"Em's great, you know that. We're solid because we do everything together." He takes a plate from me, smiling as he talks about my sister.
I've told the guy a ton of times how great they are together, I'm glad my sister has someone like him. "Right. That's the only way to do it."
"So, I'm wondering something." His eyes become mere slits.
I cut mine at him, kind of worried about where this might be going. "Please don't ask me sex questions."
"What? No!" His face distorts. "Not cool, man."
I give a half shrug. "Well, you looked serious. I wasn't sure, I was shook for a minute."
"You're seriously messed up." He shakes his head. "I was going to ask about you."
"What do you mean?" I side eye him. "Is there something going on?"
He chuckles. "No, not really. Are you dating anyone?"
"All of them!" I grunt. "I have my choice of a few but nothing serious."
"Em worries about you being alone, she wants to hook you up with a friend of ours. She's more your age, and its possible she's looking for something more than a weekend."
I wince. "Yeah, not for me."
"Have you considered looking for her?" He shifts his feet uncomfortably.
"For who?" I evade, fake it until I can leave. I hand him another plate.
"That girl, the one you talk about in your sleep and that Em searches the internet for her every few months." He stares at me as I blink, looking like a deer caught in headlights.
"Uh, what do you mean by she searches for her?" My brain might be fuzzy, but I'm fairly sure of where she is and what she's doing.
Emerson walks around the corner, arms folded over her chest. "He's taking about Harper and you know it."
"So?" I curl my lip. "Why are you looking for her, we know she's in Charleston? Happily living with her beast."
"She sure was a beauty." She winks at me, drawing my stink eye. "Don't look at me like that! She's been on my mind lately and I wanted to check if I could find her. They say he won't let her be on social media."
My jaw tightens with a memory of them. "Landon told me."
"I miss her, Ridge." Emerson sits at the counter, gaging my reaction. "I know you do too."
"I do, but I can't live in the past anymore." I force myself to make eye contact, hoping she'll leave it alone. The growing pain in the pit of stomach is another reminder of her absence.
She drops her head, focusing on imaginary lint on her pants. "You called her name the other night."
"More like-screamed it." My eyes snap to Aksel's.
"Are they back? Because it so sounded as though it was the dream about her." I rub the back of my neck. Emerson means well but this isn't the time.
"Yeah, sorry about that." Tension coils in my stomach. "I didn't realize."
Emerson leans in, drawing my attention. "Why do you think you're having them again?"
"No clue, they usually come and go but lately it's been every night." I clench my jaw and grab a few plates and starts putting them away. I don't want to talk about it. Or her.
She stands, coming around to me. "I can't imagine, it has to be hard, Ridge but until you talk about what happened, you're gonna always carry it with you."
"Then I'll carry it!" I grimace for my clipped tone. "Em, I'm sorry. That thing is a sore spot, always will be."
She falls against the wall behind her. "I don't mean to be pushy."
"Yes, you do." I quirk my brow, hoping to lighten the moment. "But it's also why I love you."
"I love you, Big Brother." She practically knocks me down, rushing over and wrapping her arms around me. "Your pain was so fresh, like you were watching it again."
"It's all good, I promise." I rub her back, pretending I'm okay for her. "Now, I have places to go and people to see."
She leans away, staring up at me. "So, I hear. What'cha doing with Mena Nelson?"
"Everything." I release her with a waggle of my brows to high five Aksel.
"Will you bring her to Sunday dinner?" Mom interjects, bringing the room to a standstill. Until my little sister cackles.
I lay my arm over Mom's shoulder, pulling her to my side. "No, I will not. You're the only love for me."
"If she isn't good enough to bring to supper, you shouldn't be using her for sex." Mom bats her lashes at me, giving Emerson more fodder for her laughter.
"I got nothin'." I kiss her cheek. "I'm heading out, catch y'all later."
I make my getaway as fast as I can. I love them, but right now she isn't something I want to discuss, and neither is my sex life. One-night stands aren't something I do all the time; it gets old hearing about it.
I jump into my truck, checking my phone before hitting the road. As I back out, I focus on Landon coming down the street. He waves me down, bringing me to a stop.
"Where in the hell have you been?" He jokes as soon as my window is down.
I run my hand over my face. "Here, there, everywhere. How's that fine woman of yours?"
"Hey, handsome." Scout ducks her head to smile at me with a wave.
"Girl, you need to get over here. He ain't never been good enough for you." I wink when Landon flips me off. "You used to be number one, now I am."
"Screw you." He shakes his head. "Hit me up this weekend, it's been a minute since we've seen you."
"Yeah, I've been runnin' crazy. We've been busy getting everything up and running, but I have some flooring coming next week, so I'll be around."
He nods. "Let me know, I'll run by and give you a hand."
"Alright, I'll do that. Actually, I planned to swing by there, check things out." I incline my head, showing I'm ready to go.
His brows furrow. "Right. Like I said, hit me up and I'll be happy to help."
"Will do." I throw my head back. "Later, gorgeous."
Scout grins, waving at me. "Bye, babe."
"There is never a time that's okay." Landon shakes his head as we all chuckle. "Later."
"Yep." I pull away, happy for it to be over.
Two drives down, I find the path between a covering of trees. I pull in and hit my lights, making them brighter for the drive down. The closer I drive; I notice the lights glowing from within.
I follow the pavement to the garage on the side of the house. After I park, I climb out and head around to the front. I slide the key and open the door. My breath hitches as I step into the room.
My eyes are drawn to the back, where the sun is setting against a sky of oranges and blues. I'm pulled in as I make my way over, forgetting the time and getting lost in the memories.
The barn's outlined by the brilliant colors behind it. I can barely spot the tree swing, maybe for the fact I know it's there, but I then I'm gutted with the memory of her there, her long hair blowing in the breeze.
My chest aches to the point I lay my hand on it, rubbing where it hurts. As quick as I entered, I find my way back out, slamming the door behind me. I've spent years building this damn shrine, maybe the time has come to sell it.