Chapter 22
Jett
“You do have my number?”
My brother, Crew’s, laugh comes through the truck’s speakers. “Funny. You know the phone goes both ways?”
“I’ve been busy running our family’s farm.”
“Sure it’s not because of a certain troublemaker?”
I flick on my turn signal before easing right onto the road that’ll take me into Silo Bay.
Even without the mention of her name, Wren consumes my thoughts. It’s only been two days since Wren and I poured our confessions across my land. It was therapeutic in a way, but goddamn did it kill me to know how much I put her through and how much she had to face alone.
We haven’t seen each other since, both of us giving the other space to process, but we’ve been texting…
a lot. The more we talk, the more hope I feel, because I don’t want us to be over.
I’ve fought many battles, but this is the most important one.
My body reacts to her in the same way it always has, even with the trauma we’ve experienced.
There’s no doubt in my mind Wren Drummond is it for me.
I can’t wait to tell her, to beg for her forgiveness, and to see if she still feels the same for me.
“Your silence is deafening, big brother.”
I grunt. “I’m trying to drive.”
“You've been driving since you were eight. Don’t bullshit me.”
The sound of a newborn wailing in the background draws my attention. “How’s my favorite nephew?”
“Carter’s doing great,” Crew answers, his voice full of warmth and admiration. It’s crazy my little brother is a dad, but he and his wife, Bret, welcomed their first child in March.
“And my sister-in-law?”
“Rebel’s her typical self.”
“Aw, so she’s busting your balls.”
“Constantly.”
“It’s good for you.”
He laughs sarcastically.
“I was calling to let you know we booked a townhouse at Sunset Shores for the summer.”
I nod, even though he can’t see me.
“We get in next week. Thought we’d invite everyone over for dinner.”
“Yeah, let me know when. I can make an evening free.”
“Don’t forget a pretty blonde with killer legs.”
I hear Bret ask, “Who has killer legs?”
“You, baby,” Crew answers.
“Uh-huh,” Bret chides. “Don’t forget Wren with the killer legs, Jett.”
I roll my eyes.
“I want to meet my future sister-in-law.”
“Jesus,” I grumble, running my hand down my face. I ease the truck through a stoplight before flicking my indicator and turning right into the parking lot.
“I’ve got to go.”
“See ya,” Crew says as Bret shouts in the background, “Don’t forget!”
“Get your wife out of the house; she’s going stir crazy,” I tell my brother, and he laughs. “And hug my nephew.”
I end the call and turn off the truck. Walking across the way to Shoreline Sips, I scan the parking lot for a familiar cherry-red truck. The bell above the door jingles as I step inside.
Saturday mornings in Downtown Silo Bay are always a treat. It’s like every resident needs to get out of their house and explore the town…the same town they’ve lived in for their entire life, as if something new has popped up.
Shoreline Sips is packed to the gills. A few older gentlemen sit in leather chairs near the front window, reading the paper and discussing Silo Bay Hawks sports.
A group of women sit near the back, books on their laps.
More tables are lined with younger women gossiping about life, parents feed their littles sweet treats, and couples cozy together over hot mugs.
“Mr. Riggsby, how’s the cattle?” Joe Whittley asks, looking up from his newspaper.
I step aside, glancing out the window and spotting the cherry-red pickup coming down the road. I smile to myself as I nod in greeting to the older gentlemen.
“Herd’s looking good, Joe.”
“Great, I need to call Nora and get on the list for freezer beef.”
I nod. “We’ll have some soon. Have a good day.”
I move deeper into the shop, stepping in line. Julia and her staff work diligently filling orders, smiling at customers, and making everyone feel welcome as if you’re having coffee at a friend’s rather than a shop.
The bell above the door continues to ding as more people step inside.
It won’t be long until the blonde with the killer legs walks in, or whatever Crew called her.
I glance at my watch and notice I have ten minutes until my appointment with my sister.
I’ll be cutting it close, but if I walk in with caffeine, all will be forgiven.
“Hey, Jett,” Julia says, smiling brightly. “What can I get you this morning?”
I glance up at the menu, scanning the cursive handwriting as I read over the options.
“I’ll take a medium brewed coffee, a medium caramel latte with whip, and a medium matcha latte with honey and cinnamon.”
