---

Scott didn’t say a word to Chelsea on the drive back from the trailhead. It was easy enough to tell he was upset about finding her with Lucas. And probably especially upset with finding her cuddled up on Lucas’s back. But to his credit, he didn’t say a word about it. Although she would have liked him to say something.

After he put her into the front seat of his car, he made sure she was comfortable and wasn’t in too much pain. His thoughtfulness was touching. Chelsea tried not to pay attention when, after she was settled in the car, she saw him exchanging what looked to be a bit of a heated conversation with Lucas outside. Scott also didn’t bring up the fact that she’d been hiking alone with Lucas either. Although she was pretty sure they’d chat about it later. If he ever spoke to her again.

For the time being, his mouth was pressed into a thin line and Scott didn’t look as though he was about to say anything at all, let alone talk about Lucas.

They had to leave her car at the trailhead, because there was no way she could drive with a swollen right ankle. Scott had more or less announced he would be driving her home and Lucas didn’t protest. It was another small thing she was grateful for. The minute the search party—consisting only of Scott—found them, the magic from their hike had been shattered. It was back to reality. And the reality was, Chelsea was dating Scott.

She was also dating Lucas.

And she had no idea how that had happened.

It only took a few minutes before Scott pulled up in front of Ian and Gwen’s house. He went around the car and opened the passenger door for her, but before she could say anything, let alone get out of the car on her own, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her up the walk and into the house where Ian and Gwen were waiting.

“What on earth?” Gwen jumped up from the couch.

“Are you okay?” Ian was right behind her.

Chelsea nodded and tried to wiggle out of Scott’s arms, but he held her tight. “I’m fine. I just twisted my ankle a little bit on the trail, that’s all. I’m sure it’s nothing a little ice and some rest won’t fix. Seriously, Scott, you can put me down.”

Scott ignored her and marched her over to the couch, where he finally put her down. He spent a moment fluffing pillows and fussing around, before he gave her a long, questioning look and turned around and left, still without saying a word.

“Is he okay?” Ian looked as if he were going to go after him, but a shake of Chelsea’s head stopped him.

“He’s fine. I think he’s a little upset, but he’ll be okay.”

With a bag of ice that she placed on Chelsea’s ankle, Gwen settled in next to her on the couch. “I feel like there’s more to that story. Were you hiking with Lucas?”

“Oh, I see.” Ian grinned. “Team Lucas all the way.”

Chelsea sighed and rolled her eyes. “It’s not about teams,” she said. “I did not intend for this to happen.”

She looked down at her swollen, throbbing ankle. There was another thing she didn’t mean to happen. At least the ankle would heal. She had no idea how to fix things when it came to Scott and Lucas.

“Don’t stress about it.” Gwen put her hand on Chelsea’s good foot and squeezed a little. “The right choice will make itself clear. Or I should say, himself clear.” She grinned. “Now, what can we do to make you more comfortable?”

Ian stood over the end of the couch and looked down at her ankle with a frown twisted on his face. “I think we should call the doctor.”

“That’s a good idea,” Gwen said. “Deanna would come right over.”

Chelsea struggled to sit up a little. “You don’t need to do that. It’s just a sprain.”

“You don’t know that,” Ian said, with a big brother look on his face. “It’s better to be safe.”

Gwen nodded. “It really is. You don’t want to screw around with stuff like this.”

Chelsea shook her head and leaned back against the pillow, closing her eyes briefly. There was no point arguing with them; they were going to call Deanna either way. “Fine,” she said with a resigned sigh. “Do what you have to do, but I’m going on record as telling you it’s just a sprain.”

When she looked up again, Ian was already on the phone. Chelsea rolled her eyes but secretly was pleased that she had somebody in her life who cared about her. She had a whole family and that wasn’t a minor thing. It was a small price to pay, being babied and fussed over, if it meant she was loved.

Gwen waited until Ian was talking on the phone, before she turned back to Chelsea with a conspiratorial grin. “So? Tell me. What happened on the trail?”

“I wasn’t paying attention and I twisted my ankle over a root. It sucks.” Chelsea knew exactly what she was talking about and she had to work hard to keep a straight face, especially when Gwen groaned.

“You know exactly what I’m talking about. So spill. What happened between you and Lucas?”

Chelsea looked over her shoulder to see that Ian was still on the phone. She turned to Gwen. “I’m not really sure beyond the fact that I like him.”

Gwen did a little fist pump. “I knew it. Lucas is totally the right choice for you. Did you kiss him?”

