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was going a little too native for me.
    Thump .
    I turned back to see Wyatt straighten, stretch. My mouth went totally dry. He shifted the sledgehammer, his arms flexing in the rising sun. He rolled his neck, his shoulders rippled, and his stomach was…
    I blew out a breath and jumped up, tugged on running clothes, and headed for the kitchen. Mom had left a note. Dad had left this morning and she’d be home later. She wanted my help at the clinic, if I was up for it. I dropped the note on the table and grabbed a banana.
    “Allie?” Dax called out.
    I pushed through the back screen door. “What?”
    Dax waved me forward. “Come on.”
    I went, trying not to stare at Wyatt. He was jaw-droppingly hot this close. And way more ripped than I’d imagined, lean and long and… He smiled at me, wiping his face on a large blue bandana before hanging it back on the fence.
    I nodded at Wyatt, forcing myself not to stop and stare, and asked Dax, “What’s up?”
    Dax smiled. “Get in the truck.”
    I waited, hoping Dax would get in first, but no… He waited, putting me beside Wyatt again. I slid across the seat, just in time to see Wyatt pull his t-shirt on. Good. I didn’t really want to sit next to him half-naked or anything. I felt my heart pick up as he climbed into the truck, his thigh pressing against mine. Yes, the shirt was a good thing.
    We drove away from the house, stopping at the end of the fence line. Wyatt parked and Dax pointed. A wide path cut through the tall waving grass.
    I leaned forward. “I didn’t see this yesterday.”
    “It wasn’t here yesterday.” Dax laughed, getting out. I climbed out after him, totally confused. “Wyatt mowed it for you.”
    Wait, what? My heart was really going crazy now. He did this for me? I couldn’t not look at him now. He was still in the truck. His eyes traveled over my face, quickly, before he looked out his window.
    I kept staring at him. He looked at me then, his forehead wrinkling. He looked…cautious.
    “Th-thanks,” I managed.
    He nodded and smiled the kind of smile that made time stand still. For that second, it was just me and him and that freaking amazing smile. That smile was for me…
    I didn’t want that. Did I? I didn’t want anything to do with those honey-colored eyes or that super-hot, amazingly capable body. I swallowed and turned back to the path. A distraction…something to break the tension…
    “Up for a race?” I blurted out, glancing at Dax, then Wyatt.
    Wyatt was out of the truck before Dax answered.
    “You’re in boots,” I pointed out.
    “Then you might be able to beat me,” he answered.
    I narrowed my eyes and glanced at Dax. Dax held his hands up. “I think I’m going to watch this time.” He shook his head. “Ready?”
    I glanced at Wyatt. He winked. I laughed. Dammit .
    “Go!” Dax yelled.
    And we were running. I don’t know how he made it as far as he did. The grass was slick and he was in boots. But he made it all the way down the hill before he slipped and went down. I glanced back at him, lying in the grass, and turned around.
    “Break anything?” I asked, offering him my hand.
    He took my hand. “Nope.”
    I helped him up, nervous. He stared down at me, took a step closer… Dammit . His hand squeezed mine, pulling me closer. I froze, pulling my hand from his. “Next time, wear running shoes.” I ran off, following my newly created track. I didn’t look back. I was too freaked out. My heart was going crazy and I felt…I felt happy. But I didn’t deserve to feel happiness. Dammit .
    I wasn’t a good person. I’d done horrible things. That night…that night with Lindie… I felt a familiar coldness seep into my chest. It should have been me, not Lindie.
    It’s my fault. My fault.
    I ran until my lungs were on fire, then headed back to the house. I ignored Dax and Wyatt, refusing to slow down until I was inside. Itore off my running clothes and jumped into the shower, turning the water as hot as I could