Chapter 28 Nash
“Mmm... that smells delicious,” I murmured, walking up behind Jovie, who was still wearing the tiny pajama shorts from last night, a tank top, and no bra.
I pressed my front against her back, ensuring she could feel length against her as she stood at the oven, cooking bacon and eggs.
“Stop it, Nash. I’m trying to make breakfast for you and your brothers,” she chuckled as I spun her around, claiming her mouth with mine. I knew she loved it just as much as I did.
“Hey, you two,” Clay said, walking in behind me and taking a seat at the island.
“I’m surprised you’re up already. Thought the watermelon moonshine was going to cause you to sleep the day away,” I said, grabbing a piece of the bacon Jovie just laid out and popping it in my mouth.
He shrugged, “I didn’t drink as much as usual.”
There was sadness in his voice, and I could tell something was bothering him this morning but figured I’d wait until we were in private to ask. Thankfully, Jovie gave me the opportunity.
“The food’s done if you want to start eating. I’m going to take a quick shower and then meet you in the dining room. Who knows how long Lana and Wylie will sleep with all that yelling they were doing last night.” she stated.
Clay grunted, “you’re lucky you didn’t sleep in the room next to them. That yelling turned into angry fucking fast.”
He grabbed a plate and headed into the dining room and though I would have loved to have some one-on-one shower time with Jovie, I could tell something was off with Clay.
“I’ll see you in a minute,” I said, kissing Jovie’s lips gently as she retreated to her room.
“Hey, Clay, what’s going on?” I asked as I plopped down at the dining room table across from him.
He shrugged; his eyes cast downward as he ate.
I knew my brother. Though we were 10 years apart, I could always tell when he wanted to speak his mind but was holding back.
“What’s on your mind, Clay?”
He set down his coffee mug hard and looked up at me, anger, and sadness behind his eyes, “Jovie.”
Shit .
“Did you really have a thing for her?” I asked.
“Of course not, I’m not dumb. She’s been ogling you since she got here.”
I tried to hide my smile.
“Then what is it?”
He sighed, his eyes shifted out to the window, “she’s the best damn thing that’s happened to our family since Mom died. You're happier, hell even Wylie is less of a dick.”
Fuck. I already knew where he was headed with this.
“I know you miss mom, Clay.”
“No, you don’t get it. I do miss Mom. But that’s not what I’m upset about. What I’m upset about is the fact that you’re going to mess things up with Jovie, and she’s going to run off to the city to escape you because you can’t handle your emotions and being in a relationship with a woman ever since Brooke messed you up.”
“That’s not fair. Jovie was always leaving after the twelve months her grandfather wrote into the will were up. We knew she wasn’t going to stay forever, Clay.”
“That’s not what I’m talking about!” he exclaimed, his voice getting louder.
Clay rarely, if ever, got upset, especially not with me. It was strange seeing him raise his voice, and I could tell whatever it was he was feeling, was really bothering him.
“What is it then, Clay?” I asked in a calm voice, hoping to deescalate his emotions.
He raked a hand through his hair. “I’m not a kid anymore. I can already see what’s going to happen. I've been in a relationship before. You’re going to break her heart. I can see the way she looks at you, the way you look at her. Y’all are telling yourselves this is a benefits-only thing, but I know it’s not. You’re going to somehow mess it up, and she’s going to leave early, probably exactly how Dad orchestrated it so he can get Clarence Ashwood’s ranch.”
Clay stood up, pushing his chair back, and went to leave before pausing in the doorway.
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you when you’re left with your dick in your hand, a broken heart and no Jovie in Lonestar Junction.”