Quiet Ones

Summary

Quinn

I’ve always had too many men in my life. My overbearing father. My domineering older brothers. My invasive nephews. The Trents and Caruthers run this town, and although I’ve never given them a reason to worry, they treat me like I’m made of glass.

They’re wrong, though. At twenty-one, I finished college in record time, I own my own business, I pay taxes, I don’t party, and I’ve never broken a law.

But I have one secret: I raced to grow up in case he ever came back home.

Lucas Morrow grew up with my brothers and my family, but he left when I was thirteen. I’ve waited to see him again, making sure everything is perfect.  

But I’ve realized I’m waiting my life away. It’s time to move on. Maybe get my own place.

And I think I’m going to make some new friends, too.

It’s summer. Cookouts, Fourth of July, the Night Ride… I want freedom.

I mean, I am my brothers’ sister. Did they really think the apple fell that far?

Lucas

She thinks her family are the only men watching her. So innocent.

And I want to keep her that way. Even though I’m twelve years older, we were always the odd ones out around her family. She gravitated to me, and I always made sure she wasn’t alone. When I left, I told myself she’d be fine without me. They all would.

But really, it was just an excuse to escape the guilt.

I only meant to come back for a few days, but I never entertained the thought that she’d grown up. Her brothers are distracted, and one bad decision after another is circling her.

A motocross racer who can’t stop whispering in her ear.

A criminal from across the tracks who can’t stop looking.

Old ghosts.

And old enemies.

She doesn’t want a babysitter anymore, and if she ever finds out why I left town, she’ll know why I’m not the best role model.

But I’m still the older one.

And she still needs supervision.