as if she’s his dear aunt who hasn’t seen him in ages. “I’m so sorry about Lucy. My mom told me.”
Adam’s eyes flare, looking at Jed and Cade over her shoulder.
Cade never glances in my direction. Not once. His gaze is steady on Reese.
“I’m fine,” Adam says.
“Yeah, he’s found a new love of Motown that’s getting him through,” Jed chimes in.
Adam steps back and Reese moves to Jed as though the three of them are her own brothers.
“Jed, comedian as always.” She hugs him, but it’s brief because Jed doesn’t reciprocate and looks at Cade the entire time her arms are around him as though he’s telling his brother to get this disgusting thing off of him.
Cade wouldn’t notice though because he’s yet to look at anyone besides Reese.
“What’s the Motown about, Adam?” She stands in the circle with us all, as though she doesn’t understand that she’s struck everyone speechless.
“Presley.” Adam motions to me.
“Oh, you’re a Motown girl?” Reese shakes her head as if music is actually playing.
“No, I just suggested he listen to whatever music wouldn’t remind him of Lucy,” I admit.
Cade finally looks at me and our eyes lock, a small smile forming on his lips.
“Oh, that’s cute. I mean, I doubt that helps you sleep at night after your wife left you, but it’s cute.” Her tone has turned condescending. If she thought of this family as her own, she could maybe be less crass in her delivery.
“It does help, actually.” Adam eyes me.
I shrug. I don’t really give a shit what Reese thinks. All that matters is what Adam says.
“Anyway, my mom sent me to the butcher. You know her.” She looks at Cade.
He nods.
I guess that’s not the reaction she wanted, so she puts her hands on Adam’s arm then Cade’s. “I know it’s about that time of year, so if either of you needs anything, let me know.”
She leaves Adam’s side and rises on her tiptoes to place a soft, lingering kiss on Cade’s cheek. Jed rolls his eyes. I think we might actually have something in common now.
“Bye, guys. Nice meeting you, Presley. Can’t wait until the grand opening.”
“You too.” I wave and smile, not meaning it. Here I thought the manipulative bitches were only back home. Turns out there are some in Sunrise Bay too.
“What time of year is it?” I ask quietly. I’m fairly sure I’m overstepping, but I hate the fact Reese knows more than me.
“Our mom’s birthday,” Adam says.
“Hey.” Jed clasps Cade’s shoulder. “I need help for a second. Something’s come up with a client…”
Jed doesn’t fool me though. He’s tearing Cade away to get a grip on himself before I grow suspicious. But Jed is underestimating me again. Cade and Reese have some sort of long history and what scares me is that he might think she’s worth more than just a friends with benefits relationship like we have.
Jed practically shoves me into Truth or Dare. “What the hell?” he yells, but I’m barely able to form a sentence.
Reese hasn’t returned home in at least five years. Seeing her again stirs up all those emotions from when we were young.
“What?” I ask.
“Not that I’m condoning it, but if you want any hope of having anything with Presley, you pretty much screwed yourself just now.”
Presley’s name takes me out of my trance. “Pretty cool how she did that with Adam, huh?”
“The Motown thing? Yeah, but I still think he needs to get laid. Get under someone else to get over Lucy. He’s dodging my set-up.” Jed puts a beer in front of me. I never even saw him fill it.
“Not everyone solves things by screwing people.” I sip the beer to calm myself. “She looked good.”
“Same money-grubbing girl as ever.” Jed’s hated Reese since high school. And I can’t say I don’t understand why. “I’d take Presley over her any day.”
“Since when did you join the Presley train?”
“Since Reese’s train pulled into town. She’s nothing but trouble.”
I know she is and I’m not thinking of rekindling anything with her, but she was so much a part of my life, it’s hard not to have all those feelings rush to the surface with her unexpected appearance. She was the only girl I was ever honest with about my mom dying and the responsibility I felt toward my family. Jesus, she’s the only person other than my dad I’ve ever allowed to see me cry. All that doesn’t disappear just because we broke up.
“What’s going on with you and book