Page 85 of Hold the Line

She rolled her eyes. “Oh my god, of course they do. That’s why I used the Spellmans’ last name on my job applications. But that doesn’t matter right now. You know what Phoebe said when she found out? She said she knows the town can be close-minded, but she’d never be one of them. And guess what, Deke?You’rebeing one of them!”

“I love you, buddy, but you don’t know what you’re talking about.” Although some of what she was saying rang true. “I haven’t even told you why I’m not at the ranch. Like I said, it’s complicated. I have a past that doesn’t exactly make me the kind of man parents want their daughter to end up with.”

“I’m not stupid. I can see you love Phoebe and kind of worship the ground she walks on. The only reason I think you believe she’d be doing the dumping is because you think you’re not good enough for her.Shedoesn’t think that. That’s all you, being a close-minded dummy.”

I chuffed. “Tell me what you really think.”

“Fine, I will.” She threw her arms out wide. “Phoebe and her family know you’re a Slater. They know you went to prison, and you werestillinvited to their party. What else are they going to find out about you that will make them turn their backs? Come on, Deke, use some critical thinking skills here.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Critical thinking skills?”

“Yeah. Mr. Rosen, my English teacher, is always telling us that. Analyze the story and use the information we’ve been given to formulate our thesis. We’re not to put our own thoughts and feelings into it. You’re using selective perception to jump to a false conclusion. Mr. Rosen would not be impressed with you, Deke. In fact, he’d give you anF.”

Dropping my hand, I stared at my sister, both impressed and horrified. She’d clearly been paying attention in school, had taken those skills she’d learned and used them against me. Appreciated that. But damn if she wasn’t right. That was all there was to it.

Phoebe knew all the bad about me. No doubt her family did too. She’d known it going in, and she still wanted me. She showed it in her unabashed joy every time I walked into Sugar Rush. Her constant curiosity about every detail of my life. Warm hugs. Sweet kisses. Her cooking, sharing her interests and wanting to be a part of mine. Her quiet, easy acceptance of my ongoing struggles with my past.

Yet, with all the acceptance she’d given me, I’d still assigned her this unearned judgment when it was me being the judgmental one.

If I kept my head stuck in my ass, losing her would be a self-fulfilling prophecy.

God knew that was the last thing I wanted to happen.

So, what was I doing here when she was all the way out at the ranch?

“What am I doing?” I uttered.

Haileyhmphed.“That’s what I’ve been asking!”

I straightened and slid my phone from my pocket, handing it to her. “Call Linda. Make sure it’s okay that you come with me to the ranch.”

Hailey squealed. “I’m on it.” Then she stopped and looked me up and down. “You’re not going like that, are you?”

I didn’t have to look at myself to know I was a mess. “Nope. Going to do like my wise sister said and change into my best jeans.”

I just had to hope I wasn’t too late.

Chapter Thirty-six

Phoebe

Hannah’ssmallengagementdinnerhad turned into a medium-sized party. Fortunately, Hannah was no wallflower, so she didn’t mind having a bigger crowd to show off her ring to, and Remi…well, he liked whatever made Hannah happy.

Thirty or forty people milled around my grandparents’ kitchen and expansive back patio, chatting and drinking champagne. It was easy for my mother to use the resort’s resources to arrange for the flower sprays around the home, catering, and event staff. There wasn’t much for me to do, but I found ways to keep myself busy anyway. I’d baked sweets and made continuous rounds, ensuring trays were filled.

I had to stay busy, or I’d get sad, and I refused to be sad while celebrating my sister’s happiness. Maybe tomorrow, I’d indulge a little—definitely not tonight.

Not even when my parents masked their disappointment when I’d shown up alone.

Reallynot when I’d put on a cheery smile and explained again and again Deacon had something he couldn’t possibly get out of but had sent his congratulations.

Margot cornered me in the kitchen as I piled fresh cookies on a tray that had been picked over. I hadn’t seen her since the night we’d run into each other at Joy’s, but from her smeared lipstick and the smirk her cowboy had given her before he’d walked away, things were still going well between them.

“Hey, Phe. Mind if I steal a cookie?” She perched on one of the stools on the other side of the massive marble island from me.

I pushed the tray toward her. “Go right ahead. I thought I’d overbaked for tonight, but the rate these things are going, maybe it’s the opposite.”

She bit into a warm cookie and moaned. “My goodness, darling. Somehow, your food keeps getting better. I don’t think you’re going to have to worry about leftovers.”

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