Chapter 30 Presley
PRESLEY
ONE MONTH LATER
“Iwould love to go to the mountains for a few days.” Jenna took a sip from her lemonade before adding, “A little cabin by a creek or one that’s way up high with all the views and fresh air. Oh, and a hot tub. A hot tub is a must.”
“Sounds great.” Tallie grimaced. “But I don’t think I could survive without cell service or internet. That would be more like a nightmare instead of a vacation.”
“There are plenty of places with internet,” Jenna replied. “But I’d just as soon go without it. Someone could use a break from all the club stuff… not that he’d ever take it.”
“They could all use a break.”
Laken shifted in her lounge chair as she told us. “I’d settle for anywhere with a beach. Baylor’s never seen the ocean, and I’ve only been once.”
“Oh, I love the beach.” Tallie sighed. “The sound of the ocean, sand in your toes, and finding seashells. There’s nothing better.”
“Add a margarita and Lawson in a speedo, and I’d be all in.” Jenna giggled. “Not that it would ever happen.”
“I’d pay money to see it,” Tallie snickered. “Big money.”
“Oh, me too!” Tallie agreed.
I smiled and took a sip of my iced tea, letting the warmth of the day settle over me. The sun was bright, but not unbearable. It was still early, but a day like this was a sign that summer was just around the corner.
I glanced in front of me and watched as Luna and Baylor played in the kiddie pool Laken had brought. They were having the absolute best time and seemed completely unaware of all the hammering and sawing of the guys working to get the new back deck installed.
They had already finished the final touches on the inside, and the place looked absolutely stunning. Luke was so proud of it, and so was I. Everything had come together perfectly, and all that was left was the back deck.
It was coming along.
Slowly. Very slowly.
They had it framed out and were about to start laying the slats. There were tools scattered over the backyard and their drinks were lined up on the old steps that were now resting next to a tree.
Luke stood in the middle of it all with a tape measure clipped to his belt and a pencil tucked behind his ear. He was no longer wearing a shirt, and sweat was beading across his now sunburned chest. His ballcap was turned around backwards, and his dark hair was curling around the edges.
Yes, he looked hot.
In all aspects of the word.
Grim and Memphis were working alongside him and were now holding one end of a board while Skid tried to guide it into the next slot.
Only, it wasn’t fitting.
Not even close.
I watched Luke say something, then gesture toward the frame. Memphis shook his head immediately, grumbling something under his breath. Then, Grim started shaking his head and said something that made Skid drop the board completely.
Ummm.
That wasn’t good.
Tallie lowered her sunglasses to the bridge of her nose as she asked, “How long before the argument starts?”
“Thirty seconds.”
“Twenty.”
I didn’t say anything.
Because I knew they were both wrong.
It started right that very second.
“The board isn’t cut square,” Memphis griped.
“It’s square,” Luke argued. “You’re holding it crooked.”
“I’m doing no such thing,” Memphis snapped. “It’s not square. Come see for yourself.”
“I don’t gotta come see. I cut it. I already know it’s square.”
“Then, you fucked something up.”
“Not possible,” Luke replied confidently. “I don’t fuck up.”
“Jesus,” Grim grumbled. “I didn’t sign up for this shit.”
“Ah, come on, brother,” Luke smirked. “We couldn’t make it without you.”
Skid stepped forward as he asked, “You boys want me to check it?”
“Absolutely not,” Memphis barked.
Ignoring him, Skid reached for the tape measure, and Luke scowled, “Don’t even think about it.”
“I’m just trying to help.”
“You’re about to get your ass nail gunned to that board if you try that shit again.” Luke shook his head, then unhooked the tape measure, knelt down, and checked his cut. “Ah, well… I might be off by an inch or so.”
“Yeah, that’s not surprising.” Memphis looked over in my direction and cocked his brow. “Bet it’s not the first time.”
“Hey, now. No hitting below the belt.”
Luke took the board over to the saw and recut it. After he handed it to Skid, he reached for the nail gun. Grim immediately took it from him and said, “I don’t think so.”