Julia gives me a knowing smirk as she taps away on her iPad. She flips the screen around, and I slip my debit card into the slot. Tapping the twenty-percent tip, I use my finger to sign the pad, flipping the screen back to her.
“We’ll have that right out. Have a lovely day.”
“You too.” I move off to the side, pulling my phone out of my pocket.
There’s a new message in my family group chat.
Crew sent a photo of Carter smiling at the camera.
He’s a cute kid. Looks like my brother’s twin with his blond hair and brown eyes.
Mom and Saylor are both texting aww and he’s so cute.
I love the photo and close the message thread.
Mom and I have briefly spoken about the letter.
I can’t help but be frustrated with her, but there’s a part of me–a small part–that understands her reasoning.
The entire situation sucks. She had her reasonings, just like I had my reasonings to be such a shithead.
We’ll work past it, we always do, but it’s a jagged little pill to swallow.
I force myself back to the present as I scroll social media. The latest post of The Bay Buzz catches my attention.
@Anonymousmember542: Wren Drummond’s up to no good… It won’t be long before those heathens she ran around with start terrorizing the town again.
I roll my eyes, refusing to add fuel to the fire.
Some people in this town will never forget anything.
I continue scrolling before switching over to my email app.
After a few minutes, one of the baristas is placing my drinks in a drink carrier on the counter.
Locking my phone, I slip the device into my pocket.
We exchange a few words before I turn around.
My eyes scan the line, and I find Wren, head down, scrolling her own phone and avoiding the stares of everyone in the coffee shop.
I’m sure the whispers will be flying even more since we're both here.
Lengthening my stride, I step close to her.
I see the exact moment my boots come into her line of sight because her shoulders straighten.
I'm done giving her space. We may not have figured everything out, but I'll be damned if I'm wasting another second of what could be. We’ve already lost so much. I’ve felt the shift between us. Her hurt and anger has started to thaw her heart, one that feels like there’s still space for me.
There’re conversations that still need to be had, but we’re building our relationship from the ground up.
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither will our journey.
Slowly, her head starts to rise as she takes me in.
I take a moment to do the same. She’s wearing a pair of light brown cowboy boots that come up to mid-shin, some kind of skirt or shorts that flow away from her legs, and a tank top cropped enough to see a sliver of her golden stomach.
Fuck, she’s beautiful. It feels like an eternity until her whiskey eyes meet mine, but once they do, shit, it’s like an explosion.
Sparks erupt and send tingles up my arms until my chest warms.
“Nice legs,” I say for only her to hear, and her cheeks flush a beautiful shade of pink. Seeing her blush instead of imagining it from our texting is better than I remember.
I can feel the attention on us, but with her full attention locked on mine, it’s like everyone else disappears. It’s only us. Hell, it’s only ever been Wren when she’s in my presence. Time hasn’t changed that.
“Jett.” She tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear as she slips her phone into her purse.
“What?” I shrug. “They're the sexiest legs I’ve ever seen.”
Her eyes widen as she slaps my arm not holding the drink carrier. Fire ignites from where her skin meets mine. “You can't say things like that!”
“Why not?”
“Someone could hear you,” she hisses, and the lady in front of her chuckles.
“Do you want me to make sure?”
“Jett Samuel Riggsby, don’t you dare.”
“A dare?” I smirk, bouncing on my feet. “You know I’ve never been one to back down from a dare, Whiskey.”
Panic flicks across her whiskey orbs, but I lean closer. “Don’t worry, I won’t embarrass you this time.” Her shoulders drop as her posture relaxes. “Even though you look incredible and the whole town should know how much you still affect me.”
Her head snaps to my crotch, and I chuckle. “Dirty girl.”
I watch her swallow roughly, glad I still have the same effect on her as she does on me. Reaching out, I tuck the same strand of hair back behind her ear, and her breath catches from my touch. She flinches slightly, but it’s not as bad as before.
“Here,” I say, plucking the to-go cup from my carrier. “Matcha latte with honey and cinnamon.”
Her head tips to her shoulder. “You didn’t have to.”
I shrug. “It’s no big deal.”
Wren’s slender fingers wrap around the cup, brushing mine. “Thank you. How’d you know I’d be in?”
I laugh. “You’re always here.” I lean in closer, my lips skimming the shell of her ear, and goosebumps break free across her skin. “And I saw your truck down the street.”
She smiles softly as she looks past me, mouthing a thank you to Julia, I assume.