Good Girls Don't Date Rock Stars(88)

Justin grinned as he popped the top and took a swig. “Trying to psychoanalyze me, brother?”

“You kidding me? I don’t want to delve any deeper into that head of yours.” Everett tipped his beer up again and wiped his mouth. “Who knows what I’d find?”

“Nothing terribly complicated up here.” Justin tapped the side of his head for emphasis, despite the image of one extremely complicated woman that he couldn’t seem to shake.

He’d seen Valerie Willis around town a few times since she’d moved back, but today at Hall’s Market was the first time he’d really talked to her. Rumor had it she’d cheated on her ex-husband, Cole Channing, a real up-and-comer in politics, and after he’d divorced her, she’d come home to ride out the scandal. It was hard for him to reconcile the Valerie he remembered with the cold, heartless bitch the townspeople were portraying her as.

The Valerie he’d met ten years ago had been beautiful and wild, like a bobcat he’d once seen running across a meadow. She’d been up for anything, from the kiss he’d laid on her before knowing her name to streaking across the Rock Canyon High School football field. Afterward, he’d walked her to the door and kissed her good night, asking if he could see her again. He hadn’t even slept with her, but the little spitfire had sure gotten under his skin. He could still remember the taste of her strawberry lip gloss as she’d kissed him one last time, whispering “yes” as she ran for the side of her house.

But when he went to see her the next day, her dad had told him she was gone and said, in no uncertain terms, that he didn’t want Fred Silverton’s son anywhere near his girl.

It had stung that she’d left town without telling him, but he’d finally figured out that their night had meant more to him than her. He’d moved on and gotten over what could have been.

Then, today, he’d gone and made an ass out of himself, insinuating she should share her bottle of wine with him.

“Well,” his brother said, bringing him out of his own head, “I’d better go tend to my chores. See you later.”

Justin shook his head to clear it and said, “Yeah, see ya.” Finishing his beer, he turned up the radio and the heater, his breath still fogging in front of him.

“Hello, all you lucky Valentines out there. Stay tuned for your next chance to win tickets to see Brad Paisley, February 14th! Just listen for Brad’s ‘Little Moments’ to win.” Kat Country DJ Callie Jacobsen called out through the speakers. Justin’s ears perked up. “And for all of you singles, how would you like to win an all-inclusive weekend vacation to the place where perfect matches are made? Just listen to this jingle . . .”


Justin was barely listening anymore as he went back to work on the engine, pushing all thoughts of petite brunettes from his mind.