Nash Brothers Box Set

by Carrie Aarons

  “Keaton William, don’t speak to me that way. I … I know your brother has a problem. But ever since your father passed …”

  She dissolves into a puddle of tears, and guilt instantly swamps me. I gather her in a hug, her head hitting just below my shoulders.

  “I’m sorry, Mom. I am. I know it’s been hard for you.” I pat her back the way she always did when we were sick as little kids.

  Straightening, she wipes her eyes and walks around the living room. “I know I have to sell it soon, it’s foolish to keep such a big house now that there is no family in it. But … this is my home, Keaton. Your father built this place for me. How am I supposed to leave it?”

  Right then, it dawns on me that I’ve finally become an equal to my parent. She’s coming to me for advice.

  I take her by the shoulders and decide to give her the truth. “You’re going to leave it. Because I know this is going to hurt … but that chapter of your life is over. You’re only sixty, Mom, you have so many years and adventures left ahead of you. You are way too wonderful of a person to sit in this house and mourn the ghosts in it. It’s time for all of us to move on … it’s what he would have wanted. Dad would be so disappointed if we kept his memory alive by sitting in this house, feeling sorry for ourselves. He’d want you to go out and live.”

  She nods, squeezing my arms in what I know she thinks is a gesture of thanks, but to me feels like she’s holding on for dear life.

  “Tell Jerica that I’d like to meet with her. But I’m not selling this house to just anyone, my boy. It’s raised a good family for a long time. Someone is going to honor that memory.”

  19

  Presley

  It’s Monday, which means one thing.

  The shop is a goddamn madhouse.

  Townspeople of Fawn Hill sure do love their mail and packages just as much as they love their books. If it isn’t someone who wants to send three packages overnight through FedEx, it’s the old woman who comes in for a stack of new release hardcovers each week and tries to haggle down the price. I wouldn’t complain if I didn’t like it, though. The residents are quirky; the work is fast-paced, and spending time with Grandma in the shop is a nice perk.

  The line has been almost out the door all morning, and I’ve had three people get mouthy with me. Grandma just argues right back at them, like it’s a sport she enjoys, but I’m not as comfortable yet. My adrenaline is at its peak for hours, because I know people are watching as I race around the store trying to check customers out as accurately and quickly as possible.

  By the time I get a minute to catch my breath, there is one more person in line, and I turn to help them.

  “Hi, there, how can I help you?”

  It’s not until I push my hair behind my ear that I see who it is.

  Keaton stands there in his usual work polo and khaki shorts, and he’s even added a stethoscope to the mix that shouldn’t be sexy but it so is. His hair looks like he’s been running his fingers through it all morning, and I didn’t realize the weight of anxiety sitting on my chest until right now, when he made it disappear.

  How strange was it that I’d never really thought twice about a guy before, and now I couldn’t stop thinking about this one? Maybe there was some truth to that stupid little … something … at first sight.

  “I was wondering if I could take you to Kip’s for lunch?” His hands splay wide on the counter, and damn if I haven’t been dreaming about what those might do to me once we’re alone again.

  And with the way those chocolate eyes are scanning me like a barcode, I’d say he’s been dreaming about things, too.

  Grandma walks out of the back, shooing me away. “Get out of here. A handsome man asks you to lunch, you go to lunch.”

  “Are you sure? If you need help restocking after the madness, I can stay to help.”

  Over the last couple of weeks, I’d seen just how bad my grandmother’s eyesight had gotten. She could barely read now and had mistaken two people for someone else last week when they walked into the store. Grandma has lived in this town for over sixty years … there was no way she forgot a face. Unless she couldn’t see it. It worried me more than I could say, and I knew that a decision was going to have to be made about the future of the store. And since I was the one here, it terrified me that I was going to have to make it.

  “I’m not blind yet, Presley. Get out of here.” Grandma’s tone is clipped.

