“I’m always here to talk, sweetheart. Please know that.” She pushed a stray strand of hair back and behind me ear.
I nodded. “I know that, Mom.”
She smiled said, “Now go play pool and show your brother Jase how it’s done.”
I laughed as I set the towel down and made my way through the house to the den. When I walked in, Ava and Jase were arguing about some rule.
“Ava, if an 8 ball is knocked to the floor, it’s a loss. Period.” Jase said.
Ava stood firm with her hands on her hips. “I don’t think so, Jase. Stop trying to kick me out of the game.”
Jase threw his hands up and sighed in frustration.
When I looked to my right, I saw Walker. He was leaning against the wall watching Ava and Jase fight. He was wearing that drop-dead gorgeous smile of his. He had on a light blue T-shirt that made his chest look massive and his biceps even bigger. I licked my lips when I saw the tattoo again. I checked out his pants—Wranglers. Tight Wranglers. I smiled when I noticed he was wearing the same boots he’d always worn when he worked on the ranch. I imagined what it would feel like to have his lips against mine again. Would that same spark still be there? Would it be lost because he was in love with Jessica? And I was with Keith.
Walker saw me and pushed off against the wall. I touched the ring that was still on my necklace. Walker’s smile wavered for a moment.
“You don’t have to keep that ring if you don’t want it,” he said.
My heart dropped. I wanted to tell him I hadn’t taken it off since the day he’d given it to me. Not until today. “Of course I want it,” I said. “You gave it to me.”
He smiled, then turned to Ava and Jase. “All right I’ve had enough,” he said. “Ava, Jase is right. Let’s just rack ’em up and start a new game.”
Ava rolled her eyes and made a sour face at Jase. “Ugh, when are you going to Italy?”
He laughed. “You know you’re gonna miss me,” he said as he mussed up Ava’s hair.
She pushed his hand away and said, “Yeah, don’t count on it, ass wipe. If I had to push the airplane down the runway to get you out of here, I’d do it.”
I giggled and reached for a pool cue. Jase and Ava acted so much like brother and sister. I asked Ava once if she’d ever had feelings for Jase, and she told me they’d once snuck behind the bleachers to make out. When I asked her what happened, she said they’d both ended up laughing and had spent the rest of the night talking about the future.
We’d grown up together, but all had different plans. Ava wanted to be in design and planned to develop her own clothing line. Wedding couture was her dream. Jase loved ranching. It was in his blood, for sure. He planned to return to Llano after next summer’s trip to Italy to help our father with the ranch. Walker had more love for the racehorse side of the business and was planning a trip to Kentucky with our fathers in a few weeks.
“So are you looking forward to Italy, Jase?” I asked.
I racked the balls and got ready to start and a new game. I smiled when I noticed Walker’s eyes moving over my body. After finding out Walker was home, I’d pulled over and changed into my favorite boots and shorts. Keith didn’t like me dressing this way. He preferred to see me in dresses. He thought boots and shorts together were “trampy.”
I hit the cue ball and smiled when I sunk four balls.
“Shit,” Jase said. “I thought maybe you’d be rusty and we’d have an edge.”
I held up my cue and blew on the end. “I’m on fire tonight, little brother. Sit back and see how it’s done.”
Jase sat down on a stool and rolled his eyes.
Five games later, Jase put up his pool cue. “This is bullshit. I’m heading out. Y’all coming?”
Ava jumped up. “Where are we going?”
Jase looked around. “Luckenbach?”
I smiled. It had been so long since I’d gone out. I just wanted to dance and have a good time. “Let me change and I’m so there,” I said.
But Walker was texting someone. The smile on his face made my heart ache. I cleared my throat and tried to sound like I didn’t care. “You in or out?”
He looked up. “What? I’m sorry. What are y’all talking about?”
Jase laughed, “Dude if you weren’t sexting with your damn girlfriend you’d know. We’re heading to Luckenbach. Get a bit of dancing in. Do you need to ask your woman?”
Walker grimaced as he stood, shoving Jase. “Fuck off. You wish you had a woman.”
