“Awesome. What do you want us to bring?” Averly asks.
“I honestly have no idea. Ainsley and I just planned it before I came over to tell you. Spur of the moment.” Lia leans in to whisper. “And Matthew Barber and his wife, Tinley, came to visit Knox and Ainsley with some friends since they’re spending a couple of weeks in Montana.” Lia fans herself with her hand.
I chuckle. “Does Axel know you’re infatuated with Matthew?” Matthew is a big Hollywood star who is friends with Knox and Harris. He comes to town to visit whenever they’re in Montana.
“Yes, and it makes him jealous,” she giggles. “It’s just an innocent celebrity crush. Anyway, I’ll see y’all in an hour or so?” Her southern drawl from spending years in Kentucky comes through.
“Yeah,” Averly and I respond in unison.
“I’ll see you there?” Averly turns toward me.
“Yeah. I’ll grab some beers and chips before heading over.” A small part of me, the part I couldn’t quiet down last night, wonders if Abbie will be going as well. I see her across the way talking to Faith, Ainsley, and Poppy, and my guess is she’ll be there. I shouldn’t feel excited about that.
Heading over to say goodbye to my parents, I jump in my truck and head to the store. By the time I get to Axel and Lia’s house, a few cars are littered in the front. I step out of my truck and walk around to the back of the house where a group of people sits. I recognize Matthew and Tinley, but not the other couple.
“Hey,” Knox stands to shake my head.
“Hey.” I smile over at Ainsley.
“Hey, Finn. You know Matt and Tinley, right?” she asks.
“I do,” I nod, greeting them both. “These are Alex and Ella, they’re friends of Matt and Tinley,” Ainsley adds.
“Hi, everyone.” I wave at them as they all say their hellos.
“Hey,” Lia walks down the steps of the back porch, carrying a bowl of chips.
“I brought beer and more chips,” I smile.
“Awesome. You can put the beers in the cooler,” she tilts her chin toward a plastic cooler sitting against the wall. “I’ll put the chips inside.”
“Sounds good.” I hand her the bag with the chips and open the box carrying the beers, placing them on ice. I keep a bottle for myself and ask if anyone wants one before taking a seat with them.
I catch up with Matthew, not having seen him in a while, and get to know Alex better. The women carry their own conversation beside us. Averly and Eli arrive next, saying hello to everyone.
“The last time I saw you was at Knox and Ainsley’s wedding, and you said no such thing about having a baby on the way,” Tinley accuses Eli as she greets him.
“Our relationship was still new then, and Averly didn’t have the baby bump yet. Although, it didn’t take long for it to appear.” Eli winks at Averly with a wide smile. He introduces Averly to Tinley, and she joins their conversation.
“Finn, did you want to punch Eli for knocking up your baby sister?” Tinley calls my way.
“And miss out on a family discount for any future renovations I want done? Hell, no.” I shake my head, chuckling.
“Ass,” Eli mutters. “Gonna charge you full price from now on.”
I ignore him and look at Tinley. “Actually, I may have done a little matchmaking. I recommended Eli for the bed and breakfast renovations that Averly owns. I figured something would come from it,” I smirk at my sister, who looks at me with her mouth hanging open.
“You sneak,” she says.
I shrug and take a drink of my beer.
“The bed and breakfast where Axel and Lia’s wedding was held?” Tinley’s eyebrows raise.
“That’s the one,” I smile proudly.
“It’s such a beautiful space,” she gushes to Averly.
“Brothers,” Ella shakes her head. “I have an older brother, too, Averly. I know what that’s like.”
“Ha, yeah. Ask her who her brother is,” Tinley teases, tipping a glass of wine toward Ella. Ella narrows her eyes at her friend before looking at us.
“His name is Ronan,” she says in an English lilt.
“Ronan?” Averly’s eyebrows furrow.
“Connolly,” Knox offers. Ainsley backhands his chest with a glower.
“We said we’d let them enjoy the weekend without making a fuss,” she hisses. Knox shrugs and drinks his beer.