Chelsea rolled her eyes and didn’t even bother trying to hide it. “Even if I did kiss him, it doesn’t make this any easier. Because I like Scott too. He’s a great guy.”

“You totally kissed him. I bet he’s a great kisser.” Gwen clasped her hands together like a schoolgirl gossiping in the locker room. “How did it happen? I mean, I’m pretty sure I saw something happen between you guys on the last hike. But this is different—you guys were alone.”

Chelsea shook her head. There was no way she was telling Gwen the details. Not right now. The look on Scott’s face was too fresh in her mind. It was a real thing that she had two men interested in her. And as great as that sounded in theory, it was proving to be a little less ideal than she might’ve thought. Because not only were they both interested in her, she was interested in both of them. And she didn’t want to hurt either of them.

Fortunately, she was saved from having to tell Gwen any more details by Ian hanging up the phone and rejoining them. “Deanna said Scott already called her. She’s already on her way to check out your foot.”

Scott had called? Even though he was upset with her, he still cared. She owed him an apology. Or at the very least, an explanation.

“That was nice of him,” Gwen said. “He really is a nice guy.”

Chelsea shot her a look. Was she on team Lucas or team Scott? And why exactly was she thinking in teams now? Everything was getting a little bit out of hand.

“It was nice of him,” Ian agreed. “And Deanna said she’s only about five minutes away. I’m going to make some tea. Are you hungry, Chelsea?”

Chelsea agreed to let her brother make her a bowl of soup and he’d just rejoined them in the living room when there was a knock on the door, followed by Deanna Gordon.

“You didn’t have to come,” Chelsea said to the doctor as she pulled up a chair next to the couch. “It’s just a sprained ankle. And I know you have a lot more important things to do with your time.” Mercifully, Gwen and Ian left them alone so the doctor could do her examination and Chelsea was grateful for the reprieve from the interrogation about her love life.

“Don’t worry about it.” Deanna’s smile was so friendly, she put Chelsea at ease right away. “When Scott called, he sounded worried. And you’re right, it is most likely a sprain, but it never hurts to check it out. And honestly, I don’t mind. Let me just take a quick look.”

Deanna’s fingers palpitated the swollen ankle. She gently manipulated it from side to side, and back and forth, keeping a close eye on Chelsea’s face for signs of pain. Of which there were definitely some. Finally she sat back in her chair and grinned. “I think you’re right,” she said. “It’s most likely just a sprain. In fact, I don’t think there’s any reason to have an x-ray done at all. But if you would feel better, you’re welcome to come down to the office in the morning and I’ll take a closer look.”

Chelsea shook her head. There was no need for that. “I’m totally fine. Thank you,” she said. “I really mean it. You really are an amazing doctor.”

Deanna laughed. “And a friend too, I hope. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know your whole family. It’s nice to get to know you now, too, Chelsea.”

Chelsea smiled. It was nice to think of Deanna as a friend. She hadn’t had a lot of friends in the last few years. Not since Jake had done his best to scare most of them away. It was nice to be building a life again, even if it was still a life full of uncertainty. “I know you’re not supposed to say anything,” she said. “But can you just tell me if Jade’s going to be okay? And the baby?” She looked past Deanna’s shoulders to make sure Gwen and Ian weren’t within listening distance, but they were nowhere to be seen. She looked back to Deanna. “I don’t need details. I just need to know—”

Deanna put her hand on Chelsea’s arm. “I know what you’re asking.” She had a sad smile, but it wasn’t totally without hope. “Jade will be just fine. And the baby too, no matter what they decide. I’ll be seeing Jade in my office again this week. And I have strongly encouraged her to bring Mitch with her. It’s definitely a family decision, and not an easy one. No matter what they decide, they’re both going to need a lot of support.” Deanna’s smile broadened a little bit. “But I promise you, they will be okay. There’s a lot of love here.”

Chelsea wanted to ask her more, but she knew she’d already overstepped. She also knew that Jade would tell Mitch, if she hadn’t already. Whatever they decided, whether it was to have more testing or just let nature take its course, Deanna was right—they would be fine.

“Now,” Deanna said, shifting gears. “Do you have someone to help you out around here for the next few days?”

Right on cue, Ian and Gwen reappeared in the living room. “We’ll help her.”

Chelsea smiled. She had a feeling she’d be as independent as possible in no time at all with their help.

There was a knock on the door and Gwen disappeared to answer it. A moment later, Scott was in the living room.

“Is it broken?” He addressed the question to Deanna but she graciously deferred it to Chelsea.

