“Hell, no, it’s all my work setting a shining example that’s coming to the foreground.” Mike glanced around the barn. “Although if you repeat that to your mother, I’ll deny I ever said it.”
They stood quietly for a minute, Joel thinking everything through. He wanted to reassure his father, but without breaking confidences he was caught. Which pretty much meant his father was right. He was growing up. Thinking of more than himself and his pleasure for the first time in his life.
Still, his family deserved something for all they’d given over the years. “It’s going to be a good thing, me and Vicki. Really.”
Mike nodded. “Thanks for that. You know where to find me if you need a butt kicking. Or a shoulder. Or whatever. You’re my son, and that’ll always be true, no matter what.”
Mike patted him on the back, which was about as close as his father got to saying I love you to his sons. Joel grinned and went in for a hug.
Masculine back pounding ensued before they broke apart, Mike to return to his repairs and Joel to head home.
He was pulling into his driveway before his twin’s truck reminded him he had another set of explanations coming. He wasn’t looking forward to lying to Jesse at all.
Vicki was still buzzing when she pulled up to her apartment complex, lips tingling from the memory of his kisses. The oh-my-God-goodness of touching him. Being touched. The fact she’d spent a couple hours doing chores with the guy was totally forgiven because there’d been no actual horses involved—poop didn’t count.
She might have been a little light-headed from the sheer hormone overload. When her key twisted in the stubborn door lock far easier than usual, it took a second for her to realize why.
She’d already swung the door open as it registered. The door had been unlocked already. Fuck.
Vicki froze on the spot. Released the handle and prepared to back away and call the RCMP. She wasn’t about to be one of those too-stupid-for-words women who wandered in on a thief and got killed for her troubles.
Only the room was small enough she’d already spotted her intruder, squatted down and rummaging through the bottom drawer of her dresser. The recently bleached silver-white hair was a dead giveaway, and Vicki stormed in, fury rising to replace all the happy thoughts she’d been swimming in for most of the morning.
“Sarah? What the fuck are you doing?”
Her sister blinked in surprise, snatching her hand away as she shot to her feet. Just as quickly, Sarah relaxed, hip sliding out to the side, head tossed back. “Hey, sis. Good to see you.”
Bullshit. “Why are you here?”
Sarah clicked her tongue. “That’s so sweet. You’re always so nice to your family, aren’t you, baby? Too bad Mom never taught you any manners.”
Goddamn hypocrite. Vicki bent to see what Sarah had been going through, but it was only T-shirts and shorts. All too plain and simple to be interesting to Sarah for the most part. “Going through other people’s things is manners? God, don’t even start with me.”
Sarah shrugged and headed to the lone chair by the table, pulling it out and sitting like she planned to stay a while. “I thought you might still have that sweater you borrowed. I want it for a party next weekend.”
Vicki looked her sister over closer. Sarah’s hair was perfect, held in place by more hairspray than Vicki had used in her life. Her sister’s flashy new hair colour was a welcome change—there was always hope that now that they didn’t look so much alike the gossipmongers would stop treating them alike. The rest of the package was typical Sarah. Her low-cut V-neck T-shirt emphasized her chest, tight faded jeans clung to her ass. Boots that rose up high and hugged her narrow calves. Vicki admitted it; her sister was attractive. If only she’d stop selling her wares so cheap.
“Next weekend is Thanksgiving. Mom’s not doing something for us?”
Sarah snorted. “Mom’s got a new boyfriend. They’re going to Jasper for the weekend. Just you and me, sis, and since the last time I invited you over for a meal you said you’d prefer to starve, I’ve made other plans.”
Okay, Vicki wasn’t proud of that loss of temper, but damn it. “You weren’t cooking. You were opening cans and heating them in the microwave. Which, fine, if that’s what you want to eat, but when you fed the lasagna I brought to the damn dog, I got pissed.”
“Whatever. Make your own plans because we’re all busy. You can stay in this hole and cook whatever fancy crap you want.”
It wasn’t late enough in the day to start drinking, but hell if the thought of a couple of shots to numb her right then and there didn’t seem attractive. “Okay, Sarah. I haven’t borrowed anything from you for years. There’s nothing here you need.”
Sarah slowly gazed around the room, taking in the tiny space, the uncluttered bookshelf and counter.
Uncluttered, because Vicki didn’t own a hell of a lot of stuff. And that was fine. It was going to make it much easier when she finally did get to take off and get free. Nothing to weigh her down. Nothing to hold her back.
“You know, there’s room for you at the house.” Sarah sniffed lightly. “I still don’t see why you rushed to move out in the first place. Now that my old roommate is gone, it would be nice to have some company.”
Yeah, right. Like Sarah really wanted the company. She wanted someone to help pay the rent. Her sister also knew why Vicki had moved out. Listening to Sarah having loud sex with random guys was not something Vicki ever wanted to experience again, along with other issues. “I’m good here.”
Sarah rose and headed toward the door, pausing at the picture of their middle sister. “Lynn call you lately?”
Lynn didn’t keep in touch very often, but when she did, it was with Vicki. “She’s doing well.”
Sarah snorted. “I bet. Mom’s still pissed at you for contacting social services.”
“Well, she can stay pissed. It’s been four fucking years already. Lynn is happy, and that’s what counts.” Happy and safe. Vicki suddenly felt way older than twenty. “You know Lynn needed to be in the special education program earlier, and Mom didn’t follow through. The group home is exactly the kind of—”
Her sister cut her off. “Whatever. If Lynn’s happy, that’s great. Just don’t expect Mom to ever welcome you with open arms, not after you pulled that fast one. Got the authorities on her ass and all.”
Another conversation that didn’t need to continue, because it was going nowhere but old paths. “You planning on hanging around for a while?”
Sarah rolled her eyes. “Nah. I guess not. If you ever decide to get that stick out of your ass and have a good time, call me. Otherwise, I’ll see you round.”
No wave. No hug. Nothing but back as Sarah left without another word.
First things first. Vicki was getting the damn locks changed on this place. She didn’t think she’d ever given Sarah a key, but obviously, she’d gotten one from somewhere.
Her plans for the following weekend were now easier. No need to go through the motions of being an all-loving family. Mom would be out, Sarah would be partying. Lynn would be celebrating with the caring people in her life, thank God.
Vicki would be the one sitting at home and staring at the walls. Or not. Maybe she’d go for a long ride into the mountains. Pack a picnic lunch and stare at the wilderness for a while.
Tomorrow she’d make arrangements for the locks to get changed. Sometime this week Joel and her would get together for another lesson. A bright shiny spot to look forward to.
It was like wiping away the grime after a long time of not cleaning. It wasn’t going to be easy, making changes. Getting the hell out from where she was trapped. But with the memory of Joel Coleman kissing her senseless, the feel of his tongue over her lips—