stay,” Jordan said quietly.

  “I had a feeling you’d say that,” I said and despite every effort to keep the bitterness out of my tone, Jordan winced. And I knew she’d heard it. I shoved a hand through my hair. “When do you leave?”

  She hesitated, and I thought I’d braced myself. But when she said, “Next week,” I knew I hadn’t prepared myself nearly enough.

  I spun and marched to the railing, staring out over a yard covered in a shroud of darkness. Above, stars twinkled, the moon shone. The earth continued to spin. But for me, everything came to an abrupt and screeching halt.

  Next fucking week.

  “Guess it works out that Frank knows about my bike business,” I said without turning, “considering I’ve just lost our bet.”

  “Casey, please don’t be like that,” she whispered.

  I ignored that. “So this is it then?”

  Jordan hesitated. “I guess so,” she said finally.

  I contemplated all of the irrational reactions I wanted to have. Cursing. Plugging my ears and singing. Leaving in a cloud of motorcycle dust. But I didn’t.

  I just stood there and took it like a man.

  A man getting his heart broken.

  Finally, Jordan backed away and shook her head. Without a word, she disappeared inside. Still, I stood there, frowning at the silhouette of the mountains in the distance.

  I wondered if Frank would be proud of me now. Was this living? Falling in love—finally—only to end up getting your heart pummeled before being forced to watch her walk out of your life forever?

  If so, I wondered if opting for eternal bachelorhood wasn’t a better alternative after all. Frank thought I’d only been going through the motions before … I hated to imagine what it was going to be like when Jordan was gone.

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  Jordan

  Mud squished underneath the soles of my boots. Two days of rain had brought progress on Summer’s house to a standstill, even threatening to delay my departure date. Now, the contractors scurried around like ants trying to make up for lost time. Drills hummed, but with the walls already closed in, all I could do was stand back and listen to the muffled sounds of interior construction.

  Summer stood beside me, both of us watching the activity from afar as various contractors came and went with supplies.

  “I bet you’re thrilled to have this all behind you so you can open your firm,” Summer said. I’d filled her in on the gist of things with Sharon and John and she’d been more sympathetic than I’d expected, telling me in turn about her parents’ divorce and the rift it had caused. Apparently, she was still on tentative ground with her mom but things were improving slowly.

  Her understanding made me wish I’d confided in her sooner.

  “Yeah, thrilled,” I said wondering why the word provoked no matching emotion. I’d felt empty inside ever since the night Casey and I had broken up. He’d barely spoken a word to me in two days. Hell, he’d barely been home. He was avoiding me, respecting my space and the fact that I’d ended things. I understood—hadn’t this been what I’d said I wanted?—but knowing it didn’t make the pain any easier.

  “Will it take long to get everything up and running?”

  “I’m not sure,” I admitted. “I’ve been so focused on fulfilling Dad’s last request that I didn’t think much about what comes next.”

  “But you’re done, right? And with the house on track and the framing all done … I mean, obviously I love having you here, and not just for work but as a friend. But you can go home now.”

  “Thanks, Summer, that means a lot.” I smiled. “This project has meant so much more than I expected. So have you.” I stared out at the view of rolling hills and fields dotted with crops below us.

  “Frank told me about your decision to scrap the car.” She bumped my shoulder sympathetically. “I know it meant something to you.”

  “It did.” I managed to keep the pain out of my words. Another small piece of Dad I’d been forced to let go of out here. “But John’s selling me a car at a good price.”

  “Sounds like everything worked out for the best,” she said and I grimaced. “You okay?” she asked.

  The pain in my chest constricted my throat, making it hard to talk. “Not everything worked out for the best.”

  Summer bit her lip and I knew she caught my meaning. “Want to talk about it?”

  “You mean can you tell me your fairy tale love story for a seventh time?” I shook my head and she gave me a rueful smile. “No. I think I’m good. Not everyone’s story ends like yours.”

  Summer’s expression turned earnest. “You’re missing the point.”

  “And what’s that?”

  She tilted her head as if the answer was obvious. “Not all of them end.”

  I sighed. “Mine does.”

  “But who says it has to be today?” She shrugged before I could argue. “I’m just saying. Lots of houses in Grayson need fixing up. You wouldn’t be pressed for work.”

  I scrunched my brows together, uncertain, but for the first time, not completely turned off by the idea. “You really think there’s enough opportunity here? Enough to build a career on?”

  “I know there’s a market for it,” she said and I eyed her skeptically.

