Chapter 33 Braedyn #2
Instead, I moved straight to the stove and started breakfast as Owen chattered at Dex.
As the caffeine started to take effect, Dex became more responsive.
By the time I set a scramble, toast, and fruit on the table, they were deep in a discussion about computers, which I only understood every fifth word of.
But there was something about the normalcy of it. The kind I’d never really had. Because even when we had Nova, she was out the door at the crack of dawn for morning yoga classes. This was new. And I liked it too much.
“All right,” I said, rising to clear plates. “Get your backpack, O. We gotta get rolling.”
“Aw, man,” he muttered. “I wanna hang with Dex today.”
Dex grinned as he stood, stilling my motion. “I am the coolest option, obviously. But we can hang tonight. I’m working on building a new computer. You can help.”
Owen’s eyes went wide. “Seriously?”
“Seriously.”
Owen let out a wild banshee cry and raced to his room.
Dex took the plates from me, his fingers brushing mine. My gaze lifted, colliding with his before his dropped to my mouth. “You cook. I clean.”
I cleared my throat. “Seems fair enough.” I crossed to the junk drawer and pulled out the extra key to my cabin, anything for some distance. Anything to not smell that cedar-and-sandalwood scent. “In case you need to get in here while I’m gone.”
Dex’s mouth thinned, but he took it. “You want me to follow you to camp and work? Or drop you both off?”
God, that was nice. Too nice. I shook my head. “I’m good.”
The hard line of Dex’s mouth didn’t shift. “Text me when you get there and when you head home.”
I tried not to shift uncomfortably. “I’ll be home right after work. Owen has a playdate after camp.”
“Good.” The single word sounded more like a grunt, and I rolled my eyes.
“See you later, Buttercup,” I called as I grabbed my bag and ushered Owen out of the house.
* * *
The first lunch-goers at the hostess stand were a welcome sight because I’d already scrubbed every table, organized all the condiment bottles, and refilled every salt and pepper shaker. There was nothing left for me to do, which meant my mind was spinning.
I moved to head for the hostess stand, but Cora swooped in and guided the couple to their table. My face fell.
A chuckle sounded to my right. “Why do you look like someone just stole your puppy?” Wylder asked.
I sent a scowl in his direction. “I like to stay busy. Is that a crime?”
Fiona patted my shoulder as she passed behind me. “Yeah, Wylder, you’d think you’d appreciate someone here to work.” She sent a pointed look at Aidan, who was leaning against the bar, scrolling on his phone.
“Hey,” Aidan said, affronted. “I got no customers.”
Wylder’s gaze narrowed on him. “Then hit the stockroom. That’s been on your task list for two weeks.”
Aidan flicked Fiona a scathing look. “There will be payback.”
The woman with gray sprinkled liberally through her dark hair cackled. “You don’t scare me, pipsqueak.”
“I gotta work on my mad-dog look,” Aidan grumbled as he headed for the stockroom.
Two familiar faces appeared at the hostess stand, and I started in that direction. “I got ’em.”
Aster’s hair hung in loose waves that framed her face, and she wore jeans and an antique belt buckle paired with a blouse covered in pale-blue flowers. Holly had her blond hair swept back into a high bun, a few wisps falling free.
Holly didn’t wait, just crossed into my space and pulled me into a hug. “Are you okay? I wanted to come over last night, but Cora said the Archers had you covered. You know you can come stay with me anytime.”
It wasn’t the first offer I’d gotten. Cora had suggested that Owen and I stay in her small apartment over the coffee shop, telling me she could stay with Travis in his cabin outside of town.
The fact that she was willing to take me in despite her lack of space said everything about who she was and the community I found myself a part of.
“You’re always welcome at mine, too. We’ve got a few guesthouses on the ranch also,” Aster said. She was trying to keep her expression easy, but I saw the concern bleeding through.
“Thank you. Both of you. That means more than you could know. But I’m good. Dex said he’d stay at my place until all of this was over.”
Both women were silent for a moment, and then Aster let out a little squeal. The sound was a burst of happiness after a trying few weeks. “You know crises can bring people together.”
My cheeks heated. “It’s not like that.”
“Mm-hmm,” Cora said with a smirk as she walked up to our group. “I bet it’s not like that at all. Because a man just loves to sleep on a lumpy couch away from his nice, comfortable bed.”
Aster’s pale-blue eyes twinkled. “Who said he’s sleeping on the couch?”
“He is!” I squeaked. “He’s just being nice.”
“Nice is a good start,” Cora suggested.
“Just be careful,” Holly warned, looking truly concerned.
Annoyance flashed through me. “Dex is an incredible man who’s turned his life upside down to make me feel safe. But you can rest assured, he only sees me as a friend.”
Holly’s lips pursed, but she didn’t say anything.
Aster frowned. “What do you mean?”
I couldn’t help but stiffen. “He just won’t go there. I don’t think with anyone.”
Sympathy washed over Aster’s face. “He’s carrying a hell of a weight.”
“Dr. Carrington, reporting for duty,” Cora quipped.
Aster sent her a quelling look. “We could all do with a little therapy in our lives. It helps us dig into who and why we are. Helps us figure out how to live better, healthier, happier.”
Cora held up her arms in an X. “No, thank you. Stay out of my head, please.”
I chuckled. “I’m pretty sure she’s a shrink, not a mind reader.”
“Thank God,” Cora mumbled. “Because you do not want to know about the dream I had about Chris Hemsworth the other night.”
Aster choked on a laugh. “Don’t tell Travis.”
Cora looked thoughtful for a moment. “I wonder if I could order him a Thor costume on the internet.”
“Who’s wearing a Thor costume?” Maverick’s voice cut in. “You know, I have impeccable biceps.”
Aster instantly stiffened, her face transforming into a hard mask. “I think you’re confusing biceps for your inflated ego.”
“Ouch, Ice Queen. You’re feeling extra spicy today, aren’t you?” Mav shot back.
“You’re acting extra moronic today, so what do you expect, Satan?”
Maverick moved, wrapping an arm around me and pulling me in front of him. “Protect me from the mean lady, Little Badass.”
I swore I saw a flicker of pain as Aster zeroed in on Maverick’s arm around me. But she quickly covered it, squaring her shoulders. “Running scared, just like always.”
I ducked out of Maverick’s hold, giving him a little shove. “Do you need something, or are you just trying to start trouble?”
“Hey, I’m the innocent party here. Just stopping by to see my brother on the way to the base.”
I pointed toward the bar. “Wylder’s in that direction, if you haven’t noticed.”
Mav let out a huff. “I can see when I’m not wanted.” He dipped his head. “Cora. Holly. Ice Queen.”
Cora stifled a giggle, but Aster just flipped him off as Holly shook her head.
That only made Maverick grin as he headed for the bar.
The moment he was out of earshot, I turned to Aster. “What the hell is the deal with you two?”
Cora let out a low whistle.
But Aster just shook her head. “It’s a long story.”
I bet. “I’ve got time.”
Her lips thinned. “Let’s just say there are some things you can’t forgive.”
But there wasn’t just anger in Aster’s pale-blue eyes. There was soul-deep pain. And that left me with one question.
What the hell had happened between those two?