“Holy shit,” Averly whispers. “As in the Hollywood actor?”
“He’s just a regular bloke,” Ella laughs.
The rest of the people arrive, and my attention is stolen when Abbie walks in behind Poppy and Harris, who already know Ella and Alex. Sutton, the singer who signed with Knox and Harris’s country music label, arrives with them, saying hellos and greeting everyone. She’s already becoming one of us with the amount of time she spends here working with the label.
Abbie’s shy smile finds me and turns forced. I sigh and narrow my eyes. Damn, I must’ve messed things up last night. She whispers something to Poppy and walks into the house, my gaze following her.
“Someone has a crush,” Tinley leans in and whispers conspiratorially.
“Nah.” I shake my head and tip the beer back as I take a sip, crossing my ankle over my knee. Playing it cool, I can do this.
“Mmhmm…” She gives me a knowing look but drops it.
Time passes, and different conversations flow between everyone. I get another drink, talking to Alex as he asks me about the ranch. I hear Ella give Averly pregnancy advice and baby tips. Abbie has kept her distance, barely looking my way. I need to fix this. I don’t want things to be awkward between us, but I also need to get over this crush I’ve developed.
The promise I made her last night that she will find a guy who cherishes her races to the front of my mind. The idea of her with someone else stirs jealousy inside of me, but I have no right to feel that way. All I am is her landlord and her best friend’s brother, but I’m starting to desire to be more than that. However, pursuing Abbie wouldn’t be a game. She’s the type you keep around for the long-haul, not a test run between the sheets.
“Finn.” Something hits the side of my head.
“What?” I turn around and find Knox and Eli laughing.
“Jackasses.”
“Are you daydreaming about your recent date?” Eli mocks.
“No.” I look at Abbie out of the corner of my eye to catch her frowning.
“We were asking about the auction yesterday. How’d it go?” Eli asks.
“Great, actually.”
“What was the auction for?” Matthew asks, leaning forward on his elbows and a beer bottle hanging from between his fingers.
I tell him and Alex about the livestock auction, describing the event. I’ve found that people who don’t work in the field are usually interested in the way ranches work.
“Congrats, man,” Eli claps my shoulder. “Sounds like a success.”
I nod. “It really was.”
We turn toward the group of women who make a collective awww sound.
“What’s going on there?” Eli asks.
“Abbie brought the disc with our wedding photos,” Axel replies.
We spend the rest of the afternoon talking and eating burgers. It’s the perfect Sunday with friends, even if the woman I want hasn’t spoken a word to me. Regardless, that doesn’t stop me from observing Abbie throughout the day. Her quiet demeanor. Her soft voice. The shy smile that crosses her face when someone compliments her photographs from the wedding.
If she wasn’t Averly’s best friend, I’d ask my sister for advice. I don’t think she’ll forbid me from being with Abbie, that’s not the kind of relationship we have, but Averly knows I date a lot. Somehow, I feel as if I’m not good enough for a woman like Abbie.
I sigh and focus on the conversation about Knox and Sutton’s upcoming tour. Knox took a break from his music career when he moved back to Everton two years ago, and the small shows he’s been putting on at a bar in town have drawn attent
ion from locals in nearby towns. I guess he’s ready to get back out there and perform.
As everyone starts to leave, I walk up to Abbie. “Hey, do you want a ride?” I ask.
“I drove, but thanks.” The corners of her lips tilt up in a smile.
“Anytime,” I nod. “Sink working okay?”
“Yeah.” She nods, biting the inside of her bottom lip.
“All right, well, if you need anything else, just call.” I clap my hands and turn around, thanking Axel and Lia.
When I get home, I’m wound tight. I wish Midnight was here instead of at the ranch so I could go for a ride. Instead, I walk out of my house and start wandering down the trails near the back of the house. Spending some time in nature will help me relax, and hopefully, forget about the woman who’s recently set up camp in my mind.
Abbie
“How’s the dating app going?”
“Shhh…” I hiss at Gavin as my eyes pop out of my head.
