Page 51 of Make Me Trust Again (Bluebonnet Creek #3)

Thorn grabs the bottle and takes a swig of his beer. “What about you? Found any small-town girl to settle down with?”

“As if.”

But the moment the words slip out of my mouth, the image of Rose pops into my mind.

Us sitting on the porch. Her finger holding onto mine.

Her tear-stained face. The little sigh she makes every time I kiss her.

The trust shining in her eyes when she left her son with me.

The big, bright smile that was on her face when she looked at Kyle.

How her soft body molded to mine as if she belonged with me.

The way her lips lingered on my cheek just a heartbeat too long, making me wish for things I had no right wishing.

A foot connects with mine under the table, drawing my attention to the man sitting across from me. “What’s got your panties in a twist, Williams?”

“Nothing,” I say quickly. A bit too quickly.

And the asshole doesn’t miss it either. His eyes narrow, that smirk growing bigger, knowing. “Well, I’ll be damned. There is somebody.”

“You’re imagining things.”

I take a sip of my drink, just as I hear a familiar voice. “Well, I’ll be damned!”

My shoulders tense, thinking I must be imagining it, but Justin looks over my shoulder, a smile spreading on his face. Slowly, I follow his line of sight and come face to face with no one other than my sister, only she isn’t alone.

Rose.

My gaze locks on her crystal blues, unable to resist their pull.

Her cheeks are flushed; her dark strands tucked neatly behind her ears.

Rose sinks her teeth into the corner of her mouth, a hint of something shiny playing under the dim light illuminating the space.

She’s dressed in a simple tee and shorts, showing off her lean legs.

“Hell must have frozen over if you’re willingly out in town.”

I force myself to shift my gaze to my sister, who’s watching me with raised brows.

Before I can answer, Justin flashes them one of his charming smiles, “That would be my fault, I’m afraid. I’m not sure we’ve met. I’m Justin, and you might be?”

“My sister.” I shoot him a glare. “My married sister, so how about you back off?”

Justin isn’t the least bit fazed by my words. “You’re related to this ugly mug? Not surprising I didn’t see the connection.”

“Just ignore him, he’s such a grouch.” Becky chuckles softly, waving me off. “Do you boys mind if we join you? This place is packed.”

She doesn’t wait for an answer as she slides into the seat next to me, pushing me further into the booth.

“What are you doing, Becky?” I hiss softly.

“We’re trying to have some drinks if we can; it’s been a long day. Relax a little bit. You should try it sometime.”

The vein in my forehead pulses. I clench my jaw, which only makes my sister roll her eyes before she turns her attention to the rest of the group. Grinding my teeth, I do the same just in time to catch Justin turn that blinding smile to Rose. “You guys friends?”

“Umm… Yeah.” Rose rubs at her neck, clearly out of her element, but when she realizes there isn’t much option left, she slides into the booth next to Justin, who extends his hand toward her for a handshake. “We work together.”

My fingers clench around my glass as I watch her slip her hand into his. His fingers curl around hers, his touch lingering way longer than necessary.

Is he fucking for real now?

My ears are buzzing from all the chatter and the music playing, making it hard to hear. Not that I care. The only thing I care about is that his fucking hand is still on her.

That Rose is smiling at him as she listens to whatever bullshit he’s feeding her.

Something ugly twists my insides as I watch them from the other side of the table.

I focus on that point of contact, taking a sip of my drink, and for the first time in years, I wish it’s something stronger than soda.

My knuckles are white from how hard I’m squeezing the glass.

All the noises fall into the background, that familiar buzzing chiming in my eardrums louder by the second.

After what seems like an eternity, Rose pulls her hand out of his and sits down, taking a sip of her drink. Her face lights up, and she turns to Becky. My gaze falls to those pink lips, just to catch her tongue peeking out, and slide over the bottom one. “This is really good.”

Becky brushes against me as she shifts in her seat, but my gaze is locked on the woman across from me.

The way her mouth spreads into a smile, and I wish we were back at the cottage, away from everybody else, and I could hear her laughter.

But then a hand falls over the back of the booth as Justin relaxes into his seat.

Biting back a growl, I glare at his hand. Not quite touching, but there, and my fingers itch to grab it and pull it away. And if something breaks in the process, oh, well, I guess it would be his damn fault for touching what’s mine.

An elbow connects to my side, snapping me out of my head. Blinking, I find Justin’s gaze on me, and he doesn’t miss my annoyance. But does the fucker move his hand? Of course not.

Shifting my gaze to my sister, I catch the very end of her question. “—this grumpy ass?”

I give her a warning look, but she just ignores me, her full attention on Justin.

“Oh, we go way back.” Justin smirks. “I was his squad leader on his first tour. You should have seen him, this scrawny little kid.”

Rose turns to me, those crystal blue eyes fixing on me. Amusement flickers in her irises, the corner of her mouth twitching upward as she eyes me. “Hard to imagine that.”

Her gaze feels like a caress, and a shudder runs down my spine.

“He’s filled out since, but back then, he was a baby.”

His taunting has me narrowing my eyes, but Thorn is in his element and continues telling them some of the stories from those first days.

Both women’s attention is on the guy as they listen intently to what he’s saying. It’s all fun stories. Camaraderie. Hazing and joking around. The good days, glimpses of light in that hellhole.

