16. Gus
Chapter 16
Gus
A s I drove slowly down the mile-long driveway toward the main house, I took in the surrounding forest and the buildings and cottages dotting the property, willing my heart rate to remain steady.
My whole life, I had avoided parties as best as I could, and today, I had fought with myself for hours before finally getting in my truck.
She wouldn’t want me here. She had lots of people to celebrate with.
But I couldn’t stay away. The thought of not seeing her on this big birthday made my chest ache.
So I settled on a late arrival and a quick drop-in. I wouldn’t make it weird. I’d say hello, thank Celine for inviting me, and give Chloe her gift. Then, if she wanted me gone, I’d go.
She’d inhabited my every waking thought since she left my house two weeks ago. We’d been professional at the office, and if anything, we were working well together. But she still took every opportunity to get in digs where she could.
Even so, I showed up every morning, whether I was scheduled to be in the office or offsite, and dropped off her coffee and scone. She didn’t throw it in my face, so that was a plus.
I usually got at least one sassy eye roll, but I’d take it. If I wanted to win back the love of my life, then I’d have to roll with the punches.
If I knew Chloe like I thought I did, then birthdays were hard for her. When her mom was alive, she had always made a huge deal of them. She’d throw elaborate parties and make a huge fuss of her kids.
After she died, Chloe stopped celebrating. So I ventured to guess she was probably uncomfortable with her sister throwing her a party today. But she loved her sister and would do anything for her, so she’d be wearing a smile and surviving the day.
I wouldn’t complain. This gave me another opportunity to spend time with her.
God, keeping my hands to myself had been torture, but remaining busy helped. I coordinated with JJ on some of the new initiatives and was slowly coming around to their way of doing things.
I also brought Clem to work with me as often as I could. Chloe could not resist her, and the sight of her lavishing my skittish, abused dog with love was one I’d never tire of.
The party was in full swing by the time I arrived. I had a bouquet of sunflowers in one hand, and in the other, a wrapped pack of Bonne Bell Lip Smackers I had to drive two towns over to purchase. My mother had trained me from a young age to never arrive empty-handed. While these had been some of her favorite things a long time ago, I had no idea what the forty-year-old version of Chloe liked, so I’d thrown in a bottle of prosecco too, just in case.
Music poured out of the house, and the backyard was lit up festively. This house was a wonder. It was an estate, really. It had been built by some friends of my grandparents a long time ago and had been a vacation rental until recently.
Music floated on the air, and Karl stood behind an outdoor bar that looked out at the lake. Outdoor lights illuminated the space, and several guests were lounging on chairs while others played cards at a large teak table.
A distinct laugh sent a zing down my spine, and of their own accord, my feet changed direction. A moment later, there she was. Wearing tiny black shorts and a sparkly plastic crown with a glittering 40 on it.
Her hair was down and curling in the humidity, and her eyes danced as she laughed at her sister, who was gesturing excitedly.
Cedric and Calvin, Chloe’s brothers, were here too, as well as a handful of people from town. It was a small crowd, but they were all smiles.
I had just stepped onto the patio when Chloe’s head snapped around and she zeroed in on me. My entire body came alive, as if she’d reached out and touched me from afar.
Game on.
She stomped over to me, wearing sexy sandals that laced up her calves. “What are you doing here?”
“Happy birthday, Dragonfly,” I said. “Celine invited me.”
“Ugh.” She whipped around and scowled at her sister, who was busy destroying Calvin at foosball. “Celine,” she barked. “Why did you invite my nemesis?”
Her sister gave me a warm smile. The resemblance between them was clear, but their personalities were vastly different.
“He’s nice, and he’s easy on the eyes,” she trilled, with a wave of a hand. “And you don’t actually know that many people here. Figured the more the merrier.”
Chloe dropped her head. “I think my tipsy sister is telling me I have no friends.”
“I’m your friend,” I said, handing her the flowers and gift bag. “But I’ll leave if you’d like me to.”
