Broken Hart (A Cross Creek Small Town Novel #1) - Kelly Collins Page 0,2
was too late. He tapped both Ethan and Bayden to get their attention.
All eyes on him, he nodded toward the bar. “Is that…” Quinn seemed at a loss for words.
I looked at her again, hating every second of my life for the current moment. This was an awful dream—a nightmare—a cruel trick played by the powers that be. There was no way this could be happening. I refused to give in or let my brothers see how she still affected me.
Kandra laughed, her straight white teeth just as bright and perfect as they were back then.
Roy showed her the taps, and she filled a glass but didn’t tilt it as he taught her. The foamy head overflowed and spilled to the counter. She jumped back, and the glass slipped from her hand and shattered against the bar.
Her cheeks turned crimson, and a string of apologies fell from her lips.
My insides simmered, working up to a full boil. Where are my apologies?
Roy calmly helped her clean up the mess. The second attempt went better as she tipped the glass and triumph shone in her beautiful features.
“Is that Kandra?” Quinn finally found his voice.
“Damn.” Ethan finished his beer and signaled Roy for another. “I’m not interested, but even I can see time has been kind to her. She’s even more beautiful now.” A thunk sounded under the table. “Ouch.” He glared at Quinn. “What the—” Our brother must have kicked him.
“Don’t even think about it,” Quinn said to Ethan, before turning to me.
“Don’t worry about it.” Kandra and I were old news. She moved on when she realized I couldn’t give her the life she wanted, so it didn’t matter that she was back. Not one bit. “You can have her.” I finished my beer.
“You can’t have her,” Quinn said to Ethan before turning to me. “Noah, you loved her, man. Maybe her coming back is a sign.”
“Yeah, it’s red, octagonal, and says STOP in big white letters.” I glowered into my empty glass. I would not let Kandra back into my life. I swore back then I’d never hand anyone the tools to gut me ever again.
“Come on, Noah. Nobody’s falling for it.” Quinn’s forgotten beer rested between his hands while he leaned across the table to get closer.
“There’s nothing to fall for.” I refused to look at her again for fear that something would give me away.
Quinn snorted. “You’re still in love with her.”
I shook my head. “Why don’t you play matchmaker somewhere else? I’m not interested.” I jerked my chin in Bayden’s direction.
Quinn had to know he and Miranda were making eyes at each other, but Quinn ignored his twin and scrutinized me instead. “Nice try. You don’t get to deflect this.”
“There’s nothing to deflect because there’s nothing there.” He didn’t get it. Kandra and I were a dead end. There was nothing between us but bitter history, and no amount of probing, pestering, or pleading on his part could change that.
“Okay. Then you won’t mind if I do this.” Quinn stood up, cupped his hands around his mouth, and called out, “Another round, please.”
“You’re a dick.” I wanted to kick him, but when I swung my boot, he stepped back.
He grinned. “I’m gonna hit the head.”
Bayden stood up and moved in Angie’s direction, but Ethan shoved him back into his chair. “Don’t even think about it.”
My brothers glared at each other.
“What’s this sudden interest in Angie?” I asked.
Bayden looked from me to Ethan to Miranda. “Maybe I’m interested … or maybe I’m trying to make someone jealous.”
“Which is it?” Ethan grumbled.
“What’s it matter to you?”
“Sorry, guys.” Roy dropped off our beers, ending the sibling exchange, and rushed away.
“Guess the universe is giving you a break since Roy delivered the drinks.” Ethan didn’t take his eyes off Bayden. There was something feral and territorial in them. They were like two dogs going after the same bone.
I snorted. “A break? Yeah, right.” Kandra didn’t come to the table this time, but what about next time? What about tomorrow? There was no way I could avoid her forever. Unless she got fired, but even then, I’d probably just bump into her around town. If I was truly lucky, she would move away again.
Bayden stood up and walked toward Angie.
Ethan tried to grab him again, but he evaded capture.
“He’s tenacious,” I said.
Ethan turned to face me. “He’s a pain in the ass.” He took a drink of his beer. “You never told us why you cut out early today.”