Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
APOLLO
“ H ey, it’s June.” It makes me smile that she starts her voice mail by saying it’s her, as if I don’t have caller ID. “Just letting you know that I won’t be over tonight. I’m going to hang with Grandma for a few days. She’s been lonely. See you later.”
I frown, listen to the message again, and then toss my phone aside.
It’s been three days since I’ve seen June outside of work, and it looks like it’s going to stay that way for a little while. She’s been distant, and if I didn’t know any better, I’d say she’s actually trying to avoid me, but I have no idea why.
When I do see her at work, she doesn’t meet my eyes and barely speaks to me. There are no coy looks, no flirtations, and absolutely zero stolen touches.
My phone rings, and I grab it, hoping it’s June, but it’s Wolfe.
“Whatcha doing?” he asks.
“Nothing. Just got home from work. What’s up?”
“I thought I’d invite some guys over to the barndominium tonight. We can shoot some pool and have some beers and stuff.”
“Will there be food?”
“Of course, there will be food. All-you-can-eat pizza.”
“Let’s do it. When?”
“Come over now.”
“See you in a few.”
I cut off the call and grab my keys and wallet, deciding that hanging out with the guys will at least stop me from doing something stupid like chasing down June.
Wolfe’s family has always owned the property next to my family’s, and after his parents passed away, he inherited it. He tore down the old house and built a freaking sweet garage in the style of a barndominium, which seems to be all the rustic rage these days. The garage has ten bays—one for each of Wolfe’s fancy cars with the others housing the cars he’s working on but won’t take to his commercial garage in town.
After he moved in with my sister at the lighthouse, he converted the loft above the garage into a sort of man cave. There are pool and air hockey tables, a flat screen spot to watch the games, and a full bar. It’s become our official hangout spot when we want to get away from the girls.
Luna made a joke about hanging a Boys Only sign on the door, so he did. She rolled her eyes when she saw it, but I know that she thought it was funny.
The bays are closed when I pull up, so I park next to Tanner’s SUV, head inside without knocking, and walk straight up the stairs that lead to the converted loft.
“Hey,” Wolfe says with a grin. “Tanner just arrived with the pizza.”
“Nice. I love it when I have good timing.”
“Are you up here?” Zeke calls out below.
“Follow the scent of pizza,” Tanner suggests, and I’m surprised to see Indigo Lovejoy walk in behind Zeke.
“I brought a friend. He deserves beer and pizza after everything that I put him through.”
“I’ve had worse,” Indigo replies with a grin, and reaches for the offered beer Tanner holds out to him. “But I won’t pass this up.”
“Welcome,” Wolfe says and gestures to the food and the whole space. “Make yourself at home. Cullen and Scott are coming over, too.”
“What’s the occasion?” I tip my bottle up and take a sip of beer. “This is a bona fide party.”
“Bachelor party,” Wolfe admits with a grin. “Luna and I decided we’re sick of waiting for a good time to get married, and we’re going to do it during the Christmas party at the inn next week.”
The room goes quiet. My jaw drops. Then we’re all congratulating him at once.
“Luna is still getting her big wedding,” he continues. “Most of the town plans to be there anyway, and her parents will still be in town.”
“They get here tomorrow,” I confirm. “I spoke with Dad today. They’re excited to stay at the inn.”
“Luna’s so fucking nervous. She wants them to love it. I told her it’s going to be great and there’s nothing to worry about, but she doesn’t listen to me.”
“She never has,” I reply with a chuckle. “That’s awesome. I’m excited for you guys.”
“What about you and Sarah?” Indigo asks, turning to Tanner. “You set a date yet?”
“Sometime next summer,” Tanner replies as we hear more voices on the stairs. “I’ll help where she wants me to, but for the most part, I’m leaving it all up to her. This is her vision, and I’m happy to let her have it.”
“Smart man,” Indigo replies with a laugh. “Hey, Cullen. Scott.”