Her eyes widened at the large bouquet, and she bit her lip, clearly fighting a smile. She still loved sunflowers. Noted. “You’re already here,” she said. “If you promise not to annoy me, then you can stay.”
With that, she walked away, leaving me standing on the patio, a wide grin spreading across my face. That was the warmest welcome I’d received from her yet.
I grabbed a beer and said hello to the various guests, making sure to stop and chat with the LeBlanc boys about their recent timber competitions. They were both great athletes and happily filled me in on the summer season.
From there, I wandered over to the dock area and sat in one of the Adirondack chairs so I could admire the truly spectacular view.
I’d spent my entire life in this state, yet I never got tired of the scenery. Lake Millinocket wasn’t particularly massive, but it was flanked by the Appalachian Mountains and a thick forest. I learned to swim in this water, and I’d kayaked with my brothers more times than I could count. The number of times we’d gotten ourselves in trouble here was almost as high.
At the sound of approaching footsteps, I was pulled from my reverie.
A moment later, Karl sat next to me, giving me a nod and raising his beer.
He was tall, easily six feet. And though he was lanky, his tattoo-covered arms were muscled and strong.
And while he was usually smiling at me, it was the kind of expression that silently conveyed a warning. In the last few weeks, he’d proven himself invaluable. It was no wonder Chloe claimed she couldn’t live without him. I swore he had the ability to be in two places at once some days.
“Good to see you,” I said, turning back to the lake.
He shifted my way, his face neutral but his posture tense. “I hope you’re not here to fuck around with Chloe.”
I held my hands up, reeling from the surprisingly blunt admission. “I’m not here to cause any trouble.”
“I mean it.” He looked me up and down. “You upset her, you’ll be at the bottom of that lake. You may be a big, burly wall of lumberjack, but I’m scrappy as fuck, and that woman is the most important person in my life.”
I nodded. The dude wasn’t messing around. How much had she told him?
“I know everything,” he said, one brow cocked, as if he could read my mind.
Shit, maybe he really could read minds. That would explain how ruthlessly efficient he was.
“And I would gleefully murder you if she asked me to.”
I sat forward, my elbows on the armrests of my chair. “The last thing I want to do is hurt anyone. And I believe you. No offense, but you’ve got crazy eyes.”
A smile spread slowly across his face. “Thank you.”
It hadn’t been a compliment, but at least the death threats had stopped.
I took a sip of my beer. “Listen, I’m just trying to do my job and be a friend to Chloe.”
He nodded, his lips pressed together in consideration. “Chloe is my person,” he said. “Like mother, sister, boss, and best friend, all rolled into one tiny, angry package.”
“Fascinating,” I said. “And you’re tasked with filing her horns down every morning?”
He let out a laugh, the sound an instant relief. Thank fuck. I had hoped that he and I could eventually become friends. He reminded me of my younger brothers: loyal and reactive, but good deep down.
“How’d you meet Chloe?”
“It was after my bail hearing,” he said matter-of-factly, focus fixed on my face, as if daring me to react.
“Sorry.” I almost choked on my beer.
“I was seventeen. My parents kicked me out, and I was living on the street. Got picked up for stealing. My public defender was Chloe’s roommate. I did five months in juvie, but without any family to be released to, it was a challenge. So Lucy took me home to their apartment.
“Chloe and I hit it off, and she sort of adopted me. Kicked my ass when I was being a little shit and helped me get my life together.”
“Wow.” The magnitude of what this kid must have gone through left me practically speechless.
“Made me get my GED and go to college,” he continued. “I always hated school, but she used to drag me out of bed to get to class. It wasn’t pretty, but I managed to earn a business degree.
“She’s always on my ass about finding a better job. But she’s my best friend, and the timber industry is all I know now. In the ten-plus years I’ve known her, we’ve been through all kinds of shit together. We’ve gotten ourselves into scraps in Mongolia and Brazil and everywhere in between.”
Damn, it was hard not to admire his loyalty and love for Chloe. He probably needed to hear that from somebody once in a while. In therapy, I’d been learning that we all needed to feel seen.
