Chapter fifty
Jett
November 2025
After the morning I had, seeing Izzy's face was exactly what I needed. Even if her face completely shifted at the sight of me, which I hate, I'm glad she's here.
She's done one hell of a job avoiding me at every turn since our kiss.
What began as a conversation that I believed needed to happen turned into... everything. And everything changed for me that day.
It's as if the stars aligned perfectly, and they all pointed directly to her. Who the fuck am I kidding? They always have, as far as I'm concerned.
I haven't pushed. Hell, I haven't even tried. I don't want her to choose me because she feels pressured. I want her to turn to me because she has finally decided to listen to her heart for once.
I may not have made any further advances, but I’ve waited impatiently. My hand and I have become very acquainted over the past couple of years. I couldn’t and still can't look atanother woman after that kiss, much less attempt to be with one sexually.
That kiss and the tender way she returned every emotion and movement so freely altered me completely.
Even still, now she's here again, I'm determined to keep my distance.
I've made my stance abundantly clear. The ball is now in her court, and the next move, and when she makes it, is up to her.
Izzy climbs the steps with the same assertive confidence I remember, the one she lacked the last time she was here. The way she holds herself is mesmerizing, and that's exactly what I am, as I stare at her walk away—mesmerized.
Shaking my head with a chuckle at the slip of her nice ass I just saw, I follow her up the stairs of my parents' home.
Clearing my throat, I say, "Iz, I was trying to take your bag to the ATV. You and Maverick will be staying in the cabin you were in last time. Mom already set it up for you guys."
Her features falter, but only briefly.
"Maverick isn't coming. It's just me." She pauses momentarily, and I don't miss the look that crosses her face. I can't place it. "I can stay in the main house or with Dessa, so I don't take up an entire cabin for myself."
"He's at work?" I ask the question before I can stop myself. Trying to deflect quickly, I add, "Dessa already told Abbie she could stay in the cabin with her. Abbie is looking forward to their girly ass sleepovers. Kasten and Silas are sharing the other. So that leaves yours, all to yourself."
Her eyes flash to mine, holding something that resembles anger in them. "Not that it's any of your business, but yes, he's at work."
She's lying. I know this woman better than I know myself at times, and I can tell she's lying. But I don't know why.
I don't question her. Rather, I offer a firm nod and extend my arm to take the stubborn ass woman's bag. "Hand it over, Iz. I'll bring you to the cabin."
Pulling her large bag closer to herself, she steps back from me, walking further onto the expansive front porch.
"You can bring me, but I can handle my own bag," she insists firmly, leaving no room for debate.
“Seriously, Iz?”
She nods once, and familiar irritation flares under my skin. She's the one who has been ignoring me. She's the one who brokemyheart. She’s the one who doesn't know what the hell she wants. Yet, she's angry with me, and for what? For kissing her? Well, hell, I could be just as angry.
Rolling my eyes, annoyed that this is how she's playing it, I turn and walk off the porch, not looking back to see if she follows. I make my way over to the ATV and start it up. Not a minute later, she slides into the back seat, clearly refusing to sit next to me.
Fuck this.
"That’s it, we are fucking talking," I demand, cutting off the engine and turning to face her. "You'reseriously angry withme?"
"Yep, so you can start the truck now," she declares in an uninterested, matter-of-fact tone as she looks around, intentionally looking anywhere but my way.
"What? Why? Because we kissed?" I ask, annoyance and confusion clearly portrayed in my words.