“Were you just talking about my sister?” Scott asks. “She’s already asked me to give her away at your wedding, so I think she’s planning more than you realize.”
“Of course, she is,” Tanner says with a smile. “Must be a woman thing.”
After Cullen puts the beer he brought into the fridge, he grabs a slice of pizza, joining the party.
“So what happened today?” I ask Zeke as we wander over to the pool table. When he stares at me blankly, I clarify, “With you and Indigo. You said you felt sorry for him.”
“Oh, that.” Zeke laughs and bites into his slice. “I need him to find me a new place to live, and I’m fucking picky.”
“I’ve dealt with worse,” Indigo says again.
“Why are you moving?” Scott wants to know. “Those condos you live in are sick. ”
“Yeah, I know, but my neighbor is a goddamn pain in my ass. It’s time I move before I kill her and spend the rest of my life in jail.”
“Don’t say shit like that,” Cullen says. “You know I’m a cop.”
“I’m not doing it, am I?” Zeke blows out a breath.
“The problem is that everything for sale around here is a single-family home, and he doesn’t want that. He wants another condo with a water view, and there aren’t any available that aren’t already in his current building.”
“Told you”—Zeke points his pizza at Indigo—“I don’t want to have to deal with the upkeep of a house. The condo is perfect.”
“Maybe, and I’m going out on a limb here,” Wolfe says, holding up his hands, “you should kiss and make up with Cherry Dubois so you can stay in your perfect condo. Stop being a stubborn ass about it.”
“It’s Cherry Dubois?” Scott frowns over at Zeke and turns his hat backward before he racks the pool balls. “Not only is she really nice, but she’s also hot. I’ve been thinking about asking her out on a date, but my work schedule at the fire hall has been stupidly busy lately, so I haven’t had a chance.”
Zeke’s eyes narrow on Scott, and I grin. “You like her.”
“Bullshit, asshole,” Zeke says, but I keep grinning, not at all offended.
“You do, but you don’t want to.”
“I don’t usually go for the annoyingly bossy type,” Zeke reminds me. “Let’s change the subject. What about you and June?”
“What about me and June?”
Cullen’s eyes cut to me as he chalks the end of a pool cue.
“You’ve been all over town together the past few months, looking mighty cozy together.”
“Cozy? Who the hell uses the word cozy ?” Indigo asks.
“He knows what I’m talking about,” Zeke says, still watching me.
“Do you have a problem with me, Zeke?”
“I never have before,” the other man admits. “I actually like you a lot. But it pisses me off when a man is with a woman but won’t admit it to anyone because they’re embarrassed of said woman.”
“Who the fuck said I was embarrassed of June?” I set my bottle down. “You don’t know anything about it.”
“That’s my point. No one does,” he agrees. “So, what is it? Are you fucking around with her just for the sex, or is there something there? Because I like June, and she doesn’t deserve that bullshit.”
I push my hand through my hair and turn away. I want to kick his ass, but he’s looking out for the woman I love, so I have to respect that.
“Is that what everyone thinks?” I look from man to man, staring them in the eyes. “That I’m just fucking around with her? That I’m embarrassed of her?”
“You’ve been seen out on dates or riding around together,” Wolfe says, his voice level and calm. “You used to despise each other, and now you’re together a lot, man. This is a small town, and people talk. If you and June aren’t setting the narrative straight, then everyone else will write the story for you.”
“Motherfucker.” I pace the length of the loft, frustration rolling through me. I promised June that we’d tell our friends together, but damn it, I’m so fucking sick of hiding that I don’t give a shit anymore. I’ll beg for forgiveness later. “Yeah, okay.”
I rub my hand down my face and turn back to the now-quiet room.
“We’re together—not just fucking .” I glare at Zeke, who’s crossed his arms over his chest. “Sure, there’s sex, but it’s more than that.”
“Keep talking,” Cullen advises.
“She’s so stubborn that, if I didn’t love her so much, I’d want to strangle her. She’s funny as hell, fun to be with, and so damn sweet when she wants to be. She might seem like a hard ass, and she can be, for sure, but she’s a softie. I sound like an idiot.”
