Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Dex
I refused to look in the mirror again to ensure my hair was tidy, my plaid button-up tucked in, and my face perfectly clean-shaven. This wasn’t a date. My heart fluttered as I swiped the back of my hand across my upper lip, the sweat refusing to cooperate as it continued to build. Instead of a hot shower, I should’ve taken a cold one.
When I’d returned to the ranch the day before after the weird exchange with Meyer, I’d needed a moment to process the ex-boyfriend revelation. I almost called Kayla with the startling news but decided I could wait another day for our so-called weekly gabfest.
What had I missed back in high school? Was Meyer closeted, or had he only recently begun to explore his sexuality? I hadn’t slept a wink last night, mulling over every Meyer interaction since I’d first met him, trying to detect the signal I missed back then, the opportunities I might’ve wasted.
Was I truly that clueless? Kayla always said I wouldn’t know if a guy wanted to get some unless he took out a billboard on the highway. Dexter Chase, do me. Do me now . Call 1-800-you’re-a-dumbass. I had no idea how I was going to make it through dinner without staring at Meyer, wondering whether he wanted a new boyfriend and whether he might be interested in me applying for the position.
No. No, I won’t.
Nothing good would come from me allowing myself to fall back into the trap of pining over Meyer. I’d already had my heart broken by him once; I certainly didn’t need a repeat performance. And anyway, I was a kid when I fell so hard for those dreamy eyes and perfect pecs. Those emotions were more related to hormones than actual feelings.
I plucked my hat from the couch then headed out the door to my truck. As I drove the short distance to Lindy’s place, I realized I was spending too much time in the past. I’d already promised myself to let go of all that old baggage and move on with my life. Who cared whether Meyer might be interested? The dude irritated me, and I clearly got on his nerves, so staying away shouldn’t be that big of a deal.
I would work on letting go of my old routines and embrace the next phase. If Lindy invited me by again after tonight, I’d go. Besides, based on the salty conversation I’d last had with Meyer, he’d be moving out soon anyway. I probably wouldn’t see him all that much—at least no more than anyone else I ran into in Charming.
I smiled. Everything would work out just fine. For the first time since seeing Meyer trudging along the road, I actually believed my inner voice’s reasoning.
Then I arrived at Lindy’s home, the familiar sight no longer comforting the way it once had been. I spotted Meyer in the living room's picture window, a glass in hand, chatting with his mom. Every last drop of my newfound resolve evaporated like an ice cube on a July sidewalk. I wondered if Lindy would find it strange if I threw up on her driveway.
The sound of my truck as I pulled into my usual spot must’ve alerted Meyer to my arrival because he immediately disappeared from sight. After shutting off the engine, I gripped the wheel, sucking in deep breaths through my nostrils. I was angry at my own weakness. What was it about this guy that twisted me up inside, turned my emotions into a whirling mess like a dust devil hopscotching back and forth over the empty desert?
I climbed out of the truck, my only choice being the one that propelled me to my doom. At least dinner wouldn’t be boring. As I made my way to the front door, I steeled my resolve. Tonight wasn’t about me or Meyer. This informal celebration was for Lindy’s benefit.
“Dex! You’re just in time.”
Lindy had opened the door with a big smile, her arms outstretched. She grabbed me in a hug with Meyer standing right behind her glaring daggers at me. We were off to the races.
“Oh?” I smiled back after breaking the hug, perhaps a couple of seconds too soon than our usual greeting. Hopefully, she hadn’t noticed. “What am I in time for?”
“Well,” she clapped her hands together, not seeming to notice that Meyer and I hadn’t greeted each other yet. “I don’t know if you remember from when you were kids, but Meyer made up a pitcher of his famous jalapeno strawberry lemonade. It’s probably been years since you’ve had any.”
I arched an eyebrow at Meyer as I answered Lindy. “Many years. Not since Meyer was captain of the football team.” I gave him a tight smile. “Remember how you used to decide who got to play and who sat on the bench?”
Meyer’s jaw went slack, and Lindy tilted her head, her brow furrowing.
“Did he used to bring the lemonade to practice?” she said.
