Page 22 of Love, Lies, and Whiskey

He touched his lips to hers in a tender kiss, but she rose up onto her toes, and he couldn’t resist taking it a little deeper, holding her a little tighter. She moaned, and it took everything he had not to back her up against that truck and kiss her senseless. “I still love kissing you,” he said softly.

“Mm. Me too.”

He kissed her again, slower and more sensually, groaning as he forced himself to break away. “You have to go.”

“Yeah.” She sank down to her heels and trapped her lower lip between her teeth, looking too damn sexy.

“Jesus, Jule. Don’t look at me like that,” he gritted out. “Get in your truck before I lose my mind.”

“Yeah, I’d better go.” She climbed into her truck.

“Do you think I could get your phone number?”

She laughed. “Why do I feel sixteen again?”

He put her number in his contacts as she rattled it off, and then he texted her so she’d have his number, too, and pocketed his phone. “When are you thinking about breaking the news to Lucas?”

“As soon as I can, which will probably be tomorrow when he gets home from school.”

“I’m here if you need me.” He closed her door, fighting the urge to lean in for another kiss as she started the truck. “Thank you for raising our son when it might have been easier to make a different choice.”

“There was never a choice to be made. I wanted you, and I wanted him. End of story.”

Fuck it. He leaned in, sliding his hand to the nape of her neck, and kissed the hell out of her. When their lips finally parted, she sighed dreamily. “Drive safely, Peaches.”

As he stepped back from the window, she whispered, “Peaches.”

He stood there, watching her drive away until he could no longer see or hear her truck. Then he went back to sit by the fire. When enough time had passed that he was pretty sure she was off the road and home safely, he took out his phone, thumbing out, That wasn’t the end of our story, darlin’. We’re just getting started, and sent the text.

Chapter Eight

JULIETTE’S PHONE VIBRATED in her pocket as she finished washing the mixing bowl she’d used to make cookies. She set it in the dish drainer and took out her phone. Her pulse quickened at the sight of Seeley’s name on the text bubble. She hadn’t responded to his text last night. Her emotions had been reeling when she’d gotten home, and when she’d read it—That wasn’t the end of our story, darlin’. We’re just getting started—she’d wanted to grab ahold of it like a brass ring. But she couldn’t, because as good as it felt, she was too scared that their new beginning might mean an end to the safety and security that Lucas counted on. His world was about to change, and she had no idea what that would mean for any of them.

She’d been surprised when Seeley had texted this morning. But he hadn’t pushed for more. He’d said he appreciated their talk last night, and if she changed her mind and wanted him to be there when she told Lucas, to let him know. She wanted to do it alone, but it felt really good knowing she didn’t have to handle something alone after all these years of feeling like the entire world rested on her shoulders.

She swiped the screen to read the new text.

Seeley: YGT. TNYCD! He’d added a flexed biceps emoji, a thumbs-up emoji, and a heart.

Memories of their youthful coded messages brought a smile. They’d had to text in code because her father had monitored her phone, and she never knew how much he could see. That’s why they’d never taken pictures using her phone, either. It seemed like he had spies everywhere, and nothing was off-limits or too far-reaching for him. She knew the YGT meant You’ve got this, but it took her a few minutes to puzzle out the rest of the message. There’s nothing you can’t do!

Seeley’s support brought a rush of emotions. For all these years, she’d been a pillar of strength, making decisions for her and Lucas and never second-guessing or regretting them or allowing herself to lean on anyone. But she never realized how alone she’d felt until now. Not that she was looking for an easier road or for anyone to take over. It had been a long time since someone cared enough about her to cheer her on.

The oven timer chimed, drawing her from her thoughts.

She pulled a tray of Lucas’s favorite mint chocolate chip cookies out of the oven and glanced out the window toward the barn. Lucas had gone straight there when he’d gotten off the school bus, like he did most days. She should be thankful that he took his chores seriously and always made time for their horses, Warrior and Maxine, before doing anything else. But she couldn’t help missing the days when he’d run off the bus and into her arms as if he’d waited all day to see her.

She wasn’t selfish like her own parents, needing control. She’d worked hard to help Lucas become independent, teaching him to believe in himself and to think outside the box when problems arose. She’d never take that away from him just to appease her own maternal longing.

She spotted him coming out of the barn. His hair was a tousled mess, his backpack slung over his shoulder, and he was thumbing something into his phone as he made his way toward the house. He wore a crooked grin that she knew would melt hearts one day, if it wasn’t already. He stopped walking, laughed at something on his phone, and took a selfie. He went back to texting and headed up the hill.

Guess you are already melting hearts.

She wished she could freeze time so he could continue loving life, safe from the deception and heartache her family had caused. But as hard as this was going to be, she knew it was the right thing to do.

She tossed the oven mitt onto the counter and poured herself a glass of water. She was reaching for a plate when Lucas came through the kitchen door, his eyes still trained on his phone. She watched his brows knit as he sniffed the air.

“You made cookies?” He pocketed his phone and dropped his backpack.