  I know she doesn’t want sympathy, but I can’t help it. “All right. I’ll see you in an hour or so.”

  As soon as we’re out on the street, Keaton takes my hand in his. It’s warm and strong, and the touch sends goose bumps running up my arms.

  “It’s good to see you.”

  Even though Kip’s is only two blocks from my family’s bookshop, and even though we’re in the middle of the sidewalk where anyone could see, Keaton stops mid-stride to pull me into a hug. My breasts collide with his solid chest, and I’m enveloped by strong arms wrapping around my waist.

  It isn’t until right now that I realize I’ve been waiting to be back in his arms. That, all too quickly, Keaton is becoming the person I want to talk to when anything happens during my day.

  My arms lace around his neck, and I inhale the clean, male scent of him. Pressing up on my toes, I place a quiet, gentle kiss on his cheek as I nuzzle my nose into his jaw and hear him sigh.

  We’re embracing in the middle of the street, and I’m sure someone is staring, when my stomach rumbles. He pulls back, smirking.

  “Hungry?”

  “Very.” I laugh.

  He takes ahold of my hand again as we walk to the diner, and once inside, he grabs menus from the booth and waves to the waitresses and cooks. I wave too because most of them know me now. We walk back through the narrow restaurant and he chooses a booth in the back.

  “This was my dad’s booth.” Keaton says it simply, sliding into one side like we’ve talked about his father before.

  I swallow and try to retain my composure because I know this subject is heavier than the weight he’s giving it.

  “It’s the perfect spot, corner booth with the best angle on Main Street. I can see why he chose it.”

  A small smile plays on his lips. “Yeah, I guess Dad always did command the best.”

  “What was he like?” I ask as we sit across from each other.

  Keaton reaches for my hand and I give it to him, our arms crossing the table. Before he can answer, Jaime, one of the waitresses, comes over to ask what we’d like for lunch. I order a BLT and an iced tea while Keaton opts for a buffalo chicken wrap and plain old water.

  Once she leaves, he looks out the window, concentrating on Main Street.

  “My dad was the ultimate family and community man. Loved my mom, raised four boys with a strong but gentle hand. Attended church every Sunday. Did pro bono work for a lot of the farms around here. Started his own business and built it from the ground up. He was healthy, never complained, and had this sense about him … it was like he could see right through every answer you gave him. I swear I used to think he was psychic or something.”

  “Did you always want to follow in his footsteps?” I suck some iced tea through the straw immediately after Jaime sets our drinks down.

  “Yes, although he may have groomed me for it as his oldest, I have always loved animals. My dad wanted out, he’d done his time and the minute I graduated from my medical program, he had one foot out the door. His stipulations were six months of us working the practice together, and then he was gone. I mean, I’d been working in the office, and with animals, since I was twelve. It wasn’t as if I was unequipped to take it over … but I guess I didn’t realize how quickly I’d be running my own business, let alone be a solo doctor in a practice. And then, six months later, he died. Left so suddenly that I couldn’t ask him all of the questions I had about our profession. All of the questions I had about life.”

  He might be a grown man, one who acts unflappable and is the picture of
a jovial guy, but I can see the sad little boy grieving in there.

  I squeeze his hand. “I’m so sorry, Keaton. I have no idea how hard that must have been for you, how hard it still is.”

  Finally, he pulls his eyes away from the window and back to me. “That’s why I work as hard as I do. It’s why I try to stay on top of my brothers and help my mom out whenever she needs it. That’s what he would have wanted from me, the oldest son, you know?”

  This upstanding, responsible man sent my world into a tizzy. How the heck was someone so noble … interested in me? I was in awe of his strength.

  The conversation fizzled into surface level talk when our food was set down, plus I didn’t want to push him. Keaton had decided to open the door that I suspected he kept locked up tight even if it was only a crack. I was grateful, and if I played it right, maybe he’d feel comfortable enough to tell me exactly what went on in that gorgeous head of his.

