Why him?
Why now?
And why the hell can’t I stop wanting something I can’t have?
Liam, blissfully oblivious to the slow-motion chaos unraveling inside my head, flips on the radio and whistles along with the music, one hand tapping the steering wheel in rhythm.
“Sam’s team thinks this one’s gonna hit number one again by the end of the week,” he says, sounding proud in that casual sibling way even though he and Sam are cousins.
Sam Stone. As intheSam Stone—country music royalty and one of the biggest stars in the genre right now. Also known as Liam’s older cousin. His voice pours through the truck’s speakers, rich and raw, wrapping around lyrics that are equal parts poetry and heartbreak.
The song playing isWyoming Floodand has been climbing the charts like wildfire. But the sweetest part? It’s about Charlie. His fiancée. I’ve only met her a handful of times, but she’s the kind of person who feels like a full breath of fresh air. Kind eyes. Gentle laugh. The kind of woman who can soften a storm without trying. And Sam? He worships the ground she walks on.
I swallow hard, the lump in my throat rising faster than I can chase it down.
There’s something about hearing a man sing about the woman he loves while sitting next to someone who doesn’t even know he’s got your heart in a death grip.
I shift in my seat again, eyes back on the stars, pretending the song doesn’t hit me like a sucker punch to the chest. But it does. God, it does.
“Did I tell you they finally picked a date?” Liam says, glancing over at me, his voice light. “Guess we should figure out what we’re gonna wear.”
I huff a soft laugh, still staring out the window. The stars blur a little, more from the way my thoughts tangle than from the glass.
“What?” he asks, half amused, half suspicious.
“Liam,” I say, not bothering to hide the incredulity in my voice, “I’m not going to your cousin’s wedding as your pretend date.”
“Well, no,” he replies slowly. “But I figured we’d go together. You know. As friends. Unless you’re planning on taking someone else?”
The casual tone falters right at the end, just enough to make me turn and really look at him.
He’s watching the road, but there’s a flicker of something behind his eyes. Something I can’t quite name.
“You’re talking like they’re even going to invite me,” I say, softer now.
His eyebrows pull up in surprise. “Why wouldn’t they?”
I laugh again, but this one’s a little sad. “Because they’reyourfamily, Liam. Not mine. I can’t exactly call them friends, either. I only know them because of you. I’m sure I’m not going to be on their guest list.”
He doesn’t answer right away. Just keeps his eyes on the road, jaw tightening like he’s working something out.
Then he glances at me again—long enough to make my heart stutter—and I swear he’s seeing me differently. Like it’s only just now hitting him I’m not part of the world he so easily inhabits.That maybe, no matter how close I stand next to him, I don’t really belong. And the worst part? I already knew that.
“I’ll talk to Sam,” Liam says.
I exhale slowly, eyes flicking back to the stars.
“Liam, it’s fine. Promise.” I force a small smile. “Besides, I’m sure you’ll find someone to go with you. Some blonde with a killer smile and big…personality. You probably won’t even remember that I wasn’t there.”
He doesn’t answer. And that silence? It cuts deeper than words. I glance over, and he’s staring straight ahead, lips pressed together, brow drawn tight. A twinge of something twists inside me. That familiar longing that clings to the edges of every interaction with him.
I hate it when he’s quiet like this.
So I reach for the only thing I’ve got. A distraction. Something light.
“Hey,” I say, shifting gears. “Did I tell you the t-shirt proof came in?”
That gets his attention. I pull out my phone, open the email, and tilt the screen toward him.
