One Way Home

by Jennifer Youngblood

  “How are y’all doing tonight?” the woman boomed, bringing a roar of applause. Jax put his fingers to his mouth and belted out a large whistle.

  “I’m Trista Blevins. Tonight’s the night we’ve all been waiting for. Our third annual bachelor auction.”

  Zoe gaped as she leaned in to Jax and whispered, “I thought Mason was performing.”

  “He is after this.”

  It irked Zoe that no one had told her about the auction. Before she could say anything else, Jax turned his attention back to the stage, or rather to Trista. Zoe wanted to gag as she watched Jax’s eye run the length of Trista’s legs. There was seriously something wrong with her brother. It was like he lost all reason every time he saw a pretty woman. She looked at Briggs to see if he was as enamored with the Trista as Jax was. To her relief, Briggs didn’t seem to be the least bit impressed. When he felt Zoe’s eyes on him, he looked her direction. A zing rippled through her as they shared a quick smile.

  “This year, we’re doing things a little different,” Trista continued. Her eyes danced as her voice went juicy like she was delivering the latest gossip. “We’re having a silent auction.”

  This brought a few boos from the crowd.

  A petulant frown formed over Trista’s full lips as she held up a hand. “Now hold on, folks. Don’t get your drawers in a jumble. You’ll still have a chance to bid on your favorite bachelor.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “Here’s how it will go. I’ll announce each bachelor. They’ll come up one by one and strut their stuff on stage. All of you interested ladies can mosey on up to the entrance booth where you’ll find a list of the bachelors. Write down your bid. The highest ones win. The bidding will remain open while Mason and the Romeos perform. Afterwards, I’ll announce the winners. These lucky ladies will have the privilege of going on an exclusive date with the hunky bachelor of their choice.”

  Laughter gurgled in Zoe’s throat. Mason and the Romeos? That was the name of Mason’s band? Seriously? What was her baby brother thinking?

  “Alright, folks. We’ve got a great lineup for you tonight. Remember to be generous. All the proceeds go to benefit the children’s wing at the hospital.”

  Trista looked to the side of the stage. “Shoot. I forgot my list.” A second later, a heavyset balding man trotted it out to her. “Thanks, Willie,” Trista said with a perky smile. “I’d better move out of the way. Y’all don’t wanna see me, just the bachelors.”

  “I’ll take you any day,” a man said from the audience. This brought a few catcalls.

  “Thank you, sugar,” Trista responded with a practiced smile as she moved off to the side. She cleared her throat, reading from the paper. “Our first bachelor of the evening is Joe Gilroy. Joe is a firefighter and paramedic at Station 3. Come on up here Joe.” A muscular guy in his mid-twenties stepped onto the stage, wearing jeans, a T-shirt, and tennis shoes. He ducked slightly like he was embarrassed to be there. “Joe enjoys fishing, hunting, and playing basketball. I hear from his fellow team members at the station that Joe can make a mean steak.” Joe flashed a boyish grin and a wave that lit the crowd on fire. Women yelled like he was the greatest thing on the planet.

  After Joe left the stage, the brunette called up more bachelors of varying ages and looks. A smile wound over Zoe’s lips when Jax was called up. Of course. She should’ve expected it, especially after the bits of conversation passing between Jax and Mason earlier. Jax strode across the stage like a movie star, waving and smiling at all the ladies. The crowd went nuts. Just as he was leaving the stage, Trista called Briggs’ name.

  Zoe’s breath hitched as Briggs stood and made his way to the stage. She could tell that he was uncomfortable with the situation because of the stiffness in his shoulders, but she doubted that other people could tell. Briggs walked with a certain gait when he was nervous.

  “Briggs McAllister is the resident veterinarian at Thousand Acres Ranch. Ladies, if you’re extra good to Briggs maybe you can talk him into giving you a ride on that fancy bike we see him sporting around town on.”

  Did Briggs still ride? Briggs had always been into motorcycles. It was something he and Zoe used to do together. Zoe’s stomach clenched when she saw a wistful expression flicker over Trista’s face. She was interested in Briggs. The knowledge burned out the center of Zoe’s chest. She chided herself for being so petty and jealous. Good gravy. Briggs wasn’t hers to be jealous of!