  “Don’t you need to get back to the office?” I look at the clock hanging on the wall with a cut-out to see right into the kitchen.

  It’s been nearly two hours, and it’s the middle of a workday. This is so unlike the Keaton I’ve known so far.

  He shrugs. “I told Dierdra to shuffle some patients around. It’s no big deal … I wanted to spend a long lunch with you. Are you trying to get rid of me?”

  This makes me chuckle. “Maybe … no, I’m not. I’m kind of flattered that the upstanding Dr. Nash changed his schedule around for me.”

  “Only for you. And, just to be fair, I’ve done a mental checklist of what I need to get done by the end of the day about fifteen times since we’ve been sitting here.” Keaton’s smile lights up his face.

  “I’d expect nothing less.”

  20

  Keaton

  Presley and I spend most of the week together.

  We see each other for lunch, either spending it at Kip’s or with brown bags on a park bench. I teach her about the butcher shop’s deli meat, and she brings me bread that Hattie buys from the Amish market half an hour away. She tells me about her life in New York, and I listen intently, trying to gain insight into what makes this woman tick.

  What I’ve learned so far? Presley is independent but seeks affirmation. She’s also one of the kindest and most open-minded people I’ve ever met. She hates mustard but likes to put pickles on any kind of sandwich and even told me that peanut butter and the sour vegetable isn’t a bad combination. Even though she doesn’t hear from them a lot, and I have a feeling there is more of a backstory to it, she loves her family. And her laugh is the best sound I’ve ever heard.

  On Friday night, I had her over for dinner at my place for the first time. Having a woman back in my house was … strange. But it only took a minute for that feeling to pass, and then we split a bottle of red and cooked tacos together, and it had been the best night I’d had in … well, maybe ever.

  The night had ended with us on the couch, her shirt on the floor, and one beautiful breast fitting perfectly in each hand. I’d jacked off twice after she insisted on leaving, and I was still semi-hard as I pulled on my workout shorts this morning.

  Presley left because we were both trying to pace ourselves even if we didn’t say it out loud. As much as I wanted to drag her upstairs and strip her naked, I held back. We were having a good time, what was the rush?

  However … just because we were pacing ourselves didn’t mean I couldn’t surprise her at her class this morning.

  I lock my front door and pull a ball cap down over my head; the brim shielding my eyes from the Saturday morning rays.

  “Tell me again why I have to come to this?”

  Forrest was sitting in one of the rockers on my front porch, in almost identical workout gear.

  “Because I haven’t seen you in a while and you’re my brother. Plus, you’re getting a little pudgy around the middle.”

  Forrest stands, lifting his shirt to show me his abs. “You don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about, old man.”

  I smile, shaking my head. “To be so young again. Ah well, you’re coming with me and that’s the end of it.”

  “Whatever. I’m really just going to this thing because there are going to be a lot of women in yoga pants. Bending over. And it’s a nice day.”

  Rolling my eyes, my annoyance at my brother sparks. Forrest is always the hardest one to keep in line. “Hey, where were you the other night, anyway? I haven’t seen you in a week. Fletcher needed you.”

  I might be scolding him, but I’m the older brother and that’s my right. Forrest has always been the fringe sibling, the one who operates best without us all.

  “Do we have to be up in each other’s fucking business all the time? We’re grown men,” he grumbles.

  See? He’s fiercely independent, which is strange for someone in such a tight-knit family, much less a twin. But he could live on his own in a completely new place and guarantee, we’d never hear from him. I found out he went to London last year when I couldn’t get ahold of him for two weeks and we finally asked the travel agent in town who’d booked the trip for him.

  And he’s so damn smart, so much smarter than any of us. It gives him an advantage, and grates at me as the oldest brother and head of the family now.

  We walk over to Bloomsbury Park together, since I live so close, and my brother’s eyes light up as soon as we crest the hill to the field where Presley’s yoga class is located.