Jase chuckled. “Dude, please. I can get a piece of ass anytime I want.”
I heard my mother clear her throat.
Jase’s face turned bright red. He turned to her and said, “Mom, you know I’m just talking shit.”
My mother rolled her eyes. “Oh, I know you are, son. I know you are,” she said, eliciting laughs from the group. “Y’all be careful. I want a designated driver.”
I looked back at Walker. He was staring at me. “I’ll volunteer,” he said, not taking his eyes off of me. “I bet Liza wants to celebrate her engagement.”
My jaw dropped. I was pissed. I cocked my head as I smiled at Walker. “You know, that sounds like a good idea. I think a night of celebrating is just what I need.”
Walker pushed off the wall, coming closer. “Too bad your fiancé can’t join the fun.” He walked away, calling out, “Come on, Ava. We’ll pick y’all up in thirty minutes.”
“Thirty minutes? Hell, I need at least an hour to get ready,” Ava said as she followed Walker out of the den.
My mother winked and said, “Do I sense a bit of tension between you and Walker?”
Jase pushed by and kissed my mother on the cheek before turning to me. “When isn’t there tension between the two of them?” he said.
I giggled nervously and kissed my mother on the cheek. “Nah. I think we just haven’t seen each other in so long. We’re trying to get back into the swing of things.”
She nodded and said, “I was hoping we could talk tomorrow.”
“Of course, Mom. Maybe we can go for a ride and picnic by the river? I’m dying to get my feet in that water!”
“Sounds like a plan, Liza. Have fun tonight.”
As I made my way up to my room, I looked down at my engagement ring. I walked over to my dresser, pulled the ring off my finger, and opened my jewelry box. I set the ring inside and closed the lid. Then I unclasped my necklace and took Walker’s ring off of it. I set it on the dresser with my necklace and closed my eyes. If I wanted to move on with my future, I needed to leave the past behind.
I pulled out my phone and flopped onto my bed. The moment I heard Keith’s voice, I wanted to lay into him for what he’d done. I took a deep breath and said, “Hey.”
“Hey, baby. Listen, I’m so sorry I did that to you, Liza. You asked for the summer, and I didn’t abide by the rules. Do you hate me?”
“No, of course not. But I’m not going to lie and say I wasn’t pissed off.”
“I love you, Liza.”
I closed my eyes. When I opened them, a single tear escaped. I was so confused. I loved Keith. But did I want to leave everything and everyone I knew behind to marry him? I wasn’t sure yet.
“I love you, too,” I said. “Are y’all on your way?”
Keith laughed. “Yeah. Road trip and hiking trip with my old man. Fun times ahead.”
I laughed and sat up. “I better run. We’re all going out dancing tonight.”
Silence. I braced myself for what was about to come.
“Walker going?” Keith asked.
I sighed. “Keith, when are you going to move past this?”
“When you stop wearing the damn ring he gave you. My ring should be on your finger. Not his.”
I looked down and instantly felt guilty. I walked over to my jewelry box and took out the engagement ring. I slipped it on my finger, then picked up Walker’s double heart ring.
“I’m not doing this with you again. It’s getting old.”
&nbs
p; I heard Keith take a deep breath. “I’m sorry, Liza. I’m really trying. I won’t bring it up again. But promise that you’ll keep my ring on. I want you to think of me every time you see it.”
Slipping Walker’s ring back onto the necklace I placed it on the dresser. “Thank you for letting it go. I promise, I’ll keep the ring on. But I need to get going. Text or call me when y’all stop for the night.”
“All right, baby. I love you.”
I smiled at the ring on my finger. “I am wearing it, Keith. And I love you, too.”
“Night, baby.”
“Night,” I said.
I hung up and let out a sigh. I love Keith. I want a future with him. Didn’t I?
I WATCHED FROM the bar as Liza danced with some cowboy to Florida Georgia’s “This is How We Roll.” I turned away and motioned for another Coke.
The bartender smiled. “You’re being kind of boring, cowboy,” she said as she slid a shot in front of me.