  Briggs and Jax sat back down. Zoe’s gaze flitted between them as her voice went syrupy. “Well, I’m a lucky woman to get to sit at this table all by myself with two eligible bachelors.”

  “Yes, you are,” Jax shot back, giving her a Texas-sized grin. Briggs was only partly amused. He leaned forward, locking gazes with her. “Don’t worry Z, there’s still room on my bike for you,” he murmured.

  She rocked back, blinking. “I can’t believe you just said that,” she retorted, but couldn’t stop the startled laughter from tickling her throat.

  “Are you game?” Briggs asked as he looked around Jax, his sapphire eyes glittering in a challenge.

  She laughed lightly. “I guess I’ll have to get in line behind the lucky lady who wins that exclusive date.”

  Annoyance sifted over his handsome features. “The things we do for charity.”

  “I guess so.” Zoe didn’t want to even think about Briggs with another woman. Why were her thoughts going so haywire? Zoe suspected that Briggs had dated scores of other women. This was a date for charity. It had nothing to do with Zoe.

  “All you have to do is say the word,” Briggs challenged. She caught something in his eyes, a longing that called to that part of her that she tried so hard to keep under wraps. She swallowed the tightness in her throat as she clutched her hand. Why was Briggs sending her those signals? Did he want another chance? Her head began to whirl. She was such a mess right now. Oh, how she wanted to throw good sense to the wind and just embrace whatever this thing was with her and Briggs. The longing was nearly overwhelming.

  Jaxson chortled. “Sis, would you like to switch seats so you and Briggs can continue this little convo without having a monkey in the middle?”

  “A monkey’s right,” she retorted, heat flaming her face. Thankfully, before Jax could say anything else to humiliate her further, Mason and his band took the stage.

  Mason must’ve found a way to get his jitters out because he commanded the audience like a pro. He was good—almost as good as Cash when he first started. No doubt, when he was let loose one day, he would soar to the top. Throughout the concert, Zoe and Briggs’ glances kept meeting. Jax noticed, of course. The laughter simmering in her brother’s eyes let Zoe know he was having a good time at her expense. Eventually, Zoe just ignored Jax all together. Finally, Jax grew bored with teasing her and put his full focus on the concert. Zoe couldn’t help it. Her eyes seemed to have a mind of their own as she looked at Briggs. Again, they caught eyes.

  It was interesting and concerning how that, in a crowded hall, Zoe could be so in sync with Briggs. It had always been the same between them. All she could see was Briggs. The question was—did he see her? Truly? She was so tired of this ridiculous hold Briggs had over her. Why couldn’t she get him out of her system? Why?!

  As the concert was nearing its close, Jax left the table, saying he had to go to the restroom. Zoe was surprised when Briggs scooted into Jax’s empty chair. Her heart began to race. “What’re you doing?”

  His eyes sparkled. “Don’t worry Z, I don’t bite.”

  She remembered Jax’s quips as they were walking across the parking lot—the part about people biting. “Well, if you do bite, be warned, I bite back,” she teased.

  “I’ll take my chances.” A grin tugged at his lips, giving her a peek of his dazzling white teeth against his tanned skin. Her breath caught. Why did he have to be so irresistible? He leaned closer to her. “Too bad no one’s dancing. Otherwise, we’d show ‘em how it’s done.”

  She got lost for a moment in the wake of the splendid
depth of his probing eyes, which had deepened to a mesmerizing Royal blue. “Yes, we would,” she replied dreamily. The two of them had been so good together, like two people sharing one heart, one mind.

  He moved closer and angled toward her. One arm slipped around her shoulders, his other hand running along the curve of her jaw. “I’ve missed you.”

  The response came out before she could call it back. “I’ve missed you too.” His touch felt so good, the warmth of his skin brushing a featherlight pulse through her skin. The living, breathing, grownup Briggs was all male—so much better than the one in her dreams. She blinked, coming out of a daze. Anger took hold as she drew back. “We’re not doing this,” she growled.

  He frowned. “Why not?”

  “You hurt me.” Her eyes grew moist. Sucking in a quick breath, she managed to put a lid on the emotion.

