Chapter 3
RAFE
“You’re staring, man.” Preston chuckles from behind me as he cleans some beer glasses, and I turn to look at him with a raised eyebrow. “Enjoying the singing or the view?” The look on his face tells me he knows I’m not paying attention to the frankly awful singing coming from the stage.
“I don’t think anyone here is saying they came for the music right now.” I lean back into the bar, sip on my now-lukewarm beer, and shake my head.
Juniper, Sage, and Rosie are giving their all to the Grease song they’re performing, but their screeches sound more like cats caught in a cold shower than Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta singing in harmony.
“Yeah, if I didn’t love them, I’d have to get them off the stage.
” Preston waves to someone as he continues talking.
“Lucky for them, they’re all cute, and even if they can’t sing, the patrons don’t mind watching.
” He looks back to the stage, where the girls are dancing. “Just like you and me, I guess.”
“Any of them in particular?” I turn to him casually, wondering who is catching his eye.
“Well, they are all beautiful, but Juniper is special. She’s got an aura to her that …” He pauses and shrugs. “Not that I’d make a move on her or anything.”
“You’re interested in Juniper?” I frown, my tone going up an octave as I shift uneasily against the bar.
I study his expression because I want to know how serious he is. I can feel my blood pressure rising at his words.
“I wouldn’t say that I’m going to ask her to marry me or anything.” He grins. “But I wouldn’t mind asking her on a date, especially as—”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Huh? What do you mean?” He places his rag down and leans toward me, his eyes lighting up. “Does she have a guy?”
“Not that I know of, but … she’s …” My voice trails off because I don’t know what to say.
I don’t want to hurt his feelings. Preston is a good guy, but Juniper is Juniper, and I’m her best friend’s brother, and I have a responsibility to ensure she doesn’t get herself into trouble.
She, like Mia, often seems to think with her heart instead of her head, and I don’t want to see her making her life complicated with Preston.
“She what?” Preston looks over to the stage, where Juniper is screaming about summer loving and doing a little dance. “She’s cute and fun, and she always makes me laugh. Unlike my ex.”
“Your ex was a bitch.” I laugh loudly. “Anyone would be better than her.”
“I didn’t know she’d take me for thousands of dollars.” He sighs. “I’m done with women from out of town. I only want to date local girls now, and Juniper is at the top of my list. She’s stunning.”
“It’s a no, Preston.” I press my lips together. “You’ll have to find someone else.”
“It’s a no?” He looks surprised by my statement. Then his eyes narrow, and his lips twitch. “Ah shit. How did I not see it?”
“See what?” I sound far too defensive.
“Do you and Juniper have something going on?” Preston asks, a curious glint in his eyes.
I watch as he studies my face, and I try not to sputter at his accusation. “Of course not. Are you crazy? She’s my sister’s best friend.”
He looks at me and shakes his head. “So? It’s not like they’re teenagers. They’re in their mid-twenties, right?”
“Well, yes, but I mean …”
“She’s not a kid anymore. If you wanted to date her—”
“I don’t want to date her,” I cut him off. “I am in the role of her protector.”
“And does she know you’re her bodyguard, blocking off all her future Romeos?”
“I’m not her bodyguard. I’m just here to make sure she makes good decisions. Look, you’re a great guy, Preston. Juniper came into Mia’s life in high school, so I’ve seen her not always make the best decisions when it comes to dating and—”
“So, I would be a bad decision?” Preston grins and hands me another beer. “I don’t know how I feel about that. I don’t hate it. Especially after my witch ex screwed me over, but I would never use Juniper or treat her poorly.”
“I’m sure you wouldn’t,” I say quickly.
He bursts out laughing. “Uh-huh.”
“I’m just explaining why I’m so overprotective of her. I was the same way with Mia when she was dating Luke. I just want to make sure they don’t make bad decisions after bad decisions. That’s my role as big bro.”
“I think it’s admirable that you’re there for them, but she’s not your sister, and if you are interested in her, then you should go for it.”
“I’m not interested in her.” I can tell from the expression on his face that he doesn’t really believe me, but I don’t care.
My chest beats erratically at the thought that he would think I would be interested in Juniper like that.
I enjoy teasing her, and, sure, she is cute, but I am not interested in her like that.
Sure, she’s grown into a beautiful woman, and, sure, she is a spitfire, but she is off-limits.