  “Seriously. My mom’s country club friends love investment property. They all started watching HGTV and now they think they can flip houses.” She rolled her eyes and I smiled. “Seriously, Grayson might be small but the surrounding counties and Roanoke together make up a plenty big area. In my opinion, an ambitious girl like you might even do better out here than in the big city.” She brushed her hand over my arm and added, “Something to think about.”

  She grabbed the forms she’d been looking for earlier and sauntered off, leaving me staring after her—an idea forming. Or maybe it had been there all along. Maybe the only thing that had really been in my way had been that I’d truly believed in my own failure. At everything.

  “Huh,” I muttered to myself, stealing Frank’s favorite line.

  I yanked my phone out and sent a text to Frank.

  A second later, he replied simply: yep.

  I smi
led.

  Summer was right. It was time I started the next chapter of my life, starting with giving Casey notice that I’d be moving out. My pulse thudded as I remembered the hurt and utter betrayal that had played across his face the other night. I’d hurt him deeply and the regret washed over me so hard my knees wobbled. What had I done? Casey deserved so much better. And I was going to give it to him.

  I made up my mind, smiling as I packed up my things.

  We’d done everything backwards so far, but not anymore. A girl couldn’t start off already living with the love of her life. I just hoped that once I explained, Casey would see it as a new start too.

  Chapter Thirty

  Casey

  The dull roar coupled with the phantom rattle of Goose’s motor made it impossible to hear anything else. She was sick. Again.

  Fucking A, Dean. Buy a new damned tractor.

  It figured after finally getting over my initial panic of being fired, I’d come over to pick up my check and ended up doing the only thing about my job I thoroughly despised: fixing this damned tractor.

  At least it was Friday.

  And I had a date with a rusted hunk of metal that I planned to spend the entire weekend with my hands inside. It was my second favorite date scenario. And for the foreseeable future, it was all I had to look forward to.

  Underneath me, Goose wrenched and shuddered.

  I pressed my foot on the gas but nothing happened except the rattling sound got louder. I eased off again, contenting myself with the slow pace. I’d taken her on a long loop since the middle field was being harvested and all sorts of hands and equipment had blocked the way.

  I used my forearm and the hem of my work glove to wipe my brow. This August heat was no joke. Up ahead, the humidity blurred the form of an approaching body. Sweat dripped into my eyes, clouding it further, until all I could make out was a mane of loose blonde hair glinting in the light. Frayed shorts. Thin button-down blouse.

  I blinked, not quite willing to hope.

  Maybe it was a mirage.

  I had heatstroke.

  Why else would I see Jordan running toward me in the middle of this field on the hottest day so far this year?

  When I blinked again, she was suddenly right in front of me—and she was still coming. I yanked the wheel, swerving around her, but at the last second, she darted sideways and came alongside me.

  “Jordan?” I said, dumbfounded.

  She grinned and grabbed the handle, swinging herself up onto the footboard beside me.

  “What the hell?” I demanded, grabbing her by the waist and pulling her in close to keep her from falling off the side of the damn thing.

  But I wasn’t mad. Not even a little.

  She looked glorious in the sunshine, her hair tangled and wild, her chest heaving as she caught her breath. Her blue eyes were like icy pools in the desert. I fell in immediately and didn’t care if I ever came up for air.

  “I’m glad I caught you,” she said, swiping absently at her brow.

  The sheen of sweat only added to her sex appeal. An image flashed in my mind of the two of us in the greenhouse up ahead, naked, bodies sliding against each other. I shook it away.

  “This couldn’t wait until I got back?” I asked.

  She shook her head. “I wanted to catch you before you left. I was hoping you could give me a ride somewhere when you’re done here.”

  I frowned. “I told you, use the truck as long as you need. Why do you need me?”

  She bit her lip and I caught myself staring at her mouth. “I bought a car from John and I need someone to take me over and get it.”

  My chest tightened, the pain her words caused making it easy to look away from her face. “Yeah, fine,” I said. “I’ll do it.”

  “Great.” She flashed me a smile that made absolutely no sense. Even if she didn’t love me or want to stay, she could at least stop looking so damn pleased with herself. “This is fun, by the way. I can see why you like this tractor so much.”

  “I do not—” I breathed deeply. “Is that it?”

  “Yep. Oh, before we go pick up my car can we make a stop first?”

  I grit my teeth. “Sure.”

  “Great.” She flashed another smile and I actually considered pushing her off the tractor. It was only dirt. She’d be fine. “Case … I’m sorry about the other night.” Her expression clouded and my chest tightened all over again.

  “It’s fine.”

  “It’s not. I hurt you, and I’m sorry. I … want to make it up to you later.”

  My eyes narrowed. Had I imagined the sexy undertone in her words just now? “Make it up how?”

