Chapter 3
Chapter Three
LILY
After that offer, I had to sit down. Stay with my ex-boyfriend’s best friends?
This is too much. I need caffeine. I take a sip of the drink the guys brought me, then stare down at the coffee in shock. A latte with oat milk. The warmth seeps through the cardboard cup and sinks into my chest. They even got me a vegan donut which sits in its little paper bag beside me.
“How did you guys know I’m dairy free?”
Hudson shifts his weight from one foot to the other. “We’ve been paying attention. You found out about your lactose intolerance right after you started dating Matt.”
A familiar ache settles in my stomach. How many times did I wish that he’d care? I frown, picking at the edge of the cup sleeve. “He never remembered.”
Finding out I was lactose intolerant was rough. It could’ve been worse, sure, but for a while there, my diet turned depressing. I still miss cheese. You’d think Matt would have given a shit about something that important, but every single time he got coffee, he always ordered regular milk.
Every. Damn. Time.
Dick.
Silence stretches between us, heavy and awkward. I can feel their focus on me, probably wondering if I’m about to cry, except my eyes are dry. I gave too many of my tears to Matt while we were dating. I’m not giving him any more.
Instead of saying anything about that particular disaster, Hudson clears his throat. “So will you stay with us?”
I take another gulp, nerves fluttering. “What about Matt?”
The three of them trade looks and shrug like it’s the simplest thing in the world.
“We’ll handle it.” Cole’s voice is confident. Unbothered.
They make it sound easy. Uncomplicated. Like me staying with them is fine when we all know it’ll definitely piss him off.
I don’t want to be the reason they have a falling out.
The last thing I need is more drama in my life, and looking at the three of them now, they’re a particular kind of trouble.
Tall. Tan. Rugged. Handsome.
Gage’s light brown hair, short on the sides and a little longer on top, is brushed back.
The strong line of his jaw is peppered with stubble, but it isn’t sloppy.
His brown eyes are framed by thick black eyelashes that most women would envy.
Cole’s black hair is cut in the same way as Gage’s but his is messier.
Even still, it looks good on him. He’s a little leaner than Gage and Hudson, but he’s all muscle.
He and Gage can go back and forth bantering and joking while Hudson stands with a quietly amused grin.
Hudson’s rich green irises are darker than mine, and his short brown hair looks soft to the touch.
Like his friends, his shirt is fitted, sculpted to his muscles.
It’s downright criminal how handsome they all are.
“Come on, Red.” Cole plops down beside me on the couch, the cushions dipping under his weight. “We have an extra bedroom, and it’s only for a few nights until you get a better place to stay.” His smile is a weapon, and I’m completely defenseless.
“And you can’t stay here,” Hudson says.
There it is again. That tone that has me looking at him a little differently. When did he get so bossy?
I wave my hand around the disaster zone that used to be my living room. “I can—”
“No.” Gage’s voice cuts through my protest, gruff and final. “It’s not safe.”
I glance around in amusement. Sure, the house is in rough shape, but dangerous? The kitchen sink works. My neck is a little irritated from sleeping on a couch, but I’ve definitely slept in worse places. I almost say as much until I see the severe looks on all three of their faces.
Hudson runs a hand through his dark brown hair, those green eyes more serious than I’ve ever seen them. “There are saw dust particles, nails, and tools lying around. Not to mention, we still have to deal with the mold in the primary bathroom.”
“It wasn’t toxic though,” I argue, though I don’t know why I’m being so stubborn about this. Maybe because accepting help feels like admitting defeat.
“You’re not staying here,” Gage reiterates, arms crossed over his broad chest, flannel shirt stretching tight. “We promise to stay out of your way and we live far enough out of town that no one in Big Ridge has to know unless you want them to.”
I chew on my bottom lip, eyeing them. They’re completely serious. No hint of joking or backing down. My mind races through the alternatives. I could get a hotel room, only that would mean facing the gossip mill. I could sleep in my car, except that’s actually dangerous.
The house creaks around us, settling deeper into its state of disrepair. A piece of drywall chooses that exact moment to fall from the ceiling and land with a soft thud on the coffee table. We all stare at it.
“Okay, universe, point taken.” I exhale slowly, the fight draining out of me. “But just for a few nights.”
