Page 8 of Crossroads

SEVEN

Okay, I think I broke the country boy.

I wasn’t even trying to. I was bored after work last night, and Kelly asked Millie to take me to the bowling alley. Which—I thought was a joke at first—but turns out, that’s really how people in Kensley entertain themselves.

Weird as hell. But like I said, I was bored.

So I tagged along. And then Millie introduced me to her best friend, Lucy. Who yeah—she’s beautiful. No doubt about it. In a sweet, country, small-town sort of way. I’ve never seen anyone like her up close.

But I wasn’t really all that interested until I noticed how locked-in Jasper was on our conversation. The guy couldn’t have been more obvious. She was his. And I wanted to make it sting.

He’s been trying to torture me all week. Bossing me around nonstop. Giving me all the shit jobs—mostly literally. I wanted a little payback.

So I flirted. It was over-the-top and far too easy. Something I’ve always been able to turn on and off is charm. I have it in spades, and I use it when necessary. Poor Lucy didn’t stand a chance.

And considering the options she’s had before were limited as fuck, I’m not surprised she ate the flirting up like the world’s sweetest candy.

But—I may have underestimated just how deep the feeling ran. Because I’ve never witnessed something so intense in my life. I’ve never seen my parents fight. They don’t fight. They would have to care to fight.

I’ve never once been broken up with because I don’t commit to anything to break off. The girls I’ve been with have always known what it was.

So the passion I saw on both of their faces last night—it took me aback. What’s it like to feel that deeply?

I don’t think I’ll ever know.

But I can’t lie and say I didn’t feel at least a little guilty for instigating the whole thing.

And now the guy is sleeping in on a workday. I mean, the sun is actually rising in the sky right now as I stand here in his loft apartment, just staring at him sleeping in his bed.

He’s sprawled out on top of the comforter, still dressed like a psycho. He still has his shoes on, for Christ’s sake. I notice the black eye he’s sporting, and he’s wearing a scowl, even in his sleep.

Kelly sent me up here to wake him up for breakfast. She’s worried. It was written all over her face—not her usual bright smile.

“Get up,” I say loudly, but he doesn’t stir.

I huff and walk closer to the bed, kicking the mattress.

There’s no frame. He just sleeps on a mattress on the floor of the loft apartment.

I guess you can call it that because it does have four walls, but really, it’s just a room with a bed.

And what I’m assuming is the world’s smallest bathroom in the corner. “Get up,” I try again.

He groans and shifts a little on the bed, but his eyes stay closed, even the one that isn’t swollen. “Go away.”

“Kelly’s worried about you, and the sun is rising. You can’t let your precious cows wait. They’ll think you’re cheating on them.”

His good eye pops open, and he winces—I’m guessing because the swollen one tried and failed. He sits up, his hand absently going to his black eye. “Very funny.”

I should apologize for last night.

Should. But don’t. “Let’s go.”

He stands up and then makes his way to the door in the corner, tugging it open and walking inside. I was right about it being a bathroom, and he doesn’t even bother closing the door as he takes his morning piss. I see him walk to the sink and wash his hands before he brushes his teeth.

As he walks back into the room, he looks like death, lifting his shirt up and off before walking over to the rickety old dresser next to his bed. I try to ignore the way his back muscles move, but it’s kind of distracting.

Not because it’s hot or anything, but I can appreciate a good physique. His body is different from the guys I knew who spent hours in their home gyms going overboard. But every muscle is heavily defined from hours of hard labor out on the farm.

His biceps are massive, and I find myself watching as they flex. When he turns around, I stare far too long at the way his stomach muscles move and the light trail of dark blond hair going from his belly button into the hem of his jeans.

He pulls a shirt on, and I’d like to say the trance breaks, but it still takes me a second to actually look away, hoping I pull off a bored expression. I don’t really know what the hell that was.

“What are you looking at?” he asks, and damn. Busted.

