Chapter 11 Beau
Beau
“Word is you and BB looked pretty damn tight out at Remi’s.”
“That was a week ago. Shouldn’t that be old news by now?” I huff, trying my best to enjoy my sandwich and ignore Callum.
“He’s been here almost every day for lunch, Beau.”
“Can I ask when that became your business, Cal?”
“Beau.”
I frown, putting my sandwich down. My lunch is ruined now anyway. “I like him. We’re … friends,” I admit.
I’m lying through my teeth. I’m getting addicted to spending time with Hunter.
We have lunch together every day. He doesn’t ask, he just shows up or calls and asks what I’m doing.
I don’t tell him I’m busy. I don’t even ask him not to call.
Damn it. I want to hear from him. He’s also been calling me every night. I should put a stop to it, I guess.
I don’t.
That love I felt for Hunter that first night keeps rearing its head and I get weak. I’m trying to remember the way he was the next morning, but honest to God, that’s getting harder and harder to do.
“Friends? Jesus, Beau.”
“What?” I ask, sounding defensive as hell. “We are! He’s coming over in a bit with Ty and Slider.”
“Christ. You told him about the baseball player? Don’t you think that’s going to tick off a customer?”
“No, I don’t, Cal,” I snap. “Because I’m not stupid. I told Parker that Gordo’s son and a friend were heavy into baseball, and it’d make their day to meet him. I asked if it would be okay, and he agreed easily.”
“Gordo’s goin’ to be pissed he’s not here,” he mutters. I finally take an easy breath—glad he’s letting this go. I’m confused enough. I don’t want to dissect it—especially with Callum. He knows me too well.
“He needs to kick Mary Ann to the curb once and for all. She’s got a new man, supposedly. There’s no way Gordo should have agreed to drive her to Knoxville to the doctor,” I complain. “He’s too good of a man to jump whenever she hollers at him—and she hollers constantly.
“He still loves her,” Callum says, sounding disgusted, as he should. None of us can figure out why Gordo can’t see that his ex is just using him for whatever she can get.
“I think it’s more than that,” I say with a mournful sigh. “He wants to put Slider’s home back together so he can have more time with his son.”
“Well, fuck,” Callum says.
“Yeah,” I silently agree with the unspoken portion of what Callum meant. Meaning that no matter what shit Mary Ann has Gordo shovel, he’ll take it if it means he gets more time with his boy.
“What time is the fancy-pants baseball player supposed to be here?”
“He texted me earlier. Said he should be at the garage around two. Hunter is bringing the boys about twenty minutes before that.”
“I’ll get Billy to take some pictures and maybe a video. He’s always on his phone anyway,” Callum suggests.
“I’m sure Gordo would appreciate it. Plus, I bet the boys would like to have a picture with the rookie of the year.”
“This is going to be embarrassing if this guy doesn’t like his car,” Callum says.
I gasp, slapping his arm. “Since when have I ever done a paintjob that the owner hasn’t loved, you asshole?” I growl.
Callum lets out a full belly laugh that instantly makes me want to deck him. “You’re too easy, Beau.”
“And you’re a jerk,” I huff.
“What’s so funny in here?”
I look up, a sinking feeling in my gut as Apex walks into my office. Shit. If there’s a huge black spot since I’ve started talking to Hunter, it’d be Apex. He’s a great guy and I really like him. The problem is, I don’t like him the way he wants me to.
“Beau’s got a client picking up his 57 today. She’s worried he’s not going to like the paint job she put on it.”
I give Callum the finger and he gives me a cocky smirk. I barely resist the urge to chuck the stapler on my desk at his big, fat, head.
“Sweetheart, there’s not a soul around that wouldn’t love anything you paint. You have to know that. You’re a goddess in the paint booth,” Apex assures me.
I sigh and force myself to smile. See? He’s such a great guy! Why couldn’t I be attracted to him? Why is my heart and brain wrapped up in Hunter Bartholomew Davis? I know I’m probably going to end up being hurt again. I need to stop this madness, but for the life of me, I just can’t.
“Layin’ it on thick, Apex,” Callum grouses, making me giggle.
“Just telling the truth. You can’t deny that Cal.”
“That’s true,” Cal says giving me a wink. He’s smirking as if to say I told you so.