Gage nods. “Perfect. You’ll be more comfortable at our place anyway. Eat your donut.”
“Don’t tell me what to do,” I grumble, lifting the yummy pastry to my mouth anyway. Vegan donuts aren’t as good as the real thing. The bakery in town does a pretty damn good job, though.
It’s terrifying and comforting at the same time to realize that these three men, who owe all of their loyalty to Matt and none to me, stepped in without hesitation.
When was the last time someone paid attention to what kind of coffee I liked?
When was the last time someone noticed the little things that mattered to me?
I take a sip of the latte and close my eyes. Somehow, this is exactly what I needed.
But I can’t get used to it, I remind myself. They’re Matt’s friends, not mine.
Following Hudson’s truck through the winding mountain roads feels a little ridiculous.
I know these streets like the back of my hand, and I’ve sold a house in this area, two of far too few given how much debt I’m carrying, but my utter lack of career success is a worry for a different day.
While it’s silly to be escorted, the guys insisted, and I didn’t have it in me to argue.
The farther we get from town, the easier it is to breathe.
The distance and surrounding woods will be good for me.
I turn onto their road behind their trucks.
The house that comes into view always takes my breath away.
It’s not a mansion, but it’s a rustic cabin that they’ve painstakingly updated ever since they bought it.
They took a small family home and turned it into five bedrooms of pure mountain perfection, all natural stone and timber that blends seamlessly into the forest around it.
They’ve done so much work, and it’s gorgeous.
This is exactly why I hired them to help me with Mom’s house.
I throw the car into park right as Hudson appears at my door, opening it and offering me a hand which I eye suspiciously. “I can manage a door.” Hudson and the guys are always so proper.
He pins me with a look, his green eyes somewhere between stern and amused. “Are you going to let me help you or complain about me being a gentleman some more?”
Well, when he puts it like that. Relenting, I carefully place my hand in his, swallowing at the warmth that shoots up my arm as he helps me stand.
We’re too close. I’m practically breathing his air.
Is his breath minty? I almost lean in to sniff—almost—but he clears his throat and steps back, releasing my hand.
“We’ll show you around.”
Is it me or is he avoiding my gaze now? He turns, Cole and Gage following his lead, and heads to the door. Maybe if I could stop overanalyzing everything and go with the flow I wouldn’t be worried that I’ve already made it weird. The three of them turn to see why I’m not following.
“Coming,” I call out, voice cracking. Way to play it cool.
I follow the stone pathway and join them at the door.
Hudson opens it and lets me in first. The interior is even more impressive than the outside.
Gleaming hardwood floors stretch through an open concept living area.
There’s a built-in cubby-and-bench combo for coats and shoes, and not a single boot or jacket is thrown carelessly about. Everything has its place.
“You guys actually keep it this clean?” The words slip out before I can stop them.
Hudson chuckles, the sound rumbling through his chest. He brushes past where I’ve so rudely blocked their way. “Gage has a thing about organization.”
I step aside, eyeing the man in question.
“Don’t act so surprised,” he says with a laugh.
“I’m not,” I lie.
Gage lifts an eyebrow.
“Okay, so I am, but you’re guys and this is essentially a bachelor pad. I expected more. . .” I trail off.
“Pizza boxes and empty beer cans?” Cole nudges me.
I laugh. “Yeah, I guess that’s what I expected.”
“Can I tell you a secret?” He rests his arm on my shoulder and draws me closer so he can whisper in my ear. “We even clean the bathrooms.”
Pretending to faint, I lean into him. “I’ve died and gone to heaven.”
His laugh rumbles against my body. I’m all too aware of his cologne and the way his fingers press into my blouse.
As subtly as I can, I extract myself from his hold. “So, where am I staying?”
“This way.” Hudson moves to the stairs along the back wall of the open concept space. I follow, aware of Gage and Cole heading to the living room.
Along the steps are gray scale drawings, landscapes and some beautiful portraits.
Two women I recognize as Hudson’s mom and her partner.
Are these his drawings? I know he drew in high school, though I’m a bit ashamed to admit, I don’t know much about their lives outside of Matt.
We’ve always kept a respectful boundary since I was Matt’s girlfriend.
They were nice to me, but we didn’t exactly share childhood secrets and hobbies.