“Is Nan your sister?” I asked, watching him for any reaction. He simply nodded but said nothing more. This was what I’d gotten the last time I brought her up. He completely closed down on me.

              “What did Bethy mean then? How would us sleeping together affect Nan?”

              Rush’s entire body was strung tight. He didn’t respond. My heart sank. That secret, whatever it was, would keep us from doing anything more. It was too important to him therefore, it was a warning flag for me. If he couldn’t tell me something even Bethy knew then we had a problem.

              “Nan is my younger sister. I won’t… I can’t talk about her with you.” The way he said “you” made my stomach turn. Something was off here. I wanted to ask more questions but the sadness and loss that washed over me as I realized I wouldn’t be sleeping in his bed tonight or any other night stopped me. This would keep me from getting too close to Rush. I should have never let him touch me like he did earlier. Not when he could so easily toss me aside.

              We remained silent all the way to the offices. Rush got out of the Range Rover without a word and woke Bethy up. Then helped her inside. It was locked but Bethy had a key. She had mumbled something about staying the night here or her daddy would kill her. I didn’t go help. I didn’t have the energy. I just wanted to go to bed. I wanted my bed under the stairs. Not the big new one waiting on me.

              When he got back into the car he was still silent. I tried to figure out why he would shut down like he did over Nan and what Bethy’s comment could mean but nothing made sense. It was only minutes later that we were pulling into the four car garage. I opened my door and climbed down as soon as he put it in park. I didn’t wait for him as I made my way to the door. It was locked so I had to wait on him to come unlock it.

Chapter Sixteen

              Rush opened the door and stood back so I could enter. I walked inside and headed for the kitchen.

              “Your room is upstairs now,” Rush said, breaking the silence.

              I knew that. My mind was just elsewhere. I turned and headed for the steps. Rush didn’t follow me. I wanted to look back and see what he was doing but I couldn’t.

              “I tried to stay away from you.” His words sounded dark. I stopped and turned back around to look down at him. He was standing on the bottom step staring up at me. The pained expression on his face made my heart ache.

              “That first night I tried to get rid of you. Not because I disliked you.” He let out a hard bitter laugh. “But because I knew. I knewyou’d get under my skin. I knew I wouldn’t be able to stay away. Maybe I hated you a little bit then because of the weakness you’d be able to find in me.”

              “What is so wrong with you being attracted to me?” I asked, needing him to at least answer me that.

              “Because you don’t know everything and I can’t tell you. I can’t tell you Nan’s secrets. They’re hers. I love her, Blaire. I’ve loved her and protected her all my life. She’s my little sister. It’s what I do. Even though I want you like I’ve never wanted anything in my life, I can’t tell you Nan’s secrets.”

              Every word from his mouth sounded like it was being ripped from him. Nan was truly his sister and I understood that kind of loyalty and love. I would have died for Valerie if I could. She had been only fifteen minutes younger than me but I’d have done whatever she needed me to. No guy or other emotion could have made me betray her.

              “I can understand that. It’s okay. I shouldn’t have asked. I’m sorry.” I was sorry. I’d pried into his life and his sister’s. Obviously whatever Bethy knew she shouldn’t know it. If Bethy thought that Rush’s need to protect his sister would be an issue for us she was wrong.

              Rush closed his eyes tightly and muttered something.  He was dealing with something. Maybe this had brought up a bad memory. As much as I’d like to go down there and hug him I knew I wasn’t welcomed right now. I’d messed that up.

              “Good night, Rush,” I said and walked up the stairs. I didn’t look back this time. I went directly to my room.

              There was no mistaking morning time up here with these windows. An alarm clock wouldn’t be needed. The sun had woken me up an hour before my alarm clock had gone off. I showered and dressed with ease now that I had a bathroom right here and more room to move around.

              I wasn’t in the mood to eat Rush’s food this morning. I wasn’t really in the mood to eat but I had two shifts to work today so I needed some food. I would stop by the coffee house and get some caffeine and a muffin. The short black linen skirt and white cotton button down top we had to wear as a uniform when we served in the dining room at the club was our responsibility to keep washed and pressed. I’d spent a few hours yesterday ironing the few I had here at home.

              Once I had on my tennis shoes, I headed down the stairs. I hadn’t heard any activity upstairs yet today so I knew Rush wasn’t awake. For once, I was grateful to not have to face him. Now that I’d had time to sleep on last night’s events I was embarrassed.

              Not only had I let Rush touch me in places I’d never had anyone touch me before but then I’d turned around and acted like a crazy nosy bitch. I needed to apologize to him but I wasn’t ready to do that just yet.

              I quietly closed the front door behind me and headed out to my truck. At least I wouldn’t be home until after dark tonight. No having to face Rush for at least twelve more hours.

              Jimmy was already in the staff room with his apron on when I arrived. He flashed me a grin and then made a pouty face with his lips. “Uh, oh, looks like someone had a bad morning.”

              I couldn’t tell Jimmy my problems. He knew these people too. I had to keep this stuff to myself. “I didn’t sleep that well,” I replied.

              Jimmy made a tsking sound. “For shame. Sleep is such a beautiful thing.”

              I nodded in agreement and clocked in. “Am I on my own today?” I asked.

              “Of course. You had this figured out after following me around for two hours. You should breeze through this day.”

              I was glad someone thought so. I grabbed an order tablet and a pen and stuck them in the pocket of my black apron.

              “Breakfast time,” Jimmy said with a wink and pushed open the door that led into the dining room. “Oooh looks like the boss and friends are at table eight. As much as I’d love to go ogle their fine asses, they would prefer you. I’ll go take the early morning tennis mommas over on table ten. They tip well.”

              Waiting on Woods and his friends was not something that I wanted to do this morning. But I couldn’t argue with Jimmy. He was right. He’d get better tips from the women. They loved him.

              I headed over to their table. Woods eyes lifted to meet mine and he smiled. “You look much better in here,” he said when I stopped in front of them.

              “Thank you. It’s much cooler,” I replied.

              “Blaire has moved on up. I may have to eat more meals here,” the blond curly headed guy said. I still didn’t know his name.

              “This could be very good for business,” Woods agreed.

              “How was your night out with Bethy?” Jace asked with a slight edge to his voice. He was holding the Bethy thing against me apparently. I didn’t care. He was pond scum as far as I was concerned.

              “We had a good time. What can I get y’all to drink?” I asked, changing the subject.