“No, you don’t.” Wolfe shakes his head. “Keep going.”
“We’ve been together for a few months. She wanted to keep it quiet because, well, she has baggage, I guess. I think that, if it didn’t work out, she didn’t want to have to explain that to everyone.”
“Is it not going to work out?” Tanner inquires.
“If I have anything to say about it, it’ll stick for the rest of my life. This is Juniper Snow we’re talking about, and she doesn’t take orders from anyone, not even me. I don’t want anyone to think that what I have with June is insignificant or something I’m ashamed of because that couldn’t be further from the truth. I mean, just look at her . She’s gorgeous and successful and?—”
I sigh, rest my hands on my hips, and look at my shoes as I try to pull my thoughts together.
“I love her,” I admit. “You can razz me all you want for that, but it’s true. So, yeah, fuck that embarrassment nonsense.”
Zeke grins and holds his hands up in surrender when I pin him with my glare. “Just checking, man.”
“You egged me on purposefully.”
“Hell yes, I did.”
“Way to go, Nosy Nancy,” Indigo says, fist-bumping Zeke.
“Do me a solid and keep this here for now.” I rub my hand over my mouth, thinking about how distant June’s been over the past few days. “Not because she’s a fucking secret, but because she didn’t want to advertise it yet.”
“We won’t, but don’t you dare tell Luna I knew before she did.”
“Sarah either,” Tanner adds.
“Deal. Okay, let’s talk about someone else’s love life. Indigo?”
“Not me.” The other man laughs and shakes his head. “I just broke it off with someone, so I’m as single as they come, and that’s perfectly fine with me.”
“Women are overrated,” Zeke says before backtracking. “Well, some are.”
“Let’s play pool,” Scott suggests, gesturing to the table. “And drink. Is this a bachelor party, or what?”
“Yeah, focus,” Tanner says with a laugh. “Let’s do this.”
“Where are you today?” I frown when June doesn’t immediately answer me. I’m not a controlling person, but it’s been a fucking week, and I miss her.
“I’m out and about,” she says.
“How are you feeling? Is your stomach better?”
“I—” She pauses, and I scowl at the screwdriver I’m holding. “I’m doing better.”
“Juniper.”
“I am. Really. I’m helping Luna at the inn today. There’s so much left to do now that a Christmas party has turned into a wedding, as well. Why? Where are you ?”
“At your chapel, and when you weren’t here, it made me worry.”
Her voice softens. “Sorry. I don’t know when I’ll be over there again. Actually, you know what? That’s not true. The bodies in the basement get to be moved in two days.”
“ Two days?”
“Yeah, the city called and told me they found time to move them to the cemetery. So, I’ll definitely be there for that. Anyway, I don’t know when I’ll see you.”
“June, why do I get the feeling that you’re avoiding me?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“I’m coming to the inn.”
“No!” I hear her footsteps as she paces. “I mean, you don’t have to do that.”
“My parents are there, and I’ve hardly seen them since they arrived yesterday. I’m coming over right now.”
I hang up before she can argue with me and stow my tools in the mudroom before heading to my truck.
I’m sick and tired of June avoiding me, but I wasn’t lying when I told her I haven’t seen my parents much since they got to town. We were supposed to all have dinner last night, but I ended up working late on a project across town, so I couldn’t make it.
It’s been a cold week in Huckleberry Bay. The town decorations are all up, and the garland and lights make everything feel festive as I drive toward the lighthouse.
When I pull to a stop in front of the inn, I whistle long and slow. “Holy shit. The elves have been damn busy.”
Red bows and garland are draped across the front of the building. The old Ford that we found in the barn and had restored is parked under the portico, a small wreath hanging on the grill. It looks like something off a postcard.
Once I walk inside, I find several tall Christmas trees, fully decorated with thousands of ornaments, and lanterns sit on each step leading up the staircase.
