My Crush’s Brother (Grand Lake Colorado #1)

13. Pearl

THIRTEEN

Pearl

“ I heard back from the Chicago job.” I say between bites of wings.

“And?” Jade asks wiping off the sauce from her chin. She and I have several little traditions, one being wings and beer on Tuesday nights.

“The phone interview went really well and they asked if I could fly out there for an in person interview. I told her I had to wrap something up here this week but I could be out there by Friday morning if that works for them.”

“Awe yay I’m so proud of you and happy!” She pulls me in for a half hug, careful not to get her saucey hands on my shirt.

“You have to wrap up the job at the Winthrop cabin’s this week?” I was hoping she’d skip over that little detail and not ask me what I’d meant.

“Well, that’s part of it yeah. I told Mrs. Winthrop about the job when I applied, I didn’t want to just leave her in a lurch if I got it. But also...Blake.”

She drops her half eaten wing and spins to face me. “Meaning?”

“Well since that night after the Fourth of July dance we’ve kind of been…” I take a long drink of my beer not wanting to say it.

“Spit it out!”

“Hooking up I guess?” I feel like an idiot not even sure what we’re doing.

“You guess?” I turn away from her scrunched up face.

“Yeah. I mean,” I take in a long breath. “He has some pretty big jobs coming up out of state and you know he’s gone for months at a time. That’s not really how I want a relationship to go, us not seeing each other for weeks and months. So we kind of agreed to just enjoy the time he had left. He leaves for Montana on Sunday.”

“I could see how that wouldn’t be an ideal relationship...did you consider going where he is? You could travel and do the cabin marketing job from the road as long as you had wifi.”

I roll my eyes, she’s being nice but it’s not realistic. “Yeah I did think about that actually but I’m happy here Jade. Not to mention Alaska? I looked it up, the wifi in the remote towns he builds is terrible and unreliable and that’s not conducive for my work. This is my home and this is where I want to live. I don’t even know why I’m going to this Chicago interview.” I hang my head.

“What’s your heart telling you Pearl? What do YOU want to do about this situation?”

“I want to be with Blake but I’m also not willing to make the sacrifice and put my life on hold to be with him. I did that for too long with Trevor, I can’t keep selling myself short.”

“Well I agree with you there honey,” she gives me a thin lipped smile.

“This is what’s going through my brain...I’m going to give Trevor a call and explain to him what’s been going on between us and see if he’s free to grab dinner when I’m in Chicago. He knows I have an interview and told me to hit him up when I arrived. Blake and I had a little fight and then he went on a fishing trip to God knows where. I don’t know when he’s getting back but maybe Trevor knows. I want to surprise Blake, apologize to him and end things on a friendly note ya know? I do really care for him. I don’t want to lose him as a friend.”

“You mean you want to keep him around for a friends with benefits when he’s in town?” she laughs.

“Can’t hurt!” I laugh as we clink our beer glasses together.

“Hey thanks for picking up. Sorry for the random call but there’s something kind of crazy I need to tell you and...it’s going to be awkward.”

“You’re sleeping with my brother.” I feel my mouth drop open.

“What?!” Is the only thing I can manage to say.

“Blake told me the other day so no need for any details. I’m cool with it, I’m glad you guys are happy and in love and all that shit.” He laughs and I can picture the face he’s making, the way his eyes crinkle so tight.

“I’m sorry, in love? No. It’s just a...well I don’t know exactly but he travels and I’m working.” I start rambling and try to play it off but why the hell did he throw out the word love?

“Wait, what did Blake say about me?” I ask, suddenly feeling a bit childish.

“No, nope. I’m not playing this game with you two. You guys need to figure out your own shit, keep me out of it, I don’t want details!”

“Oh relax! Fine,” I huff. “I’ll let you go then since you’re already filled in. Oh, when did he say he’s coming back to Grand Lake? I pissed him off and he took off without telling me.”

“Doesn’t take much to ruffle that old man’s feathers. He’ll be back tomorrow night.”

“Thanks Trev...I’m sorry this is so weird.” He pauses briefly on the other end.

“Honestly, it’s pretty great. You’d be my sister and I’d love to see Blake happy again. Just hope you two can make it work. Talk soon.”

He hangs up and I look down at my phone, pulling open the notes section to make my checklist for what I’ll need to surprise Blake.

Wine. Candles. Rose petals. Lingerie. Something fancy to cook. I need Delilah’s help with that one.