He chuckles. “Relax, no one is near us.”
“In this town, even the tables have ears.” I rub my hand over the hard surface.
“Wow.” His eyebrows pop up to his hairline, and he leans back.
“You know it’s true,” I lean forward on my elbows and whisper.
“Who cares if people know?” He shrugs, taking a bite of his pizza.
Ignoring him because he’s right, I lower my voice even more. “I have another situation.”
“Okay,” he mocks my whispering and opens his eye as if he couldn’t wait to hear it.
My face drops, and I narrow my eyes. “I have a crush on Finn,” I confess.
“That is not what I was expecting.” Gavin’s eyes widen as he slowly nods, all teasing gone.
“It’s crazy, I know.” I shake my head, pursing my lips. I haven’t been able to get him out of my head ever since he came over to talk about my date last weekend. It didn’t help matters when I saw him at the barbecue. Finn has consumed my thoughts. I catch myself taking a photo and then wondering if he’d like it.
“It’s not crazy. Unexpected, yes,” Gavin nods.
I tell him about Finn’s visit when I texted him about my date and go into detail about our conversation.
“He has a point. You’re kinda oblivious to the guys around you. We’ve been out in the past, and you wouldn’t even notice a guy checking you out.”
“Really?” I ask in disbelief. “So, all this time, my guy could’ve been out there, but I missed my chance because I’m an idiot?” I drop my head into the palm of my hand.
“You’re not an idiot. If any of those guys really were the one for you, they would’ve had the balls to go up to you.”
“You’re right,” I nod, lifting my slice of pizza and taking a bite of the spicy pepperoni. “Anyway, it’s just a silly crush.”
“Uh-huh,” Gavin smirks.
“It is,” I defend, sipping my pop.
“It’s okay to feel something toward him. He’s a good person.”
“He’s Averly’s brother.”
“Yeah, but I think if anything were to happen, it’s because you both want something serious. There’d be too much at stake.” Gavin, my always sensible cousin.
“I know. Now, let’s talk about something else,” I change the subject, asking him how things are going at the ranch. In this town, you’re not from around here if you’re not a cowboy. There have been a few exceptions to that rule, but even those people have worked on a ranch at some point in their lives and live by the cowboy ethics that run this town.
After lunch with Gavin, I stop at the grocery store to grab some treats for the sleepover I’m having with my sisters tonight. It’ll help me relax and not obsessively think about Finn. I’m looking forward to baking, watching movies, and eating more pizza because there’s really no better meal than that. I could eat it all day, every day.
Taking in the beautiful afternoon, I put the groceries away before grabbing my camera. The house is surrounded by tall pines instead of an open meadow like at my parents’ house. The trees provide a cozy feeling as if I’m in a world of my own covered by green needles.
I wander around, snapping pictures of the sun rays coming in through the branches. Inhaling the fresh air, the warm, summer breeze brushes my skin and relaxes me. I haven’t taken the time to walk around the area since I moved a couple of weeks ago. Birds chirp overhead as I tilt my head back and search for one.
I lift my camera and zoom in on a branch where a small brown and white bird rests and snap a photo before I continue walking. I never did see the deer again that was near the house while I had my coffee. It would have been a beautiful picture.
I reach an opening of land and spot a group of cattle grazing. This must be part of the Cooper ranch. How long have I been walking for? It hasn’t seemed that long, but I somehow reached this part of the land. A fence separates the cattle from me, so I bend down and take pictures from in between the wooden rails. I stand and smile as I lean over and watch them in their peaceful environment. They may seem like pointless animals to some, but these cows provide so much to our livelihood.
“Look who came for a visit.” I turn my body and find Finn riding over to me on his horse. So much for distracting myself from thoughts of him. He looks sexy with his hat clouding part of his face and his muscles taut as he guides the horse.
“Sorry. I’m trespassing, aren’t I?”
“Nah.” Finn gets off his horse and stands next to me. I find his eyes beneath his hat. The chocolate brown shining with a smile. “You live here.”