I raised an eyebrow at her. She was cute—long blonde hair and sultry hazel eyes.
I pushed the drink back and winked. “I’m driving tonight and I’m also taken.”
She pouted and poured me another Coke and drank the shot.
I saw my sister Ava dancing with some guy. The way his hands were all over her made me want to punch him in the nuts. But Ava had already given me a talk, telling me not to even look at her. She wanted to have fun—if that meant some flirting and a few guys coping a feel, I guess that was her business.
The song ended and Liza came up to the bar. She was well on her way to being drunk, if she wasn’t already. She grabbed my Coke and drank it down in one gulp. She put the glass down and made a face.
“Yuck. That’s just a Coke.”
I nodded. “Um, yeah. Designated driver here, remember?”
She rolled her eyes and called for the bartender. The blonde came over and eyed Liza—she probably thought Liza was my girlfriend.
“I’ll take a fireball,” Liza said. “No! I’ll take two!”
The bartender nodded, looking at me, as if for permission. But if this is what Liza needed to do to feel good, who was I to stop her?
When the shots were placed in front of Liza, I slid the money to the bartender. She winked and said, “You might be getting lucky tonight.”
I laughed and said, “I don’t think so.”
Liza downed one shot and then the next. She let out a little yelp and licked her lips. When she looked at me, my dick jumped. Fuck. Don’t think about her that way, Walker. You have Jessica. She loves you and wants a future with you.
“Will you dance with me, Walker?” Liza asked, an innocent smile playing on her lips.
They’d been playing nothing but fast songs all night. I nodded, took her hand, and led her to the dance floor. The moment I turned to face her, the song changed. “Glass” by Thompson Square began playing. I swallowed hard and my heart instantly slammed. A slow song meant holding Liza close, pressed up against me. She came closer and I took her in my arms. As we danced, her smell brought me back to those moments we’d spent alone together before leaving for college. I’d often wondered if we’d made the right choice in not sleeping together. Maybe if we had, we’d have fought harder to make things work between us.
I leaned in closer and took a deep breath. She smelled heavenly. I closed my eyes and tried to push these thoughts out of my head. We danced in silence. As the song ended, Liza pulled away. She looked into my eyes. I wasn’t sure what to do. My heart was telling me to kiss her, but my head was telling me to walk away. Blake Shelton’s “Who are you when I’m not looking” began playing. Liza’s eyes lingered on my lips. I slowly leaned in. As we grew closer, she licked her lips in anticipation.
“Walker,” she whispered.
Just as we were about to make contact, I heard someone yell out my name. I pulled back instantly and looked around.
“Walker fucking Moore!”
Mitchell Cunningham walked over as I let go of Liza and took a few steps back. I smiled and shook Mitchell’s hand.
“I can’t believe I’m running into you here in the middle of Hicksville, Walker.” I laughed as I looked back at Liza.
Liza was eyeing Mitchell, and I didn’t like the way she was looking at him. Mitchell turned to see who I was looking at, perking up the second he saw Liza.
“Well, who do we have here?” Mitchell asked.
Liza smiled, waiting for me to introduce her.
“Mitchell, this is Liza Morris,” I said. “She’s an old friend. We grew up together.”
Mitchell took her hand and kissed it.
I leaned in and said, “Take a look at the left hand.”
Liza shot me a dirty look. I shrugged and winked.
“Oh, damn. You’re engaged,” Mitchell said. “That sucks, sweetheart.” He turned back to me. “Shit, dude. I thought you and Jessica were together. Jessica said y’all were getting married soon.”
Liza and I both blurted, “What?”
Mitchell looked between Liza and me.
“You’re getting married?” Liza asked.
“No. I mean…uh…” I stuttered. “When did you talk to Jessica, Mitchell?”
Mitchell still looked confused as hell. “Um…I saw her earlier today.”
“Where?” I asked.
“Country club. Both our parents are members,” he said, still eyeing both Liza and me. “Do you want to tell me why Jess is saying y’all are getting married when you’re engaged to another girl?”
