Page 102 of Pinch of Love
“I’m sorry, Cash. I wasn’t trying to rev you up.”
“You’re not revving me up. I’m just trying to tell you that Maya has made me want to live again. She’s so full of fire, and she’s gorgeous and smart. The thought of waking up without her kills me.”
Hunter let out a deep breath. “And that right there is what I’m worried about. When she leaves. Dad and I were there to pick you up when you fell. No one in our family knows except us three. We will always keep our word. We will never tell a soul, not even Mom... But I couldn’t bear to see you that low again.”
My heart stopped. What was he talking about?
“Maybe she won’t leave. Maybe I’ll go with her.”
“Why don’t you just keep it casual with her like I do? Wait until you know whether she’s planning on sticking around.”
Cash laughed wickedly. “Like you and Cruella?”
“You told me it was a distraction,” Hunter tried a different approach.
My stomach clenched as the words I threw around so casually came back to haunt me.
“Things are starting to get serious. I want to see where this goes.”
Hunter let out a groan. “I have a bad feeling about it. I’m just worried that losing another woman you fall in love with would kill you. But that’s it. I won’t say another word about it.”
The slurry of emotions sloshed in my belly as the words hung in the air. What if it wasn’t just living in North Carolina that doomed us? What if it was the simple fact that I sucked at relationships because I had no good example? I shook the thoughts aside.
One step at a time.
“Thank you.”
More twigs snapped, and I dashed back to the campfire just in time. Hunter and Cash stepped into the clearing, and I picked up the bowl of dip.
“I made chips and dip,” I offered, avoiding Cash’s gaze.
The Winnebago door swung open and crashed into the side to reveal Brielle with the empty wine bottle in her hand.
So much for the rest of us having a sip or two.
“Hunter. I’m done. I can’t do the woods any longer. Take me back to the city.”
The brothers traded bewildered glances, and she stomped her foot. “I want to go back now.”
“We won’t get back until dark,” Hunter protested. “Can’t we wait until morning?”
She stepped down to the campsite. “Only if I get to sleep with him.”
My eyes followed her pointing finger as she wiggled it at Cash.
I scowled and shook my head. “I don’t think that would be a good idea.”
Cash laughed. “Yeah. I don’t think so either.”
Brielle nearly tripped into the fire as she attempted to walk over to Cash, who looked like he was side galloping to get away from her. Hunter’s brows rose as he chuckled, watching the events unfold around us.
“Come on, Cash. Maya said you weren’t serious yet.”
My hands went up to my temples and pressed on the building headache. Was this for real? After what I just heard from Cash and Hunter, I hoped he didn’t hear that because that wasn’t what I meant. I didn’t know what I meant other than I didn’t intend for drunk Brielle to discuss my relationship status.
“Okay, Brielle. We should probably wrap it up for the night,” Hunter said.
She pouted and tossed the empty wine bottle to the ground, but Hunter managed to catch it before it hit the dirt.