Chapter 16
#LYINGSULLIVANS
MADDOX
I’d spent half the morning finishing edits on the video of Nate and Adrian, so I was in a shit mood by the time I spent the second half driving a big order up to Meyers Creek.
The entire way there, I grumbled under my breath about how perfect Nate and Adrian had looked together on their sleigh ride… and about how Adrian had been right.
The footage was garbage. Because I’d been unprofessional as hell.
Which was why it had taken me hours to cobble together decent videos for his social media accounts.
Thankfully, there’d been a few shots of the two of us that I knew his fans would love.
With any luck, they’d spend more time gossiping about those than noticing my shit composition on the rest.
The entire drive back to Legacy, I brainstormed about what kind of date to plan now that I’d lost the bet.
Instead of bitching about it, I’d decided that I’d show him what it meant to date someone, small-town style.
No dance clubs, no fancy martini bars, just simple things that showed you truly cared and wanted to make the other person feel seen.
Except… every time I thought of something to do with Adrian, he’d either already planned it as one of his “Twelve Dates of Christmas,” or I began to second-guess myself and worry he’d think I was boring.
No way could I give him the date I truly thought he needed: a simple night at home, eating dinner on the couch. Downtime, where he could stop performing for a little while and simply be. He’d probably hate every second of it.
Some part of him must love performing, after all, since he’d made a career out of it. And he’d been around the globe experiencing all the excitement the world had to offer. A Friday night on the sofa would put him to sleep. It also wouldn’t provide any footage he could turn into shiny content.
But then I’d remember Adrian’s hollow smile when he’d said: Social media tells a story, Maddox. Paints a pretty picture. A fantasy. Isn’t that what you keep trying to tell me?
He’d implied he was lonely. That his life wasn’t the whirlwind party it appeared. Of course it wasn’t; no one’s would or could be. But was he truly lonely? Did he crave connection and companionship?
He’d begged me to stay.
And I’d still fucking left.
By the time I got back to the hardware store from my delivery to Meyers Creek, I’d twisted my thoughts into knots and was cursing him, myself, and anyone else I could think of.
Why couldn’t the man have picked someone else’s charming small town for his winter fashion spread?
Why’d he have to come here and interrupt my perfectly fine—
“Hey there, Maddox,” Lennon Marian said as he came out of the store carrying a strap wrench and a pot of plumber’s epoxy.
I glanced in surprise at the gruff rancher, barely stopping before running him over. “Shit, sorry, Lennon. Wasn’t watching where I was going.”
He waved off the apology. “Glad I ran into you. Rosie said she already told Maya, but I wanted to be sure and invite you to Christmas at Marian Lodge. But just so you know, my family will all be there this year.” He shrugged and shot an amused glance at me. “Don’t say you weren’t warned.”
I laughed. “Thanks. I’d imagine we’ll head that way like we always do. Appreciate the invite.”
As I stood back to let him by, Lennon’s amusement turned into a full grin. “And bring your boyfriend if you want.”
I stared after him but he was down the street and into his dually before I had a chance to sputter out an answer.
When I turned back to the store, I caught Maya grinning at me.
“This your handiwork?” I asked, thumbing over my shoulder in Lennon’s direction as I stepped inside. “Because you know telling people Adrian and I are a thing is a lie, and Sullivans don’t lie.”
Maya tapped her finger on her lips as if in thought. “That’s funny, because my darling brother lied to me last night about where he was.”
“Did not. I told you I’d be out late. And I was.”
She tilted her head. “Late. Is that what we’re calling sunrise? Huh. Maybe you’re right.” She turned back to the register and pretended to straighten a little stack of town maps on the counter. “You know what bothers me the most about this, Maddie?”
I could tell by her lack of eye contact she truly was bothered by whatever she was getting ready to say. I steadied myself and braced for it. “What?”
“You talk a big game about how I deserve to be loved. How I should give people a chance to change, a chance to do the right thing. You taught me that relationships make life richer and that I shouldn’t let Mom and Dad’s death scare me off of getting close to people.”
I felt the arrow strike true and bury deep.
She took a deep breath and met my eyes. “If Sullivans don’t lie, I wish you’d stop lying to yourself, Maddie. It’s not just hurting you anymore.”
Before I could say anything, the door jingled open, bringing a group of our local search and rescue experts in search of bonfire skewers for s’mores.
They were joking around about the fire chief finally having a hot date and how they were planning to go out of their way to make sure the guy got laid.
Maya rolled her eyes and disappeared into the back room, so I shucked off my coat and took her place behind the register.
“So,” I said, trying to make friendly small talk. “Chief Kincaid has a date? I’m guessing he and Alex Marian are finally going to admit they’re not quite the adversaries they think they are?”
Gus blinked at me. “Kincaid and Alex?” He laughed. “Nah, man. Chief’s thing is with someone from out of town. But I’ll be sure and give him hell about Alex. Can you even imagine? He hates that guy.”
They were checked out and halfway back to the firehouse before I realized the “out-of-towner” they’d meant.
I poked my head in the back room and found Maya leaning back in an old chair, scrolling on her phone. “Hey, you happen to know anything about this bonfire tonight?”
She glanced up at me. “Yeah, Adrian’s going on a date with the fire chief. I thought he wanted you to film it, but maybe not.” She shrugged and went back to scrolling.
“You talked to him about it? When?”
This time, Maya didn’t bother looking up. “When he came to get his keys. Hey, did you know that man has never seen Die Hard? Did he grow up Amish or something?”
