Page 3 of Make Her Mine

He pulls his hand back. “I see.”

It’s not like this is the first time I’ve seen Zach since high school. His parents lived here until about four years ago. He came home for holidays and different occasions. But I didn’t have to put up with him for any length of time. I avoided him as much as possible. He did come to some games, putting in an appearance as an alumnus. But even when he congratulated me for coaching two Sapphire Falls teams to State Championships, I gave him tight smiles, let the local newspaper snap a photo of the Dynamic Duo on the Sapphire Falls football field together again, and moved off as quickly as possible.

“Hey, I don’t suppose you’ve seen Harlow around?”

I turn back instantly.

Zach is asking my brother. But I immediately ask, “Why?”

“I tried to call her, but I think she’s changed her number. She’s always been close with your family. Figured Graham was back in town, and they’d be hanging out.”

He figured correctly. Harlow Hansen is our little brother Graham’s best friend. And Graham is indeed back in town for the wedding. In fact, he’s at Harlow’s house right now.

But I want to know why the fuck Zach wants to know about Harlow.

I step back toward the table. “Why do you need to talk to Harlow?”

“Really?” he asks with a grin. “I know you’re not the smartest one in your family,” he tells me. “But guessing even you can figure this out.”

Yeah, yeah, I’m the dumbest of my siblings. I’m still smart enough to know something Zach doesn’t—there’s no fucking way he’s getting close to Harlow again.

And he should know that.

“You and Harlow were over a long time ago,” I remind him.

“Yeah, well, I want to talk to her about that.”

“Spit it out,” I tell him. “What do you want with Harlow?”

Zach shrugs as if it should be obvious. “I want her back. This is the perfect chance. I’m settled. When my residency is finished, they’ve promised me a job with the practice. We’ve both grown up. It’s time I tell her I’m sorry for what happened and work to get her back.”

I look at Carver, who wisely keeps his mouth shut. Then I look back at Zach. “Not gonna happen.”

Not. Fucking. Ever. Even over my dead body. Because Carver and Graham and Ginny will pick up where I leave off. But as long as I’m breathing, this asshole doesn’t stand a chance with the woman we all consider a sister.

“Excuse me?” Zach draws himself up taller.

“You seem to have forgotten my opinion about you and Harlow back in high school. I can easily remind you,” I tell him, taking a step closer to him and balling my fist.

I’ve hit exactly one person in the face in my life. Zach Nelson.

I’ve definitely punched my brothers’ arms, legs, and even stomachs a couple of times. I even made the mistake of punching my sister in the shoulder once. That was how I first learned about the excruciating pain of getting kicked in the balls. But I’ve only hit another human in the face on purpose once.

I’ll do it again though. Without hesitation. Happily.

Zach narrows his eyes. “This isn’t about you, Riley. Back off. Harlow and I are going to see each other while I’m back.”

“Guys,” Carver says, warningly.

I glance toward the bar. Dammit. Derek Wright, co-owner of the bar and head bartender tonight, is watching us.

He’s friends with my parents. It’s not that I’m worried about Derek telling my mom on me. It’s that even though Derek is a good twenty-some years older than me, he can definitely physically throw me out of this bar—though that would not be a great look for the town’s football coach and guidance counselor. He could also ban me from returning for a couple of weeks, which would just be no fun, and tell my mom.

That’s how it is growing up here. It’s hard to get away with much when your friends’ parents are the town’s teachers, business owners, cops, bartenders, and even the mayor.

I make myself relax. I force a grin, which I hope drives Zach crazy, and say, “Yeah that’s not going to happen. She’s taken.”

I’m not sure why I say those last two words.

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