  Regret spilled into his beautiful eyes, muddling them to Indigo. “I’m so sorry. I was a fool.”

  “Yes, you were,” she snapped. All of the hurts of the past spilled between them like rotten milk. Everything was tainted. There could be no going back.

  He searched her face. “I can’t let you go again.”

  “As much as I want to, I can never trust you again.” This time she couldn’t stop a tear from escaping and trickling down her cheek. Briggs used his thumb to tenderly wipe it away. She hated how every inch of her body thrilled at being next to him. She couldn’t let her feelings get the best of her but had to keep her head in control.

  The sound of a throat clearing caused Zoe to jerk back away from Briggs like she’d been burned by a hot coal. She shifted in her seat so that she was no longer turned toward Briggs but facing straight ahead.

  “Sorry to interrupt,” Jax said.

  Briggs jammed a hand through his hair.

  “No problem,” Zoe said frostily. “We were done anyway.” She shot Briggs a dark look.

  Briggs let out a heavy sigh. “This isn’t over. We’ll talk later.” His jaw went razor sharp, eyes drilling into hers with a promise that rattled her to the core.

  Jax sat down on the other side of Briggs as the concert came to a close, but Zoe hardly paid attention. Her heart was too busy pounding out a frenzied beat. She made a point of keeping her eyes fixed straight ahead, keenly aware of Briggs right beside her. This whole thing was so whacked!

  After Mason and his band did their encore song, they gave final waves and bows as they exited the stage. The lights came up as Trista be-bopped back onto the stage. “Weren’t they great? Let’s give ‘em another round of applause.” She began clapping. It had the domino effect of bringing down the house. A few minutes later, Trista held out a hand to quiet the clapping. “Alright. Drumroll please … we have the winners. Listed right here.” She waved a piece of paper back and forth. “Oh, before I announce the winners, let me just say that this is the most money we’ve ever earned—by a landslide. Folks, thank you for your incredible generosity.” This brought more clapping. Trista waited until it settled down before continuing. “These lucky winners will go on an exclusive date planned by their bachelor.”

  Zoe’s stomach tightened, wondering what Briggs would plan for his date. Which one of the women in this dance hall had won the bid on him?

  “As I announce the winners, I’d like to ask the bachelor and his lucky lady to come up on the stage.” A wicked grin curved her lips. “That way, we can see y’all together side by side.” Trista began announcing the winners. From what Zoe could tell, it appeared to be the same order as the bachelors had first appeared on stage. Zoe couldn’t get over how proud the women were to have won as they cast glowing smiles at their bachelors. It was pathetic, actually. Sure, the proceeds went to charity, but the women seemed desperate, bidding for a date with some guy. Geez, Louise, you couldn’t pay Zoe to bid on a guy. Zoe glanced at Jax and could tell he was more nervous than a prize turkey right before Thanksgiving. She got a fiendish delight in picturing which of the women had won Jax. Maybe she was some portly, middle-aged woman. It would serve her brother right for being such a player. Was Briggs nervous? He didn’t seem to be. His eyes caught hers again, but she quickly looked away.

  Trista called Jax’s name. He trotted up on stage, a giant smile perched on his face. When his date was announced Zoe groaned inwardly as a leggy blonde in a tight skirt sauntered onto the stage. When Jax saw her, he grinned from ear to ear like he’d won the jackpot as the two embraced. The blonde leaned in and pecked him on the lips, causing the crowd to roar. “Lucky dog,” Zoe mumbled.

  Briggs shot her a questioning look.

  “I was hoping Jax would get some dumpy broad instead of a bombshell,” she explained.

  Briggs didn’t skip a beat. “I’m sure they saved the dumpy broad for me.”

  She burst out laughing. “Maybe they did.”

  “Here goes nothing,” Briggs muttered, pulling a face. “Wish me luck.”

  “You’ll need it,” she sang.

  But Briggs’ name wasn’t called. “That’s odd,” Zoe said as the two exchanged baffled looks. “Do you think they forgot about you?” She felt a curious mixture of relief and disappointment.

  “Maybe. I hope so.” He grimaced. “I’m all about helping out the hospital but going up on that stage and being paraded around like a prize rooster was torture. I’d rather be tarred and feathered.”

