His younger brother held up two placating hands. “I didn’t say anything.”
“So, there is something to say,” Caleb teased. “Does this have something to do with a girl?”
It was Noah’s turn to roll his eyes. “Of course it has something to do with a girl.”
Caleb grinned brightly. “And does this girl share the feelings you obviously have for her?”
Mack hated the way his skin flushed at the insinuation his brother was laying out. He hadn’t even confirmed that he was seeing anyone. But the look on both of his brothers’ faces said it all. He wasn’t going to get out of this conversation unscathed. He’d have to give them something, or they might actually go digging into his life where they didn’t belong. He huffed out a frustrated breath, dropping his own bag of feed on the pile and adjusting it so others could be stacked on top. “Yes, I’m seeing someone.” Then he grimaced. “Or at least I’m trying to.”
Caleb cocked a brow. “How do you managetryingto see someone?” He let out a chuckle, and Noah sent him a wry look.
Mack’s exasperation was clear in the way he blew out a sharp breath and dragged a hand down his face. “She’s guarded. Shedoesn’t let people in, and no matter what I do to show her that I’m not going to hurt her, she keeps pushing me away.”
“There has to be a reason, right? Girls don’t just do that for no reason.” Noah’s question just proved how inexperienced he was with serious relationships. From what Mack had learned from Lacey, she thought she had great excuses for keeping him at arm’s length.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t tell Noah any of those reasons, or he’d give Caleb ammunition he could take to his wife. Sammie and Lacey were close. If Sammie didn’t already know that Caleb had been trying to get close to Lacey, then this conversation would bust things wide open.
He worked his jaw, ignoring Noah’s question. Thankfully, Caleb didn’t have a chance to answer it either, because they were all interrupted by the arrival of their parents. His brothers knew better than to let even a whiff of a relationship escape around their folks—at least until something was more permanent. None of them wanted to disappoint Tana and Will Reese—especially not Mack.
He'd already disappointed them more than he cared to think about.
His mother was the first one to take note that their flowing conversation had come to a stop. Fortunately, his father didn’t notice anything amiss. He clapped Caleb on the back. “You two should come over for dinner tonight. I’m sure you and Sammie would appreciate the break from cooking for yourselves. And we had such a good time playing games last night.” He sent a pointed look in Mack’s direction. “Perhaps we can recreate the evening with Mack present this time.”
Mack shot a quick look in his mother’s direction, only finding curiosity rather than accusation. All he could do was nod. “I’ll be there. Wouldn’t miss it.” Except he would far prefer spending time in someone else’s company than his family right now. He was getting so close to breaking down Lacey’s walls and he felt like more time together would help them build the bond that was growing. At least he felt like they were getting closer and he hoped she felt the same thing.
His mother smiled, and his father gave his nod of approval.
“Good. We’ll start at six.”
Mack forced out a sigh the second their parents left. The group of brothers remained quiet for a long moment. None of them even moved to get the last couple bags of feed from the back of Caleb’s truck. Then Caleb took a step toward him.
He didn’t speak until Mack lifted his gaze to his brother’s face. “You want to know what I think?”
“Not really,” Mack murmured. The statement came out without thought. It was an honest answer, but he didn’t want advice from the brother who had fallen in love with his best friend. There had never been anything keeping the two of them apart—well, nothing that was Sammie’s doing. Mack had heard all about the way Sammie’s father tried to sabotage their relationship. He’d witnessed first-hand how depressed Caleb had been when he thought that they just wouldn’t get to work things out.
But in the end, their love shined through.
That wasn’t what Mack was dealing with. Lacey refused to let him get close to her. She was scared, but he could see it in her eyes that she wanted something more. She just wouldn’t admitit to herself. Mack’s relationship with Lacey was nothing like Caleb’s relationship with Sammie.
“Too bad,” Caleb’s hard tone broke though Mack’s thoughts. “Because I’m going to tell you what I think anyway, and you’re going to listen.”
Noah snorted, earning himself a sharp look from Mack.
“I can tell you’re trying really hard for this girl. And there’s something in your heart that’s telling you it’s totally worth the fight.”
“With all due respect—” Mack started, but his brother held up a hand.
“Your life is filled with things you might want—things you think are important but aren’t.”
It was Caleb’s turn to get a dark look from Mack, but he only continued.
“And there are things that are important that you’re not willing to chase after because you’re scared.”
“I am not scared,” Mack muttered indignantly. “Nothing could be further from the truth.”
“Really? Because I haven’t seen you doing anything about your interest in the rodeo. You only sign up for the small stuff—the competitions that won’t take you anywhere.”
Mack could feel his blood boiling at his brother’s words. Noah had wisely chosen not to step into this conversation, probably knowing he’d get his head bitten off much like Caleb was about to. “What I do in my spare time is none of your god dang business. I don’t have to explain myself to you.”