“I know how to use a damn nail gun.”
“You shot a hole through the tailgate.”
“That was one time.”
“It was ten seconds ago.”
I bit my lip, trying my best not to laugh. Jenna threw up her hands and giggled, “And there it is.”
“Right on schedule.”
Laken shook her head, then turned her attention back to the girls. “Rinse off your feet before you get back in.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Baylor dipped her feet into the bucket before jumping back into the water, splashing Luna. I glanced back at the guys just long enough to hear Luke grumble, “This is why we can’t have nice things.”
“What?” Skid complained. “I’m helping here.”
“You were about to put a nail through Memphis’s hand.”
“Might’ve improved his attitude.”
“Eat a dick,” Memphis spat back, flipping him off.
That’s when Tallie intervened. “Okay, boys! That’s enough. There are precious ears over here.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Grim grumbled.
I couldn’t help but smile as I watched Luke with his brothers. He was smiling and giving his brothers hell. That was the Luke I knew and loved. The one who laughed too loud. Told the inappropriate joke at the inappropriate time. The one who made me feel alive in ways no man ever had.
He was back, and that made me happy in ways I couldn’t begin to describe. He caught me watching and scrunched his brow. “You enjoying the show?”
“Very much. Thank you.”
“I’m glad. Somebody ought to.”
“You know, they could help,” Skid suggested.
“They are helping.” Luke lowered his glasses. “They’re giving us a show of our own.”
“That’s right,” Jenna laughed. “Consider it motivation.”
“I’m certainly motivated.”
“We’re offering moral support,” I added.
“And hydration,” Tallie added. “Anyone need another beer?”
“I could use one,” Memphis answered.
“It’s in the cooler,” Tallie answered.
“Unbelievable.”
The guys went back to work, trading insults along the way, and as I sat there watching with my girls, I felt something settle deep in my chest. Neither of us had actually said the words, but Luke’s house was beginning to feel like home.
Our home.
Once the job was done and everything was cleaned up, we said our goodbyes, and everyone started packing up.
As soon as the girls were gone, I slipped inside for a quick shower.
When I got out, the house was quiet. I glanced out the window and smiled when I saw the newly completed deck.
They’d actually finished it, and they’d done it without killing one another.
I didn’t see any sign of Luke, so I decided to use the opportunity to dress and dry my hair.
I walked across the bedroom and over to the dresser Luke had cleared out for me when we were going back and forth.
Now, my things filled nearly half the space.
Makeup and brushes stood in a ceramic cup beside his shaving cream and deodorant, and my curling iron and straightener were coiled up beside the outlet next to the mirror, crowding his aftershave.
It wasn’t perfect, but he never complained.
If anything, he seemed to welcome it.
Once I’d put on my comfy shorts and T-shirt, I went back to the bathroom and started working on my hair. I’d just started to brush through the tangles when the door crept open, and Luke’s reflection appeared in the mirror. He motioned his head toward the counter as he said, “All this stuff yours?”
“Most of it.”
“Hmm.” He glanced at the makeup scattered across the counter before looking over at the closet, and then, back to me. “It fits pretty good.”
“It does.”
He was quiet for a second, then he casually announced, “You know, you stay here most nights anyway.”
I stilled and cocked my brow. “Are you trying to say something?”
“Yeah, but I’m not doing a good job of it.” He didn’t try to joke his way out of it. Instead, he dropped his hands to my waist and turned me to face him. “Move in with me… for real.”
No hesitation. No big speech or spiel. Just Luke being Luke.
My heart swelled, and I felt a sense of peace I hadn’t expected. This was what I was hoping for, and I hadn’t even realized how much. I smiled and nodded. “Okay.”
Relief flickered across his face before he pulled me closer. His mouth immediately found mine, and he kissed me in that way he did that made everything else fall away. My hands slid up his chest as he held me against him, steady and safe.
When we finally pulled apart, he rested his forehead against mine. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Funny how the things that started out all wrong somehow lead us exactly where we were meant to be.