Page 3 of Cru's Crush

I’d suggest he tell her himself, but I doubted Daph would want to talk to him right now.

“By the way, are you still interested in my house?”

The residence he spoke of was the one he’d built on the Los Caballeros ranch. My mom still lived in the main house—the one all seven of us kids grew up in.

Brix had built his place as far from that one as he could on the five-square-mile property. Both residences were within walking distance, but neither had a view of the other.

“I am,” I said when I realized he was waiting for an answer. “But you still haven’t told me how much you want for it.”

“I feel weird selling it to you.”

I’d had just about enough of Brix’s shit today and was anxious to get to Daphne, who I could see was still sitting on the sand. “Then don’t.”

I picked up my jacket and had my hand on the door when he grabbed my other arm. “I didn’t mean it the way you’re taking it. What I’m saying is Dad didn’t sell me the land; it’s just part of the ranch. Uncle Tryst helped me build it. I mean, how would I even figure out a price?”

“I don’t know. Call an agent.” I stormed out, not interested in talking about his house any longer. I had a place of my own on the property. It was small, barelynine hundred square feet, but I didn’t mind. I didn’t have time to take care of something bigger. Brix’s house was five times the size of mine. Now that I thought about it, maybe I didn’t want it, after all. The only issue was with Daphne, and I had no idea how long she’d even remain in the States. Maybe she’d want to return to Australia, where her parents lived.

“What I meant is, why don’t you just move in?”

“Not interested.”

“What do you mean?”

“I have my own place. I don’t need you to let me stay in yours.”

“We’ll talk later,” he said, walking in the opposite direction.

We wouldn’t, but saying it was a good way to end the conversation.

The wind wasfierce and the air cold today. Not unusual for January, this close to the ocean. Seeing Daphne huddled, with her arms wrapped around her knees, made me wish I’d brought a blanket out with me. Considering I was within a few feet of her, it would be stupid to turn around to get one.

“Hey,” I said, sitting beside her on the sand.

“Hey, Cru,” she said without looking at me.

“Brix says he’s sorry for his comment.”

She shrugged a shoulder. “It’s what everyone thinks, right? Daphne is butthurt.”

“You and Beau were together for a long time. It’s understandable you’d be upset after hearing he’s with someone else.”

“Do you seriously think that’s what upsets me?” She pushed herself off the sand, and I stood too.

My eyes scrunched. “Doesn’t it?”

“God, not you too.” She stormed off, but it was easy for me to stay on her heels, given I was almost a foot taller than her and my strides were twice as long.

“If it doesn’t, just say so.”

“Of course it doesn’t,” Daphne said, glancing over her shoulder.

“Hang on.” When she didn’t stop walking, I ran around her and blocked her way. Her head hung forward, but I put my finger on her chin and raised her face. I brushed her sandy-blonde hair from her forehead and looked into her blue-green eyes. “Why were you crying?”

Daph folded her arms and huffed. “Not for the reason you think.”

I folded my arms too, more because it was fucking cold out here. “Can we go inside?”

Her head cocked. “I thought you were a surfer.”