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I looked at him and giggled. “What?”

“We could message Eve. Get her to bring down some muffins and coffee. Send them over to us on one of Coop’s old toy boats. I think we could last about a week before anyone noticed.”

I shook my head, settling back on his chest. “Are you kidding? I bet you have a barrage of messages waiting for you. Interview requests.”

Brody tensed under me. He admitted last night that he dreaded the media questions sure to follow the announcement. The details of his misfortune would be played repeatedly, reminding him of what he’d lost.

The gurgle of the water against the boat was the only sound until, finally, he spoke. “If it’s okay with you, I want to give an exclusive to Alex.”

Now, it was my turn to tense up. Brody must have sensed the shift in my body because he touched my chin gently, tipping my face to look at him. “Hey, I meant what I said. Alex is just a friend and a professional one at that. We’ve always looked out for each other, and if she hadn’t come down to the derby arena the other day, the news would’ve blindsided me.”

I swallowed. He was telling the truth, but I hated the idea of him seeing her again. Of them sharing such an intimate past.

I gave him a brief nod. “Instead, you had to chase some crazy woman all the way into town in your car. I’m so sorry.”

The corners of his mouth nudged up. “Don’t be sorry. Listen, I had the best view in the house, trailing after you. You don’t know how hot you looked in that tiny little dress.”

I chuckled, then kissed his chest. “So now what?”

Brody pulled me closer as if I’d float away at any moment. “I don’t know what’s going to happen or how this is going to work, but I do know we’ll be fine if we do it together.”

I reached below the tarp and curled my fingers around his waist. “Well, as a starter, I expect you to keep up your crochet. I think you show promise.”

He brought his hand to mine, finding the chain of stitches I still wore on my finger. “Next time, I might even make a square. Perhaps I’ll hang out with Winston’s Hot Daddy. Start our own secret knitting group. Kind of like Fight Club. Call ourselves the Stichin’ Studs.”

I huffed a laugh. “Today a square, tomorrow the world!”

Brody grinned and kissed the tip of my nose before pulling me closer. “And what about the derby? You were amazing out there. I was so proud.”

The single cry of a hawk rent the still air, and I let out a long breath. “Thank you. But I’m not sure I want to be a Scalper. Those girls were just plain mean.” Brody opened his mouth, perhaps to convince me to give the team a go, but I shook my head. “Mom and I had a good chat yesterday. Kicked around some ideas. Let’s just say the trial won’t be my last flirtation with roller derby.”

Brody’s face lit up. “I’m glad. You have some serious skills.”

I giggled, moving my hand down to rest just below his belly button. “Oh, yeah?”

Brody sucked in a breath, then met my eyes. The hunger, the desire, the love that burned there sent my heart skittering.

“Oh yeah, I meanseriousskills. And as your coach, I intend to help you perfect every single one.”

The End

EPILOGUE

My hammock rocked gently in the breeze as the scent of Gran’s roses jostled for supremacy with the smell of baking inside the house. I had one eye on the paper in my hand and another on the road. Brody was coming over tonight. We were heading out for a beer at the Crow, then pizza.

Eve had dropped in on her way home from work. I’d offered for her to join us, but she’d declined. Said she didn’t have the stomach for the tide of gooey couple stuff she’d get caught in.

I got it. Brody and I were sickeningly happy. She’d laughed and snipped at me a little, saying I’d pushed her down the ranks of his adoring admirers, but Eve was happy for me. For us. She was the best friend I could ever have.

She’d left me in possession of the latest edition of the Nosey Pecker and a heavy case of the butterflies. I just prayed Brody hadn’t set eyes on it before he arrived.

He came over most nights. Even if he’d bought one of the prettiest houses in town, he still found his way to mine. Perhaps it was the lure of Gran’s baking skills. I smiled to myself, a bubble of energy bouncing in my chest. Maybe not. True to hispromise on the lake, Brody and I had put in the hours, perfecting our skills. And they didn’t involve flour and mixing bowls.

Tuneless whistling carried through the open window from inside. Coop. He’s been surprisingly good about Brody and me so far. The two of them made sure they had plenty of hang-out time together. Still, my brother was a little disappointed not to cash in on his friend’s fame or reputation anymore. He’d joked that his love life had never been so quiet.

Still, he’d found some new hobbies to fill his time. He’d flirted with cornhole and, no doubt, all the single female players, and stepped up his wood-chopping commitments. He’d even helped Brody out with his new team in Robin Springs. Most surprisingly, he’d hung out with Eve a little. Just as friends, of course. She’d got an idea in her head to become an influencer and said Coop knew all about the technology she needed.

A crunch of gravel and the growl of an engine broke my thoughts as Brody pulled into the drive. He turned off his car and pushed his sunglasses to the top of his head, emitting enough James Dean vibes to leave me craving a life in black and white. He grinned at me, then got out of his car.