Page 6 of Jack of All Trades (The Morrison Brothers #4)

I'm about to respond to Maya's bold declaration when I catch sight of a familiar figure approaching behind her.

My stomach drops as Rex Torres cuts through the crowd, his face darkening with each step.

He's dressed in his usual black leather jacket, his dark hair pulled back, and the thunderous expression on his face tells me everything I need to know about how he feels seeing his sister sitting across from me, laughing over funnel cake.

"Maya," I say quietly, nodding slightly to indicate the approaching storm.

She turns, and I watch as her expression shifts from relaxed enjoyment to something closer to guilt. "Rex," she says, straightening in her seat. "What are you doing here?"

"Funny," Rex says, his voice deceptively calm as he reaches our table. "I was about to ask you the same thing." His eyes flick to me, hard and accusatory. "Morrison."

"Hey, Rex," I say, keeping my tone casual despite the tension crackling in the air. "Just showing your sister what rodeo's all about."

"Is that right?" Rex's jaw tightens. "Interesting, since she told me she was exploring the town tonight. Didn't mention anything about the rodeo. Or you."

Maya shifts uncomfortably but lifts her chin in defiance. "I didn't think I needed to clear my social calendar with you."

"You don't," Rex says, still staring at me. "But a heads-up would've been nice before I found out from someone else that my sister was seen at the fairgrounds with Jack Morrison."

Word travels fast in Pine Haven, especially when it involves someone like me who's known to most of the town. I should have expected this.

"It's not a big deal, Rex," I say, trying to defuse the situation. "Maya came to watch the competition, and we're grabbing a bite after. That's all."

"That's all," Rex repeats flatly. "Like you grabbing a bite with Tanya Hayes was 'just dinner'? Or how taking Jessica Mills for a drive was 'just showing her the scenic route'?"

I wince internally at the references to my past relationships, if you can even call them that. Both ended badly, though not for the reasons Rex is implying.

"Rex," Maya says, her voice sharp with warning. "I'm a grown woman. I can have funnel cake with whoever I want."

"Not with him." Rex jerks his thumb in my direction. "No offense, Jack. You’re my best friend, but I know your history. And my sister's off-limits."

There it is—the line drawn in the sand. Under normal circumstances, I'd respect it without question. But something about the way Rex is talking about Maya, like she's a child who can't make her own decisions, rubs me the wrong way.

"I think that's Maya's call to make," I tell him.

Rex's eyes narrow. "Stay out of this, Jack."

"I'm sitting right here," Maya snaps, standing up to face her brother. "Stop talking about me like I'm not present. And for the record, this isn't a date. I was curious about rodeo, Jack invited me to watch, and we're having funnel cake. That's literally it."

I stand too, not wanting to be the only one still seated in this increasingly tense confrontation. "Look, Rex, I get why you're concerned—"

"Do you?" Rex challenges, stepping closer. Though we're roughly the same height, his muscular build makes him an intimidating presence. "Do you really understand that she's the only family I've got? That I've spent my entire life making sure she's okay?"

The raw emotion in his voice catches me off guard. This isn't just brotherly protectiveness. It's deeper, more primal. Rex raised Maya after their parents were out of the picture. She's not just his sister; she's practically his kid.

"I understand," I say quietly. "More than you know."

Rex stares at me for a long moment, some of the anger in his eyes fading to wariness.

He knows what I'm referring to—how I stepped up after Mom died, becoming the anchor that kept Ethan tethered to reality when his PTSD threatened to drag him under.

How I stayed in Pine Haven when my other brothers left, because someone needed to maintain our family home, our roots.

"This isn't the same," Rex says finally, but with less heat.

"No, it's not," I agree. "But I respect what you've done for Maya. And I respect you too much to ever do anything that would hurt either of you."

Maya watches this exchange with sharp eyes, no doubt filing away every word for later analysis.

"It doesn't matter anyway," she interjects. "I'm only in town for Rex's birthday and then I'm heading back to Seattle. This isn't—" she gestures between herself and me, "—anything."

Her words shouldn't sting, but they do. I remind myself that she's right. Whatever attraction might be simmering between us, it's pointless to explore it. She lives in Seattle. I'm here in Pine Haven. And Rex would clearly rather eat glass than see us together.

"See?" Maya continues. "Nothing for you to worry about. Now can we please stop creating a scene in the middle of the fairgrounds?"

For the first time, I notice that we've attracted attention. Several people at nearby tables are watching with undisguised interest, and Betty Wilson has edged closer, not even pretending she isn't eavesdropping.

Rex notices too and runs a hand over his face, visibly trying to rein in his temper. "Fine. But we're leaving now."

"Rex—" Maya begins to protest.

"It's getting late anyway," I cut in, not wanting to drive an even bigger wedge between the siblings. "And I've got an early morning tomorrow. Promised Ethan I'd help him with a project at his place."

Maya gives me a look that clearly says she knows what I'm doing, giving her an easy out to leave with Rex without further argument. After a moment, she nods.

"Thanks for the funnel cake," she says. "And congratulations on your win tonight."

"Thanks for coming," I reply, trying to keep my tone neutral despite the disappointment churning in my gut. "It meant a lot."

Rex's eyes narrow again at this exchange, but he says nothing, just waits impatiently for Maya to gather her purse.

"I'll text you about the party details," Maya whispers as she stands to leave.

"Sounds good."

By tomorrow, the whole town will be buzzing with speculation about the confrontation between Rex Torres and Jack Morrison over Rex's mysterious sister.

I sink back into my seat, appetite gone, and stare at the half-eaten funnel cake.

The evening had been going so well. Maya had actually seemed to be enjoying herself, had even laughed—really laughed—at something I said.

