Straddling the Line - By Sarah M. Anderson Page 0,56

rough times and willfully choosing to remember only the highlights. She’d certainly never felt anything at first sight.

Until now.

She didn’t know if this was love. How could she? She had no yardstick to measure it by. She’d never been in love, not really. Just that one time…but the way Matt had looked at her when she’d suggested they visit the rez had been enough for her to see that she’d been wrong.

Ben was different. Maybe she was different, too. That didn’t make it love at first sight. But it made it something.

That night, Ben stood on the front step of the trailer and, holding her hands, kissed her. Knowing that Mom was on the other side of the door, listening, had Josey blushing a hot red. She hadn’t felt like this since junior high.

“I had a nice time,” she said in as low a whisper as she could pull off. “Mom loves you.”

“Hmm,” Ben hummed, kissing her again. “When can I see you again?”

“I have to pick up some books tomorrow. But I should be able to get back into the city by Tuesday night.”

“Stay with me.” The way he said it, so serious and yet so hopeful, made her melty. Suddenly, Tuesday was forever away.

“Yes.”

“And Friday night? After practice?”

“School starts in two weeks.” She had a to-do list that was nothing short of daunting. “Will you come to the school this weekend?”

His grin was wolfish as he ran his thumb over her lower lip. “Saturday—after we wake up. I’ll have to leave by four to get to the gig in Sturgis, but we should be able to get the rafters up in the shop.”

She managed not to exhale in relief. For so long, she’d struggled to walk in both worlds. And for way too long, it had felt like a solitary struggle, one that threatened to rip her into two distinct, unrecognizable parts. But right now, she felt almost whole.

So Ben couldn’t guarantee her place in the tribe. So being with him was, in all likelihood, putting her place at risk. The fact that he was willing to work on it instead of bailing made it worth the effort.

“Sounds like a date.”

He touched his lips to hers again as his fingers intertwined with hers. The connection wasn’t sexual—heated, maybe. But there was more to it than just that.

Something more.

Josey wondered if it would be enough.

Eleven

“When’s the new stuff going to be ready?”

This is what passed as conversation with Billy.

“Delivery on the lathe is scheduled for two months from now.”

So far, so good, he wanted to add, but he kept that to himself. So far, he’d been able to keep the costs buried deep within the reports. So far, Dad was unaware of the huge expenditure. So far, this was going to work. But Ben forced himself to remain cautious. Until the equipment was here, where Ben and Billy could defend it—physically, if needed—there was still a lot of room for error.

“Damn.” Billy was like a kid who couldn’t believe Christmas was still months away. A few minutes later, he said, “When do I get to meet her?”

Ben stood back and looked at the frame. The bike was coming together. “Soon.”

No way he could have her stop by the shop again, not after the disaster that was the first time. But he might ask Billy to come over and play pool. That could work.

Lost in thought and focused on grinding the edges off the gas tank housing, Ben didn’t hear the shop door open and shut. He didn’t hear anything until someone clapped him on the back and said, “Ben! My man!”

Even over the sound of the angle grinder, he’d know that irritating voice anywhere. Bobby.

“Wild Bill! How’s it hanging? Still to the left?”

Billy didn’t even manage a grunt of acknowledgment. Ben kept his focus on the metal he was shaping. Over the preceding five weeks, the bike had taken shape at a satisfying pace. He stayed late on the nights Josey didn’t come over, working side by side with Billy. Sometimes they talked; most of the time they didn’t. It bordered on hanging out.

Blue wingtips—Ben blinked, but they stayed blue—walked in front of him. “Whatcha working on, bro?”

“What do you think? It’s a bike.”

Bobby whistled. “Wow. Who is she?”

Billy made an unhelpful, if amused, snort.

“Isn’t anyone going to ask me how I’m doing?”

Billy and Ben shared a look. Did little brothers ever stop being irritating?

“Fine,” Ben said. “Robert, how are you?”

“Touchy, touchy. I’m awesome, thanks for asking. Just came