Stealing Hearts (Wild at Heart #1)(2)

I can do this. Rhett deserves to know.

Rhett, Danny, and our half-brother Tyson are hovering at our small kitchen table. At the sight of Rhett, my heart skips a beat like it always does. His shaggy dark hair hangs over his eyes, and when he sees me, his mouth tugs up in a half smile, and he winks. Ugh, I love him so much. I hate that I can’t get over him. He’s freaking ten years older. I know he’ll always think of me as Danny’s kid sister, and it sucks.

Behind him, my stepmother Irma pours something in a Big Gulp container. If I had to guess, I’d say it’s bourbon and Coke.

“Boys, I’ll be at the church potluck this afternoon, but if y’all need anything, just text.” She’s so nice to my brothers. I’m sure my father had no idea she was Satan’s twin sister when he married her. RIP, Dad. He passed away a few years ago after a construction accident at work, and now I’m stuck with bitchy Irma, who thinks this house belongs to her even though it’s been in my mother’s family for two generations.

When she sees me, she stops smiling. “Paige, did you vacuum the house like I told you to?” I nod, but she frowns. “Then make sure you do the dishes too.”

I glance behind her at the huge pile of crap in the sink. “Why don’t the boys ever have any chores? Danny and Tyson made that mess last night.” They got a wild hair up their ass and decided to bake cookies, but they forgot the baking powder, and the cookies didn’t rise correctly.

“Because Danny works all week, and Tyson has extra homework now that he’s in the honors program.” Tyson, the little shit, smirks at me. He’s only twelve, and a huge pain in my ass, but I still love him. Irma juts out her hip. “Besides, it’s a woman’s job to keep house.”

“Then why don’t you do it?”

The table goes quiet. I’m digging my own grave here, but I’m so tired of doing all the chores. No one cares how much time I put in at the gym for cheerleading. No one cares how much time I spend cleaning the locker rooms and mats because we can’t afford to pay. No one cares that I might be able to go to college on a cheer scholarship. The second I get home, I’m expected to clean up after everyone else.

“Watch your mouth, young lady. You’re lucky you have someone to take care of you.”

Meaning that my dad died, and I have no one else. Thanks for that reminder, Irma. So kind of you.

I look down at the ground. Besides Danny and Rhett, no one ever looks out for me. My nose stings.

“We’ll help you,” Rhett says as he elbows Danny.

My brother nods as he unwraps his sandwich. “We should’ve done the dishes last night, squirt. It’s not fair to you.”

Tyson’s eyes bulge, and he jumps out of his seat with a sandwich that leaves a trail of lettuce in its wake. “Sorry, I’m going to the potluck with Mom.”

See what I mean? Pain in my ass.

I can’t even be mad at Danny. He hasn’t been feeling well lately, which is why he moved back home after college.

As Irma heads for the garage, she calls out, “I want the dishes done by the time we’re back.”

The second the door closes, I give her the finger. Rhett’s warm chuckle almost makes me smile.

Until I remember what I have to do.

“Cheer up, wildflower. Danny and I will get this place cleaned up in no time.” Rhett’s deep voice is so soothing, it makes me emotional.

Don’t cry, Paige. “Thanks,” I whisper. Needing a minute, I wander into the kitchen. “What can I get y’all to drink?”

I’m not sure why I ask because I know what they want. When Danny and Rhett both call out “Root beer!” at the same time, I’ve already grabbed two glass bottles out of the fridge. After I pour myself some water, I return to the table.

Danny is sitting at the far end. My older brother has auburn hair like me, but instead of looking like a carrot, he’s handsome. Rhett parks next to him, and I take the chair across from Rhett. Having a table between us is good. I need some space to say what I need to say.

Today, he’s wearing a gray, long-sleeved Henley that’s seen better days. There’s a hole in the elbow I’d like to patch up for him. My high school offers a sewing class, so I’m taking it as an elective, which helps when I have to alter my clothes from the Goodwill.

I don’t have to see the rest of Rhett to know he’s wearing faded jeans and scuffed brown boots. He works on his family’s ranch, so he’s always looking like he just rolled in some hay. It’s terribly sexy.

“You okay?” His deep voice sends chills up and down my arms.

I wish I could sit next to him so I could smell his cologne better. If I could drown in that woodsy scent, I would.

Clearing my throat, I nod. “I’ll survive. I always do.” I reach into the bag of sandwiches and pull out a roast beef. “Thanks for lunch. What do I owe y’all?”

Danny grabs me in a headlock and noogies my head. “It’s on me, kid.”

A beleaguered sigh leaves my lips. People say you shouldn’t want to grow up too soon, but I’m tired of being fifteen. I’m expected to be responsible but don’t have any freedom.

After a minute, the guys start talking about Rhett’s bachelor party. “No strippers,” he tells my brother. “Amber would shit a brick house if I get my face between tits that aren’t hers.”