“No.” Chelsea shook her head. “I knew it wasn’t, but like Deanna said, it was a good idea to get it looked at.”

He nodded, but didn’t come any closer. Finally, he looked around the room, and said, “Can I talk to you alone for a minute?”

---

---

Scott needed the drive to cool off a little before talking to Chelsea because mostly he had no right to be angry with her. She was a grown woman; she could do whatever she wanted. Scott only wished that what she wanted was him.

Regardless, they did need to have a discussion.

He stood in the living room, aware that everyone was watching him. But when he requested they speak alone, without another word, Ian, Gwen, and Deanna quietly and quickly left the room to give them privacy.

Scott waited until he was sure they’d gone before he walked over to the couch. “How does it feel? It looks pretty…”

She smiled a little and gestured for him to sit down, which he did, in the chair Deanna Gordon had just vacated. “It’s sore, that’s for sure. But I’m glad it’s not broken. So that’s a good thing.”

“That’s a really good thing.”

“Thank you for calling her,” she said. “I really appreciate you bringing me home, and making sure I was looked after.” She reached for his hand. Her soft skin felt good and he wrapped his fingers around her, squeezing just a little. “Thank you, Scott. I really mean it.”

He swallowed hard and nodded. “Well, I was worried about you. I mean, how could I not be?” He wanted to stay calm; he really did. It wasn’t in his nature to get upset, or jealous or anything. But with Chelsea, it was different. All bets were off. And he needed answers. “I mean, Chelsea, you didn’t even tell me you were going. You didn’t tell me you were going on a hike, never mind that you were going with another man.” He realized he sounded jealous and completely unreasonable, but he couldn’t seem to stop himself. “What does that even mean? Was it a date? Are you dating Lucas? Because I thought you were dating me.”

Scott immediately regretted his outburst when he saw the look on Chelsea’s face. “I’m dating you,” she pleaded. “But… I guess I’m also…”

Scott pulled his hand away and shook his head. “Don’t tell me you’re also dating Lucas.” He shook his head harder and wouldn’t meet her eyes. “I mean it. Don’t tell me that.”

Chelsea was quiet and again, Scott regretted his outburst. But he needed to know. He needed to know what he was dealing with because what he did know for sure was he was not going to go down without a fight. Not if it meant losing Chelsea. No way.

When Chelsea still didn’t say anything, Scott tried a different tactic. “You know that Lucas is only using you, right?”

“Scott, don’t do this.” Chelsea shook her head and looked down at her lap before looking up again. “Lucas isn’t a bad guy, and he’s not using me. We went on a hike. That was it.” Something flashed in her eyes that told Scott there was definitely more to it, of that he was certain. But he was also certain he didn’t want to know.

Not really.

Chelsea still wouldn’t look at him, and he hated sitting so close to her without touching her. But it also didn’t feel right to touch her, not when he didn’t know where he stood. He jumped up from his chair and walked to the window, looking out into the dark night. “Was that it? Was it really just a hike?” He dropped his head and took a deep breath, preparing himself for the question he wasn’t even really sure he wanted answered. Scott turned around and looked at her. She was so beautiful, so sweet, so funny, so…everything.

“Chelsea.” He tripped over her name, and for a moment had second thoughts about saying anything at all. But it had to be said. “Where do we stand? I mean, me and you.” He gestured between them. “What’s going on here with us?” But before she could answer, he quickly added, “Because I really like you. A lot. And I think there could be something really good between us. But for that to happen, we need to be on the same page. And I need to know that you feel the same way. Even if you feel the same way just a little, then I need to know.” He hated himself for sounding so weak. And he knew he did, but he couldn’t help it. And if being vulnerable was what it took to win her, he’d be vulnerable all day long.

“Scott, please come sit.” She held out her hand, and there was no way he could refuse her. She took his hands in hers, squeezed them tight and held them close. “Scott, I like you,” she said. “I like you a lot. And spending time with you has been awesome. In fact, they have been some of my favorite days in Cedar Springs.”

He couldn’t help it. He felt as if there was a but coming.

As if she could sense his thought, Chelsea laughed a little. “But I’m young,” she said. “And I have no idea what I want to do with my life, let alone who I want to do it with.” He wanted to protest, and he was about to, but she held up a finger. “That doesn’t mean I don’t want to do it with you,” she said. “But it also means that sometimes I want to go on a hike, and sometimes that hike is going to be with someone who isn’t you. And that has to be okay.”