“What are you doing here this morning, Apex? Does the club have another job for me?” I ask, deciding to steer the conversation in a different direction before Callum can really piss me off.
“I wanted to see if you wanted to go grab a bite to eat,” Apex says, his deep brown eyes boring into me and guilt hits me as I read the hope in his. Shit.
“Uh … sorry,” I tell him, pointing down at what remains of my sandwich. “I’ve got a booked day so …”
I see the disappointment on his face, but he shakes it off.
He hikes a hip on the corner of my desk and seems to be settling in.
Shit. If he’s still here when Hunter gets here with the boys, how is that going to go?
Damn it. How did my life get so complicated?
I feel like I’m getting in over my head and I don’t know how to stop it.
“I think that’s my cue to leave,” Callum mutters.
“Cal, you don’t—”
“Later, man,” Apex says, talking over me.
I shoot Callum an annoyed look. It bounces off of him—mostly because he’s enjoying my discomfort.
When he leaves the room and closes the door, I let out a sigh.
Looks like I’m on my own. “I’m sorry about lunch, Apex, but honestly, I really do have a lot to do today,” I state again, praying he’ll leave.
“That’s a bummer. I was looking forward to spending more time with you.”
“Apex …”
“Drew. You can call me Drew, Beau.”
“Drew,” I repeat, but in my head, I’m thinking shit, shit, shit.
“I like my name on your lips,” he asserts, making my brain repeat the same word over and over. Shit. Shit. Shit.
“Maybe we should talk …”
“Tonight,” he says. “Let me cook you dinner.”
My eyes feel like they might pop out of my head. Shit. Shit. Shit. “Um …”
“C’mon, Beau. You know me. I’m a good guy. All I’m asking is that you give me a chance.”
“You know, I mean, I should tell you I’m kind of—”
“I know you’ve been going out with BB,” he says, but his words make me frown.
“If you know, then why are you asking me out?”
“Because you’re just dating him. You’re not married. He also fucked you over once. I’m hoping to show you that you have another option—a better one,” he murmurs, leaning into me.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
“Well, I mean. I don’t really date …”
“We could sleep together, Beau, if you prefer that. I’m not shy. I could handle you comparing what I give you to what BB did. I think I’d come out the winner, but even if I didn’t, how I treated you the next morning would definitely give me the edge.”
“I don’t—”
“Give me a chance, Beau. You know you can trust me. You’d be safe with me. Hell, if nothing else, it will give you a chance to see if how you feel about BB is special, or just warming you up for something better.”
That makes me breathe out a mix of a snort and a laugh. It’s so cocky that I can’t help it.
“Anyone ever tell you that your ego is kind of large, Drew?”
“It’s not the only thing large about me,” he responds at once and this time, making me laugh harder.
“God, you’re horrible.”
“Nah. I’m good. I can be good for you. All you have to do is give me a chance.”
“BB won’t like it. You’re a member of the Blaze,” I remind him of something he already knows.
“That should tell you that the attraction I feel for you is real. BB can handle it like an adult. If he can’t, then you’ll know you aren’t safe with him.”
“One dinner.”
“Fuck, yeah.”
“Only as friends, Drew,” I caution.
“Is that what you tell BB?”
“Drew,” I huff.
He holds his hands up, not wanting me to finish. “Okay, okay. Don’t tell me. We’ll play it by ear.”
“We’re going as friends.”
He nods. “I’ll pick you up here after work and take you to my place,” he says.
“I’m going out with Callum and the boys. We’re going to meet at Remi’s around seven. You can meet us. We can eat something there.”
“You drive a hard bargain, woman.”
“Oh, I’ll take it, sweetheart. I’ll take it.”
Shit. Shit. Shit.
“I’m probably going to tell Hunter about this.”
“I’d expect nothing less, Beau. Your honesty is one of the things I respect about you.”
“One of the things? You don’t know me that well, Ap—Drew.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. Surely, you’ve noticed I hang around your garage more than I do ours?”
“I …” God, I’ve been blind.
“I know you. I knew you weren’t ready to date. I also know why, because your family warned me off. Now, that you seem to be exploring your options, I just want to be one of them.”
I shake my head. “You’re crazy.”
“See you tonight, hot stuff,” he says walking toward the door.
“Later, weirdo,” I grumble, making him laugh.
God, I really think I’m in over my head. Shit. Shit. Shit.