Heartless (Chestnut Springs, #2)

by Elsie Silver

Or maybe Lucy is being a snarky bitch to my future sister. “Alright.” I stand. “Well, thanks. We’ll get back to you.”

Summer just stands, hip propped against the doorframe, staring at me. She does this sometimes and it’s unnerving. She’s smart. She doesn’t miss a beat. I swear I hear the gears turning in her head, but she doesn’t have a big mouth, so you never quite know what she’s thinking. I like her and I’m glad my little brother was smart enough to put a ring on it.

“I might have an idea.”

OH MY GOD LET IT BE WILLA 🤣🤣🤣🤣

It turns out that after a lifetime of taking care of people, I’m not great at relaxing.

“Willa Grant is good shit, brother. If she’s offering to take care of our boy for the summer, you’d be an idiot to turn her down. I don’t know many people more loyal than her. She’s got a big heart.”

I heave the suitcase out just in time to watch them walk hand in hand into my house, and for some reason, I stop and watch. Unable to look away. Lots of people have walked through that front door. But somehow this feels different.

She’s got me so on my heels it’s not even funny.

Cade: Why are you telling me this? Willa: Just keeping you apprised of *everything we do!!!*

When I walked into the dining room, Cade pulled a chair out and stared at me until I figured out he meant me to sit there. After I did, he tucked me into the table and one of his calloused hands brushed casually—mistakenly—over my bare neck. But it flustered me all the same. Sent gooseflesh out over my arms all the same. The simplest touch has taken up residence in my mind for no good reason.

When Luke talks, everyone listens.

How hard would it be to smile more, to laugh more, if it made her look this happy?

“The way I see it, I like you a little more every day.”

Beau: That’s rude. I think I’ll go dance with the nanny. She seems nice. Beau: Yikes. Is that face special for me? Wanna go outside and blow off some steam like when we were kids?

I know she doesn’t mean it the way I’m thinking. That she’d literally rather spend time with me than out with everyone else. But it’s kind of nice to dream about all the same.

It’s an unfamiliar feeling, wanting someone to like me.

There’s something soulful, something that warms me to my bones as I watch her.

What I want to say is wholly inappropriate. You’re beautiful. How was your night out? I’m sorry I haven’t been leaving enough coffee for you in the morning.

Truthfully, I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing. All I know is that I want to savor this. Savor her.

I didn’t even realize how badly I missed the attention of a woman. And not just any woman. The woman I’ve glued my attention to from the moment I saw her.

You’re doing great. We’re lucky to have you here helping us. Luke loves you. You’ll never catch flack from me for comforting him.”

already feeling relieved at having Cade take control of the situation. He’s so sturdy—there’s a dependability about him that I love.

I think about the moment he reaches for her hand, the way he looks up at her—just a little uncertain that she’ll want his hand in hers. I think about the curve of his lips and the way his tiny shoulders drop on a sigh when she effortlessly wraps her fingers around his, like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

BABY BOY😖😖

“I think I watched a porno like this once.”

“Pardon me?”

And I’m taking the day off to take care of you guys.”

Right now, it’s all dark chocolate and warm caramel streaking across multi-faceted irises.

“That’s the thing, Red. There are too many fuckin’ strings with you. Enough to strangle us both.

Jasper freezes for the briefest moment. “Sloane is coming?”

“I’m sorry I didn’t beg you to come home with me.”

“I’ve watched you with my son. I’ve watched you, period. I’ve longed for you. I went crazy tonight thinking of you out with Lance. I know in my bones that I won’t want to let you go at the end of the summer, but I’ll take what I can get. Because you’re too fucking special to pass up. Fuck my promises, that’s what I was going to say.”

“But when you say things that aren’t true, I get pissed off. Things you make up in your pretty head and toss around in there long enough that you believe them.”

I feel seen lmao

There’s just this spark. One we can’t see, but it’s been burning between us from day one.

“You think you’re in charge now, Willa? That’s adorable.”

“It’s okay. I don’t need a day off from you, buddy. You’re one of my favorite people in the world.”

My heart stutters in my chest, and I suck in a sharp breath. The way Luke smiles, the way he stands just a little bit taller, makes the bridge of my nose sting.

It feels fast, and yet it doesn’t. I wouldn’t have given in to this if it didn’t feel right.

The hand dealt to me is what brought her to my front step.

The pressure is mounting and giving into my redhead streak is hella appealing right about now.

“You don’t want what she’s had. You want more. You deserve more. And I’m going to give it to you. Nod if you understand me.”

“Good. Because I’m sick of holding back with you. You’re not going anywhere. You belong here, with me.”

She’s standing beside Violet but has her full attention on Jasper, like she has since she was a kid. And he’s fucking clueless, like he has been since he was a kid.

🥹🥹🥹 oh they are also gonna be sooooo fun

But Sloane looked at him like he hung the moon.

Her voice is gentler than I expected based on the stories I heard, and her eyes less vicious. They’re more . . . sad. Rimmed with dark circles.

She’s definitely sticking around & I can’t wait to see who she ends up with. I need her story, and F HER MOM

It’s amazing how the adults around you can fuck everything up. That’s what happened with Summer and Winter—and I was there to watch it all go down. I was also there in the hospital, sitting by Summer’s bedside, when Winter would sneak out of the house to be with her too. But only if Summer was sleeping. It’s an unspoken secret Winter and I have kept for years.

😩

“Did Winter say something to you? Do we like her? Do we hate her? Am I supposed to be mad at something with you? Because I will be if you are. Just tell me how to be supportive.”

My god he’s perfect

But I jump in my truck and follow her to the main house, not about to sit at home alone when she and Luke are both under one roof. Where they go, I go. It just feels right.

“It’s two people who were both a little lost until they ended up on the same path and walked together for a while.”

I rush to park so that I can be out of this vehicle and breathing the same air as them. My boys.

And I realize in that moment maybe I am heartless after all, because the beautiful girl with the copper hair grinning back at me right now is the one who stole it.