Fever Dream (Emerald Lake, #1)(66)

“Bush, fancy meeting you here.” Theo punches his shoulder in what should be a friendly, playful motion. But I know enough to recognize it as a replica of what Emmett landed on him following his championship win.

“Hey, Julia,” Evan cuts in as he sidles up beside Emmett, tossing a supportive arm over his brother’s shoulder and slicing through any tension in his easygoing way. “Good to see you out and about, not just working all the time.”

I offer him a warm smile before sweeping a hand toward my brother. “Evan, this is my brother, Theo. Theo, this is Emmett’s brother, Evan.”

They shake hands, and I take that moment to peek at Emmett, who’s now the same color as a fire engine. I’m sorry, I mouth to him, referring to the leak. Earlier, I had to excuse myself to the bathroom to read it without being harassed.

He nods, but I can tell he’s upset.

Theo doesn’t seem to notice as he steps back from Evan and rubs his hands together. “Sunday, huh? Big day for the news.”

I elbow him and give him a scolding look. He’s such a little boy sometimes.

We all know what Theo’s referring to, and I breeze past it in the name of polite conversation. “What are you guys up to today? Or do you have big family plans?”

Evan picks up on my strategy and jumps in smoothly. “Em was having a rough morning, so I decided to turn his day around with ice cream after breakfast before Parker could get to him with her bourbon.”

“I’m doing fine,” Emmett says while shooting his brother an annoyed look. “How are you guys?”

Theo makes a show of cupping his ear. “Oh, weird. Jules, I hear this annoying buzzing in my ear, but isn’t this too early to be mosquito season?”

I groan, and from several feet away I hear Winter do the same before she mutters, “Good god, that’s such a dad joke.”

Emmett doesn’t let the snark bother him. In fact, he seems more comfortable with verbal sparring than with making fake small talk. “Don’t worry, Theo. If I were going to suck someone’s blood, it wouldn’t be yours.”

My brother gives him a cocky wink. “Oh, yeah, Emmett? Whose would it be? One of the ten girls getting paid to date you?”

To his credit, Emmett laughs. But then he comes closer, brushing his shoulder against Theo’s, using those extra couple of inches to his advantage when he bends to murmur in his ear. “Nah. It’d definitely be your sister’s.” With that, he tosses me a wink and strides away, calling out, “Later, Jules.”

“Come to family breakfast again soon, Julia!” Evan adds casually before he follows behind Emmett, a thoroughly amused tilt to his lips.

Theo’s mouth opens as though he’s going to try to get the last word in, but I think he’s too shocked to keep up. Instead, he says, “Please tell me you aren’t giving that sleaze the time of day.”

“He’s been nothing but polite.” Okay, that’s a stretch, but there’s always a playful edge to Emmett. I feel nothing but safe with him, and I have stellar qualifications to judge if a guy is a true sleaze. “And I adore his family.”

“Ha! Your professionalism knows no bounds. Good for you for toeing the line when we both know he’s a raging douchebag. You’re a better person than I.”

I don’t respond to that. It’s not the time or the place.

In line, Theo recounts another unpleasant story about Emmett on the road as we place our order and take our number, but I’m not really listening.

Instead, I’m worrying about the man in question.

When we get back to the table with everyone’s ice creams, Theo shoots me a sympathetic look. “I’m so sorry that you have to work with him every day.”

And he means it. There’s a genuine apology in his voice, but I don’t feel right accepting it.

So I just shrug and pull out my phone to check if the bar owner has texted me. Again.

And he has.

Relief courses through me as I type my response and mutter, “He’s not as bad as you make him out to be.”

Theo laughs at me right as Harvey starts to fuss. It draws his attention away, and I wince, realizing what I’ve just said out loud.

But when I look back up from my phone, it’s my mom and Winter who are both eyeing me up with matching quirked brows.

Looks like they heard me loud and clear.





CHAPTER 25


Emmett


I STAND IN THE middle of The Ranch, watching the crew as they set up cameras for the episode. It smells like Lysol, and cheesy western-themed art hangs on the walls. The entire place is straight-up… cowboy cosplay.

Hell, the patrons are even dressed like it’s Halloween, though I’m sure the vast majority of them never stepped foot on a ranch in their lives. I can tell by their boots. Just a little too much polish, no lines in the leather from wear. Barely broken in. They attempt to act natural, like they’re just enjoying their night, while we set up in a cordoned area.

But mostly they gawk.

I pat myself on the back for not ruining The Sugar Saloon with this shit. The fact that I already fucking hate this place makes being here a little easier. But it doesn’t stop me from beating myself up for volunteering for this exercise in embarrassment.

It’s for the money, I remind myself again. Because that’s the only thing keeping me going at this point.