Briefly she considered renting a room at one of the two bed and breakfasts in town. They’d have internet. But she didn’t dare spend the money. Her savings was off-limits. Besides, one of Kyle’s best friends owned The Gold Nugget. That crossed it off her list right there.
Sexy Sadie’s, a local bar fashioned after an old-time saloon, caught her eye. It was down the street. The place wasn’t usually crowded on weeknights but Thursdays were busier than Monday through Wednesday. She watched several people come and go, was contemplating stopping there for a drink, when her cell phone rang.
It was Kyle. She almost didn’t answer. They had nothing to say to each other. But if he was at her house, her mother, father or sister had likely asked him to pass on a message. She had to stop thinking of him as her ex and start thinking of him as her brother-in-law.
“Ick,” she muttered but, with a sigh, hit the talk button. “What can I do for you?”
“You can answer one question,” he replied.
This didn’t sound like he was planning to pass on a message. “Does Noelle know you’re calling me?”
He didn’t answer. “Are you already with Brandon?”
“No.”
“Are you really seeing him?”
She curled her fingernails into her palms. Making up a relationship that didn’t exist was pathetic. She should never have done it. Look what had happened with Brandon as a result! Just the thought of him lying in his bed, waiting for her, made her yearn for more than the memory of that one kiss all those years ago.
“No!” she said, as much to herself as him.
He seemed surprised by the energy of her answer, but he was probably too relieved to comment on the intensity behind it. “Thank God.”
“Not that it should matter to you,” she added, feeling more sane.
“I know, it’s just…I believed you.”
After the doubt Brandon had shown that anyone would be convinced they were seeing each other, she knew she should feel vindicated. But he obviously understood who she was better than Kyle did. Which was odd. “Even though I’ve been living in Sacramento for the past four months?” she said.
“He’d be willing to make the drive. He has a thing for you. I could sense his interest the whole time you and I were together.”
Strange though it seemed, given their limited contact over the years, she’d always had a thing for him, too. She’d just never allowed herself to entertain the possibility of letting it go anywhere. “Jealousy’s making you blind.”
“I’m not blind to anything! He likes tall blondes.”
“Doesn’t mean he likes all tall blondes.”
“I’m telling you we almost got into a fight at Thanksgiving because of the way he kept looking at you.”
Olivia hadn’t noticed anything amiss, nothing beyond the usual push-pull she felt whenever Brandon was around. He’d shown up for dinner, but he’d stayed only long enough to eat. As far as she was concerned he’d done nothing wrong.
“He didn’t even speak to me,” she said.
“He might try now.”
“So you’re…what? Giving me fair warning?”
“I’m letting you know that getting involved with him wouldn’t be a smart move. You remember how he treated your sister—”
“I like that better than how you’ve treated my sister!”
“Ouch,” he said but she ignored him.
“Besides, that was years ago, when he was home from college for the summer. And she was stalking him, Kyle. She spied on him with another woman. That would make anyone angry.”
“That’s not the way she tells the story. She says he was pursuing her, leading several women on at the same time.”
Because she didn’t want to admit the truth. He’d discover that was a common occurrence. “I believe Brandon.”
“Over your own sister?”
“Yes. Absolutely. Look, I appreciate all the brotherly love, but—”
“Brotherly love?” he broke in. “Would you just…stop? Please? Do you think this is any easier for me?”
The desperation in his voice surprised her.
“I screwed up,” he went on. “And now I’m paying the price. But I don’t want you to suffer any more than you already have because of my stupidity.”
Somehow his words made her even angrier than if he’d said he adored her sister and always had. “If you’re having second thoughts, I’m not the one to talk to.”
There was a long silence. Then he said, “I realize that.”
“What is it you hold against Brandon, anyway?” she asked. “It can’t have anything to do with him mistreating Noelle, because you didn’t like him before he threatened her with a restraining order.”
“You know how he is. He’s stubborn and egotistical and…and difficult to get along with.”
She wrapped her arms around herself and stared out at the town she loved so much. Kyle had cost her even this. She’d planned to come back but now…she felt as if she’d been cast adrift, as if Whiskey Creek was no longer her anchor. “How does that affect me?”
“He can’t commit, and as much as you’re trying to pretend you’re not looking for love, I know you too well. He’s not the kind of man you need.”
As if Kyle was any better! He’d set himself up with that statement. But this time she let it go. “Have you talked to him recently?”
“I don’t need to.”
“Maybe you’re going by dated information. Maybe he’s matured and you’re missing out on having a great brother.”
“I’m not missing out on anything.”
“You could cut him a little slack, you know. He’s in your wedding party.”
“For the sake of my parents.”
She understood how familial obligation played a role this weekend. She doubted she’d even be attending the wedding were it not for Nancy and Ham. “Now you know why I’m here.”
“I knew that before.”
Again, the door opening and closing at Sexy Sadie’s caught her eye. “I have to go.”
“Wait—”
“For what, Kyle? Get some sleep. You’ll need to be in top form this weekend.”
He’d dared to call her, so she knew he wasn’t with Noelle. Her sister was probably in bed, getting her beauty rest. That meant she could return to her parents’.