I finish up my food, feeling disappointed. I hate that things between us are stilted. I realize it’s partly my fault. Lexi is still upset because I rejected her after the kiss all those years ago. It’s probably for the best she thinks that way.

“I guess I’ll go finish setting up my camp, Lexi. Thanks for dinner.”

“You’re leaving?” she asks and she sounds surprised. It can’t have escaped her notice that we’re barely talking to each other.

“Yeah I need to get my camp ready or I’ll be sleeping on the ground.” I grin. “The weather report predicted some heavy rain coming in late tonight.”

“It did?” she asks, and it’s clear she had no idea. What kind of person plans a camping trip without checking the weather? I could have laughed. She’s too damn cute.

I pinch the bridge of my nose and hold my head down. Does Brooks even know what his sister is up to? How could he allow her to be out here camping all alone, without any protection? He didn’t want me to touch her, then the least the asshole could have done was to make sure she didn’t do stupid stuff like this. She needs a man to take care of her.

“Yeah. It did. When most people decide to camp, Lexi, they check the weather so they are sure to be prepared.” I exhale a breath of frustration and let it go. Lexi is not the kind of girl to like the outdoors. She’ll be gone tomorrow and this won’t matter.

“Anyway, it’s not like you’re really talking to me, so I’m going to go,” I growl, turning into an instant asshole because she needs a man to take care of her, and I know it can’t be me.

“I was talking! Maybe you’re just pouting because I’m not falling at your feet like most girls do.”

“I didn’t realize you’d been watching what other girls do,” I respond, looking at her. I’m watching her closely so I can see the minute that the flush enters her face, even when she moves, putting away her trash, trying to avoid my stare.

“I wasn’t. Not really. I just know what Brooks tells me.”

That answer annoys me instantly. Hell, Brooks hasn’t seen me since I was discharged. He’s still living the life I thought I would. Deployed overseas and well on his way to being a general. There’s a part of me that resents him for that, but he’s my best friend. He’s not responsible for the shambles my life is in. Brooks may have made it clear his sister was off limits, even if he didn’t know I wanted her, and I might be honoring that, but shit, I knew Lexi cared about me. I could see it in her eyes and the way she looked at me. I never wanted to hurt her—even inadvertently. Lexi has always been in my heart.

Which can only mean that Brooks has been spreading lies to drive Lexi further away from me.

“Do you believe everything you’re told?”

“Brooks wouldn’t lie to me. Besides, it’s not like it is any of my business. You made it clear how you felt about me years ago, Beau.”

“Just because I told you that I…that we shouldn’t…”

“You told me not to kiss you anymore, that I was a kid, even though I wasn’t. You told me I wasn’t your type. Trust me, Beau, I remember. I got the message back then loud and clear, and I get the message now. Thanks for helping me with my tent. I think I’ll turn in.”

“Why does everything with you end in a fight?” I growl. “It’s good you’ll be leaving tomorrow. I came up here to get peace, not more stress.”

“I’m not leaving tomorrow. I have this campground rented for the whole week and that’s exactly how long I’m staying.”

“You? You’re planning on staying out in the wild all week? No fucking way.”

“What’s so hard to believe about that?”

“You forget I know you, buttercup.”

“Don’t call me that.”

“You used to love it when I called you buttercup.”

“I don’t anymore. I’ve changed. You don’t know me anymore, Beau.”

“I know you don’t like living without modern conveniences. I know your idea of roughing it is spending the night without internet, not indoor plumbing.”

“Like I said, Beau Sterling, you don’t know me anymore,” she says, dismissing me without looking back and making her way to her tent.

I don’t know what pisses me off more. It could be the fact that she’s walking away from me, it could be the fact she asked me to stop calling her my nickname, or it could even be the coolness she’s treating me with. I think, however, it has more to do with the fact that she’s right. I don’t really know Lexi anymore. I’ve been spending my life pushing her away and avoiding her. I didn’t want to. I did it out of respect for Brooks and his wishes, but I still did it.

I’ve regretted it every day, but more so right now than ever.

“I’ll tell you what I do know.”

“What’s that?” she asks, not bothering to turn around and sounding very bored.

“I know that cheap little pink tent you bought isn’t going to stand up to the thunderstorms we’re supposed to get. If you don’t leave tomorrow you’re going to end up really wet and cold.”

I watch her body tighten and jerk with my words. Still, she doesn’t turn around.

“Goodnight, Mr. Sterling,” she says and disappears behind the closing flap of her tent. A minute later I hear the zipper move on the door.

I frown. When she called me Mr. Sterling, all I wanted to do was bend her over my knees and spank her ass.

I warned her. That’s all I can do. I wasn’t kidding about the tent, nor the rain headed our way. She’s going to end up wet, cold and miserable…

Or worse, she doesn’t leave and I forget all the reasons I need to stay away from her, and then make sure she’s wet, hot and completely filled…. with me.