Page 33

My silence stretches out.

Clara huffs. “Besides, Izzie texted me some list of super specific groceries she wants to make sure we have at the house ready for her—you know, because the world revolves around her, and her alone—but she mentioned you were being a squirmy little bitch about where you disappeared off to for a couple of nights.”

“I booked myself somewhere to stay that wasn’t her shitty couch,” I protest weakly.

“Mmhmm. More like you booked yourself a cute guy with a nice big cowboy hat. I know the kind of Wrangler butt thirst traps you enjoy on repeat.”

“Well, I know what kind of books you read. Cowgirls with more skills than just fast fingers and licking ice cream cones.”

She splutters and admonishes me. “I’m literally never giving you access to my Kindle ever again.”

“Okay, I gotta go … Pretty sure I see Izzie. God, she looks like she’s on a warpath. So much for Christmas cheer.” Rolling my eyes, I take a few steps toward my sister, who stomps along the sidewalk, seriously looking like she’s got a stick shoved up her ass today. “I’ll text you when we’re getting close to Mom and Dad’s.” Can’t wait to be stuck in a vehicle with her thundercloud mood.

“Drive safe. Love ya.”

I’ve barely hung up when Izzie barges into my personal space, thrusting her shopping bags at me to carry, like I’m some woefully inadequate personal assistant.

“I told you to order me a decaf with extra caramel,” she snaps.

Shaking my head, I grit my teeth and push open the door to the café. “No, you said you didn’t trust me to get your order correct, so I needed to wait here for you.”

“Ugh.” She throws her hands up, as if this is the biggest inconvenience of her life. According to the world of Izzie, it probably is.

I still don’t truly understand how Brad ended up dating her. I mean, I know my sister can be capable of being charming and sweet, but it’s usually short lived, and it’s usually only to get what she wants.

What do I know? I train horses and much prefer them to people. I’ve also slept with her ex, so I’m hardly a pillar of society exuding moral standing right now.

Following after my sister, her shitty attitude, and self-absorbed ego, I check the time. We really need to be hitting the road soon. If there’s one thing I don’t want, it’s to be running into icy conditions while driving after dark with my horse trailer full of her crap.

We join the short queue, and just as we do so, the door behind us opens, a tiny bell tinkling as it swings to let in a gust of chilled air.

The space damn near crackles around my back and shoulders.

My nape prickles.

I immediately know it’s him without needing to turn around.

And yet I swivel to take in the sight waiting for me. To inhale another glimpse of Brad, because it might have been less than twenty-four hours since I walked out that door, but it feels like every minute has dragged into eternity.

I’m fighting to keep my reactions in check, especially since my body warms all over seeing him in his backward cap and disheveled hair sticking out, wearing the same forest-green hoodie I borrowed from him.

Does it still smell like me?

Is that why he’s wearing it?

“Oh. You.” Izzie sounds like she just stepped in something unpleasant. “Hey, Brad. This is my brother, Flinn.” She huffs and waves a hand between the two of us before turning back to her phone.

Brad’s eyes crease at the corners. He seems a little taken aback at seeing the two of us, mixed with a mischievous smile somewhere in there too.

“Hey,” I mumble, palms damn well itching to cup his jaw and hold him steady while I brush our lips together.

Brad goes to open his mouth, but my sister beats him to it. Her head jerks up from scrolling her phone, eyes popping wide, and for a moment—a stomach flipping, everything falling through the floor second—I think she’s somehow seen the way we just looked at each other. Like we’ve both got big neon signs flashing above our heads saying, “Guilty.”

Everything shifts at lightning speed. “Move.” She shoves Brad out the way, face going pale, holding a hand over her mouth, and rushes past out onto the sidewalk.

And right there, in the middle of town, she hurls into the trash, heaving her guts out as we look on awkwardly and watch it happen, dumbfounded.

“Izzie?” I shoot Brad a sideways glance. As much as she’s been a raging bitch, I do the big-brother thing and push through the door to go after her.