Page 47 of Riding the Curve

CHAPTER 18

Henley

Emerson Lane may have walked out on me again, but he’s dealing with a new version of me this time around. Something is kindling between us again and I’m not going to let him douse it before it has a chance to spark to life.

Not this time.

There is more than fear blocking his path. Grief is still consuming him, and after snooping a bit more on the internet, I discovered a little racing incident that made headlines. Wasn’t too hard to conclude that is the reason he’s landed back in town. Now that I’m living right next door, I’m going to get to the bottom of it. It’s about time we both stop running.

When I returned to the table after Em and I danced, the girls didn’t have to ask what happened. I’m sure it was painted clearly all over my face. Instead, they tugged me back out onto the dance floor for another couple of songs and a couple more shots before Ryleigh forced us out the door and into his truck.

We dropped off Mel first, then Harper. I had to hold in my smile as I watched my brother track her movements all the way into the shop and wait until the light turned on upstairs before he drove away. Apparently Harper’s attraction isn’t as one-sided as she might think.

Ryleigh’s white Ford bounces over the deep potholes of the country road as we head onto the Lane’s property. Resting my head against the open window frame, the brisk night air soothes my soul.

I take a big inhale of the crisp night air into my lungs, letting it wash over my roasting body. No amount of tequila or whiskey can erase the memory of Em’s hands on my skin.

He’s the only one who’s ever been able to make me feel this way. The only one that makes me burn like a thousand suns. Whose longing gaze can take my breath away.

Carson never did that. If I’m truly honest with myself, I never felt desired by him. Once I was all dolled up and looked good on his arm, he didn’t feel the need to put in more effort. Lately, I’ve found myself wondering how I ever was attracted to him in the first place. Why I stayed for so long in a relationship that was only one-sided.

It’s been a long time since I’ve felt coveted, wanted, yearned for.

Seven years, in fact.

Em’s the only one who’s ever held that power.

As we pull in front of my cabin, Ryleigh turns off the engine. I can feel the weight of his stare without even looking. He clears his throat, and I close my eyes shut. Preparing myself for his disappointment, and surely the lecture that will follow.

“Be careful, sis,” he says quietly. “He’s going through a lot, and the last thing I want is for you to hurt again.”

My eyes widen in surprise, and he shakes his head. A grin ticks up his lips.

“You think I didn’t know what was going on all those years ago? Or what went on in that kitchen during your going-away party?” He gives me a knowing look, then chuckles. “I watched you waltz your way in there and two minutes later he stormed in like a man on a mission. It wasn’t too hard to piece together that mission was you.”

“How did you figure it out?” I ask.

My brother sighs. “Hen, I’ve known since forever that you were head over heels for him. For Em, I think it took him a little longer to see you as anything other than my little sister. I didn’t really start picking up on anything until after you graduated high school. Stolen glances here and there, or the not so subtle way Em used to ask me about you all the time when we would talk on the phone. That night of your college going-away party, it became blatantly obvious. You were staring at him like you might just jump right over that fire and devour him right there in front of everyone.” He scrunches his nose, adding a little fake gag for emphasis. A laugh slips through my lips, a little bit of the nerves lifting along with it.

“But Emerson couldn’t keep his eyes off you all night either. In fact, I caught his gaze slip towards you every chance he could.”

“You did?”

Ryleigh nods.

“Why did you come looking for him the night of my going away party then?”

“That night he—” Ryleigh pauses, tossing his cowboy hat in the back seat and running his fingers through his thick hair. “He was having a rough night before he came over. By the way he stormed into the kitchen afterwards, I assumed he finally got the courage to tell you how he felt, but was also worried he wasn’t in the right headspace for it.” His brown eyes meet mine. “I was afraid he was going to break your heart. And it seems like I was right by the way he sped out of our driveway.”

“And you’re worried he’s going to do that again?”

“He’s my best friend, but you’re my sister. You will always come first.”

Nerves prickled underneath my skin. “Would you be okay if . . . something happened between us?”

“As long as he treats you like the queen you are, I think I could handle it. You both are the most important people in my life, after Lyla, of course.” He smiles brightly.

“Love you, Ry,” I whisper. “It feels like life has opened a door for us again. I won’t deny that I’m a little nervous, but I want to see what’s on the other side more than anything. This time I’ll try to tread more carefully with my heart.”