Page 43 of Tempt (Peachwood Falls #1)

M egan

I wrap an elastic around my hair at the crown of my head. Turning my head side to side, I check out my reflection in the mirror.

Not bad. You almost can’t tell I cried off and on all night.

Just to be sure, I add another layer of mascara.

I shove my stuff back in my makeup bag and carry it to my room. I toss it in my open suitcase that holds most of my things. Preemptively, I gathered my belongings at five o’clock. It kept me from pacing the floor.

This morning brought clarity I wasn’t expecting. Of course, it might’ve had something to do with Calista’s shouty texts, but I won’t admit that to her.

“If Chase wants to be a dick, he can be a dick.” I slip on my sneakers. “But I’m here until Maggie gets back. Then I’ll go.”

I slide my phone into my pocket as I leave my room.

“Morning,” Kennedy says, coming out of her room too.

I stop in front of her. “Hey. Good morning. How do you feel today?”

“Okay.” She smiles. “Dad apologized last night and let me explain things. We had a long talk that’s not so normal for us. But it was good.”

How lovely for you . “I’m happy he did that.”

“Me too.” She jams a thumb toward the bathroom. “I’m gonna wash my face and stuff. Gram is coming by to get me in a little bit. She needs me to help her get their stuff put away.”

She’s back . I lift my chin, steeling myself to the possibility of going home today.

“I’m gonna grab a coffee,” I say.

She nods and moves on down the hall.

I take the steps at a quick pace and round the corner to the kitchen. My feet falter when I spot Chase at the sink, but I keep going. Remember who I am … not a woman who just fell in love with you, and you tried to break her heart.

He glances at me over his shoulder but returns to the dishes. I consider saying good morning, but he didn’t bother, so I don’t either.

“Do you want to stay here, or do you want to go home?”

That remains to be seen.

“Good morning,” Maggie sings as she comes in the door. Her cheeks are rosy. “How are you kids?”

“Hey, Mama,” Chase says, kissing her cheek.

“Hi, Chase.” She air kisses him back. “How are you, Megan? Did you have a good time with Kennedy?” She walks to the hallway and shouts, “Ken, I’m here!”

“I had a great time,” I say, popping a coffee pod into the machine and shoving a mug under it. I press the magic button. “Kennedy was a lot of fun.”

Maggie looks at Chase out of the corner of her eye, then switches her attention back to me.

“How was your trip?” I ask as cheerfully as I can. “Do you want a coffee?”

“Oh no, honey. Lonnie got me up at four this morning to make it the rest of the way. I’ve had more coffee than my bladder can handle in one day.”

I smile at her. “Kate is good? Did you have a nice time?”

“We did. Oof,” she says, wrapping her arms around Kennedy as she practically dives into her grandmother. “There she is. Hi, sweetheart.” She squeezes her tight. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too, Gram. Where’s Pap?”

“He’s at home waiting on you.”

Kennedy beams. Seeing her smile like that warms my heart. She’s going to be just fine .

“What are you doing today?” Maggie asks. The question is a generality, but she’s looking at Chase.

He side-eyes me. “I’m heading over to Luke’s to help with his fence for a little while.”

Maggie looks surprised. “Oh. Okay. What about you, Megan?”

Come up with something. Don’t look lame.

I slide my phone out of my pocket. “I’m having brunch this morning.”

Me: Hey, Gavin.

Gavin: What’s up?

Me: Busy?

Gavin: Why?

Me: Pick me up in 20.

Gavin: Why?

Me: You’re taking me for brunch.

“Who are you having lunch with?” Maggie asks.

I smile. “Gavin.”

Chase flinches, but he doesn’t say a word. Fucker .

Maggie laughs. “Tell that boy to come by the house today, all right? Kate sent a few things home with me for him.”

“Sure.”

Gavin: I am?

Me: You are.

Gavin: Does Chase know this?

Me: He does now.

Gavin: Are you trying to get me killed?

Me: I’ll protect you.

Gavin: You’re paying.

Me: Fine.

Gavin: Give me ten.

Me: Hustle.

Gavin: You’re bossy for someone desperate for a brunch date.

Me: I’m really not in the mood for your mouth.

Gavin: Take it or leave it.

Me: Take it. Hurry.

I put my phone in my pocket again.

“Well, we’ll see you guys later,” Maggie says, tapping Kennedy’s back to head to the door. “Have fun today.” She practically skips to the door. “I love all of my kids doing things with each other. It just blesses this mama’s heart.”

I laugh and turn back to my coffee. Chase’s gaze stops me.

“Yes?” I ask, taking the creamer out of the fridge.

“I didn’t know you were going out with Gavin today.”

“Well, you haven’t talked to me, so how would you know?”

He glares at me. “Are you fucking with me?”

