Olivia dismisses herself with a small wave before heading over to a woman who shakes something in her hand at her.
“You were leaning forward,” Corbin states quietly. “I always knew you were into a movie when you did that. Some things don’t change, huh?”
I slide off the chair. “Some things do.”
He turns and catches my wrist to stop me from walking away, quickly lowering his hand from mine before anyone sees. “Do you really believe what she said?”
“What do you mean?”
He sighs. “Don’t play stupid, Little Bird. Do you believe you’ll meet the right person again when the time is right?”
A humorless laugh bubbles out of me as I meet his gaze straight on. “I’m not the married one, Corbin. Maybe you should ask your wife.”
I walk away in silence.
The familiar name on my phone has me smiling as I walk to the car at the end of the day. There’s no hesitation in answering like when other people call. I’m never too tired to hear from my brother.
“Hey, Gav.”
“Dickwad,” he greets.
Rolling my eyes, I laugh and mouth a quick thank you to the driver who’s opening my door. Before I can climb in the back, my name is being shouted from across the lot.
“Who is that?” Gavin asks.
My eyes search the surroundings, but I don’t know why. It isn’t like I’m not familiar with the rasp of Corbin’s voice by now. I’ve seen countless scenes, watched too many interviews, and I'm pretty sure I dream in the low gravelly tone that puberty has blessed him with.
No longer is the teenage boy encompassing the burly man that is Corbin Callum. It’s almost like he doesn’t want any piece of his old self embodied in the life he lives now. It’s sad.
Knowing how Gavin feels about Corbin, I nibble my lip and watch as Corbin jogs over to where I sit with my feet still dangling out the car door.
All I get out is, “Uh…”
He deadpans. “It’s him, isn’t it?”
Lie. “No?”
Dropping my head back at the questionable answer, I listen to him curse over the line. “Please tell me the asshole isn’t harassing you. It’s bad enough you’re working together—”
“That’s a bit of a stretch,” I cut it.
“Well, you have to see him every day.”
“Not the same, but whatever.” I debate on getting in and closing the door before Corbin can try talking to me, but something holds me back.
“I was checking to see how you’re doing over in the big-leagues,” Gavin redirects, though reluctant based on his mutterings.
“It’s been an experience, but I’m okay.” I want to ask him about the farm, the new barn renovation, and how my little nephew is doing. Unfortunately, I don’t get to do that before Corbin is standing beside the car.
“Hey,” he says, out of breath. “Glad I caught you. Mind talking for a minute?”
Gavin says, “Tell him no.”
“Oh, shut up.” I smile despite my brother’s obvious distaste even after all these years, causing Corbin’s brows to pinch. “Gavin is on the phone. I’ll tell him you said hi.”
“Tell him to fuck off,” my brother replies.
I don’t do that.
Corbin makes a face. “Uh, yeah. Hope he’s doing okay.”
The half-ass response is a worthy effort, but I can see something dulling his silver eyes. Instead of asking about it, I focus on my brother who’s waiting for something to happen.
“Mind if I call you back in a few?”
He sighs heavily, in his typical overdramatic manner. “I see how it is. Some rich guy talks to you and you suddenly don’t have time for the little folk.”
His six-four height isn’t what I classify as little, but I know that’s beside the point. “I’ll call you back in two minutes. Stop being a diva.”
“I need to get Little Man settled before I head off to do chores,” he tells me, making my lips curve down. “We’ll talk soon, sis. Punch the guy in the nuts for me, will ya?” He pauses. “On second thought, don’t go anywhere near that general vicinity. Keep your distance.”
“So, no dick punching?”
Corbin’s eyes widen and I’m pretty sure his hand twitches to cover himself.
“Are there any rocks you can throw?”
“Go take care of my favorite nephew.”
“He’s your only—”
“Love you. Bye.” Hanging up the phone, I shoot Corbin an innocent smile. “Gavin sends his love.”
He blinks. “I can tell.”
I shrug. “It sounded better than telling you to fuck off like he wanted. He hasn't changed much over the years. Except for the fact he’s married and has a kid. Can you believe that? I still don’t and Sam is almost two.”
Realizing that I’m having mundane conversation with someone who I considered my enemy for a while, I zip my lips.
“That’s … wow. Gavin’s a dad?”
I just nod.
“Huh.” He rubs his arm. “Didn’t really see him as the settling down type, to be honest.”
Snorting at the irony has him eying me knowingly. “Don’t look at me like that, Corbin. You were the one who said that you’d never date. Now look at you.”
He crosses his arms. “I recall breaking the no-dating thing not long after I said that. Or have you somehow blocked out your sophomore year?”
My eye twitches. “I’m unfortunate enough to remember everything. Thanks.”
He looks away and sighs. “I didn’t come over here to hash this out with you. We’ve established that I’m an asshole already.”
My shoulder leans against the back seat as I study him closely. “What we haven’t established is why. Why did you just up and leave without any contact? Tell me that and maybe I’ll go easier on you.”
His brows raise in disbelief. “Would you really though? I know you, Kinley. You hold on to anger to distance yourself from people. It’s easier that way.”
“You’re stalling.”
“Admit it.”
I lean forward. “No.”
He tips his head back. “It was pure selfishness. Is that what you want to hear? I found jobs that kept me on track to become what I am now and sacrificed everything to make a name for myself. I already told you that I chose me first. Happy now?”
I move my legs inside the car. “I’m happy that you admitted it. But am I happy that I was never your priority? That everything we shared didn’t matter to you like becoming famous did? No, Corbin. I’m not.”
“That’s not—” He catches the door as I go to close it. “That is not true. I know it doesn’t seem like I gave a shit, but I did come back.”
My hand drops into my lap as I stare up at him with a confused expression on my face. I would have known if he came back. People talk. The local town gossip would have made sure everyone in Lincoln knew if someone who left reappeared one day, especially someone like Corbin.
“Ask your brother.”
I wet my lips and remain silent.
He opens the door and leans in, the woodsy scent he smells like now nothing like the French vanilla that surrounded him in high school. Weirdly, I miss it. “That town is wrapped around your finger. It always has been. As soon as I hurt you, I was the enemy. It doesn’t matter what award I win, or how much money is in my bank account. Lincoln chooses you, which means they’ll protect you no matter what it takes.”