“She’s lucky to have you,” I said. “You’re an exceptional employee, that’s easy to see, but you’re also an incredible friend.”
In response, his expression softened, and his shoulders lowered.
“So why did she come back?” I asked, keeping my tone casual.
“Not for you,” he sneered, the defenses back in place. “Just for a change. She’s had a hard couple of years, and I think turning forty made her miss Maine. When she made an offer on your company, I figured we’d do the biz shit, let JJ and her minions loose in the woods, and be back in Seattle in two weeks.”
Huh. So she may not have come back for me, but it was possible she was staying for me. Hope exploded in my chest like a firecracker.
Karl sat back and looked out over the lake. “She wanted to be here for the summer.”
I hummed. “Because we have the best summers.”
“Given that I’ve lived most of my life putting up with daily rain, I can admit that what this place lacks in charm, Starbucks, and decent Thai food, it makes up for in dry skies.”
“Okay, I’ll take it.”
“Good, it’s all you’re getting,” he said, crossing his arms. “I’m ride or die for Chloe, and although I think I could possibly tolerate you, I’m not spilling her secrets.”
He was fiercely protective, and I respected that. It eased my soul a little to know that she had people looking out for her. Not that it surprised me. She was incredible. How could people not flock to her?
I just wanted to be one of her people. Her person, really.
The more time I spent near her, learning about the person she had become over the past twenty years, the more I fell in love with her all over again.
Because the woman I’d known all those years ago? She was perfect and amazing.
But this woman, standing a few feet away laughing, was so much more. I was desperate for a chance to show her I could be more too. That I was a better man now.
“She’s not invincible,” he warned.
I nodded.
“Now you have to answer a question for me. Why do you call her Dragonfly? She refuses to tell me.”
I put my hands behind my head, looking up at the stars. “Easy. Dragonflies are these beautiful and delicate-looking creatures. You look at a dragonfly and see iridescent shimmer and gossamer wings. But they’re deadly. The most effective predators on earth. Cunning, protective, fierce. All wrapped in a beautiful package.”
Karl let out a huge sigh. “I want to hate you Beast, but you’re making it very hard.”
“I get that a lot,” I replied, holding back a smirk.
As one o’clock approached and guests were heading out, I helped coordinate rides for those who’d been drinking, and I kept an eye on Chloe. I’d spent most of the night walking around, cleaning up, and chatting with folks. I’d expected strange looks from her guests, but no one seemed surprised to see me there. It was a relief not to have to stumble through an explanation. At one point during the evening, I’d ended up in an hour-long friendly debate with JJ over sapling management.
Celine had drunkenly retired to one of the guest bedrooms, and JJ and Karl had wandered back to their cottages not long ago. As the last of the guests left, I found a trash bag under the kitchen sink and gathered up the cups and plates and napkins still scattered around the patio. It was late, but the outdoor lighting made the space feel cozy and highlighted the water views.
I’d never been the showy type, but this house was incredible.
“Figures you’d buy the most expensive house in town.”
Chloe, who was busy collecting empty bottles, scoffed. “I like the lake.”
“The gate is a little much, though.”
“How else am I supposed to keep you out?”
The glare she hit me with sent a zing of electricity shooting up my spine.
This.
This was what had been missing from my life. Excitement, flirtation, a woman who barely tolerated me. It was the middle of the damn night, and one glare could power me through a marathon.
“You can try,” I murmured, keeping my voice low, “but we both know I’ll never stay away.”
She turned her back on me. “Says the guy who abandoned his wife,” she mumbled.
I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to lash out. That was not even remotely close to what had happened. But the last thing I wanted was to fight with Chloe on her birthday. At some point, we’d have to rehash what had gone down all those years ago. Preferably after she agreed to marry me again.
Instead, I focused my attention on cleaning up. As I worked, gathering empty bottles and straightening the deck chairs, I could feel her attention on me.
