Chapter 18 Stella
EIGHTEEN
STELLA
“I feel like you don’t even need me anymore,” I say to Austin as he dries the last of the dishes and sets them carefully into the cupboard.
He’s been doing everything by himself, his incisions no longer require dressing changes, and his shoulder continues to get stronger every day.
At just over six weeks post-op, he’s right where he should be, which is great.
But it also means that my time working for him is almost up.
“I don’t know about that,” he replies. “The only reason I’m not ripping around the property on my ATV is because you won’t let me. If you leave, who’s going to stop me from doing dumb shit?”
I lean my hip into the counter, crossing my arms over my chest with a thoughtful sigh. “You know, I have always wanted children. You may be the closest I ever come to that.”
He raises a brow. “Is this where you ask me to call you Mommy? Because I might have to draw the line there.” My jaw drops in disgust, and I pick up a dish towel, flinging it at him. He barks a loud laugh, putting his hands up in surrender. “I’m kidding, you menace!”
“You’re gross,” I mutter, rolling my eyes. “What are your plans for tonight? I was thinking of rotting on the couch with the latest episode of your favorite reality show if you’re interested. We can take bets on which guys are going to cry when the girls find out what they did last week.”
“Actually,” he drawls with a boyish grin.
I’m pretty sure he’s trying to butter me up with that innocent expression of his, but I know better.
He’s up to something. I lift a brow, urging him to continue.
“As you know, the Renegades lost yesterday. Some of them are having a little get-together at our tight end, Jett Kingsley’s house, and they invited me to swing by.
I’m still not sure if I should be driving now, so it would be really amazing if you’d bring me. ”
I roll my eyes. “You were cleared to drive last week. Also, you literally just threatened to take yourself on a metal death-trap ride around the yard. When I started working for you, you were all about being independent and doing things by yourself. So, why don’t you tell me what you’re up to, because I’m not buying this damsel in distress act. ”
He waves a dismissive hand. “I just think you work too hard. I know Lauren is kind of your only real friend here, and with her working nights, you can’t really go out.
But I’d like to think I’m your friend, too.
I just want you to enjoy yourself a little bit, Stell.
My teammates and their girls are good people, and I think you’d have a great time getting to know them.
Even if you aren’t going to be in Cleveland much longer, don’t you at least want to take some memories with you when you go? ”
If he only knew the memories I’ve already made—ones that, good or bad, I’ll never forget.
From the heartbreak of seeing Emmett for the first time after so many years to the comfort and encouragement he provided when he knew I needed it most—each moment is now a part of me that I’m grateful to have.
So maybe Austin isn’t all that far off with what he’s saying.
It wouldn’t hurt to make some new friends.
I huff a resigned sigh, pulling my lips to the side in thought for a few seconds before I give him an answer. “Fine. But you’re driving. I’m living my best passenger princess life. I don’t care if it’s only a ten-minute ride.”
“Wait,” he says, his eyes going wide in surprise. “Really? You’re not going to be combative? Or yell at me for lying to get you to go?” His hand darts out, the back of it pressing to my forehead as if he’s making sure I don’t have a fever. “Who are you, and what have you done with my nurse?”
I scoff. “She got sick of your lies and deception. You’re stuck with me now.
” He chuckles as I turn on my heel and leave the kitchen, making my way toward the door so I can change my clothes.
As much as I swear by my comfy pink scrubs, I’m going all in tonight.
If I’m meeting Austin’s friends, I want to make a good first impression.
Plus, it wouldn’t hurt to look put together in case Emmett is there.
Entering the guesthouse, I make a beeline for my closet, pulling out the form-fitting black mini dress I bought when I was on assignment here last year.
It never even made the cut for the handful of nights out I had with Lauren, so I tear off the tags and lay it on the bed before stripping down to my thin pink bra and thong.
Stepping into the dress, I pull it up, guide my arms into the long, tight sleeves, and adjust my tits so they’re sitting right where they should be.
I top off the look with my pink suede thigh-high boots and a pair of diamond solitaire earrings.
Grabbing my purse and the puffer coat I bought the other day, I head out, opening the passenger door to Austin’s car and lowering myself inside.
It feels good to know that I don’t have to drive anymore.
I mean, I’ll do it if I have to, but with the winter sun setting so early, I’d much rather not be behind the wheel this late in the evening.
“Holy shit,” he chokes out, his eyes surveying my attire. I narrow my eyes, waiting for his witty response, but he straight up glitches while I sit there feeling like a very overdressed bug under a microscope.
“Is it too much?” I ask nervously. “Should I go change? I can—” I hitch a thumb over my shoulder, but he cuts me off.
“He’s going to lose his mind, you know that, right?”
I freeze, my throat closing up in an instant as I attempt to pretend like I don’t know what he’s talking about. But with the way my hands are clenched around the coat in my lap, knuckles completely white, I’m sure I don’t look very convincing. “Who?”
He huffs an incredulous laugh, making beads of sweat gather on the back of my neck, even though my long hair is up in a tight ponytail. “Okay. We’ll keep playing dumb. I’m cool with that.”
I swallow thickly, not saying a word as he heads toward the front gate.
I want to ask him what he knows, and how he knows it.
But I’m afraid he’ll want the entire story, starting at the very beginning.
I’ve already lied to him about enough, starting with my last name the moment we met.
I really don’t want to have to explain all the ways I hurt his friend when he didn’t deserve it.
I was adamant about not making things awkward for Austin, which is why I did everything I could to keep my distance when Emmett was around.
But now that we’re in so deep, always managing to cross paths even when we aren’t trying, I can’t do it anymore.
Starting tonight, whatever happens, happens.