The next morning I head over to the cabins, stopping to pick up some fresh muffins and coffee for Mrs. Winthrop and I.

“Good morning Mrs. W” I say balancing the coffee and muffins as I let my bag slide off my shoulder to the floor.

“Oh let me help you with that dear. And call me Adele, you’re practically my daughter you know.” Over the years she’s always insisted I call her by her first name but my parents wouldn’t allow it. I guess it’s just a habit now.

“Bookings still coming in steadily?” I ask as she hands us each a muffin.

“Yes, I was just telling your mama about how amazing you are. I ran into her at the market yesterday. She looked well.”

“Yeah she’s doing great actually. Her back was bothering her a while back and I finally talked her into going to see a specialist in Boulder. He gave her some steroid shots and she’s back to feeling like she’s 30 again...according to her. What about you? How are you doing?”

Her eyes are still bright and she’s still fiery as ever but I worry about Mrs. W. She’s not getting any younger and when her husband passed away several years ago it was a lot for her to take on this business by herself.

“Oh don’t you worry about me. I’m still feisty.” She says with a wink. “Besides Blake has been such a help lately, I’m going to miss having him around every day. I always worry when he travels.”

I nod, not wanting to give too much away. “Yeah that has to be hard.”

“You sure you won’t miss having him around too?” I feel my cheeks heat up instantly.

“Uh...I mean.” She can’t hold back her laughter any longer.

“You kids think because I’m old you’ve got me fooled. I see the way you two look at each other.” She taps her nose and I just shake my head.

“I won’t pry but just know, I haven’t seen Blake this happy in...well, forever. Just be good to each other and be honest and you’ll figure it out.”

Adele doesn’t say anything else about the matter as we launch into our work day. Why does everyone seem to think it’s so easy? We’ll just figure it out. Whatever the hell that means.

It’s nearing three o’clock when I finish up my day and I make a beeline to The Place to get some help from Delilah on romantic dinner ideas.

“What do you both like?” She asks as she looks through the invoices on her desk.

“Ummm food? Oh, I know he said he loves white wine sauce!”

“Perfect. Make chicken marsala. I’ll lay out some ingredients on the counter for you, just look up the recipe online, it’s not difficult.”

I give her a big hug, “You’re a lifesaver!”

I gather up the ingredients and wine and jump in my bug. I don’t have actual lingerie and the only place in town to get it is Martha’s boutique. The last thing I need is the tongues wagging of a bunch of town’s people so the red lace bra and panty set I bought on a whim over a year ago and never wore will have to do.

I stop by my mom’s house to check in on her and tell her I’d be out all night. I’m a grown woman and my mom doesn’t tend to worry but just in case I wanted her to know I’d be somewhere safe. I feel like I’m lying to her because I know she assumes I’m out with Jade. On the way out of the house I stop by one of the rose bushes and pull a few flours from their stems.

It’s nearing seven thirty when I set the plates on the table and light the candles. I sprinkle rose petals from the kitchen to the bedroom where I’ve lit a few more candles. Dinner is done and I’ve placed it in the over to keep warm.

I can’t believe I’m actually going through with this. I look myself over in the bathroom mirror once more, I almost don’t recognize the wanton woman staring back at me. I’ve curled and fluffed my hair and slicked on a red lipstick the same color as my bra and panties. I see lights shine across the front of the living room and scurry back to the bedroom.

I lay myself provocatively across his bed and wait for him to enter. My heart feels like it’s about to beat out of my chest when I hear his keys in the front door. Suddenly it hits me, I hope he’s not upset I used one of the spare keys to his cabin from the front office to let myself in. I push the through away as butterflies dance in my stomach.

The front door closes and I hear him take a few steps into the house. Before I hear a woman’s voice.

“Oh my god Blakey, Is this for me?”

“Uhh,” I can hear the confusion in his voice.

Blakey? Who the hell? Before I can scramble off the bed and grab something to cover myself Blake is flipping on the light switch. I catch myself as I trip over the edge of the comforter and stand up to see Tracey standing behind him with her hands on his waist.

Her smile fades when she sees me and realizes that this is in fact not something Blakey did for her.

“Pearl wait. Wait!” He says as I push my way past them, grabbing my clothes and sprinting out to my car. I don’t even care that I’m half naked or that I stubbed my toe so hard it’s bleeding. I just want to get the hell out of there.