Page 35 of Wild For You

Kellan cocks his head, feigning ignorance. “Who?”

I groan at the fact that he’s making me spell it out. “The physical therapist.” I make sure to emphasize the words. “Or did you think I was talking about Ava? You know…” I smirk, ready to turn the tables and annoy the hell out of him for a change. “I think your soon-to-be wife likes me. She takes the whole thing rather seriously. Too bad she didn’t meet me first. I bet she wouldn’t have paid you a second glance.”

He shoots me a menacing look. I laugh, which earns me the kind of murderous look that tells me my brother’s still so much in love with her it’s unreal. The fact that two people can be so engrossed in each other makes me both hopeful and sad.

Hopeful that there’s that one right person for everyone.

Sad that I’ll never be the kind of guy to let a woman get close enough to me to find out.

“She isn’t your type, so stop the bullshit,” Kellan says. “Besides, there’s no way she would have chosen you over me.”

“You sure about that?” I wink at him and dodge slightly, just in case he decides to punch me.

Ava must have heard us because she calls over stoically, “That’s right, Cash. I wouldn’t have. And you can kick and scream all you want, but I’m not going to sit back and watch you sulk. Not any longer. We’ve tried your approach; now it’s time to try ours.”

I scowl at her choice of words. I’ve known the woman for all of a few months, and she’s already taking Shannon’s place as the family matriarch. Hell, it’s worse. She’s already taken it, and no one even saw it coming. Noticing the adoring glance Kellan throws at her, I instantly know who’s wearing the pants in his house.

“Actually, I wasn’t really the topic of our conversation,” I call back.

“Oh,” Ava says. “Sorry.”

“Cash was asking about Erin,” Kellan explains needlessly. “Do you know where she is?”

“She’s in town. Ryder’s taken her shopping.”

“See?” Turning to me, Kellan pats my shoulder and gives me one of his fake caring glances. “Your physical therapist hasn’t run off. Take a seat, grab a beer and relax.” He leans forward, his voice lowering to a conspiratorial whisper. “And let her help you.

“Why would I?”

“Look at it this way, the sooner you finish your physical therapy, the sooner you’ll get us out of your hair. With Erin’s help, you’ll be back to your half-naked dancers and that stuffy office of yours before you know it. She might be a hot little number, but she also happens to be one of the best at what she’s doing.” He makes it sound like owning a few nightclubs is a bad thing. Besides, my office is far from being stuffy. In fact, it’s all mahogany and state-of-the-art—the best money can buy.

I have a penchant for both women and expensive stuff. I could hire the most expensive therapist if I wanted to. But I don’t need anyone’s help.

Or pity.

“My birthday’s not really today, is it?” I watch my brother grab two beer bottles from the table.

“No, it’s tomorrow. What gave it away?”

“Obviously, I know when my birthday is. I was just pointing out a fact in case you didn’t know,” I say dryly.

I take the beer bottle out of his outstretched hand and settle on a recliner as I let my gaze swoop over the familiar faces gathered around my barbecue. Dad seems engrossed in a conversation, but he keeps peering my way. I’m still pissed at him for not consulting with me before hiring Erin, and glare to bring my point across.

Yes, I know I’m acting like a brat, but I can’t help myself.

Between Kellan, who has a baby on the way, and my brother, Ryder, who’s about to step into my father’s shoes as the town sheriff, I can’t measure up. I’m just the black sheep in the family, and I can’t change that.

So, why bother trying?

The best I can do is put as many miles between us all as possible.

“I can’t wait to get the hell out of here and pretend I’m too busy to answer your calls,” I mutter.

“Don’t forget the text messages Dad’s been sending since Shannon’s helped him figure out his iPhone,” Kellan says, laughing. “We’re all aware of your avoidance techniques. We’re just too polite to mention it.”

I want to point out that it would be even politer to respect my wishes and leave me the fuck alone. More people arrive, and the alcohol begins to flow. At some point, I spy Erin. As soon as she appears in my line of vision, her gaze flies across the tumult. Our eyes connect, and for a second or two, she blushes.

She’s been thinking about me. Maybe even about our kiss. My body heats up at the realization that she must have enjoyed it just as much as I did.

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