Meyer crossed his arms. “No, mom. I think Dex has been out in the sun too long.”
Lindy broke into laughter as if we were engaged in some private joke. “Oh, you boys are too much. You must have so much catching up to do.” She guided me by the elbow toward the kitchen. “I’ll pour you a glass of lemonade then you can keep us company while we finish up. The pot roast is almost done, and Meyer is chopping up the tomatoes for the salad.”
My gut clenched as I realized I’d been demoted from salad captain to kitchen stool percher. I rolled my eyes at myself. This needed to stop. Now I was getting weepy over purloined tomato-slicing duties. I didn’t need to slice Lindy’s tomatoes. If I didn’t quit getting sentimental over every tiny life detail that had been disrupted since Meyer’s arrival, I was going to need some serious professional help.
With that in mind, I pasted a smile on my face with the idea that I’d start to mean it as the night wore on.
After I accepted the glass of lemonade, I leaned against the counter, deciding I wasn’t much of a percher. I took a sip of the pink concoction, the cool bite of sweet and spicy trickling down my throat a satisfying treat. I side-eye glanced at Meyer right as he was doing the same to me. I cleared my throat then took another quick drink, my gaze tracking everything in the kitchen except my nemesis.
Lindy seemed oblivious to anything that might be going on between me and Meyer. “Gary couldn’t make it tonight,” she said as she checked the meat thermometer. She smiled as if approving of the temperature results, then placed the device in the sink instead of back in the roast. After closing the oven door, she continued. “I’ll let it finish for a bit while Meyer adds the rest of the salad ingredients. As I was saying, Gary is on call at the station tonight. But he’s looking forward to getting you settled in tomorrow, hon.”
Meyer gave her a grunt and half-smile as he dropped the completed slices into the salad bowl without responding. I pinched my eyebrows together. When I was in charge of the tomatoes, they were done in wedges, not slices. They held up better that way.
“Something you don’t approve of?”
I jerked up my head and was met with Meyer’s piercing gaze. To spare Lindy a shouting match over the proper method of preparing salad ingredients, I favored him with the same half-assed smile he’d given Lindy and changed the subject.
“Aren’t you excited about beginning your new life in Charming as assistant fire chief? You don’t seem all that thrilled about going to the firehouse tomorrow.”
Meyer frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
I shrugged. “Nothing. Only curious. After coming from an exciting city like Chicago, returning to your small-town roots must seem like a step down.”
I wasn’t sure where I was going with my assholery, only that his response to Lindy when she brought up her boyfriend had seemed odd—as if he didn’t approve.
He pressed his lips together in a tight line before answering. “Actually, this is a step up. I was a firefighter in Chicago; I’d just been offered a promotion to lieutenant. I’m thrilled to be back.” He hmphed then mumbled, “Not that it’s any of your business.”
Lindy was busy bringing down dishes from her cupboard, the rattling likely drowning out Meyer’s last snarky comment.
“Of course you are, hon.” She turned with the dinner plates cradled in her arms, smiling. “Dex didn’t mean any harm. He’s only asking questions. Didn’t I ask you the same things?” She handed the plates to me. “You can set the plates. Meyer, grab the cutlery, please. Now you boys go on.” She shook her finger at us both. “And behave yourselves and play together nicely. Remember, you used to be on the same team together, you had each other’s backs.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. I had so many responses to her statements, and exactly zero of them were appropriate. Meyer wouldn’t make eye contact, and a little snort escaped his lips. I gritted my teeth so I wouldn’t follow suit.
The awkward silence as we traveled the short distance to the dining room made me wish I’d turned Lindy down after all. Instead of being polite by accepting, I was more likely making sure I hadn’t been overturned in her affections. In other words, I was being selfish and was now paying the price.
We quietly laid out the place settings, then stood on opposite sides of the small maple wood table with nothing to do with our hands. I covered my mouth to stifle a chuckle. Thinking about what I could do with my hands while alone with Meyer wasn’t such a great idea right before his mom joined us.
Meyer let out a sigh. He was gripping the top of the ladder back chair and appeared distinctly uncomfortable. I knew how he felt.
