Or I could stay with Charmaine. Maybe that was the best thing to do. Obviously, I wasn’t wanted in Missoula. “If that’s your way of greeting chicks you go on a date with, you’re going to become a very lonely old man. No hot action for you.”
“Do you eat with that mouth?”
“Do you ever look yourself in the mirror, Wade? What the hell is wrong with you? What do you have to be angry about?”
“You’re sleeping with Stephen Beckett. That’s what’s wrong with me.”
While I’d certainly caught wind of a rift between him and Axe, his angry words surprised me. “Even if I were, that would be my business. His name is Axe and I’ll ask you one last time. What the hell is wrong with you? You are friends. At least you were.”
“Are you sleeping with him?” He threw the gear into reverse, screeching the tires when he pumped on the gas.
What the hell was going on between them? “Maybe I wasn’t clear enough to you. I’m not sixteen any longer and you don’t need to protect me from the boys. In other words, that’s none of your goddamn business. I thought the two of you were friends.”
“My business? You’re my damn sister. You’re in his clothes, for God’s sake.” He peered down at me as if what I was wearing was abhorrent.
Meanwhile, I could still gather a whiff of Axe, the scent so masculine, the sweet tinge of the deep woods and citrus an irresistible combination. I held my arms, still wishing I’d said a few other things, although I also wondered what good doing so would have done. We weren’t destined to be a couple. There was no doubt about that.
“Plus, he’s a womanizer.”
Ah, now we finally managed to get to the meat of the issue. “What happened? Did he steal your girl?” When his entire face managed to shift into something positively demonic, I sat back in my seat. “Is that what you’re suggesting happened?” I found that very difficult to believe given I had the distinct feeling Wade was the original reason Axe had kept me at arm’s length while tormenting every boy who even dared look at me.
Then there was the threat by my father.
“Just fucking let it go, Kenzie. Just stay away from him. Nothing has changed with that man. He fucks everyone in a short skirt then tosses them aside. Women are just numbers to him, nothing more. Obviously, no loyalty whatsoever.” His look was even more biting than before.
Now I glanced at what I was wearing while hating myself for feeling a teensy bit jealous. “I have no clue what you’re talking about, but Axe is a good guy. You’re also not my keeper, Wade. You and I aren’t even close and right now, that’s fine with me.”
“You’re missing the damn point. You’re vulnerable and naïve. He’ll take advantage of that.”
“You do realize that I was a straight-A student my entire life, including in college. Including in law school. I graduated first in my class while working two jobs since our father refused to help with my education. I passed the bar on the first attempt after only studying for three weeks instead of the usual two months. Now, I’m not merely patting myself on the back. I’m trying to tell you that not only have I worked very hard for what I’ve achieved, but I’m also no dummy. Including with men. I’m also not some vulnerable waif. That is what you called me when I was a kid. Right?”
At least my brother surprised me by turning red. I knew that would be short lived. “You believed in the best of people, which was why they took advantage of you.”
“Which is why you told Axe to stay away from me? He was your friend. Or were you just appeasing Daddy dearest so you could continue being friends with him?”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“You know exactly what I’m talking about. Our father threatened Axe, forcing him to stay away from me.”
He huffed. “Not true.”
“My guess is that’s it’s very true. I’m going to find out one way or the other.” As if it mattered after all these years.
“Then what the hell happened?” he finally muttered after my silence continued.
“Yeah, I’m in Axe’s clothes because mine are still damp. Would you like to feel them? Let me be very clear so there is no wiggle room. I’m an adult. You know what? Maybe I need to find another ride.” Just when he stomped on the brakes, ready to shift the gear into drive, I threw open the door.
“Suit yourself. It’s a long walk from the airport to the ranch.”
He honestly thought I would be deterred by the distance? “Then I’ll catch an Uber.” And find another place to stay. I had one foot on the pavement when he snapped at me.
“Don’t be ridiculous. You called me to come get you.”
“Technically, I called our father. You just showed up.” I’d happily find another way to the ranch except for one problem.
Reaching into my pocket, I took comfort in having a workable phone. His phone. Stephen. Maybe his nickname was growing on me. Axe was rugged, alluding to someone being fearless. I held the door open while watching the plane’s cargo door shutting. Why hadn’t I expressed all my thoughts to Axe when I’d had the chance? I slammed the door and yanked on the seatbelt.
He waited a few seconds, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. “Dad was busy.”