“I was on a walk and taking pictures, and I ended up here.” I chew on the inside of my cheek.
“You walked a lot,” Finn states.
“I guess. I wasn’t even aware of the distance. These are yours, right?” I point to the group of cattle.
“Sure are. Let me see the pictures you took.” Finn holds out his hand. When I pass him my camera, our fingers brush, causing me to shiver at the heated contact. Goodness, I cannot keep on with this crush. It’s got to end A-sap.
“These are good.” Finn keeps his eyes on the digital screen.
“Thanks.”
“What are you up to today?” Finn leans against the fence, crossing his toe over his ankle.
“My sisters are coming over to hang out and have a sleepover.” When his eyebrows raise, I roll my eyes and continue. “We’ve always had this tradition since they were younger where we’d have sleepovers, so to speak, in the living room of our house. After I moved and we’d see less of each other, we kept it up at my place so we’d still spend time together. With Emily leaving for college next year, I want to make sure I make time for them.”
“That’s cool. I can’t believe Emily is already going to college.” Finn shakes his head.
“I know. It’s crazy when I think about it. I still remember being a teen, and my mom telling me she was pregnant. I was so used to being an only child.”
“I know,” he chuckles. “You were such a brat.”
“I was not,” I argue. I was always the quiet child, better left alone.
“I’m only teasin’ ya.” He gives me that Cheshire cat smile that screams danger.
“Anyway, I should go. They’re probably going to get to the house soon, and I have no idea how long it’ll take me to get back.” I look around the space. I was more focused on taking pictures than tracking the path I took, and I’m not even sure which direction to take.
“Hop on, and I’ll take you.” Finn leans his head toward his horse.
“Are you sure?”
“Of course. I need to check the fence line, so I’ll be riding around here anyway.”
“Thanks. I really don’t know how I ended up here.”
“You gotta be more careful when walking around large pieces of land. Always be aware of your surroundings, Abbie. It can get dangerous if you don’t.” His teasing tone turns serious.
“Yes, Dad.” My voice drips with sarcasm.
Finn’s eyes darken as t
hey narrow at me. “Get on.” He steps on the stirrup and lifts his body onto the horse, holding his hand out to help me.
My heart starts to beat faster as my body presses against Finn’s back with each gallop. I close my eyes and breathe deeply, keeping my sanity. My hands hold on to his waist, and they squeeze as I try to think about anything else than the hard muscles on his back. I can only imagine the body underneath this t-shirt.
A violent exhale of relief swoops out of my lips as I see the house, and Finn’s body stiffens. He stops in front of the house, and I hold on to his waist tighter as I carefully swing my leg behind me to dismount.
“Thanks.” I look up at Finn, who is also dismounting.
“You’re welcome.” We stand inches from each other, a tense awkwardness filling the space between us. “Listen, um…” Finn scratches the side of his head where his hat stops.
Before he can continue, the crunching sound of tires has us both taking a step back. I look toward my sisters pulling into the driveway and sigh. Finn looks from them to me and frowns.
“I should go.” He points behind him.
I nod and thank him again, wondering what he was going to say before we were interrupted. Also, how am I going to erase the feel of his body pressed against mine? Closing my eyes for a second as I slow my pounding heart, I think to myself, This is going to be a long night.
“Hey, girls,” I turn around with a smile as they walk up to me.
“Hey, what was Finn doing here?” Emily asks as she stares at his disappearing form.
“He gave me a ride back. I went for a walk to take photos, but I got lost and somehow ended up on the ranch.”
“Oh,” she shrugs.
We walk into the house, and I give them an inventory of everything I bought. “We can order pizza from Howdy’s when we’re hungry,” I tell my sisters.
“Do they deliver out here?” Sienna asks.
“I’m not sure, but we can drive over if not. It’s only ten minutes away.”
“Great. Can we bake first? I’ve been craving brownies all week.” Sienna runs her tongue along her lips like a little child.
You Make It Easy: A best friend's brother romance (Love in Everton Book 5) Page 6