“Hey, Dex.” He lifted his gaze and met mine. “I’m sorry…” He shifted his weight. “I shouldn’t be so snippy with you. And I want to say thanks for being around, you know, for my mom. I know she appreciates it, and I do, too.”
I straightened, a strange lump forming in my throat. Was Meyer being nice to me? Ever since he’d arrived, it seemed like he despised me as much as he did back in high school. Maybe a lot had changed for him since he left. Maybe it was for the better. I dragged my fingers through my hair. Or maybe I’d only seen the parts I wanted to see back then, the hurt and anger after the final fuck over from him.
“Of course.” I smiled. “I don’t get out much, so she’s probably been doing me a favor more than the other way around.”
I snapped my jaw shut as Meyer’s eyes widened. What the actual fuck was wrong with me? I sounded like Norman Bates, the Stepson Edition.
“Oh?” Meyer rubbed his chin. “You're not seeing anyone right now?”
My cheeks heated. Wow. I sounded equally as pathetic as the last time we’d spent time around each other.
“The ranch.” I attempted my ‘whatever’ tone. “It’s so busy.” I cleared my throat a bit too loudly. “Who has time?” I chuckled shakily.
Mortified. It was truly the only word that could describe my feelings.
I chanced looking up and discovered Meyer staring at me with a strange intensity. Did I have something on my face? Was my shirt buttoned wrong? My cheeks started heating again, and I scoured the vaults of my mind for a good excuse to abruptly leave.
“I imagine it’s been hard since your folks passed. Mom says Kayla’s been in Denver for a while now, so…
“All ready!” Lindy called out as she breezed into the room with the pot roast. Both Meyer and I rushed to help her with the large pan at the same time and she froze. “Boys, out of the way. This is piping hot, shoo.”
After Lindy placed the roasting pan on the hot plate in the center of the table, we helped her bring in everything else. Lindy paused as I picked up the pitcher of lemonade and Meyer the salad bowl.
“I can grab the cookies if one of you can get the cake.”
Meyer smirked at me, then reached for a Flying Saucer bakery box I hadn’t noticed earlier. “Yes, Destiny was telling me how this is Mom’s favorite.” He arched his eyebrows. “Red Velvet. I thought cake was an appropriate dessert for a dinner celebration.”
Lindy laughed as she started out of the kitchen. “Then you should’ve gotten Devil’s food cake since it’s your celebration, hon. Not mine.”
As soon as she was out of earshot, I regarded him with exasperation. “What’s your problem?”
He shrugged, which was no easy feat with a large bamboo salad bowl in one hand and a cake in the other. “I don’t have a problem, but you clearly do.”
My jaw dropped. “What are you talking about? Ever since you arrived, you’ve been acting like I pissed in your Cheerios.”
“Ha!” Meyer almost lost his grip on the salad. “You’ve been moping about, all frowny and moody. I don’t know what I ever did to you that you’re this cranky.”
“That’s a good one.” I would’ve crossed my arms, but disaster was likely given the glass pitcher I held. “Like you have no clue what you did.”
Meyer huffed. “You’re right. I don’t. I got here two days ago, and you haven’t climbed off ever since.”
“ I haven’t?” The pitcher almost flew across the room when I flung my arms around. “You’re the one who was biting my head off the second I ran across you in the road, trudging along.”
Meyer’s eyes were fixed on the pitcher. “Calm down, cowboy. That’ll make a mess if you lose control of the reins.”
“Boys! You can hang out and chat later! My roast is getting cold.”
We both snorted simultaneously. If I weren’t so enraged, it would’ve been funny.
Meyer heaved a sigh. “Let’s drop it, okay?”
I grunted. “Consider it dropped.”
I sucked in a breath and charged ahead. He’d better not be staring at my ass . I couldn’t pretend like I wasn’t burning with curiosity about the ex. Or more importantly, about Meyer’s interests.
Lindy was slicing away at the roast when we arrived in the dining room. “Finally. I know you both have years of catching up to do, but the night is still young.”
Oh God . She was right. It wasn’t even six yet. We always ate early on Sundays. As a rancher, going to bed early was my norm, and she was used to that. But I doubt even she would believe I needed to be in bed at the stroke of eight.
