With a shrug, I leaned closer so I didn’t have to shout. “It’s just hard being the third wheel and all.”
Lauren flashed me that smile of hers. “I’m feeling tired anyway. Let’s head home!”
The faster we got out of the bar and out of Llano, the better. Seeing Jase had bothered me more than I ever dreamed it would. The only good thing that came out of this was he didn’t see me . . . and Brad never got my number.
Jase
“You sure are far away.”
My eyes lifted from the pasture as I turned to my mother. “A lot on my mind I guess.”
“Courtney called and said Ava was staying in Montana for a bit longer.”
With a frown, I replied, “I bet that doesn’t make Reed very happy.”
She laughed and shook her head. Turning to look at her, I couldn’t help but smile. My mother was beautiful. Her dark hair was piled up on her head and her blue eyes were staring into mine.
“Want to talk about her?”
With a slight smile, I asked, “How do you know it’s a girl?”
She gave me a smirk. “Please, I know you like I know the back of my hand. You haven’t been the same since you got back from France. I can only assume you met someone while you were over there that you’re smitten with.”
With a hard laugh, I looked back over the pasture. “I’m more than smitten with her, Mom. I love her.”
With a gasp, she reached her hand out and touched my arm. “What? Jase, sweetheart, please talk to me. I might be able to help.”
My head dropped as I shook it. My entire body felt cold as I thought about what I had done to Taylor. What I continued to do to her. I couldn’t walk away as hard as I tried . . . I could never forget her.
“Nah, I don’t think so, Mom. She lives in Austin and has her own life. It would have never worked.”
Her hand pulled back as she sat back. “Jase Morris, look at me.”
Doing as she asked, I looked her in the eyes. “My first and last name. Am I in trouble?”
“Is that your only reason, because she works in Austin?”
“One of them.”
With a huff, she snarled her lip. “That’s a stupid reason.”
My head snapped back as I let out a chuckle. “Damn, Mom. Thanks for that.”
She let out a frustrated sigh as she rolled her eyes. “Seriously, Jase. It’s not like Austin is Dallas or Houston. It’s not that far!”
“Mom, when would I ever have time to go see her? I’m always busy here doing something or helping Walker out so he can spend time with his own family.”
“I don’t buy that for one second. If a love is true, you’ll move heaven and earth for it.”
My eyes broke her stare. “Maybe,” I whispered.
“Tell me the other reason.”
“She’s beautiful, smart, innocent beyond belief. She deserves someone so much better than me.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Did she say that?”
“No. It’s hard to explain, Mom. I took something from her because I was being a typical asshole guy. I wanted her to myself, but I got . . . I got . . .”