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CHAPTER THREE

Emerson

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” I ask as I continue to put the items Alizabeth is tossing my way into my bag. I’m so lost in thought that I’m not actually even registering what exactly she is packing for me.

“Why wouldn’t it be?” she asks with a shrug, and then her eyes lock with mine. “Oh,” she then laughs, “because the two of you got it on in the cab of my dad’s truck after our going away party for him.”

I narrow my eyes at her.

“He doesn’t know that I know by the way,” she adds. “It’s so fun to watch him squirm every time I bring up your name.”

“He does not squirm.” She is ridiculous.

“Believe me he squirms. When I told him I was bringing you with me he went radio silent. His voice got all shaky and deeper. He thought he was playing it cool, but he may as well have shouted. Hey, sis, do you really think your bff that I devirginized then left behind will want to come here and hang out for a week?”

“Do you have to put it like that?” I hang my head. This is going to end badly. Liz has no filter, she is just like her Granny June, it’s scary. I swear her, her mom, and her gran were all cut from the same cloth. Being in a room with her and her gran, there are never secrets untold.

Liz sits down on the edge the bed. “Tell me how else to put it.” She is fighting a smile.

“You are enjoying my discomfort way too much.”

“It’s not the discomfort I am enjoying. It’s the fact that my big brother who I love more than anything and my best friend have hidden feelings for one another.”

“You exaggerate so much,” I say, covering my face with my hands. My stomach is in knots. Ignoring the truth was easier when I was hundreds of miles apart from him. But being in his city, his state, in his home, there would be no way around it.

“I adore my brother, he is my best friend, the one I turn to and count on. He has been my hero from day one. We both know after Mom passed a part of my father died with her. My sister, she was never one I could rely on, but one thing’s never changed and that was Kelton.

He may complain and groan, but deep down he wouldn’t ever turn me away.

I know no matter what, I will always have him.

So yes, the idea of my second favorite person on this planet and the first having a possible chance of having something makes me tremendously happy. ”

“It’s been more than three years,” I tell her. “It was one time.”

“Was it though?” She arches a brow. “Fine, two times,” I say with a laugh. “But we’d been drinking, emotions were high, and?—”

“The buildup was heavy and had been ongoing for months.”

“I can’t talk to you about this.” I wave her off and stand. This is her brother, she doesn’t want to hear this stuff. I know if I had a brother I wouldn’t want to know anything about his sex life.

“Besides he’s a famous ballplayer, living several states away.

He makes millions, I’m sure by now he’s got more than enough women to keep him busy.

” Though I’ve never seen him with one. I’m not too proud to admit I have followed his life over the last few years.

He’s only gotten more handsome and appealing.

“Kelton isn’t the kind that treats women like they are disposable, you know that as much as I do.

” It’s true. “I’m not going to say he hasn’t been involved since he left but he’s careful.

Most women find out what he does for a living and that’s all it takes.

He’s been around too many guys that have had too many close calls. He’s careful.”

“What’s the worst thing that happens?” She stands placing her hands on her hips.

“We go to Nashville, have a killer time, find my brother an amazing house, go to a kick ass concert and a couple games. We sit in the best seats, cheer for a great guy and his team, and then we come home. We have lasting memories and get a mini vacation in the process.”

“Or I completely embarrass myself, he thinks to himself, what in the hell was I thinking and I spend the entire trip hiding in his bathroom whenever he is home.”

She laughs, not a giggle, but a full-on belly laugh.

“What is so funny?”

She tries to compose herself but instead laughs through the next sentence snorting in laughter the entire time.

“Or you attempt to hide and he finds his way to said bathroom and I’m forced to listen to the noises that filter out when the two of you are reminded of the attraction you shared and probably still do. ”

I roll my eyes.

“Seriously Emerson, it’s easy to ignore that pull with all this space between you, but you are going to be under the same roof. Who knows what could happen.”

“Maybe I should stay in a hotel.”

“Or maybe I should.” She waggles her brows and I grab a pillow tossing it at her head. It bounces, she catches it and then whips it back. “Remind me to bring my wireless Beats, I’ll need something to drown out the bed knocking in the middle of the night.”

She hurries from the room, and as I attempt to chase after her she slams her bedroom door.

I’m left with my thoughts and my stomach all twisted up.

This is going to end badly, I just know it.