Page 10 of Blush Crush

I push off the wall, suddenly too restless to stay still. “Okay, then…”

“And it’s not like we could ever go public.” She pulls her shirt over her head, shaking her hair out. “My family would never approve.”

The fuck is that supposed to mean?

My jaw would be dropped if I weren’t already clenching it. I pace toward the window, then back toward the dresser, as if the movement might dislodge whatever this feeling is clawing at my ribs.

She’s dressing like she can’t get out of here fast enough, while I’m standing here trying to decide why it feels like I just got knocked down a peg I didn’t know I was standing on.

Just because I prefer uncomplicated doesn’t mean I’m incapable. I’m not just a good time. I have thoughts. Depth. I read books, for God’s sake. I fucking recycle. I’m the CEO of a sustainably run organic winery, for crying out loud.

She basically just called me the human equivalent of a vibrator.

Kennedy does one last sweep of my room, scanning for stray earrings or some shit, then steps into my space and gives me a quick, sexless side hug. A light kiss brushes my cheek.

“See you around.”

I don’t get a chance to respond before the door shuts, leaving me staring at the empty doorway, my pulse thudding in my ears.

Did I just get fucking dumped?

CHAPTER 3

Cole

THAT SHIP HAS SAILED

“What crawled up your ass?” Blake asks, wearing the smug smile only a little brother could perfect. An annoying one at that.

“Nothing,” I grit as I scroll through the endless emails awaiting my reply.

He slumps down across from me, kicking his muddy boots up on my desk. I reach over and shove them off without taking my eyes off the screen.

“Yeah, sure.” He snorts.

Blake is the vineyard manager—arguably a more important role than CEO, though I’d never admit that out loud. He’s the one in charge of the fruit, and without good fruit, there is no wine. No business. There’s nothing.

To his credit, he’s good at it. Better than good. He understands the land like it’s an extension of his body. He thrives out there working with his hands, being directly in the thick of it. Put him behind a desk for too long and he starts to wither.

The thing about Blake is he’s also the resident goof-off. The guy who can charm his way out of almost anything. He learned from the best, of course.

But where age has slightly matured me, Blake has remained carefree, untethered by the weight of expectation and duty. And he doesn’t get disciplined nearly enough, mostly because I’ve never quite mastered being hard on him.

I have a soft spot for all my siblings. That’s the curse of being the oldest, the one who feels responsible for everyone.

I wasn’t always like this. There was a time when I was just their dickhead brother. Until a tragedy none of us were prepared for changed everything. Our parents checked out and someone had to step up. That someone was me.

I was resentful toward our parents for a long time. I’ve since worked through it in therapy, and though I’ve forgiven them, I haven’t forgotten. And I haven’t stopped being the one constant my siblings can actually rely on.

I tend not to take much seriously—but family has always been the exception.

Blake continues to stare at me with all the patience in the world.

“If your nosy ass must know,” I start, knowing he won’t leave until I tell him something, “Kennedy and I broke things off this morning, so I’m feeling kind of off.”

He scratches his head. “Oh, yeah. I forgot you two had a thing going. That sucks.”

“Mm-hmm,” I mumble.