  “I promise to explain later. Right now, I need to go see Frank.”

  My heart thudded at all the possibilities that left. “Frank? Why the hell—?”

  “I’ll explain it all later, I promise.” She started to go and then stopped and turned back, bending low to look me in the eye. “It’s all going to work out, trust me.” She kissed me fast on the cheek and then jumped down and waved. “See you in a bit,” she said and dashed off.

  I watched her go, blonde hair flying behind her until she disappeared into the main house. My heart thudded as I watched her ass until she was too far out to see. My cheek burned where she’d kissed me. Work out, my ass. That girl better not be teasing me or I’d definitely drag her through the mud before this was all over—literally.

  I should have told her no. I was so weak. I’d caved in the moment she batted her lashes. And now she wanted a ride. To pick up her new car. That she’d use to drive herself out of my life, no doubt. And of course I’d be the one to take her. To enable her to break my heart just a little more.

  Fuck my life. Maybe this tractor and I deserved each other after all.

  Chapter Thirty-one

  Jordan

  Casey didn’t speak a word on our drive from Heritage Plantation. I knew better than to press him on his silence, though, and the closer we got, the more nervous I became about my plans. He’d clearly already distanced himself from me, and for good reason.

  What had I been thinking concocting such an awful bet?

  And he’d agreed to it. Just stepped right up and volunteered to let me hurt him. God, I’d been a bitch. Hopefully today would make up for some of that. If not, if he turned me down cold, I deserved it.

  Casey’s pickup jostled over a pothole and I straightened, startled to realize we were already here. I’d almost missed the turn—again.

  “Stop,” I called out.

  Casey looked around. “Here?”

  “Yes.”

  “But this is—”

  “I know what it is,” I said, impatience leaking out in my attempt to make my surprise work. Casey had a thing for flair. He also had a knack for seeing right through my bullshit. One-upping all of that hadn’t been easy.

  Casey rolled to a stop in front of the now-familiar farm house and I took a minute to soak it in. Noticing details I hadn’t seen before. Making plans, imagining how I’d bring this or that detail back to life again.

  Casey pulled up on the grass in front of the house but left the engine running. “I don’t understand. I thought you needed me to help you pick up your new car,” he said and I winced at the pain in his words. I hated how badly I’d hurt him. Hurt both of us, really.

  I looked away from the house and back to Casey. “I do. But first, I need to show you something. Come on,” I said, pushing the door open and climbing out.

  The heat of the day, muted here under the treetops, washed over me like a wet blanket. I rounded the hood of the truck and opened Casey’s door, coaxing him out until he stood in front of me, grumbling.

  “I need to say something to you and I thought this was the best place to do it,” I said, nerves dancing in my belly.

  What if he rejected my idea?

  Or me?

  Frank did tell me Casey would have final say. It was his name on the papers.

  “What the hell, Jordan? Haven�
��t you said enough already?” he demanded, clearly already pushed to the breaking point. It was time to come out with it.

  I swallowed hard. “Not nearly. Especially when all that other stuff was bullshit.”

  That got his attention.

  “You were wrong,” I said. “I lost the bet.”

  “You … what?”

  “I bet on our failure. That you’d fall for me and I’d still want to leave when it was all said and done. But that didn’t exactly happen,” I explained. “So I lost.”

  “Look, I hate to point out the obvious, but I think you nailed that one, slick.” Casey’s words were biting but I did my best to ignore it. I deserved it anyway.

  “But you weren’t the only one to fall. And the thing is … I’m not leaving.”

  The only noise in the yard was the creaking of the warm engine and cicadas in the trees beyond. I couldn’t even bring myself to look at Casey. I was so sure he’d look furious or worse. Indifferent.

  I stared at my work boots and wondered if it was too late to change my mind on the house. Right on cue, a truck pulled into the drive and rolled toward us. Frank waved from behind the wheel. “Damn,” I muttered. “He’s early.”

  “What’s he doing here?” Casey asked.

  “He has some paperwork for you to sign,” I said. “Or tear up,” I added under my breath. Casey’s brows went up. I sighed, my hair blowing off my forehead before resettling halfway in my eyes. I left it. “I asked Frank who owned this place. Imagine my surprise to find out it was one Casey Luck.”

  Casey’s eyes widened and he opened his mouth but I pressed on. “Anyway, I had him draw up a lease. If you’re willing, I move in this weekend. I’ll stay on here until the rehab is done—or longer if you’ll let me.”

  “You want to move in here?” he asked.

  Frank got out and slammed his door, drowning out my small, “Yes.”

  “Hey, kids.” Frank waved a stack of papers in the air. “I just need your signatures and we’re all set.”