I sigh dramatically, ignoring how hot he is when he’s mad. “No, Chase, I’m not fucking with you. But I’m also not sitting alone in your house on this beautiful day. That would be a little awkward, don’t you think?”

He turns away from me, not expecting that reply.

My feelings were more hurt at his about-face before, but now I’m just mad. His behavior makes no sense. I’m willing to cut him some slack because I know he’s stressed, but I’m not going to tolerate him being a dick for no reason.

“Besides,” I say, adding the creamer to my coffee. “Your mom is back now. There’s no reason for me to be here, and I want to tell Gavin goodbye.”

I hold my breath and wait, hoping he’ll give me a reason to stay.

“Are you glad she’s back early?” he asks.

“Yeah, if you’re back to this grumpy cat bullshit, I am.”

He stills momentarily before going back to searching through the junk drawer.

“I don’t know why you aren’t talking to me,” I say. “But it’s not a good look.”

“I’m talking to you. That’s what this is. Talking.”

“You know what? I’m glad you’re doing this.”

He turns around to face me. His eyes hold the shield between us that I haven’t seen in a long time.

“You almost had me convinced you were different,” I say, denying the lump in my throat to settle in and make itself at home. “But if you can act like this when I didn’t do anything but try to help you, then I can only imagine what you would be capable of in an actual fight.”

His chest rises and falls.

“You’re pathetic,” I say as Gavin pulls into the driveway.

I slide the creamer back in the refrigerator. Then I blow past Chase, leaving him brooding beside the sink.

Jerk.

“Stop looking at your phone,” I say. “Give me attention.”

Gavin looks up. “You realize we aren’t dating, right?”

“Obviously. I’d never date you.”

He snorts.

“I wouldn’t. You’re best friend vibes, not hot guy I wanna fuck vibes.”

He shakes his head like he can’t believe I’m saying this and returns to his phone.

“I’m not paying for your food if you don’t give me company,” I say.

“You are needy. Damn .”

“And you’re a terrible best friend. Damn .”

He sighs and exits whatever app he’s on. Then he sets his phone on the table. He folds his hands on the tabletop and smiles politely. “There. You just cost me a hookup on social, but there . Happy now?”

“Thank you.”

“What would you like to talk about?”

“First,” I say, swirling my straw around my Sprite, “I want to know why you let me fall for your brother.”

“ Oh no . I warned you.”

I gasp. “You most certainly did not.”

“Well, knowing you, it wouldn’t have mattered anyway. You have this propensity of doing what you want regardless of what others think.”

I scoff.

“You do,” he insists.

“Like what?”

“Like … falling for my brother.” He grins. “You really fell for him, huh?”

I roll my eyes.

“So,” he says, sinking back in his chair, “what is this brunch thing, anyway? You aren’t using me to make him jealous or something, right? He’ll kill me, and that’ll be on you. Can you live with that?”

“I’m not making him jealous. You are literally the only person I know here, and I wasn’t about to sit in Chase’s house while he goes and does whatever today. It’s … awkward.”

Tabitha comes by and places our food in front of us. She makes quick chitchat with Gavin before scampering off to another table.

“Why are you guys fighting?” he asks, chomping on the end of a fry.

“Honestly? I don’t know.”

He looks at me like I’m joking.

“I don’t know,” I say again. “He told me last night that he didn’t think I was a good fit for his life?—”

“ What ?”

“So I should go home or whatever.” My chest pulls so tight that I wince. “So screw him.”

“I don’t think screwing him is fixing your problems.”

“Ha.”

He takes a drink and watches me over the cup.

My energy begins to wane, and reality begins to settle in. Chase didn’t stop me from leaving this morning.He didn’t try to apologize. He didn’t even try to talk to me.

I frown. “I have a ticket back to Texas this evening.”

Gavin slowly places his glass back on the table.

“Could you take me to the rental car place this afternoon so I can get to the airport? I’ll pay you,” I say.

“ Megs. ”

I shove a fry in my mouth so I can’t respond.

He grimaces, moving his head around his neck. “Don’t do this.”

“I didn’t do anything,” I say after I swallow.

He picks up his phone again. His fingers fly over the keys.

“Will you take me?” I ask. “If not, I can try to find a taxi, but I don’t know that they come all the way out to Chase’s.”

He doesn’t look up from his device.

“Hello? Gavin?”

He looks up and sighs. He’s torn, but he gives in. “Yeah. I’ll take you.”

“Thanks.”

“But let’s order dessert.”

I make a face. “What?”

“Dessert.” He eyes his phone for a moment and then sets it down again. “We’re ordering dessert. If this is your last meal at The Wet Whistle, then we’re getting cake.”

“Then you’re paying.”

He grins. “Fine.”

“Fine.”

I don’t know what I expected or what I thought might happen. No, that’s a lie. I wanted Chase to … chase me. I wanted him to think I was someone he couldn’t just discard.

Instead, I’m leaving. Kinda like I always knew I would.