When the space looked acceptable, I grabbed two bottles of water from the small fridge at the outdoor bar and walked over to where she was sitting, staring out at the lake.
She wordlessly took the water I held out, and I sat down, stretching my legs on one of the lounge-style chairs that were angled at the dock.
We sat like that for a while, listening to the chirping crickets and the soft movement of the water.
“I opened your gift,” she said, never taking her eyes off the water. “Dr Pepper Lip Smackers?”
I smirked. “That was your favorite flavor. I used to love kissing it off you.”
With a huff, she threw her hands up. “Goddamn you, August Hebert. Damn you straight to hell. How dare you show up to my birthday party looking all mountain-man sexy, with thoughtful gifts and your stupid shoulders?”
Here we go . We’d moved on to the yelling portion of the evening. “Sorry.” I held back my laughter. “I didn’t realize my shoulders offended you.”
“Everything about you offends me,” she snarled. “Because you’re still you. An older, hotter version, but still the same Gus.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but she was still going, shredding the label off her water bottle as she ranted.
“And then you stay to clean up, acting all polite and helpful, making sure everyone gets a ride home. You even helped my sister.”
“I like Celine.”
She crossed her arms. “She’s too nice to you. You’d think she’d be on my side. We’re sisters.”
“I’m not sure this is a situation where sides have to be chosen.”
“You’re missing the point.” She pointed at me with her water bottle. “You’re supposed to be miserable, not cheerfully helping out at my damn birthday party.”
Ah. And here it is. What I’ve long suspected. “You wanted me to stay in town, didn’t you? Sounds like you wanted my shoulders around more, not less.”
She threw the empty water bottle at me, not even coming close to hitting me.
“Fuck,” she said. “I throw like a damn girl.” She snatched up a hunk of cheese left over from the fruit and cheese platter on the side table next to her and threw it. This time, her aim was dead on, and it smacked me square in the cheek.
I held my hands up in surrender. “No need for violence.”
Rapid fire, she launched a few more pieces of cheese and a strawberry at me.
It took everything I had to hold back my laughter.
She curled her lip and flung herself back in her chair. “When it comes to you, violence is the only answer. I could have sent you on your way across the country, but instead, my dumb ass keeps you here.” She put her face in her hands. “Fuck me. I made you sign a contract.”
“So then fire me.”
“I would,” she groaned, “but I know you won’t actually leave, and replacing you would be so much work.”
Why those words shot a thrill through me, I wasn’t sure. “Looks like you’re stuck with me.”
“Can’t you just be angry and bitter? Please?”
Part of me wished I could. Anger was a far simpler emotion than what had been swirling inside me lately. If I was angry, then the doubt and guilt and shame I’d been grappling with would disappear. I could retreat behind my walls and not go through the painful process of growing.
But it was too late to turn back now.
“Trust me, Dragonfly, it guts me that we couldn’t hold on to the company and the legacy of my ancestors. But you know what? If anyone was gonna buy it, I’m glad it was you.”
She growled—fucking growled—and side-eyed me, gripping the arms of her chair. “Don’t say shit like that.”
“I mean it. You’re amazing, and you have a hell of a team. When Owen told me I’d have to stay on as GM, I was sick. I thought it would be the worst year of my life.”
“And now you’re having fun,” she said, her tone full of disappointment.
“I wouldn’t say fun, but I’m learning, and the pressure is off. And seeing you all the time has been an unexpected bonus.”
She snorted and rolled her eyes.
“One toss of that hair and one whiff of your sweet but spicy scent, and my day is made. And God.” I clutched my heart. “When you shoot those eye daggers at me? I’ve never felt so alive.”
She turned slowly and stared at me, her skin glowing in the moonlight. God, she was magnificent.
I clutched my heart as it pounded out an uneven rhythm in my chest. “See? They’re especially daggery right now. Does the light of the moon restore you to full power?”
She shook her head, shoulders sagging. “I have so many reasons to be mad at you, Gus Hebert, but mostly, I’m deeply offended that you continue to surprise me.”