Page 69 of Resisting Isaac

Elijah grins. “Just keeping the energy light.”

“Appreciate that,” I say, nodding to them both before tipping back the shot Elijah hands me. “Didn’t come here to get roasted though.”

“Here, here,” Liam replies, eyes narrowing slightly. “So, what are you doing out here in our neck of the woods?”

I drag a hand down my face. “Just got…tangled up. With this woman.”

Both men groan in unison.

“Say no more,” Elijah says, pulling a clean glass from under the bar. “You’re doomed.”

“She’s an actress,” I admit. “In theshow filming on the ranch. The one Wyatt’s wife wrote. She’s technically and legally off-limits.”

“So naturally,” Liam deadpans, “you hooked up.”

“It’s not just that,” I mutter. “She’s smart. Funny. She knows what she wants, and she doesn’t bullshit. And I can’t stop thinking about her.”

“And you hooked up,” Liam repeats.

I rest my elbows on the bar beside my hat. “More than once.”

Elijah gapes at me. “I’m sorry,” he mocks, dramatically feigning cleaning out his ears. “I must’ve misheard you. Could’ve sworn I heard the words ‘more than once.’But I know you and you don’t do that.” He sets another beer down in front of his brother. “Oh wait, you meant, more than once in one night. I get it. She’s a firecracker in bed then. Nice.”

I shake my head. “Dude, I punched a famous actor for less. Recently. So, maybe back it down a notch.”

Elijah pours another shot and slides it over to me.

“We’re just fucking with you,” Liam says with a grin. “But seriously, I thought you were committed to being the hit-it-and-quit-it guy. No settling down necessary.”

I nod. Swallow my second shot. “Yeah. I thought a lot of things. But that was before. Now I’m, well, fucked. But in a less fun way.” I rake my hands through my hair. “She’s all I think about. And I can’t be certain, but I think she feels something for me too.”

Something more than mild irritation.

Maybe.

Elijah leans on the bar. Black hair falling in his bright blue eyes. “She a local or is she leaving when they’re done filming the movie on your ranch or whatever?”

“Streaming series,” I clarify. “And no, she’s not local. Faras I know, she’s not staying. We both know that. But that doesn’t make me want her any less.”

“You’re fighting a losing battle, my guy,” Elijah says before tossing a handful of peanuts into his mouth. “Sounds like her time is limited anyway. Why not just enjoy the ride while she’s here? Hit the brakes before things get messy. And bid her farewell when time is up?”

“You still single, Elijah?”

He grins. “Yeah, thank fuck, which is why I’m qualified to speak on it.”

Liam snorts into his beer and regards me with sad eyes. “For what it’s worth, probably best just to come out with it. Tell this woman how you feel and let the chips fall where they may.” He shrugs one shoulder, returning his attention to his beer. “You already know my sad story. I waited too damn long to tell Jordyn how I felt. She left. Now she’s in Chicago. Married to some fancy finance guy…has a son.”

Jordyn and Liam were “couple goals” in high school. At least that’s what Sutton and Willow always said. They restored motorcycles together, were in a band. Seemed like soulmates. I always thought they’d get married.

Hell, everyone did.

Next thing we knew, she’d jetted off to chase her dreams and was married to some dude no one knew and never came home.

Broke her dad’s heart, I think. And from the looks of it, Liam’s too.

“You ever talk to her?” I ask. “Hear from her at all?”

He shakes his head, eyes down. “Nah. Doesn’t feel right. Her life’s out there now. I missed my shot. And I’ve got to live with that. Every damn day.”