  She giggled. “Yeah, too bad Jax doesn’t feel the same way.”

  A grin slid over his lips. “Jax is just Jax.”

  “Yeah, he’s something alright,” she said dryly.

  As Trista continued calling out the winners, Zoe felt someone glaring at her. She glanced to her left at the crowd of people standing near the front of the stage. She spotted a woman about her same age. Their eyes caught for one brief moment before the woman looked away. She’d had such a venomous expression that it caused Zoe’s blood to run cold. The woman stepped deeper into the crowd, vanishing from Zoe’s vision. She looked familiar. Zoe searched her brain before a light went on. Jolene Belcher. There was certainly no love lost between Zoe and Jolene, but jeepers creepers, Jolene was being downright hostile.

  Zoe and Jolene were both cheerleaders. They were once good friends, that is, until Zoe beat out Jolene for the position of head cheerleader. At which point, Jolene became her archenemy. Zoe would have thought that the years since high school would have tempered Jolene’s dislike for her. Apparently not.

  “Are you okay?” Briggs asked, touching her arm.

  “I’m fine,” she responded with a quick smile.

  He searched her face. “You sure?”

  It was uncanny how good Briggs was at picking up on her vibes. He always had been. Zoe was sure he probably knew that she still had feelings for him. She’d never been great at holding her cards close. Her entire family knew how she felt about Briggs, and she could tell they attributed the demise of her marriage to that. The whole situation was dang embarrassing. If Carl had been faithful, Zoe would still be a world away in Park City, trying to make her marriage work. She would’ve kept trying to turn herself inside out to please a man who was never going to be pleased with anything she did. She would’ve kept living a life in the shadows, only coming out into the full sunlight in her dreams.

  “Something’s got you rattled,” Briggs said decisively.

  She let out a long breath, knowing she might as well come out with it or Briggs would continue pestering her about it. “I just caught someone staring at me.”

  He looked past her to the crowd of people as he frowned. “Really? Who?”

  She forced a laugh. “It’s not important. Just an old acquaintance.”

  “An acquaintance, huh? Where?”

  She turned and looked to where Jolene had been. “I don’t see her anymore.”

  “Okay, don’t tell me,” he sighed. “Keep your secrets to yourself.”

  She laughed. “I will.”

  “Are you cold?”

  “No, why?” She looked down, realizing she was hugging her
arms.

  “Here, allow me.” In a swift, smooth motion, he scooted his chair closer and draped his arm around her shoulders as he had earlier.

  His nearness was electrifying. She probably should’ve protested, but it felt so good to have his arm around her that she just wanted to enjoy it, without thinking the situation to death the way she always did. Was it so wrong to appreciate his strong arm around her, his warmth, his masculine scent that was so distinctly him? It reminded her of fresh air and clear water. She tried to turn her attention to the stage, but it wasn’t easy. She felt the subtle movement of Briggs’ chest as his breath moved in and out. Everything she’d ever wanted and more in a partner was right here beside her. Was she brave enough to open her heart up to him again?

  “Time for the grand finale,” Trista trilled. “There’s one bachelor left. We’ve saved the best for last. The amount paid for this bachelor was a record.” She trilled out a throaty laugh. “This woman wants a date bad.” She pumped her eyebrows. “Ten thousand dollars bad. That was the top bid for this particular bachelor.” Her voice increased to a crescendo. “Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for Briggs McAllister.”

  The applause was deafening. Zoe felt the air leave her lungs as she turned to Briggs. He looked downright shocked. For a second, he just sat there with his arm around her. Zoe felt numerous eyes pinging them like wasp stingers.

  “Briggs come on up,” Trista urged with a sweep of her arm.

  Still, he sat there. Trista’s smile fell a fraction.

  “Briggs, you’ve got to go up there,” Zoe said.

  He gave her a long look before nodding reluctantly.

  Zoe’s heart thudded dully in her chest. Who in the heck was desperate enough for a date with Briggs that they would pay ten thousand dollars? This was absurd! She was angry with the bidder and even angrier with the situation.

  Trista shoved the microphone in Briggs’ face. “How does it feel to be the top bachelor of the evening?”