Chapter 5
Visions of Ty played through Memphis’s mind as he settled under the sheets for the night. She was different from most of the women he’d met. Different in a lot of refreshing ways.
Something about her honest and encouraging nature caused him to give up any pretense and just be himself. With her, he didn’t mind admitting things like not having a clue how to jumpstart a car battery. And he did so without using his billionaire status as a crutch or excuse. It’d been liberating and, in a strange way, confidence-boosting too. Though he wasn’t exactly sure why.
“Man, that masseuse today was freakinghot,” Maverick said from his bunk.
Memphis blanched at the comment. Hopefully the guy had heeded Andie’s warning and remained respectful during the massage.
Memphis resisted the urge to look across the dark room and kept his focus on the spill of moonlight pouring in through the window instead. He couldn’t wait until their individual cabins were ready so they weren’t stuck under the same roof. His brother’s lingo hadn’t matured beyond high school, and Memphis was getting sick of his crass comments all the time.
“She’s a single mom, Maverick. Have a little respect.”
“I doubtshe’dthink me calling her hot was disrespectful.”
Memphis trapped a breath in his cheeks and considered arguing the fact. But really, what was the point?
“You know,” his brother continued, the mere sound of his voice forcing the pent-up air to swoosh out of him, “I think this whole accident has taken me down a notch.”
Memphis indulged in an eye roll.
“I was the kingpin, admit it. No matter where I went, the guys wanted to be me, and the girls wanted to get with me. Then, I get in one little accident and the chick I like falls for stuffy old Richard instead of me.”
Memphis didn’t bother reminding him that Ava hadn’t taken an interest in him for the entire month they’d spent with Ava in the relocation program. If she had, perhaps Maverick wouldn’t have resorted to such a desperate stunt as riding a short-tempered horse to impress her.
“You’re so lucky I was too injured to help Ty with her car,” Maverick said. “You lucked out, man, seriously. IfI’dbeen the one to take her home, we’d have been making out in the back of that truck in no time, I’ll tell you that much.”
Memphis shook his head. “Would that have beenbeforeorafteryou picked her son up from school?”
“You lucky dog,” Maverick continued, ignoring the question. “Can’t believe you get to go pick her up tomorrow too.”
Memphis had purposelynotmentioned Ty’s dinner invitation for Wednesday. Knowing Maverick, he’d get himself invited somehow.
“You know,” Maverick continued. “It took everything in me not to mention that we have billions of dollars.”
That comment got Memphis to pop up like a jack-in-the-box. “What? To tellTythat?”
“Yeah,” Maverick said like it was a no-brainer. “I’ve never looked so pathetic. I’ve neverbeenso pathetic. Look at us. No penthouse or sports cars to speak of. We’re bunking together in a freaking lodge meant for the summer help at a B&B. And where would we be if the summer staff hadn’t gone back to school and left the place vacant? Bunking with a bunch of high school and college kids? Or at Trenton’s bunk house with his ranch hands, Dirk and Lee?”
“I happen to like Dirk and Lee. And some people don’t even have a roof over their head,” Memphis said.
“Yeah, well our roof keeps changing. Just a few months ago we were flying from one exotic resort to the next, then suddenly we’re shipped off to a relocation program for a month so that we can get shipped off to the inn. But did it stop there? No. We barely get settled into our own cabin when we’re forced to give that up and move in with Trenton. But thenhemarries Andie, and we get kicked out of there too.”
Memphis shook his head. “Where’s Betty when we need her?”
“What? Why Betty?” Maverick asked.
“I think she knows how to play the violin. It’d go nicely with your little sob story.”
“See? This is exactly what I’m talking about,” Maverick griped. “You used to look up to me. Now it’s suddenly like we’re on an even playing field. All because I got knocked down a notch.”
“We’re twins, moron. The playing field has always been even.”
“We’re not identical. Besides, even if wewere…I’ve always known how to draw in the ladies better than you.”
Memphis climbed out of bed. He couldn’t handle hearing another word. He’d had some great interactions with Ty today. He’d met her son, and he’d get to spend time with them in the days ahead. Those were the things he wanted to focus on. Not Maverick’s stupid play-by-play of how he’d always been compared to him.
“Hey, where you going?”
