His phone buzzes on the bartop. Face-up.
I glance down without meaning to.
A photo flashes across the screen—Lexi, sprawled on a bed in nothing but a bra, lips parted in a pout.
Lexi
Hurry back now
My stomach drops. Then it flips. Then it burns.
He snatches the phone like it might catch fire, slipping it into the inside pocket of his tailored suit like I didn’t see a thing.
But I did.
I saw everything.
My blood boils. My jaw clenches so tight I can feel it in my temples.
Why did he come all this way?
To play games? To prove a point? His ego?
Whatever it was, I’m done.
Just then, Trouble steps up beside me, drops two empty bottles on the bar with a clink. He doesn’t say a word.
“Well, I’m so glad Lexi has been taking care of you because this cowboy?”—I nod toward Trouble—“He’s gonna be real busy taking care of me tonight.”
“Come on, Sawyer,” Harrison scoffs, smug as ever, eyesflicking to Trouble like he’s a joke he doesn’t get. “That’s hilarious.”
“I’m not joking. Not even a little.”
“You really gonna ask this cowboy to be some pawn in your game? To try to make me jealous? That’s what we’re doing now?”
Before I can open my mouth, Trouble’s voice cuts in, calm as steel.
“She’s not gonna do that.”
Harrison smirks. “See? Even the cowboy agrees with me.”
Trouble takes a step forward, slow, deliberate—enough to make Harrison flinch.
“She won’t have to ask.” His eyes lock on him, unshaken. “I’m volunteering.”
Harrison clenches his fists. “No. I’m not gonna let you walk out of here with some dangerous cowboy just to prove a point, Sawyer. That’s not gonna happen.”
I laugh, sharp and humorless.
“Dangerous? You mean the man who took care of my daddy without anyone having to ask him? He’s my brother’s best friend, you ass. He’s been there for my family. And what have you done? Besides your assistant.”
Harrison blinks. He didn’t think I’d say it. Didn’t think I’ddaresay it in public.
I reach for Trouble’s hand, threading my fingers through his like it’s instinct. I could care less if his brothers see, if this town sees at this moment. Even if Knox finds out.
I know I told him I could keep this light, just a summer distraction. A fling. Something that wouldn’t matter once I left. But somewhere along the way, Trouble stopped feeling like trouble. He feels like steady ground, like something I want to hold onto.
I’m not ready to tell him—not yet—but I’m alreadyfalling for him. Because it doesn’t feel like a fling, I don’t know if it ever really did. It feels like the start of something I’m not ready to let go of.