I finally get it together and switch over to casual disinterest, shrugging my shoulders. “Just trying to find out what the beautiful Lucy ever saw in you.”

I can feel the rage coming, his good eye glaring at me and his nostrils flaring, but I remain calm and walk slowly off. Taking my time to climb down the ladder and jump down onto the barn floor. I hear him behind me as I push open the barn doors and walk out into the fresh country air.

That part isn’t so bad about being here.

“Don’t you dare ever say her name to me again,” I hear from behind me and spin around to look at him, keeping my expression bored.

“Look, I just mean the girl is beautiful and sweet.” I sweep a hand in an upward motion from his chest to his face. “And you . . .”

He grabs my collar and pulls me to him. I startle for a moment. Not because I’m scared—not even close. My entire body goes on full alert at the close contact with him. At the seething rage I see in his expression. The passion.

Our faces are close together, and for a moment—just a brief moment—I think about what it would be like if he took all that passion and turned it into something besides anger. Would I want that?

My dick says yes. Which is . . . not ideal.

Not because he’s a guy—but because it’s this guy. A guy who looks pretty homicidal right now.

“Don’t talk about her.”

Oh yeah, I like pissing him off far too much.

I guess you could say I’m a bit of an adrenaline junkie.

Never back down from a dare or a challenge.

I’m usually burned out with life until some sort of grand challenge presents itself.

And God help me, I think Jasper might be the biggest challenge I’ve ever encountered.

“What are you gonna do?”

His grip gets even tighter, his fingers gripping the fabric as he stares me down, but we both turn at the sound of tires on gravel. I see an older model truck pulling up, and Jasper immediately releases me, taking off in that direction.

“Mom?” He sounds worried, but I keep my feet planted where I am. I can still see and hear everything as a woman who looks maybe around forty or so climbs out from the driver’s seat.

She’s pretty and petite and way, way smaller than Jasper. But her hair and eyes are the same color as his, and I’d definitely know they were related even if he hadn’t called her Mom.

“Hi, honey,” she says, looking tired, her hair up in a ponytail, and I don’t think she has a bit of makeup on.

“What’s wrong? Dad?” I don’t know why, but I don’t like how scared he sounds right now.

I like angry Jasper. About to punch me Jasper. Virile. Strong. This—this is different. He looks like a scared kid as he waits for answers.

His mom gives him a tired smile. “Your dad is fine, but I was hoping maybe you could watch Logan? I caught an early shift, and they’re going to let me work a double.”

Just then, my eyes shift to the back seat of the truck and see a car seat with a small kid strapped in.

“A double? Mom, what time did you get home last night?”

She waves him off. “Doesn’t matter. I’m fine. Do you think it’ll be okay?” Her eyes drift toward the house, but no one is at the door—which surprises me since I know Kelly and John are wide-awake. I figured they would investigate a stranger on their property.

“Mom . . . ” he starts but then shuts his mouth and nods. “Yeah. Of course. I can take him for the day.”

She offers a small smile and then seems to sigh in relief before opening the back door. “Logan, sweetie. We’re here.” I see the small boy is sleeping, barely stirring as she unbuckles him and then pulls him into her arms, his little head resting on her shoulder.

“He was excited to come here, but he was a little tired too.”

Jasper smooths his hand over the kid’s hair, and my breath hitches when I see the pure love on his face as he looks at the kid. Is he his? I estimate him to be around three, but what the hell do I know about kids?

I haven’t been around any kids since I was one. All I know is he’s really small and has the same color hair as Jasper and his mother. She hands him over to Jasper. It almost looks comical to see the big guy holding onto the small little body in his arms, but it’s obvious he’s doing it with care.

She hands him a little Spiderman backpack, which Jasper pulls over one shoulder while holding onto the little boy.

“Thank you, sweetie.” She stretches up on her tiptoes, and Jasper leans down to let her kiss his cheek and then the little boy’s head.