Liza laughed. “We’re not engaged. I’m engaged to someone else.”
I tilted my head and looked at her. “I thought you hadn’t said yes yet?”
Liza’s smile faded. “Well, when were you going to tell everyone about your engagement?”
“When I actually get engaged. I haven’t asked Jessica to marry me yet.”
Mitchell started laughing. “What a damn clusterfuck this is. Y’all all need to get your shit together.”
“What does that mean?”
Mitchell took a few steps closer. “Dude. What I walked up on was not just two old friends just having a dance.”
I shoved him a little. “Bullshit. You didn’t walk up on anything.”
He shook his head. “If you say so.”
“Yeah, I say so.”
Mitchell held his hands up and took a few steps back. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Liza,” he said.
Liza nodded and Mitchell walked away. When I turned back to her, I swear she had tears in her eyes.
“I’m ready to go home. I’m not feeling so well.”
I nodded and took her hand, but she instantly pulled away from me.
“I’ll um…I’ll look for Ava. You look for Jase. I’ll meet y’all at the truck.” I said.
Liza nodded, walking into the crowd of people dancing. I looked around for Ava, but I couldn’t find her. I saw Liza walk out the front door, so I pulled out my phone and sent Ava and Jase a text telling them that we were leaving because Liza was sick. Then I followed Liza.
I rounded the corner and watched as she paused next to someone’s truck, leaned over, and threw up.
“Fuck,” I said, running my hand through my hair. I ran over and pulled Liza’s hair back as she threw up again and again. “Damn it, Liza. How the hell much did you drink?”
She started crying as she looked up at me. “I don’t know.”
Jase and Ava appeared, running toward us.
“What’s wrong with her?” Jase asked as he placed his hand on Liza’s back.
“I just had too much to drink, Jase. That’s all. I don’t normally drink like that and then…” She stopped talking and shook her head.
“Then what, honey?” Ava said. “What upset you?”
Liza briefly met my gaze, but looked away. I stepped back and blinked slowly, thinking back to just a bit ago when she’d looked at me with pleading eyes. Did Liza still have feelings for me, or was I imagining it?
No, she was drunk—her ac
tions probably had no meaning.
Ava rubbed her hand up and down Liza’s back. “Liza, honey, are you okay? Can you make it to Walker’s truck?”
Liza stood up and Ava handed her a tissue to wipe her mouth. She slowly nodded and said, “Yeah, I feel better, actually, now that I’ve thrown up.”
Jase put his arm around Liza’s waist and led her through the parking lot. “Yeah,” he said, “you probably got some of that alcohol out of your system. Come on, let’s get home and sneak you up to your room like we use to when we were in high school.”
Liza chuckled and rested her head on Jase’s shoulder. A tinge of jealousy raced through my blood—Liza was leaning on Jase instead of me.
I PULLED UP and parked behind Layton’s truck. It was after midnight, and Jase and Ava had both passed out in the back seat. I tried to wake them, but had no luck. I got out and opened the passenger-side door. Liza had fallen asleep almost immediately after getting into the truck. I unbuckled her seatbelt and took her in my arms before carrying her to the back door. She was light as a feather. I had to admit that I loved having her in my arms.
I was relieved to find the back door open. I attempted to close it behind me without making a lot of noise. I made my way through the kitchen and living room and started up the stairs. I pushed open Liza’s bedroom door and gently laid her on the bed. I turned on the desk lamp and when it lit up her room and I couldn’t help but smile. It had been years since I’d been in Liza’s room. I glanced at all the pictures on her photo board. Most of them were of Liza and me; some were with Jase and Ava.
Liza groaned, and I walked over to her. I helped her take off her boots placing each one quietly on the floor, then pulled the blankets out from under her and tucked her in. I sat on the bed and pushed her hair out of her face.
Liza opened her eyes and said, “Walker, I missed you.”
I gave Liza a grin and said, “I missed you, too, Liza.”
Her eyes moved across my face, like she was searching for an answer. She took a shaky breath and said, “It scares me.”