Damn it, she couldn’t erase that heartbreaking conversation with Della Bishop from her mind. The woman’s teary confession had shocked Bree into speechlessness, and though she’d promised the older woman she wouldn’t breathe a word of it to Jake, Della hadn’t told her she couldn’t talk to Austin…
Without allowing herself to question her actions, she darted across the street and made a beeline for the pub. This was probably a bad idea, but she couldn’t let this go, not when she knew how badly Austin must be hurting right now. And just because she was determined to keep this thing between Jake light and casual didn’t mean she couldn’t look out for his baby brother.
The bar was pretty much deserted when she walked in. Two older men were holed up in one of the red vinyl booths spanning the far wall, but the stools lining the long bar counter were void of customers. Austin stood behind the counter, his elbows resting on the sleek wood, his gaze blank.
He blinked when she entered, eyes focusing, and his mouth instantly curled into a frown.
She offered a timid smile. “I come in peace.”
Although he looked less than thrilled to see her, his tone remained polite as he said, “What’s up, Bree?”
“I wanted to apologize for springing that lunch on you,” she said. She cast a discreet look at the men in the booth. “Can we talk in private for a moment?”
After a second, he nodded.
Bree followed him to the back room, which was full of wooden pallets stacked high with beer and liquor cases. Since the room functioned as a cooler, the temperature was chilly, and her breath left white puffs in the air.
Austin leaned against one of the pallets, his thick biceps flexing as he rested it on a case of Bud Light.
She studied him for a moment, noticing just how handsome he’d become. He’d been gangly as a kid, but now boasted a lean, muscular body, washboard abs rippling beneath his snug black T-shirt and long legs that looked as good as Jake’s in a pair of faded jeans. He was as handsome as his brothers, though his features leaned toward classically chiseled rather than the ruggedness of the older Bishops. The dark hair was the same chocolaty color as Jake’s, but Austin lacked the trademark Bishop gray eyes; his were the most interesting shade of green, an earthy moss with flecks of lime and whiskey around the pupils.
Bree stared into those gorgeous green depths and said, “I spoke to your mom after you left.”
His strong jaw tensed. “What’d she tell you?”
“Everything.”
Panic skated across his face. “Was Jake there?”
“No, he was outside smoking like a chimney. He got pretty upset, seeing your mother cry like that.”
Now his expression filled with guilt, which made Bree’s heart ache. “I know you didn’t mean to upset her. And I understand why you’re lashing out. Hell, Austin, she understands it. She told me she’s surprised you haven’t said worse to her.”
“She said that?”
Bree nodded. On an impulse, she reached out and took his hand, squeezing it firmly. “Your mother loves you, you know that, right?”
“So much that she’s been lying to me my entire life.”
His bitterness thickened the air, sending a tug of sorrow to her chest. “I know how much that must hurt,” she said gently. “And I want you to know that if you ever need someone to talk to, I’m a good listener. I won’t judge, I won’t try to tell you how to feel. I’ll just listen.”
Surprise flickered in his eyes. “You don’t even know me.”
“You don’t know me either. That’s why I’m offering—because sometimes talking to a stranger is easier than talking to the people you’re closest to.”
“Oh.” He cleared his throat and slowly removed his hand from her grip. “Are you always this nice?”
Not when I’m in bed with your brother.
“Usually.” She rummaged around in her purse until she found the little notepad and pencil she kept in there. Quickly, she scribbled down her cell and office number, then handed him the paper. “I’m serious. Call me if you ever need to talk, okay?”
After a beat of hesitation, he folded the paper and shoved it in his pocket. “Thanks, Bree.”
“No problem.”
She took a step for the door, but his wry voice stopped her.
“Jake’s an idiot.”
Bree had to smile. “Why is that?”
“Owen told me you two were involved back in the day, and that Jake let you get away.” Austin shook his head. “Now that I’ve met you, I realize my brother is an even bigger fool than I thought.”
“No, he’s not,” she said softly. “He’s just…complicated.”
“You two are involved again, huh?”
“Something like that.”
Austin’s face grew serious. “Well, I probably don’t need to warn you, since you seem to know Jake pretty well, but don’t get too invested in whatever’s going on with you two. I don’t know why he’s still in town, but I can’t imagine it’ll be for much longer. Jake will be moving on soon. He always does.”