Broken Promises (Broken 3)

I tried to laugh. “I mean, I told Keith I wanted to wait until after col

lege to make my decision.”

“Smart girl,” My father said. “I knew I raised you right.”

I giggled nervously as I glanced back over to Walker. He was still standing in the corner, talking on the phone. He was smiling when I read his lips saying, “I love you.”

He pulled the phone away and must have hung up. He looked directly at me, but I looked away, continuing to explain the engagement thing to my parents.

“I, um…I told him I would for sure give him my answer by the time he came back from his hiking trip with his dad. He uh…well, he asked me to wear the ring, so…” I held it up and tried to laugh before I dropped my hand and shrugged.

Ava pulled me in for a hug. “Well, I know that you wouldn’t have put it on if you didn’t think your answer would be ‘yes.’”

I swallowed as I peeked over to Walker. He gave me a weak smile.

“Well,” I said, “we still have some things to talk about so…” I trailed off as I saw the look on my mother’s face—it was like she could see the internal struggle going on in my head. “Anyway,” I said. “I’m starved. Are those ribs done yet?”

Everyone dispersed. Jase and Walker headed into the den and mentioned something about playing a game of pool. We’d always loved to play pool. Walker had taught me how to play and Jase hated that I constantly beat him.

“After dinner boys,” Courtney called. “Let’s eat!”

Courtney carried a giant bowl of potato salad to the table and I was more than happy to help out. Anything to turn the conversation away from the ring.

I STOOD AT the kitchen sink staring out the window as I dried off a plate. I felt someone pull the plate from my hand and turned to see my mother. She was so beautiful, like always. Her hair was pulled up in a simple ponytail and her blue eyes sparkled as she looked into mine.

“Follow your heart,” she whispered. “I promise, it will always lead you down the right path.”

I felt the tears building in my eyes. “Mom,” I whispered as she took me into her arms. I fought like hell to hold my tears back as she held me. I’d missed her so much. Did I really want to leave all of this? Leave my family? I pulled back and wiped a tear away. “Thanks, Mom.”

“I’m always here to talk, sweetheart. Please know that.” She pushed a stray strand of hair back and behind me ear.

I nodded. “I know that, Mom.”

She smiled said, “Now go play pool and show your brother Jase how it’s done.”

I laughed as I set the towel down and made my way through the house to the den. When I walked in, Ava and Jase were arguing about some rule.

“Ava, if an 8 ball is knocked to the floor, it’s a loss. Period.” Jase said.

Ava stood firm with her hands on her hips. “I don’t think so, Jase. Stop trying to kick me out of the game.”

Jase threw his hands up and sighed in frustration.

When I looked to my right, I saw Walker. He was leaning against the wall watching Ava and Jase fight. He was wearing that drop-dead gorgeous smile of his. He had on a light blue T-shirt that made his chest look massive and his biceps even bigger. I licked my lips when I saw the tattoo again. I checked out his pants—Wranglers. Tight Wranglers. I smiled when I noticed he was wearing the same boots he’d always worn when he worked on the ranch. I imagined what it would feel like to have his lips against mine again. Would that same spark still be there? Would it be lost because he was in love with Jessica? And I was with Keith.

Walker saw me and pushed off against the wall. I touched the ring that was still on my necklace. Walker’s smile wavered for a moment.

“You don’t have to keep that ring if you don’t want it,” he said.

My heart dropped. I wanted to tell him I hadn’t taken it off since the day he’d given it to me. Not until today. “Of course I want it,” I said. “You gave it to me.”

He smiled, then turned to Ava and Jase. “All right I’ve had enough,” he said. “Ava, Jase is right. Let’s just rack ’em up and start a new game.”

Ava rolled her eyes and made a sour face at Jase. “Ugh, when are you going to Italy?”

He laughed. “You know you’re gonna miss me,” he said as he mussed up Ava’s hair.

She pushed his hand away and said, “Yeah, don’t count on it, ass wipe. If I had to push the airplane down the runway to get you out of here, I’d do it.”