Chapter 18
eighteen
Killian
“Arodeo?” Everett asks, handing me a beer as we sit on Hazel’s porch.
“I need to bring people onto the ranch, let them see that all the rumors are lies.”
He shrugs. “I guess, but…a rodeo?”
“Tessa thinks it’s the best way to get other types of horse people there, not just race breeders. Plus the rodeo will turn a rather large profit if it goes to plan. The fuck do I know?” I say, exhaustion setting in.
We’ve been at Hazel’s all day for the second weekend in a row.
She has more projects going on than I could ever imagine doing.
Her primary bathroom is completely gutted, and she has to use the hall one until we finish it.
The kitchen is stripped pretty much down to the studs, and she decided she wanted to remove a wall last time we were here.
Thankfully, Everett put a stop to that idea—for now.
“I’ve learned after falling in love with Violet that there’s very little we won’t do for the women in our lives. I debated getting a goat again last week.” He takes a long drink from the bottle.
I want to comment on the love part because that doesn’t apply here. We both know that this can’t go anywhere so, I don’t need to worry about that.
Or more like I choose to live in denial that I could very easily love her.
Instead of saying any of that, I focus on the second part what he said.
“A goat?”
“Don’t ask.”
I grin. “Well, she thinks the rodeo will help put us back on the right track and it’ll give the town a boost too.”
“She’s right about that. All anyone who comes into the clinic talks about is how great it’s going to be. I think you might have single-handedly saved the pizza parlor too by having them supply the food.”
At least I can feel good about that, I guess.
We have two major food vendors—the pizzeria and the bar, which will be offering barbeque options.
Hazel will also be there with coffee and baked goods.
All in all, it’ll be good for my friends as well.
“I know I’m a transplant Ember Falls resident, but I do love this town and I’m glad they’re all excited.”
He claps me on the back. “You’re a good man, Killian Thorn.”
“I appreciate that.”
“Before I forget, Violet asked if you and Tessa wanted to come over for dinner.”
I pause, absorbing that. “I can ask her, but we’re not together. You know that, right?”
“Sure you’re not.”
“We’re not.”
Maybe if I say it enough, I’ll actually believe it.
“So, you just took her to Marge’s for…what?” Everett asks.
I took her for a date because she deserved to have one. I have no idea when she goes back to New York if she’ll meet someone or stay single. Giving her that night was what I needed to do.
I had to know that, at least once, a man put her above his own selfish wants.
“Dinner.”
He laughs as he brings the bottle to his mouth.
“Sure. Whatever you say. Just like Lachlan wasn’t in love with Ainsley and their relationship wasn’t serious.
Then there’s Miles and Penelope who absolutely weren’t together, it was just friendship.
Or take me and Violet. We had no plans of being anything, since she was going through her divorce. That didn’t pan out—thank God.”
All of those situations were different. Lachlan had feelings for Ainsley, whether he ever wanted to admit it or not.
Penelope had a lot of baggage and was just scared, but she always knew she and Miles had something.
Everett had been in love with Violet since they were kids. Of course they were full of shit.
Tessa and I don’t have that.
We had a one-night stand, discovered we have incredible chemistry, and now we’re…casual, even if I think about her all the fucking time.
“We’re different. Tessa lives in New York. I’m going back to Boston soon because I can’t afford to lose two businesses. I took her to dinner because we have to eat.”
Everett shakes his head. “All right. I believe you.”
He doesn’t.
He takes out his phone and starts to type, then my phone buzzes.
Everett
Killian is in love with Tessa and living in denial. Just wanted to let the group know so when he’s heartbroken, I can say I told you so.
I glare at him. “Asshole.”
Miles
No shit he loves her. He took her to see Marge.
Lachlan
Did you tell him it’s easier to just accept it now? Causes a lot less stress.
Shut up. All of you. As I told this idiot, I’m not in love. I like her, sure, but that’s it.
Other than the fact that I can’t stop thinking of her and spend every night with her.