Shadow, who’s been lying under the table this whole time, moves her body, brushing against mine as she sits up, her head peeking from the other side of the table.

“Dammit, that beast will give me a heart attack.” Justin curses, sitting up straighter.

Rose chuckles, rubbing between Shadow’s ears. “She’s harmless.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t bet on that. I’ve seen her in action. That dog saved our asses more than once.” He shakes his head, but there is clear affection in his voice. “But I’ve also been on the other end of those sharp teeth when she almost bit my hand off.”

“You deserved it.”

“Sure did.” Justin chuckles, his gaze shifting to the women. “I wanted to play a little prank on our guy here, but she wouldn’t have it. She’s very territorial of our boy here.”

“Jealous, Thorn?”

He arches his brows. “I’m not sure what you’re talking about. I’m not the jealous one here.”

He’s playing with fire, and he knows it. But Thorn always relishes in a little bit of danger.

Just then, the waitress passes by. “Anyone up for another round?”

Becky shakes her head. “No, thank you. I have to go home to my boys.”

“You, Rose?” Justin asks, his whole focus on her. “Care to stay for another round?”

She shakes her head, those blue eyes meeting mine across the table as she nibbles at her lower lip. “I’m good, but thank you. I think I’ll also go back home, I have to work in the morning.”

I can feel something inside me ease at her words, my shoulders relaxing slightly.

“Just cash us out.” Despite the protest, I pull out my wallet and cover up the bill as we all get to our feet and head out of the bar. Becky and Rose are walking in front of us, Shadow sticking by Rose’s side.

“Nobody, huh?”

I can feel Justin’s gaze on the side of my face, but I keep my expression impassive. The asshole chuckles softly, his hand sliding into his pocket to fish out his keys. The lights on his car flash, and he turns to me, extending his hand. “It was good catching up with you, Williams.”

He pulls me in for a side hug, slapping me on the back. “You, too.”

“Don’t be a stranger, asshole.” He gives me a pointed look. “And don’t let that woman get away from you. God knows it’s hard to find somebody who’ll stand our asses, especially when it’s a grumpy ass like yours.”

Chuckling at his own joke, he takes a step back, turns around, and slips into his car, waving at me as he starts his engine and drives off.

Running my hand over my jaw, I watch him for a moment before going after the girls who are talking next to Becky’s truck.

I slip behind her, my palm resting on the small of her back. Rose looks over her shoulder, her body relaxing against mine. Her eyes are shining, cheeks pink, probably from a mix of drinks and the heat in the bar.

“You good?” I ask my sister, who nods.

“Yeah, just had that one drink. I’ll be fine.” She glances at Rose. “What about you?”

“I’m fine. I’ll see you tomorrow morning at the Reading Nook.”

“Okay.” With a wave of her hand, Becky slips into her truck. “Sleep well, kids.”

Rose lifts her arm in goodbye as we watch Becky leave. Lowering it, she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “My truck’s at the Reading Nook so I’ll?—”

She starts to pull away, but my fingers wrap around her wrist and I tug her to me. Her pulse spikes against my fingertips, her heartbeat wild as her wide eyes meet mine. “Chase, wha?—”

“I’m driving you home,” I say, not leaving room for argument as I take her to my car that’s a few spots down. Not that she doesn’t try to protest.

“But my truck…”

“Will be fine where it is for tonight,” I finish, pressing her against the passenger door.

She tilts her head back. “You don’t have to do that.”

“I know I don’t have to, but it’s late, the road back home is dark, and you’ve had a few drinks.”

“I’m not drunk.”

Seriously, this woman.

She’s going to be the death of me.

“Do you always have to be so damn stubborn?” I ask with an exasperated sigh.

Those blue irises widen slightly, her lips parting, but before she can say anything else, I continue, “I know you’re not drunk, and you can drive yourself just fine, but it’ll give me peace of mind.

I’d never forgive myself if something were to happen to you. ”

My heart is beating wildly inside my ribcage as the truth slips out. Rose’s face softens at my words, and she nods slightly. “Okay, but I need to get to the Reading Nook by ten.”

Sucking in air, I slowly let it out, and pull her to me, my lips brushing against the top of her head. “I’ll get you there by ten.”

Rose’s fingers rest against my chest, her soft agreement sounding distant. “Okay.”

Taking a step back, I cup her cheek, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear before I open her door.

Making sure she’s tucked in safely, I hold the back door open for Shadow, who gives me a side eye as she jumps inside.

Soft music is playing on the radio as I start the car and roll down the window for Shadow before I pull out on the road.

Silence fills the cab of my truck as we drive through empty Bluebonnet streets all the way back home.

Rose glances at me every so often, her gaze feeling like a phantom touch.

I curl my fingers around the steering wheel, my knuckles white as I try my best to keep my attention on the road while the tension crackles in the air around us, making it hard to breathe.

By the time I pull in front of my house, I’m ready to jump out. I open Shadow’s door, and she must feel my mood because she dashes away immediately.

I walk around the truck as Rose slips out and smiles at me. “Thank you for the ride. And letting us crash your boys’ night. Your friend seems really nice.”

A low, noncommittal grunt comes out of my lungs. Thorn’s a lot of things, but nice isn’t one of them.

“Do you see each other often?”

I grind my teeth, taking a step closer to her. “I don’t want to talk about Thorn.”