21. Jake
21
JAKE
I look up into a pair of chocolate-brown eyes and try to hide my shock. “Nick?”
What the hell is Nick Dixon doing in Skylark, let alone at the rodeo?
“Sit down and visit for a bit, Byrne. It’s been a minute, and we have some shit to catch up on.”
The announcer’s voice rings out, once again assuring us that Chase Calhoun is in good hands before introducing the next competitor. Obviously, the crowd is still upset, but the fans offer a polite round of applause for the cowboy prepping for his ride.
I lower myself to the wood bleacher as Nick sits beside me. “What are you doing in town? Does Iris know you’re here?”
“Not yet.” He keeps his gaze on the arena. “But I saw you drop her off at a stupid hour this morning.”
Irritation ripples through me. “For the record, it was five-thirty.”
I haven’t seen Nick in person for a couple of years—not since he showed up on my doorstep in Austin in need of a loan. It was an awkward reunion then, but this is downright strange.
“What the hell were you doing lurking around her house at that ungodly hour? I don’t remember you being a morning person.”
“Maybe things change,” he says tightly. “Maybe I was communing with the sunrise.” He scrubs a hand over the dark scruff of his jaw and mutters, “Definitely not lurking.” His eyes narrow as he glares at me. “And what the hell are you doing staying out all night with my sister?”
I easily match his temper. “None of your goddamn business, Nick. We aren’t seventeen anymore.” Even though she makes me feel like a stupid, infatuated boy hoping for one more chance to get it right.
“The rules we set then still apply, Jake.” He places the same emphasis on my name as I did on his. “My sister is off-limits.”
“I respected your wishes back then, but I’m an adult. Iris is an adult. As far as I’m concerned?—”
“I don’t give a shit about your concerns,” he snaps back.
His shoulders rise and fall as he draws in a deep breath. The show has mostly gone on around us, and people are cheering for the cowboy who just finished a successful ride. But a couple in front of us dart speculative looks in our direction at his tone. I don’t want things with Nick to escalate. Iris, who has always been overly protective of her twin brother, wouldn’t want that either.
He nudges my arm with his. “I’m also wondering what you’re doing on a date with another woman after being out all night with my little sister.”
“Younger by two minutes,” I feel compelled to point out. “She’s also a ton smarter and has more common sense than the two of us put together. Do you really think she’d spend time with me if she thinks it means trouble?”
Okay, maybe that’s a stupid question, because I already know she thinks I’m trouble. But her brother doesn’t know that. At least not yet.
“She has a blind spot where you’re concerned.”
Doubtful, but a guy can dream.
“Why haven’t you asked her about last night yourself?” I turn to study him. “Have you seen your sister outside of spying on her?”
The way his gaze slides to the ground, I know the answer without him saying a word.
“I wasn’t spying,” he insists. “But I haven’t seen Iris yet. I needed to take care of some stuff today. Anyway, that’s not the point. We’re talking about you.”
“I don’t think so.” My protective instincts roar to life. Iris loves her brother, which means he has the power to hurt her. That isn’t going to happen on my watch. “You’re at least as much trouble, if not more. You know she used the money she’d been saving for her dream house to bail you out this last time.”
Shame flickers in the depths of his dark eyes as he shakes his head. “I know, and it kills me. But it was the last time, and I have a plan to pay her back. I’m sober, Jake. I have been since my last stint in rehab.”
“Good for you, man. I hope it sticks this time.”
“It will.” He laughs softly. “Not that anyone has a reason to believe me, but I know it will.”
It’s hard to explain the conflicting emotions I have when it comes to Nick Dixon. He was my best friend that summer after Mikey died. Sure we got in a hell of a lot of trouble, but we also had a shit-ton of fun. The bond between us was real—a couple of messed-up kids with too much trauma in our respective pasts.
That doesn’t change the fact I don’t want Nick upsetting Iris. She’s got enough on her plate, and I hope to hell that includes the two of us getting together. After last night, I’m convinced Iris and I are making progress. Or we will be once she accepts that Jodi is about as interested in me as I am in her.
I’m not ready to let our connection go, even if I know there’s no future in it. For once, I want to stop ruminating over the past and worrying about the future. I want to enjoy the present—soak in every moment I can with Iris. Preferably a few of them with us both buck-ass naked. Even the idea of surrender doesn’t feel like losing with Iris—it feels like finally coming home.
But first, I need to deal with Nick.
“Then I believe you. I don’t want to argue, man.” I clap a hand on his shoulder. “I swear I won’t hurt Iris. Can you say the same?”
“Yes,” he answers without hesitation.
I nod. “Then I’m damn glad to see you. You look good, Nick.”
It’s true. His hair, the same dark shade as Iris’s, is neatly trimmed, and his eyes are clear. He’s wearing a canvas vest over a long-sleeve Henley, and I can see he’s been working out. It’s been years since I’ve seen Nick look healthy, and despite my reservations about him being back in his sister’s life, I want that for him. He’s been through enough already.
“I feel good.” His shoulders relax slightly. “A whole lot better than that trampled rider.”
“He’ll be okay,” I say, even though I have no idea if that’s true.
“You always were an optimist, Jake.” He leans back against the empty bleacher behind us. “Let’s catch up for real, man.”
“Yeah,” I agree. “That sounds like a plan.”