Page 18 of Timber's Line

“Wow. Did Anne know?”

“I did.” Anne takes a seat by Ever. “I didn’t know about Timber. I was such a bitch at that time that I didn’t even care. I wish I had, but Shane is happier now.” We all look to him and Ivy, totally lovestruck those two.

“What happened to your mom, Ever?” I ask.

“My mom dropped me on my dad’s doorstep when I was five. She was before Anne. They had only been married a few years before I came into their lives.”

“I’m sorry,” I say sadly. It doesn’t sound much different than my family.

“It’s all in the past. You should come on the cooking show,” Anne says.

“You want me to come help cook?”

Ever nods. “It would be good for your image. People need to see that you aren’t hiding.”

“That would be an honor,” I say, and that’s the truth.

“I’ll let Sal know.” Anne goes in search of Ever’s weird uncle.

“Things will turn around,” Ever says as she pats my shoulder. I hope so.

I grab a plate and load food on it. I will have to work it off later. Memphis moved a punching bag into the top of the barn for me, across from the apartment. My underground fight is in a couple days, so I need to be ready for that, but I like to keep in shape anyway.

As we finish eating, Timber is back from her date. She smiles at Diego, and that makes my heart hurt.

“Down.” London eyes me.

“What?”

“The look you’re giving him is one of anger.”

“I wouldn’t hurt Diego.”

“I know, but you would if you were protecting someone.”

“What?”

“You know what.”

Maybe I did. I needed to think. I head to the loft, needing to blow off some steam.

I change into my shorts, put on tennis shoes, and wrap my hands. I walk out the door and freeze. Timber is sitting on a bale of hay, looking out the big open window. The moonlight hits her hair, and I have to take a breath. It makes her look like an angel.

She turns and finds me staring, and then she takes in my bare chest.

“I’m so sorry.” She starts to scramble off the bale, heading for the ladder, and I don’t know why but I grab her wrist.

“Don’t go,” I say. I don’t even know why I want her to stay.

I let go, and she gestures for me to sit next to her.

“How was your date with Diego?”

She laughs. “He’s full of himself.”

I relax. “He’s a good guy. He’s a ham, though.”

“I got that. Were you going to train or something?”