Page 58 of Wild & Worthy

“You’ve been distracted all morning,” he says. “How late did you guys get back?”

We got back around one in the morning. We’d stopped for burgers and shakes at the diner, laughing and talking through her run this coming weekend. She’s thinking about pulling another jackpot this week, so we spent some time looking for a good one before heading back to camp.

“Eh, not really sure,” I say. “Late. We grabbed something to eat after leaving the bar.”

“Good. Didn’t want her ending up in the backseat of some asshole’s truck.”

I almost choke on my own spit at that. Oh, she ended up in the backseat of some asshole’s truck all right. This asshole, and this truck right here. With me between her legs and my name on her lips.

Fuck. This is too much. I’m the world’s worst friend. Despite all the secrets I’ve been keeping, I really don’t like lying. I need Eli to leave so it's just Addie and me again, and we can figure out what the hell is going on between us.

No. I need to stay away from her. That’s it. Call it quits. I can stay away from her. Easy. “Yeah. All good, man. I took care of her.” God, I’m going straight to hell.

“Man, she might really pull this off. She killed it in Cheyenne.” He changes the subject, thank God. “That probably moved her up, what, five spots?”

“Nah, at least ten. More if we hit a jackpot this week.” Just then my phone buzzes in my lap, and Sunshine flashes across the truck’s screen. Fuck, why didn’t I think to turn that off? I hadn’t even considered the possibility of her texting me with Eli sitting right here.

I pick up the phone and look at the message.

Sunshine: I’m officially a bridesmaid!! Also, I’m bored.

Me: Congrats. I’m THE best man. You already know that, but Eli confirmed it. You’re going to have to entertain yourself.

Eli just glances at me out of the corner of his eye, but I ignore him. I swipe down on my phone and disconnect it from the Bluetooth before Addie can send anything else.

My phone buzzes again, and I suck in a breath louder than I intended. It's a picture of Addie’s open thighs. Her jean shorts are riding so high the denim is stretched tight between her legs, and pressed against her center enough that I can make out every fucking curve of it. One hand is resting lazily on her bare inner thigh. It’s close enough to make me wish it were mine. She apparently doesn’t give two shits that her brother is sitting right next to me, and my dick sure as hell doesn’t either. Because it’s already twitching with anticipation.

I lock the screen so fast I nearly drop it.

Eli cuts his eyes back toward me. “What the hell was that? Who are you talking to?”

“Nothing,” I snap too quickly.

“Seemed like something. You look way too fucking pleased with yourself.”

Again, my phone goes off while Eli keeps staring at me, waiting for an explanation. I don’t have one, so fuck it. It’s better for him to think I’m into someone else than think I’m fucking around with his sister. “It’s Tracy,” I blurt out, trying to play it off like it’s no big deal.

“God, Chace,” Eli groans. “Tell me you’re not fucking around with Tracy again. That woman seriously gets on my nerves. Man, I swear to God, you better not be sexting while I’m sitting right here.” Eli mutters, shooting me a disgusted look.

“You wanna see?” Eli’s so loyal to Hazel he wouldn’t dream of looking at another woman, even if I shoved the picture in his face. He just glares at me and focuses his eyes back on the road, giving me some peace to bring the message thread with Addie back up.

Sunshine: Scared to open your messages now?

Fuuuuck me. This girl is going to be the death of me.

Me: Stop. Eli is right here.

Sunshine: Are you uncomfortable, Chace Walker? I never thought I’d see the day.

Me: Keep it up and you’re going to regret it when we get to Colorado.

Sunshine: Am I, though? Tell me what you’re hiding from me, and I’ll think about letting you do something about it, Cowboy.

I lock the screen and don’t bother responding, because there it is again. I’d almost hoped last night might make her change her mind, but apparently all it did was fuel this little ultimatum she’s put on me. Hell, I don’t even know what this is between us. The sexual tension has gotten almost impossible to ignore, and last night I finally lost what little self-control I had left. But it needs to end there. This game has to stop. I can’t afford to tell her what I’ve been doing behind her back, because as much as I want her, Nana has to come first. I need the money, and I’m not walking away from this opportunity, no matter how reckless it might be.

“If you’re done with whatever you’re doing over there with Tracy, I did have something I wanted to run by you,” Eli says. “We’re having an engagement party the weekend before the finals in Billings. Figure you and Addie will already be headed that way by then, assuming she makes it, so you can swing through Ashford and join us.”

You and Addie. I like the sound of that way too much. “Sounds fun. I’ll come in my Sunday best.”