Page 84 of Hold the Line

No, it was consuming my brain.

Where Phoebe was concerned, space was my enemy. We were close, tight—hell, we slept joined together.

“I’ve got some things on my mind,” I said.

“Like what?”

My brows pulled together as I looked at her. One trait she shared with Richie was her sheer determination. She did not back down when she wanted something, and I saw from the stubborn tilt of her chin she’d latched ontothisand wouldn’t let go until I answered her.

Propping myself on my workbench, I exhaled a long breath. “The Kellys are having an engagement party for Hannah and Remi today.”

“Okay…so what’s the problem?”

“I’m not going.”

Her jaw dropped. “They didn’tinviteyou?”

I hesitated, and her eyes flared. “They did.”

“What?” she cried. “Why are you here instead of putting on your fanciest jeans and getting your butt to the ranch?”

“It’s complicated, buddy.” My sister didn’t need to know the ins and outs of what went on inside my head. Hell, I didn’t even want to know.

Hailey threw her arms out wide. “This doesn’t make sense, Deke. Clearly you’re upset not to be with Phoebe, and IknowPhoebe wants you with her. I mean, I’ve seen you guys together. It’s like little lovebirds tweet around your head. It’s sort of gross but pretty cute andobviouslytrue love. So, why in the heck are you here and not there?”

I folded my arms and looked at her. Her freckles were almost glowing from how pink her cheeks had gotten. I didn’t want her disappointed in me, and I didn’t know how to explain without letting her down. There was no way I was getting out of this without giving hersomething.

“This relationship business is new to me, buddy, but it seems like taking part in a big family event is a huge milestone.” That was the truth, but only a sliver of it.

And Hailey wasn’t buying it. Her eyes narrowed into slits. “Come on, Deke. If you were invited, that means you’re supposed to be there.”

“I’m hanging with you.” The tips of my fingers dug into my ribs. “There will be other events for me to go to.”

“You could have canceled on me. I would have understood.” She slowly shook her head. “I don’t believe you’re telling me the whole truth. Do you think I’m a little kid who can’t handle knowing everything? I’m not. I probably have more relationship experience than you do.”

“What?” That had me standing straight. “The Spellmans let you date?”

“Well,‘let’isn’t the word I would use. But what they don’t know won’t hurt them, and theyreallydon’t know I had two boyfriends freshman year and went to homecoming with Kyle Thomas this year.” She waved that bomb off like it was nothing. “I’m taking a break from boys for a while, though. They’re all pretty dumb. I just didn’t realize you were one of them. My own brother,pfft.”

“Two boyfriends and Kyle Thomas at homecoming?”

She flicked her hand again. “Not important. The point is, you’re being dumb by not being there for your girlfriend. Don’t you think she wants a guy who’s going to be there when it’s important? Are youtryingto get her to dump you?”

I jerked hard. If my worktable hadn’t been behind me, I would have staggered back.

“I don’t—” I shook my head, clearing the fog. “I’m not trying for that. When it comes time for her to end it, it won’t be because I wanted it. She’ll realize—”

I cut myself off before I said something that couldn’t be taken back. I wasn’t about to tell my sister it was the blood in my veins, my last name, my history. Besides, the more I went over that list in my head, the less it made sense. Being in this shed while Phoebe was on the other side of town without me was nonsensical.

My sister was too damn smart for her own good.

“You think Phoebe’s going to end it with you? Like, it’s a sure thing?” she asked.

I lowered my chin in the affirmative. In my mind, it was a foregone conclusion.

“Because…why? Does this have to do with the Kellys being rich or something? If it does, you’re just as bad as all the people who give us a hard time for being Slaters.”

My shoulders bunched. “People give you a hard time?”

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