Page 39 of Truck Up

Linden’s hardened face crumbles and he stumbles backward. The shift in his expression confuses me. He looks hurt and devastated.

He shakes his head and mumbles something under his breath that I can’t make out. Then he looks at me and all I see is anger. That’s the reaction I expect from him. “How could you? Why? You could have anyone, but you took my sister. You’re going to pay for this.”

“Linden, it’s not like we made a conscious choice. It just happened,” Amelia says.

“Hush.” Linden lifts his hand to silence her. “I want to hear the excuse from him.”

“It’s not an excuse, it’s the—”

“I said hush,” he yells. His hand is shaking, as is his bottom lip. Linden has always carried himself in a way that says he’s angry at the world, but I’ve never seen him this furious before. I expected this from him, but it still pisses me off.

This time I don’t give Amelia a choice, and I step in front of her to shield her from his anger. “Don’t talk to her like that. She’s not some child you get to push around.”

“She’s my sister and I’ll talk to her however I damn well please.”

“Not when I’m around, you won’t.” I take a step closer to him, which causes him to do the same. There are only mere inches between us. “You will respect her.”

“You don’t get to tell me how to treat my sister.” Linden pushes against my chest, but I don’t budge. “Know your place, Mutter.”

“My place is protecting her.” I growl. “Something you and the rest of your brothers have failed to do.”

“Christian, don’t.” Amelia wraps her hand around my arm and tugs me back. I glance over my shoulder and the look of fear on her face causes me to pause. I’ve never told anyone about that dreadful night. It’s her story to tell if she chooses.

I nod, reassuring her I won’t say anything. I may kick her brother’s ass even though she begs me not too—he deserves it—but I won’t tell him her secrets.

“Step. Away. From. My. Sister.” Linden’s words are harsh and demanding.

Like the asshole that I am, I laugh.

“Make me.” I cross my arms over my chest and stare down at him with a smirk on my face.

“Gladly.” Linden balls his hands into fists at his side and it only makes my smile grow. I’ve longed to fight this mother fucker and put him in his place.

“Alright!” Amelia shoves past me and wedges her body between Linden and me. “Enough. I will not tolerate a fight.”

“He dishonored you,” Linden says. “We’re fighting.”

“He did no such thing.” Amelia’s tone is almost mocking-like. I can hear her eyes rolling into the back of her head. “I willingly dated him. There’s no dishonor in that.”

“Willingly? What the fuck, Lia,” Tanner says. “You can’t be serious.”

She scoffs. “I’m very serious. It’s time that you all grow up and let this stupid feud go.”

“It’s not a stupid feud. They cheated us.” Linden points at me with a look of disgust on his face. “Once a cheat. Always a cheat.”

“They didn’t do anything.” Amelia shoves her brother in the chest, and he stumbles back. “They weren’t even alive when our ancestors lost the homestead. And yes, theylostit. No one stole it or cheated them out of it. It was a stupid game of poker. Our family should have had more sense.”

“Watch it, Lia.” Linden growls. He straightens his back and looks down at her with a threatening expression. I don’t like it and it causes the hairs on the back of my neck to stand at attention. “I can’t believe you’d stoop this low.”

“What’s low is you guys barging in here and ruining Grams’s birthday party.”

“It’s okay,” Grams calls out. Her voice is cheerful and full of amusement. “This is quite entertaining. And I’m excited about the grandbaby. Best damn present ever.”

“This can’t happen, Lia.” Linden begs. “Think of our parents. This will kill Mom.”

“Don’t be so dramatic. No one is going to die because I’m dating Christian.”

“Dating I could handle because that I could put an end to.” Linden declares as if he has any control over Amelia. It’s almost comical. “But you went off and got yourself knocked up by one ofthem and then announced it to the entire town. There’s no easy solution to this.”

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