“I should be off work around midnight, so I can swing by—”

“No,” Jasper cuts her off quickly. “You go home and sleep after your shift, Mom. I’ll bring him home in the morning.”

She looks like she’s going to argue, but her shoulders slump, and she nods her head, looking a little weary. “Thank you, sweet boy. Are you sure you’ll be able to do all your work today? And then handle him tonight too?”

Jasper just grins and adjusts the boy, who still hasn’t woken up. “We’ll have fun. I’ve missed the kid. Don’t worry about us. And you know Kelly will be thrilled.”

She looks pleased enough with that answer. “Thank you. And thank her for me too.”

Jasper nods and then his mom takes off, leaving the kid to Jasper. He glances over at me, his expression saying do not fucking say a word, and for once, I don’t. But Kelly does.

As soon as Jasper’s mom disappears down the drive, the front door bursts open, and Kelly is coming our way. “My boy!”

At the sound of Kelly’s voice, the little boy stirs in Jasper’s arms, and his little eyes light up. “Kelly!”

“Hi, kiddo! Did you come to play on the farm?”

He nods and then looks at Jasper. “Jasper!” He hugs him tight around his neck, and I watch Jasper squeeze him with both arms, a big smile on his face.

“Hey, kiddo. Nice of you to wake up.”

“I was tired,” he says in what I have to admit is a pretty cute little voice. His head turns toward me, and I can see the curiosity. “Who are you?”

“I’m Emerson,” I say and hold my hand out for him to shake, I guess. Do kids shake hands?

He looks at my hand and giggles, reaching out and shaking it. Kelly opens her arms to him, and he climbs from Jasper to her, wrapping his little arms around her neck. “That’s my nephew. He’ll be here all summer.”

God, don’t remind me.

I manage to keep a fake smile plastered to my face when Logan looks over at me. “Another person to play with!” he says far too excitedly.

“He’s here to work,” Jasper cuts in.

Kelly just waves him off. “We aren’t all work and no play around here, are we, Logan?” she asks in a sugary sweet voice that makes the kid giggle. “Are you hungry?”

He nods his head exuberantly, and Kelly takes the backpack from Jasper’s shoulder, her eyes on his. “Your mama okay?”

Jasper’s mouth is in a tight line, but he nods anyway. “Yeah. She’s just fine,” he says, but his eyes say he’s lying, and Kelly clearly picks up on it too.

Though they both quickly switch over to happy smiles as they look at Logan. “Well good! Let’s go inside and get you fed!” She lets the kid’s feet go down to the ground and then takes his hand, walking him up to the house. “Come on, boys! You too,” Kelly says over her shoulder at us.

We both acknowledge the order, but don’t move just yet. She goes inside, and Jasper turns to me, his face full of challenge. “Yours?” I ask, not backing down from it.

“He’s my brother.”

I kind of figured. “Pretty big age gap.”

“Don’t worry about it, and Kelly will likely take care of him most of the day, but he does love the animals, so he might hang out with us for a while today.”

I shrug, not sure why he’s telling me that. Like I care. “Okay.”

I start toward the house, but he walks ahead of me and turns to me, his finger pointed in my face. “Okay. So leave him alone. I don’t want you around my family. I don’t want you around at all, but I can’t do anything about that. You stay away from him.”

“Jesus. You act like I’d hurt a kid.” I roll my eyes, hoping I pull off the apathetic look.

“I wouldn’t put it past you.” I don’t like that, that actually stings, but I do my best to hide it.

“Kids are off-limits,” I say, pushing past him and checking his shoulder far harder than I needed to in order to get by, but I’m pissed off.

“So are girlfriends.”

“Ex girlfriends,” I say, making my way up the front steps, him right on my tail. I turn around just as we both reach the front door. “And no. They aren’t.”

I don’t actually want Lucy. She’s fine, I guess, but not my type. Still, part of me—a really large part that I’m not proud of—really, really wants to get at him.

And if she’s the way to do that, then fine.