6 Mountain Brothers for Christmas

“Truthfully?” she laughed. “Not much. No offense or anything, but it's not like I ever had a lot going for me here. I still don't, but hopefully, that'll change soon.”

“Oh, I have no doubt it will,” Ben said, leaning across the table, closer to her. “A lot has changed since you left. It's like a whole different town in some ways.”

“That's what everyone keeps telling me,” she said. “Yet, I see that so much has stayed the same.”

“Like what?” Cason asked.

She looked at the three of us, her lips curling up in a grin, and I so badly wanted to know what she was thinking. Instead of enlightening us though, she passed and gave us something that was a little more benign. “Well, like the diner,” she said. “This milkshake tastes exactly like I remembered it. And the bonfire – that hasn't changed a bit. And I have to tell you, that brought back so many memories.”

Judging by the look on her face and the air of sadness around her, not all of the memories that came back to her at the bonfire were good ones. She stared down at her hands for a moment, seeming to be lost in thought, before looking back up at the three of us.

“I don't mean to be blunt, you guys,” she said, biting her lip. “But why all the attention? To be honest, it's a little overwhelming and unexpected. I mean, it's not like any of you noticed or paid attention to me back in high school.”

“Like I said,” Ben said. “A lot has changed. We've all grown up, and it's been a long time since someone came back to Black Oak once they left. Usually, when somebody gets out, they stay gone. We're just interested in getting to know you, Hailey. That's all.”

She nodded, but she still didn't look entirely convinced. But she was smiling, almost like there was some small part of her that enjoyed the extra attention. Her gaze flitted back over to me and we locked eyes. I It felt like something hit me in the chest good and hard. As I looked into her eyes, I realized I could see myself easily falling for someone like her. She was sweet, down-to-earth, yet adventurous, and beautiful.

If I ever needed a girl who could get my mind off my ex, Hailey Roberts was it. Someone who didn't already know my entire past and wouldn't judge me on the mistakes I've made. I could work with that. “So, Quinn,” Ben said, turning back toward me, a sly smirk on his face. “How are things with you and Shelly?”

Damn him. That son of a bitch.

CHAPTER EIGHT - HAILEY

The next day, Jenn called, and I decided to meet her coffee at the one little coffee shop in town. It wasn't a Starbucks – not even close. It was a hole in the wall mom and pop shop, and it had been around long before coffee houses were trendy.

Mainly it just served regular old coffee and some bakery items. It didn't have any of those fancy coffee drinks you get in the city. Nobody in Black Oak seemed inclined to spend five bucks, or more, on some fancy coffee drink that had too much milk and not enough actual coffee in it.

At least, that's what my mom always told me when I asked her.

She said people in Black Oak were more practical and less about the frills than that. And now that I was an adult, I had to agree with her. The coffee in that little hole in the wall actually was superior to anything I ever got at Starbucks back in Los Angeles.

Jenn was sitting across from me, sipping on a chai tea, and cradling Marty in her arms. He slept peacefully, his eyes closed as he nestled against his mother's bosom. He seemed so peaceful, so serene. I found myself wishing I could feel half as peaceful as that child.

“So, I have a dilemma,” I said, biting my lip. “What if all three of the brothers wanted to date me?”

Jenn laughed, a loud raucous sound that filled the coffee house, but surprisingly, didn't wake up the sleeping baby.

“You're serious?” she asked, her mouth agape. “All three of them? Wow, you really have worked some magic since getting back into town, haven't you?”

“Apparently,” I said, rolling my eyes. “Quinn asked me out first – when we were at the bonfire. He knew I was uncomfortable there, so he took me out for milkshakes. But then Cason and Bennett showed up, and things just got kind of – awkward. I mean, it was like they were all trying to outdo each other for my attention.”

“Oh, tell me more,” Jenn said, a salacious grin on her face. “Because if you don't tell me, someone else will, and I'd rather get the juicy gossip straight from you, if you don't mind.”

“Well, it was strange, honestly,” I said. I stirred my coffee with my spoon, watching the cream mix with the dark roast I'd ordered. “Maybe I'm imagining it, I dunno. Maybe it’s just wishful thinking.”

“They were always a competitive bunch, so it wouldn't surprise me if they were fighting it out for your attention,” Jenn said with a chuckle. “Lucky girl. So, how'd everything end? Did you pick one to go home with?”

“No!” I laughed, feeling almost scandalized. “I'm not that kind of a girl.”

“Pity,” she said, a wry grin on her face. “Those are the details I'd really like.”

“You're incorrigible,” I replied. “It ended when I left them at the diner. By myself. I just told them I had to get home.”

“And why would you do that?” she asked. “Why not let them fight it out a little longer? You can't tell me that wasn't an insane ego boost.”

“I'm not saying it wasn't,” I grinned. “But, it all just felt weird. All that attention, all those questions – all at once. I guess I'm just not ready for all that right now.”

Jenn studied my face for a long moment as she fidgeted with the spoon in her coffee mug. I had an idea what was going through her mind. Even though she was married, I could tell that she had a thing for the McCormick brothers – unanswered questions, perhaps. And I had a feeling she was hoping to live through me vicariously.