AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“There’s actually a lot more to do around here than you realize.” It’s not a lie.
“You sound like Dylan.” Garrett squints his hazel eyes at me. “Tell me what you’re doing around there with Rachel. When are you getting your head out of your ass and asking her on a date?”
“What the fuck?” My chin pulls back. “Rachel’s my coworker, and I was trying to easeyourmind.”
Fool me once.
“Miss Gina won’t care if you date her. Hell, if I know that old lady, she’s already figuring out ways to put you two together.”
He’s not wrong, and my jaw tightens. “Worry about your own love life.” I stand too fast, and a jab of pain shoots through my hip, forcing a growl from my throat.
“I heard Rachel has a degree in sports medicine.” Garrett’snot letting it drop. “I bet she’d be glad to give you a personalized massage, put her hands on that ass. You got a pretty decent ass, bro.”
Logan leans forward, covering his grin with his hand.
“No.” My tone is flat.
“You’re not getting any younger, and she’s right there.”
“Don’t listen to him, Zee,” Hendrix interrupts. “You have fun while you can.”
“Who are you talking to?” Garrett’s voice is pure sarcasm. “That hasneverbeen Zane’s style. Hell, have you even dated anybody since you got home?”
He looks at me, and I take off the headphones.
“You’re all so ready to play house,” Hendrix continues. “I don’t get it. There’s plenty of time for all that when you’re old.”
“Spoken like a true thirty-year-old player.”
“I’m not a player. I’m just not into marriage and babies and poop.”
“I can’t wait to meet the girl who knocks you on your ass,” Garrett quips. “I’ll get one of the old ladies to cross-stitch those famous last words on a pillow.”
“And I’ll sleep on it comfortably.” Hendrix points at the screen.
“Bye.” I flick my wrist in a wave. “Y’all be safe out there tonight.”
“Love ya, Zee!” Hendrix yells, but I’m gone.
Nothing annoys me more than my siblings hovering over me, or worse, trying to meddle in my love life. Ever since my injury, I’ve been dodging their “helpful” suggestions—more like meddling. It’s part of the reason I lost my cool with Rachel the first day we met.
I don’t need help, and I don’t like hovering. I’m not interested in being anyone’s project, especially not hers. Finding out about her dad was the final straw I needed.
Stalking to my Jeep, I consider I could’ve told them who herdad is. Although, to be honest, only Garrett might remember the name. Logan wasn’t around, and Hendrix was only a baby.
Maybe it was the way she responded when I told her what he did. I won’t be surprised if she’s the same as her dad, but I don’t spread rumors or talk out of school.
It’s a lesson I wish my siblings would learn, but their small-town minds are dead set on interfering in my business. I’m not giving them any more ammo.
4
Rachel
“Lift your arms up, down, now cross, cross.” It’s a semi-cool Thursday afternoon, and I’m standing in the shallow end of a heated, jade-blue swimming pool guiding Miss Gina through gentle water aerobics.
“I feel like a balloon.” Miss Gina’s voice is tinged with humor as we bob up and down flapping our arms just below the surface of the water.
“The movement is good for your circulation and balance, and there’s virtually no stress on your joints.” I’m facing her in the water, my braids twisted up on my head in a bun.