  And there she is, standing in a group of women all wearing some sort of yoga legging or short and tank top combo. Presley has opted for the short, the magenta spandex highlighting every curve of her well-sculpted ass. They’re paired with a tight white athletic tank top, and how I’m going to get through this class without an erection is a mystery.

  “No you didn’t.” When she spots me, she starts laughing and points to the rolled up yoga mat I carry under my arm.

  “Amazon for the win, baby.” I shrug, making my way to her as the women around us watch.

  “Hey, Forrest.” Lily waves at my brother, and then at me.

  Despite what happened between her and Bowen, I know that Lily is an amazing girl. She was great for my brother and really did nothing wrong. But what she doesn’t know is the shit that went on behind the scenes … and how Bowen really did protect her. His rejection of her, his ignoring her, it’s for her own good.

  “Lily.” Forrest nods and then turns to Presley. “And we met briefly, but I figured I should get to know the woman my brother is dating.”

  A few whispers crop up when my brother says this, and I wink at Presley. The people in this town have already been talking about it, this much I know from patients who come in and flat out ask me if I’m seeing the McDaniel girl. But to have my own brother come out and confirm it … the women in this yoga class can’t wait for it to be over so they can go blab to anyone who will listen.

  I don’t mind though, let them. Presley and I know, without having to have a middle school conversation about it, that we’re only dating each other. And I’m pleasantly surprised that for the first time in two years, I want the town of Fawn Hill to know what’s going on in my love life.

  “Nice to meet you.” Presley shakes Forrest’s hand. “Hope you’re ready for a workout.”

  The smile she wears is downright cocky, and I feel my dick twitch in my shorts. Down, boy, we have to get through this without embarrassing ourselves.

  My brother looks skeptical. “I’m just surprised this took off so quick.”

  “Don’t be an ass, Forrest Nash. Presley is really great at teaching, and this town needs to get with the twenty nineteen workout craze. Lord knows some of the residents here could work off that pie from Kip’s,” Penelope, one of the young PTA moms and an all-around town queen bee, chides him.

  Again, my brother lifts his shirt, much to the delight of some of the women standing around. “I don’t think I have that problem.”

  “Put your abs away, wonder boy.” Penelope rolls her eyes.

 
; I pull Presley aside for a minute, and as soon as we’re out of earshot, I give her a quick kiss on the cheek.

  “It’s okay that I’m here? I wanted to surprise you, see you in your element, but I can go if you want me to.”

  She lays a hand on my arm. “Keaton, I want you to stay. If only so I can kick your ass.”

  “Only if you massage it later. I have a feeling I’ll be sore.” I advance toward her playfully.

  “Enough, Casanova. I have a class to teach.” She pushes my chest with one hand and walks off.

  It is a sight to watch her go.

  Only, ten minutes into the class, every muscle in my body is straining.

  “I’m using muscles I didn’t even know were fucking there,” I whisper to Forrest, rubbing my calf as the whole group bends over in some salutation.

  And even though my tendons are on fire, I can see why the yoga class is so popular. The reason? Presley. She’s enigmatic while also being a calm, soothing presence over the class. She knows her shit and explains in a quiet voice as she walks around, helping people with their poses.

  The whole thing is actually relaxing, but works your body, which I guess is the goal.

  “My shit doesn’t bend that way.” Forrest eyeballs the ass of the woman in front of us.

  “Just … try your best,” I say, exasperated.

  “If my ball sack splits open, you’re paying for the plastic surgery.”

  The woman next to us giggles, and another gives us a death glare.

  There isn’t supposed to be much talking during yoga, and yet my brother apparently never got that memo.

  “If the gentlemen in the back can’t keep it down, I’ll have to ask them to leave. This class is for quiet meditation, thought and health.”

  Presley smirks at me from her mat up at the front, and I nod my head in apology.

  I sure do hope I get that massage later. And that I can reciprocate.

  21