The night of the date, I did lock myself in my room. It was the worst night of sleep I’ve had since she arrived, but I was serious when I said I wanted her to experience a real date.
If I’m completely honest, I also wanted it for us.
Jesus. Maybe I should start lying to myself a little more.
Everett
I wonder when he realizes that he does love her, if it’ll be too late.
Lachlan
Ainsley said…yup.
Miles
Penny said the same.
Tell them they’re wrong.
Lachlan
What do we get when we’re right? We should place bets. Fifty bucks says Killian fucks it up and realizes the truth four days after she leaves.
Everett
I say two.
I roll my eyes. “You know I’m right here.”
“That’s what makes this even more fun,” Everett says with a laugh.
Miles
I think it’ll take him longer. He’s that old and broody type. So, I’m going with a week. After that, he’ll be sweating, walking around, thinking maybe he’s just sick, but it’ll be heartbreak.
That’s never going to happen.
Everett
You might be right. Well, if that does happen we can at least make fun of him for something else other than just being old.
Thankfully, Hazel pulls up, stopping at least Everett continuing to egg the group on.
“Thank God,” I say softly.
“Great. She’s going to yell at us about something or add another project on.”
“You. She’s going to yell at you.”
“No shit.” Hazel opens the door, and Everett speaks quickly. “Hazel, how are you? Killian and I are done with the kitchen demo and we were just helping ourselves to the extra beer you had in the fridge. Didn’t want it to go bad.”
She laughs softly. “You’re such a humanitarian, Ev. Truly, I don’t know how anyone around here could survive without your generosity and help.”
“You took away my free coffee, so I’ve opted for beer.”
Hazel turns to me. “Thank-you for being here, Killian. I know you’re busy and dealing with so much. I truly appreciate it.”
“Of course,” I say, happy she’s not yelling at me.
“What the fuck?” Everett cuts in. “You’re thanking him? I’m the one who’s doing all the damn work. Killian just stands there with a hammer wondering if he can bang anything that’s not his publicist.”
“Watch it,” I warn.
“Sorry, bro. She makes me hostile.”
Hazel tilts her head to the side. “I would thank-you, but…you know, I’d rather not.”
Everett scoffs. “Fine. See how you do when I stop coming by.”
“You forget, Everett Finnegan, I’m not afraid to call Violet,” Hazel warns.
This is going to get ugly if I don’t step in. “Is there anything we can do before we take off to help make this next week easier for you? I know it’s hard to live through construction.”
She smiles. “Thank-you, but I don’t know. At this point, I’m just hoping we can get the kitchen done first.”
That was not the original plan. She said she wanted the bathroom done first before she decided she wanted to knock down the wall in the living room to make it an open floor plan.
“Uhh.” Everett lifts his hand like he’s in school. “That’s not what you said.”
“It’s what I meant,” Hazel says as though that should make any sense.
“Right, but that’s not what you said. So, we’ve been working on the bathroom, like you…said.”
Hazel sighs heavily. “Is it done?”
“No, what the fuck do I look like, Bob the Builder? I don’t have a crew. I have Killian, who—” he leans in, talking out of the side of his mouth “—isn’t all that handy, if you know what I mean.”
“I’m happy to leave,” I offer.
“Ignore him,” Hazel says quickly. “I’m pretty sure you know more than him.”
“Considering I helped flip houses in Boston, I would say I do.”
Hazel takes the beer from Everett, downing the rest before handing him the empty bottle. “Can you maybe switch gears to the kitchen? Remove that wall.”
Everett rubs his hand down his face. “We can’t remove the wall, Hazel. Not until we have someone check if it’s loadbearing. Not to mention, I think a water line runs through it. The last thing we want to do is cut that.”
“You think? You don’t know,” she retorts.
Everett looks to me. “Any help?”
I shake my head. “Sorry, I can’t. I need to get going, though—good luck!” I wave a hand up and head to my car, back to the house, and to Tessa, who I am not in love with.