ago. It was shortly after he fucked Stephanie, but I came to my senses quick. And thank God for that. Because the thought of hurting her or causing her pain makes me sick to my stomach, especially now that I’ve gotten to know her.
“You’re right,” Jake says. “I do know you better. Just be prepared, because you know if Evans gets wind of this he’s going to think the same thing.”
I don’t care what that asshole thinks. He can mind his own fucking business, too.
“Can I say something?” Cam asks.
“No!” we all answer at once.
“Well, I’m going to fucking say it anyway,” he starts, talking over our groans. “I think it’s time you and Evans put this shit to rest. Now that Sam is involved someone is bound to get hurt, and I have a feeling it won’t be either of you.”
There will never be a truce between Evans and me. There’s too much history. Too much bad blood between us. We can’t erase what’s been done between us, but none of that has anything to do with Sam.
“I think that might have been one of the most intellectual things you’ve ever said, Phillips,” Austin says, breaking into my thoughts.
“Told you assholes I know what I’m talking about.”
Another round of chuckles fill the room but I remain silent, that deep-seated hate bubbling to the surface but I shove it back down.
For the next few weeks she’s mine and no one, including her brother, is going to stop me from soaking up every single minute I can with her.
CHAPTER 11
Sam
M y thoughts are consumed with Jase as I sit on my lunch break in-between classes on Friday afternoon. Our time together hasn’t been long but it’s been more than I could hope for. If we’re not making love then he’s making me laugh or holding me in his strong arms until dawn breaks and it’s time for him to leave. Every moment spent with him is better than the last and it feels so…easy…natural even. It’s like we’ve known each other for years.
I guess we have but not like this. Not by touch or kiss. That’s all new but for some reason my heart remembers it—remembers something it never had. How is it possible to know someone’s touch before you ever felt it? I can’t explain it, and I don’t think I will ever be able to.
I know I need to keep my heart out of this but it’s getting harder. I can’t fall in love with him. I absolutely can’t. I’m moving and it’s something I’m not going to change my mind about. Besides, our families hate each other. I can’t imagine what a family dinner would be like.
I don’t even want to think about it.
Sighing, I grab my cell phone out of my purse and put in a call to Grace’s bakery.
She answers on the third ring. “A Slice of Hope with a Sprinkle of Grace, this is Grace speaking, how can I help you?”
“Grace, it’s Sam.”
“Sam, what a pleasant surprise,” she says, genuine happiness in her tone. “How are you?”
“I’m good, how about you guys? How are my niece and nephew?”
“They are wonderful and very excited for you to finally get here. We all are.”
“Me, too,” I say, though it lacks my usual enthusiasm.
“So what do I owe this pleasure?”
“Do you have a minute?”
“Of course.”
“I need a peach pie recipe. The best one you have.”
“Oh, brushing up on your skills so you can help your sister-in-law out when ya get here?” she asks hopefully.
“I’ll come and help out anytime but we both know it won’t taste nearly as good as yours or even Hope’s for that matter.” My precious little niece is almost as good as her mom.
“Nonsense. You will be great. I can’t wait to see you. I’ve missed you so dang much. We all have.”
“I miss you all, too,” I tell her, my heart swelling in my chest.
“Okay, I’m going to give you a pretty simple recipe but I want you to have fun with it. Add things. Toss some of your favorites in it then name it whatever you want. Don’t hold back, even if it ends up tasting terrible. You’ll
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