“Did Sarah paint this?” I ask Luna as she walks in from the kitchen. She looks up at the painting I’m pointing at. It’s of the inn decorated for the holidays, and Luna lights up with pride and happiness.
“Yes, isn’t it perfect for the holidays?”
“It’s beautiful,” I confirm. “How’s it going in here?”
“Better than I expected, actually. Mom and Dad have been a huge help. We’re right on track with everything. What are you up to?”
“I came to see Mom and Dad and to check in with June.”
“Why would you need to check in with June?” she asks.
Well, no better time than the present, I guess. “Because she and I are…together.”
Her eyebrows climb, but she doesn’t look shocked.
“And you already knew that.”
“I kind of figured it out. I love it, by the way. My best friend and my brother? Hell yes.”
“Where is she?”
“Oh, she just left. Said she had some errand to run or something.”
I huff out a breath and rake a hand through my hair.
“Did you give her a heads-up that you were headed this way?”
“Unfortunately. She’s been avoiding me, and I’m ready to shake some sense into her.”
“I think she’s been really busy, Apollo. Honest.” She bites her lip, and before I can ask any questions, my dad walks into the room.
“Luna, I love these old lighthouse magazines that you have sitting out in the library. They’re fascinating—oh, hi, son. Come on in and sit with me in the library.”
“You know what? I think I will. Where can I find a cup of coffee?”
“There’s some on the sideboard in the dining room.” Luna gestures to her right. “There are muffins and scones in there, too. Help yourself.”
I do just that. Armed with fresh coffee and sugar, I follow my dad into the library, which has an incredible view of the ocean. We sit in the leather chairs that face the floor-to-ceiling window, giving us an unblocked view of the waves below.
“How do you feel after your trip yesterday?” I bite into a scone and glance at Dad, who’s watching me with a big grin on his face. “What?”
“You look frustrated. It must be a woman.”
“I—” I laugh and take another bite of scone. “Yeah, I’m frustrated over a woman.”
“They’re clever beings, aren’t they?”
“I was thinking more like irritating . ”
He looks over his shoulder as if to make sure my mom isn’t standing right behind him, and then he leans closer to me. “Sometimes that’s the case, yes. Want to talk about it?”
“I feel like all I do is talk about it.” I blow out a breath before taking a sip of coffee. “Juniper Snow.”
“Really?” He raises an eyebrow in surprise. “I wasn’t expecting that.”
“Why?”
“Well, because you were always sniping at each other. I didn’t think you liked each other.”
“We’ve smoothed all of that out.”
“About time. I’ve always liked that girl. She’s damn talented, too.”
“I know. She’s remodeling that little white chapel in town. She’s going to live in it.”
“Is that right? I can see her doing something like that. Good for her.”
“She’s avoiding me.” I don’t like saying that out loud. “I’m sure I did something to piss her off, but I have no idea what, and she won’t talk to me about it.”
“Ah, the old cold shoulder.” He nods as if he knows all about that. “It happens from time to time. It’s been my experience that, if I give your mom some space and let her work through the mad, she’ll come out the other side and let me have it. Then I apologize, and we get on with our wonderful life.”
“She’s had a damn week.”
He taps his fingers on the arm of the chair, which is something he only does when he’s concerned. “That’s quite a mad she’s in.”
“And I don’t know why . ”
“That is irritating, but you’ll figure it out. My son isn’t an idiot.”
“I feel like one today.”
“Nah.” He reaches over and pats my shoulder. “How’s the electrical business?”
“Busy.”
“And everything else?”
I’m quiet for a moment as I watch the waves crash against the cliffs. The ocean looks angry today.
“As soon as I figure out what makes Juniper happy, everything will be just about perfect.”
“Good for you, son.” He settles deeper into the chair and sighs with contentment. “You’re happy. Luna’s getting married and built this amazing new business while still managing to take care of the light. My kids are the coolest people I know.”
I glance over and find him smiling at me.
“We really are pretty cool, aren’t we?”
“Damn right.”