I blinked at her. It was true what they said about teenagers. They flashed from childish to mature-as-fuck and back again like a compass sitting next to a bag of magnets.
“He said he wanted me to film another date?” I prompted.
Maya pursed her lips. “Well, I asked if he did, but he got kind of… squirrelly. It’s not one of his twelve fake dates, I don’t think.” She shrugged again.
Not a fake date?
I scowled. “Wait, are you sure it wasn’t for the project?”
She sighed. “Look, all I know is that Chief Kincaid asked him out, and it’s not part of the Nordique thing. The two of them are going to a bonfire and making s’mores together.”
“And he didn’t want me to film it?” I asked in surprise.
Maya waved a hand. “I don’t know, Maddie. I guess if he didn’t call you, he doesn’t need you, right? None of your business since you’ve made it clear you don’t have feelings for him.” She finally looked up at me and met my eyes. “And Sullivans don’t lie.”
I groaned and dropped my face in my hands. “Fuck, Maya. I’m sorry I accused you of lying, okay? I’m just… I just… This guy. He’s not sticking around. Everyone pushing me at someone who’s just going to leave is frustrating as fuck.”
Her eyes widened with every expletive. “What if he didn’t?”
“He will,” I insisted.
“What if he shouldn’t?” she asked.
I opened my mouth to continue arguing, except… I realized she was right. He really shouldn’t. He should leave the place that didn’t love him back and consider settling in… someplace that would.
“I can’t make that decision for him, Maya.”
Her face softened. “Of course not. But you can at least show him he’s wanted here.
That we like him for who he is, not what he posts.
And that there will be someone out there someday brave enough to love him.
Maybe that’s not here in Legacy, but who knows?
Chief Kincaid seems like the kind of man who’d run into a fire for the person he loves. ”
“You’re transparent as glass,” I ground out. “You and the rest of the fucking town. Nate told me you tried to get him to cancel the sleigh date.”
She pointed her finger at me. “Now, that is a lie! I told him to fake a butt injury so that he wasn’t capable of sitting in the sleigh.”
I rolled my eyes. “I love you. I’m sorry for not being a better role model.”
She rolled her eyes right back, startling me with how much she reminded me of myself. “You’re the best damned role model I could have asked for. Know why? Because you model being imperfect and trying your hardest anyway. And I love you for that.”
Ned Harwick’s voice broke the moment. “Ain’t anyone back there give a shit about taking my money? I been calling out for an hour. Time’s a wastin’. Chop, chop.”
Maya clapped her hand over her mouth to cover a smile while I took a breath and tried to put on my customer service face. “Coming!”
It took twenty minutes to help him and the other customers in the store’s checkout and another twenty to pull together the equipment I needed for the Hernandez family’s photo shoot later that afternoon. By the time I glanced at my phone, I’d somehow missed a couple of hours of messages.
Adrian
Any chance you could help me again tonight?
Not like that. With a video camera.
Still sounded dirty. I meant… can you please take some video of me and another guy tonight?
Jesus. I’m incapable of making this sound normal. Pls call me.
I understand why you’re ignoring my messages, but I promise I’m not soliciting you for a porno. Although…
No worries. Catch you another time.
I scrambled to text him back.
Was driving and then working. What time do you need me?
I didn’t even bother to ask what it was for or whether it would make my schedule too tight after the photo shoot.
Maya was right. I’d been lying to myself about not having feelings for Adrian Hayes, and I couldn’t bring myself to be nonchalant about him going out with Judd Kincaid, no matter how innocent it may or may not be.
Adrian
You sure? I don’t want it to be weird. And it’s outside the scope I hired you for.
Instead of texting him back, I called. As soon as his voice came on the line, I felt the now-familiar prickle of relief and excitement.
“Hey,” he said. “Judd said to be there around seven. I’d imagine it won’t take more than an hour and a half, but I can’t be sure.”
“Yeah, I can do it.” I tried to tamp down my curiosity, but it was a losing battle. “What’s this for?”
“It’s a thing with the fire chief.”
“A date?” My mouth betrayed me. “Never mind. It’s none of my—”
“Fire safety content,” Adrian interrupted quickly. “My manager hooked me up with a side gig while I’m here. It’s another sponsorship.”
A rush of relief swept through me. “Not a date?”
“No, just… they want the two of us on camera together, but it doesn’t have to look like a date or anything.
The pay’s good, so I can cover your rate.
And, uh… I appreciate the help.” He paused.
“Actually, fuck it. I don’t need the help for this one, Maddox.
Honestly, I just want to see you again. There.
I said it. Feel free to back out. I wouldn’t blame you. ”
Something in my chest took flight at his admission. “I’m not backing out. I…” I closed my eyes and blew out a breath. “I want to see you again, too.”
The beat of silence on the other end made me squirm. But when his warm, easy voice came back on the line, it was worth the wait.
“You know, if you ever want to see me, Sullivan, all you have to do is ask. I guarantee the answer will be yes.”
Thankfully, no one was around to see the stupid grin on my face. “I’ll pick you up at six thirty. And maybe if you’re lucky… I’ll pack a toothbrush.”
I ended the call to the sound of his laughter. I could tell he didn’t believe me, that he was just humoring me. But I couldn’t deny how good it had felt waking up next to his solid presence after my nightmare.
Obviously, I was scared shitless. But Maya was right. Adrian Hayes deserved to be loved. And part of me wanted him to feel less alone.
To know that at least one person out there was beginning to care for him very much.
Maybe a little too much.
#FireSafetyMyAss #ToothbrushPacking #DieHardDeprived #ScaredShitless