For a brief moment, I'd seen past her defensive walls to the woman underneath: sharp, observant, with a dry wit that matched my own.

And then Rex showed up.

I can't blame him, not really. If I had a sister, I'd probably be just as protective. Especially if that sister was being pursued by someone with my reputation.

Not that I was pursuing Maya. Not officially, anyway. Sure, I find her attractive, more so with each interaction, but I'm not stupid enough to make a move on my best friend's sister, especially when she's made it clear she's leaving town soon.

Still, there was something there. A connection. A spark of possibility that's now been thoroughly doused by Rex's disapproval.

I gather the remains of our abandoned dessert and toss it in a nearby trash can. As I make my way to the parking lot, several people call out congratulations on my ride or ask about the "little disagreement" with Rex. I answer politely but briefly, not in the mood for small talk.

In my truck, I sit for a moment before starting the engine. My phone buzzes with a text, and my heart jumps thinking it might be Maya. But it's just Travis asking if I want to grab a beer at The Rusty Nail to celebrate tonight's win.

I decline. The last thing I need right now is to show up at the bar where half the town will be gathered, all of them buzzing about what just happened. Better to head home, get some sleep, and hope the gossip dies down by morning.

Who am I kidding? This is Pine Haven. The gossip will only get more elaborate overnight.

I drive home slowly, taking the long route through town. Pine Haven is quiet at this hour, most businesses closed except for The Rusty Nail and the 24-hour diner on Main Street. Streetlights cast pools of yellow on empty sidewalks, and the mountains loom dark against the star-filled sky.

This town has always been my anchor, my safe harbor.

I know every street, every building, every family that's lived here for generations.

It's why I stayed when Michael and David left for bigger cities and brighter futures.

Someone needed to maintain our roots, our connection to this place that made us who we are.

But tonight, for the first time in a long while, I wonder if I made the right choice. If staying in Pine Haven has limited me in ways I hadn't considered. If being "Jack Morrison, local rodeo star" has become a role I play rather than who I truly am.

Maya sees through it, I think. She doesn't buy the charming cowboy act. Maybe that's why I'm drawn to her, because she challenges me to be more authentic, to drop the easy smile and show who I really am underneath.

Or maybe I'm overthinking this whole situation because a pretty girl with sharp green eyes actually seemed interested in what I had to say, and now her brother has made it clear I should back off.

I pull into my driveway, cutting the engine. The house is dark except for the porch light I left on earlier. Inside, I flip on the kitchen light and grab a beer from the fridge, then step out onto the back porch where we'll be hosting Rex's party in two days.

The backyard is peaceful in the moonlight, the old oak tree casting dappled shadows across the grass. I can almost see how it will look for the party—string lights hanging from tree to house, tables set up with food and drinks, people gathered in small groups talking and laughing.

Will Maya still want to go through with it after tonight? Will Rex even show up if he knows I'm involved?

I take a long pull from my beer, letting the cool night air clear my head. One step at a time, Morrison. Get through tomorrow, then worry about the party.

My phone buzzes again, and this time when I check it, my pulse quickens. It's Maya.

*Sorry about Rex. He's being ridiculous.*

I find myself smiling as I type back:

*No need to apologize. He's looking out for you. That's what brothers do.*

Her response comes quickly:

*Still. He had no right to make a scene. I decide who I spend time with, not him.*

I consider my reply. This feels like dangerous territory.

*For what it's worth, I had a good time tonight. Before the interruption.*

The typing bubble appears, disappears, then reappears.

*Me too. You're not as annoying as I initially thought.*

I laugh out loud, the tension in my shoulders easing. That's Maya—brutally honest with a side of reluctant admission.

*High praise. I'll take it.*

There's a pause before her next message:

*Rex is in the shower, so I can't talk long. But I wanted to ask… Your ride tonight. The way you stayed balanced even when that bull was trying to throw you. How do you do that?*

The question surprises me. Most people ask about the adrenaline rush or the danger, not the technique.

*It's about finding your center and moving with the bull, not against it. The more you fight it, the quicker you fall.*

Another pause, then:

*Is that a rodeo philosophy or a life philosophy?*

I smile at her perception.

*Both, I guess. Fighting against forces bigger than you just wears you out. Better to find your balance and move with them.*

*Deep thoughts from a cowboy. I'm impressed.*

*There's more to me than a pretty face and a good seat on a bull.*

*I'm starting to see that, Morrison.*

My heart beats a little faster at her admission. Before I can respond, another text comes through:

*Rex is done. I should go. See you at the party if not before.*

*Goodnight, Maya.*

*Goodnight, Jack.*

I stare at my phone for a moment after our exchange ends. Despite Rex's clear warning to back off, despite Maya's insistence that she's leaving town soon, despite all the reasons this is a bad idea… I can't deny the pull I feel toward her.

There's something about Maya Torres that gets under my skin in the best possible way. She doesn't fall for the charm that usually works so well for me. She challenges me, questions me, sees past the surface to something deeper.

And I want more of it. More of her sharp wit and reluctant smiles. More of those moments when her guard slips and I catch a glimpse of the woman beneath the armor.

But Rex's words echo in my mind: "My sister's off-limits."

Rex Torres has been my friend since we were kids throwing rocks at abandoned buildings and riding our bikes through creek beds. He was there when my dad died, when Mom got sick, when I won my first rodeo competition. He's family in all the ways that matter.

Can I risk that friendship for what might be nothing more than a passing attraction? Is it worth it for two weeks of Maya's company before she returns to Seattle?

I don't have answers to these questions, just a growing certainty that Maya Torres is going to complicate my life in ways I never anticipated when I first agreed to help plan her brother's surprise party.

As I finish my beer and head inside, I realize I'm actually looking forward to the complications.

And that, more than anything, tells me I'm already in trouble.