Chapter 12
NASH
The door slammed shut, leaving me alone in the dark empty cabin. I rested my head against the wall and closed my eyes.
Raven had always been emotional and unpredictable. Her feelings seemed to change like the wind. I doubted I’d ever figure her out.
But she seemed to get upset by what I said about Tillie. Why would that bother her? I don’t think I said anything offensive, just wondered what Tillie was like as a teenager.
Maybe Raven picked up on my discomfort. The topic of the letter hit a little too close to home for me, being the guy pining for his buddy’s sister. Desperately wanting the one I couldn’t have. She had no idea how hard it was for me to constantly keep those feelings in check.
There was only one time I’d let go of control, and I still regretted it.
The scene played through my mind like it had thousands of times over the years, permanently etched in my brain.
The salty wind and balmy air. Music, laughter, and campfire smoke. Raven had looked hotter than ever. She’d attended the beach party with her boy of the week. His slimy hands had been all over her. The beer can had crushed in my hand at the sight. Talking with the guys had been the only thing that had kept me from staring at her.
When the party had died down, I headed down the beach to walk off my buzz and think.
My favorite thinking spot hadn’t been vacant, though. She’d been there. And the heartbreak I’d seen on her face had been my undoing. I’d have done anything to see her smile.
Next thing I knew my lips had been on hers. A kiss a thousand times better than all of my fantasies put together. I could have spent the rest of my life in that kiss and been perfectly happy.
Until I’d heard Rowan calling my name.
A sudden rush of guilt had knocked me away from her so fast, I’d almost fell off the ledge.
I’d blurted a quick apology before running to intercept Rowan. If he’d caught us, we’d both have been dead.
I hated myself for giving in to that moment of weakness. Betraying my friend’s trust and taking advantage of Raven like that. She’d just been dumped, and we’d both been drinking. But that was no excuse. I shouldn’t have lost control like that.
I also wished I’d have handled it differently. I should have talked to her and not run off like that. But I panicked.
She never forgave me either. She’d been hostile toward me ever since.
This time sequestered together in this cabin was the closest we’d come to a ceasefire since that fateful night. And that was making it even harder for me to maintain my tightly held control.
Reading that letter highlighted the impossibility of wanting my best friend’s sister. Even back when those letters were written, it was forbidden.
It was also part of the universal bro code. There were two lines you never crossed. You never went after your buddy’s ex, and you sure stayed away from his little sister. Any violation of the code would be the end of the friendship.
All guys understood that.
After all these years, I’m still stuck in the same spot, wanting the one woman I can’t have.
And now she’s right here with me. So close and yet so far.