What was she saying? Was she saying that they were a couple? That they were together? That if they were going to be together he couldn’t be jealous?

So many questions.

“And that has to be okay for right now.” She squeezed his hand tighter again. “Is it? Is that okay?”

If he said no, Scott knew whatever it was that was going on between them would be over. She also hadn’t said anything about being exclusive, but he knew better than to push. At least for the time being. He had no more answers by the end of the conversation than he did at the beginning, but somehow he knew he had to be okay with that. No one said women were easy. He almost laughed to himself at the thought. Hell no, they weren’t easy. But they were worth it. Especially this one. He stroked the soft skin on her palm. There was only one answer that would be okay, and he knew it.

“Of course.” He smiled. “Chelsea, of course that’s okay. I don’t want to pressure you, I don’t want to rush you, but I do want you to know that I’m here. And I’m not going anywhere. Not as long as you want me around.”

She laughed, and it was a beautiful sound. “Good. Because I do want you around. A lot.”

He couldn’t resist it any longer; he had to kiss her. Waiting as long as he already had was an exercise in frustration. He leaned forward and without pulling his hands free, kissed her. Soft at first, but soon enough, he wanted more. He needed more, and judging by the soft moan that slipped out of her lips, Chelsea did too.

She pulled her hands free to wrap them around his back and hold him tight. Scott deepened the kiss. Taking more, as much she would give. But he was also very aware that they were on the couch in her brother’s house and he could walk in any time. It probably wasn’t the best idea to piss off her brother so early in their relationship.

It took a lot of willpower, but Scott pulled back and sat in his chair with a smile on his face that matched the one on hers. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so happy and it was a feeling he definitely wanted to hold on to.

“As soon as I think your ankle is better,” Scott said, “I’m taking you on a date. Maybe even before that.” He had no idea how long it was going to take to heal, and he didn’t want to wait. Hell, he’d take her on a date right now if she hadn’t already had a long day.

“Deal.”

“Is it safe to come in yet?” Gwen called from the door of the kitchen. “We don’t want to interrupt anything.”

“Yes we do.” Ian appeared next to her and gave Scott a pointed look.

It had been a good call to keep the kiss PG, Scott thought with more than a little bit of relief.

“Besides.” Gwen moved into the room with a tray in her hand. “Your snack is ready, Chelsea. Doctor Dee says you need to eat.” Scott moved aside so Gwen could put the tray down next to the couch and their patient.

“That’s right.” Deanna walked into the room and gave Scott a wave. “You were out there a long time. You really do need to refuel.”

Scott tried really hard not to be jealous that the person Chelsea had been out with for a long time was Lucas. But it was a battle he was losing.

“I can’t help it,” Scott said to Deanna when he was slightly out of earshot from Chelsea. “I don’t like him. And I haven’t had a chance to talk to you about it yet, but our meeting did not go well this morning.”

Deanna’s face transformed, the smile gone. “Don’t tell me it’s bad news.”

“I wish I could tell you something else, but Lucas Lee is just an asshole. He wouldn’t listen to anything I had to say and he flat out told me no when it came to considering our proposal. They won’t change the plan. And if you ask me, this whole I like nature act that he has going on—it’s just that, an act, and now he’s getting Chelsea involved in it.”

Just talking about the whole situation again got Scott fired up. But he couldn’t help it. The more he thought about it, the more he realized that was exactly what was going on. Lucas Lee was putting on an act for the whole town and he was using Chelsea. And he no longer cared who knew about it.

“Scott? What are you talking about?” He could see Chelsea watching him and he realized he didn’t care whether she overheard them.

Of course he didn’t want to upset her and more than anything, he didn’t want to get into an argument with her. Not tonight. Not after everything. But on the other hand, he needed her to see what he saw. And maybe with her family there, and Deanna to back him up, she might actually listen to what he had to say about Lucas. It was worth a shot.

“I’m sorry, Chelsea. I know you don’t want to talk about this. But I really think that your friend Lucas is using you. I don’t think he’s a nice guy at all and I think all of this, the hiking, interest in nature, you…” He waved his arms around to encompass everything he possibly could. “I think it’s all an act to get what he wants.”

Out of the corner of his eye, Scott could see Deanna nodding, but he was focused on Chelsea’s reaction, which was oddly calm.

“And what is it that you think Lucas wants?”

There was more to the question, and Scott knew it. He looked her directly in the eye. “I think the only thing Lucas really wants is to complete his development, and he’ll do anything to make sure that happens. Anything. Including ruin everything between us.”