There was a time long ago when she expressed to me that she wanted me, but I shut her down very quickly. Well, after that kiss.
I try not to think about that electric kiss. It leads to extremely impure thoughts.
But I know it is inappropriate for me to date or mess around with my sister’s best friend, especially considering I am older than her and in a position of power over her.
I am the town vet. I am someone people look up to.
I am someone they trust. What would they think of me if I started dating my little sister’s best friend?
Especially if it didn’t work out. Especially if it was just a sex thing.
Which, frankly, if I am being honest, has crossed my mind more than a number of times.
I shift slightly as I think about touching Juniper intimately. I shouldn’t let those thoughts cross my mind.
I look back over at the stage and watch as she sways her hips back and forth, her dark hair cascading down her back.
She glances over at me, and for a few seconds, we just stare at each other.
As she smiles before turning away, I can’t help but recognize that I do find her attractive. More than attractive. Sexy as hell.
She is a beautiful woman. Anyone can see that. But I am not going to allow myself to pursue her in any way. It wouldn’t be fair to her whatsoever.
“I think you’re staring at her really hard for someone who’s not interested in her in that way,” Preston says softly, almost catching me off guard.
I glance back at him and shrug. “I just want to make sure she’s safe and that she ends up with a good guy.”
“You don’t consider me a good guy?” Preston chuckles, and I can tell he wants to say something else, but I really don’t want to hear it.
“You’re a great guy, but I don’t think, emotionally, you’re ready for a relationship. Not after New York girl.”
“I admit, she did a number on me.” He lets out a long sigh. “She used me for my money.”
“Sorry, man.”
I really am sorry, but I clocked his ex right away for the user that she was.
I was only sad that he’d had to experience the pain of her betrayal.
It wasn’t every day that your ex stole your money and had a threesome in the back of your bar with two tourists.
Especially when she kept telling him how much she loved him.
“It’s okay.” He shakes his head quickly.
“I don’t want to talk ill of her. I don’t really know what her intentions were.
She had a broken heart when she got here, and I don’t know if she intended on getting into this fake relationship with me just so she could steal my money or if that’s just what happened. ”
“I’m sorry.” I reach over and squeeze his arm. “You deserve better than her. Anyone who will steal your savings and hook up in your bar and your bed with other men doesn’t deserve you.”
He grimaces and then laughs. “You’re right. As much as I would love to take Juniper on a date, I’m not ready to get into anything serious just yet. And she’s the sort of girl who deserves the world.”
“Yeah, she deserves the world.” I nod in agreement.
I turn back to the stage and watch the girls finish their song.
They head off the stage and back toward the bar.
Sage and Rosie are giggling as they walk by and flirt with the many men who come up to them after their performance.
They seem to be having the time of their lives, and I watch in amusement as they banter back and forth.
Juniper walks behind them, and even though she’s being approached by men, she’s more intent on staring at her phone.
I’m not sure who she is texting, but it really isn’t any of my business anyway. Not that I think she would tell me if I asked anyway.
“Rafe, what did you think of our singing?” Rosie asks me as the two sisters stop next to me. “Hey, Preston. Can I get a Jack Daniel’s and Coke, please?” she calls out with a wave.
“Sure. Coming right up. Anything for Sage?”
“I think she just wants some water for now.” Rosie looks back over at me. “So, do you think we’re going to be the next Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, or Selena Gomez?”
“Do you want my honest opinion or …” My voice drifts off as I notice a tall man with dark hair and vibrant green eyes going up to Juniper, approaching her in a far-too-intense manner. He’s a handsome man and I can see that Juniper has noticed that as well, which is extremely irritating.
I frown as she looks up at him with a small smile. He says something to her that seems to shock her because her eyes widen, and I frown as she starts laughing. What on earth could they be talking about?
“So, how are the animals?” Rosie asks, an inquiring expression on her pretty face, but I’m still too distracted by Juniper to say anything.
“Sorry, what? Which animals?”
“The animals you take care of, silly.” She gives me an odd look and then follows my gaze over to Juniper. “Did you want to speak to her or something?”
“I was just trying to make sure that guy wasn’t bothering her.”
“I don’t think he’s bothering her. He’s a hottie.” Rosie calls out to her sister, “Hey, Sage! Who’s that dude with Juni? He is really good-looking.”