Thankfully, once we settled at the table and started eating, Lindy had lots to say, so I was saved from having to converse with her precious son.
“This is wonderful, Lindy, as always,” I said. I figured it might be a good idea to start sowing the seeds of an early exit. “Not sure I’ll have room for cake after such an incredible meal, though.”
She waved her hand at me. “Then you’ll have to relax with us in the living room after dinner until you build back your appetite.”
Walked right into that one . I wanted to slap myself.
“Oh!” Lindy set down her fork as if she’d been struck by lightning. “I had a thought earlier and mentioned it to Meyer, but we got distracted by another topic. I told him you have a little guest house for rent.” She grinned. “Dex, wouldn’t it be incredible to have Meyer living with you at the ranch?”
I gasped, my food going down the wrong pipe, and I started choking and coughing. Was she crazy? I kept coughing, my thoughts ping-ponging between how to get out of renting my guesthouse to Meyer and trying to breathe.
“Oh my God, Meyer! Do something! He’s choking on meat!”
Laughing at her words was impossible, so I decided to save it for later should I survive. Meyer was already behind me, pounding on my back while I reached for a glass of lemonade. Before my fingers had a chance to curl around the glass, though, Meyer had me in a Heimlich hold and was squeezing the life out of me with short bursts of strength that left me more turned on than saved.
At last, with tears streaming down my face and a healthy dose of abject humiliation, I coughed up the offending piece of meat.
“T-thank you. I’m okay,” I rasped out before bolting from the table.
Locking myself in the bathroom seemed too much like a pouting teenager move, and I’d clearly already done that role to death, so I rushed into the kitchen instead. I needed some plain old water and a cool cloth for my face. Maybe I could use the near-death experience as a reason to leave. Silver lining, right?
“Oh, Dex.” Suddenly, Lindy was there, taking the cloth from my hand and placing it on my forehead. “Are you okay? I shouldn’t have said anything about your rental. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
Meyer wasn’t with her, so I assumed he was still in the dining room. “Don’t apologize for that. I just swallowed wrong, that’s all.”
Her features were twisted, and now I felt bad that I’d made her feel bad.
“I assumed since you were both such good friends growing up that it would be nice to be near each other.” She gently placed her hand on my shoulder. “I thought it would be fun for you to have someone your own age to spend time with.”
I wasn’t sure if it was the lack of oxygen from almost dying, but did she actually say that Meyer and I were good friends ?
I shook my head in confusion. “Why did you think Meyer and I were so close in high school?”
Her stricken expression threw me off guard. I felt as though I were disappointing her somehow. She placed her palm over her chest.
“Well, because you were over here all the time having cokes and cookies after practice. You were always the first one here and the last to leave. And out of all the boys, you called or came by the most often to ask if Meyer was going to the park or…” She blinked her eyes several times as if she’d walked into the oncoming headlights and frozen.
I clasped her arm. “I’d forgotten about all that.”
I was being truthful about forgetting, but I wasn’t about to tell her why. I’d forced myself to shove those memories deep down inside where they would never be unearthed, like an empty treasure box that was no longer of any use.
She smiled. “Then you’ll consider showing Meyer the cottage?”
I dropped my shoulders and let out a sigh. At this point, how much worse could things get? I could tell it meant a lot to Lindy for some reason.
“Of course. We’ll figure out a time for Meyer to stop by.”
Meyer entered the room. “Stop by where?”
Lindy turned to Meyer, excitement shining from her eyes. “Dex’s guesthouse. He says he’d love to have you there!”
Meyer locked eyes with mine as if to say, ‘You did?’.
I let out a shaky laugh. “We should probably keep the champagne corked until Meyer can look it over.”
“Oh, you.” Lindy laughed as she looped her arm through Meyer’s. “Why don’t we have some of that delicious cake?” She regarded me with a furrowed brow. “Do you think you can swallow okay?”
If I’d had another piece of meat in my mouth, I’d be choking on it again. Meyer regarded me with a smirking grin.
“He’s a tough guy, Mom. I’m sure he won’t have any trouble at all.”
Yup. Mortified.