Chapter 34
Ian
“This is great,” Tyler chirps. “We haven’t all worked out together in forever.”
Jack grunts as he completes his squat set and racks his barbell. “Definitely need to do this more.”
“Yeah…if you three can get permission to come out,” Tyler mutters as he loads more weight on the barbell for his squats.
Jack, Nate, and I glance at each other before leveling an amused glare in his direction.
Tyler seems to sense the jovial indignation being sent in his direction at his dig. He turns to look at us hesitantly, giving a sheepish shrug. “I mean, Ian was the only one who’s worked out with me after Olive moved in with Nate, and for the last couple of weeks, even he’s been too busy now.”
Nate slaps Tyler on the shoulder and pulls him in for an awkward hug. “Aw, does Tyler miss his idols spending time with him? I speak for all of us when I say, we’re honored and deeply sorry to have ditched you.”
Pushing Nate off, Tyler rolls his eyes. “Idols might be a little strong. I really just need a spot, so I don’t accidentally kill myself.”
I smirk. Even if he won’t admit it, I know Tyler does, in fact, look up to us, especially his cousin Jack. Guilt starts to bring on a frown. While I wouldn’t trade the time I’m spending with Maggie, he isn’t wrong. I haven’t shown up for him like I have in the past.
“Come on, Tyler. I got you on this set.” I step over to the squat rack. “Is this a PR for you?”
“Nah, I did ten heavier the other day.”
Giving him an approving nod, I gesture for him to get into position. “Nice, man.” I spot him through a few squats, and when he takes his break between sets, I say, “I’m sorry I haven’t been around. While I might not be as available as I was before, that doesn’t mean I can’t make time for you.”
“It’s all good. I’m happy all of you have found someone. Especially that it’s Maggie.” Tyler shrugs. “Just an adjustment period, I guess.”
I cross my arms and nod. “You’re right. But I’ll still do better.”
He has a half-smile when he says, “I appreciate it. Hell, who knows, maybe I’ll meet someone next, and then I won’t care you three are too busy for me.”
“I have no doubt you will.” I point at him. “She better be fucking good enough for you. Don’t you dare settle.”
Tyler huffs out a laugh and rolls his eyes. Stepping under the barbell, he sets up for his next set. “I’ll make sure you all give your stamps of approval.”
“Damn right, you will,” Nate calls out from the weight bench next to us.
We let the conversation drop as we finish our workout. I never thought I would be where I am today—happy and not alone. I figured I’d be alone forever, probably at least a little angry and bitter. However, I must admit that I like this version a lot more than what I thought my future would be.
Crazy what falling in love will do.
My body freezes at that thought, mid-bench press. Jack grabs the bar, thinking I’m struggling with the weight. He assists with setting the barbell back in place.
“You okay, man?”
I sit up and shake my head to clear my thoughts. “Yeah, sorry. I, uh,” I hesitate, not wanting to admit what just went through my mind. “Never mind.” I lie back and grip the bar. “I’m going to do another set.
He eyes me curiously, but doesn’t question me.
By the time I unlock my front door, I’m still analyzing how I feel about coming to the realization that I might be in love with Maggie.
Am I in love with her, or does my mind just think that because it’s the next logical step?
I have no idea what it’s like to be in love with someone. All I know is what it looks like from the outside now that I have been around people who are head-over-heels in love with their partners. But how does it feel? How do they know it’s love and not just their mind playing tricks on them?
The smell of Italian seasoning and tomato sauce fills my nose as I close the door behind me. Music and pans clanging call me to the kitchen.
Maggie’s busy cooking, digging through my cabinets and singing softly to herself.
She hasn’t noticed me, so I take a few minutes to watch her.
My dick twitches when she bends over and I get a perfect view of her spandex-covered ass.
She stands back up, and my T-shirt that she’s wearing falls back into place, partially obscuring my view.
She turns, and the second she sees me, her entire face lights up. My breath catches. The way she’s looking at me is something I don’t think I’ve ever experienced. Nor have I ever walked into my house and been greeted by the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen cooking me dinner.
“Dinner smells great,” I comment with a smile.
“Thanks! Hopefully, it tastes as good as it smells.” Maggie sets the baking sheet on the counter and crosses the kitchen to me.
Her arms go around my waist, and she tips her head back and puckers her lips for a kiss.
Gripping the back of her head, I pull her gently up to meet me.
I devour her lips as if that’s the only thing she’s offering for dinner.
When I pull back, she smiles up at me and asks, “How was your day?”
The oven timer goes off. I release her and lean back against the counter, my eyes never leaving her as she spreads what looks like garlic butter on a loaf of French bread.
“My day was good. Work was busy, and I got a workout in after work with the guys.”
Maggie turns away to put the bread in the oven.
“How was yours?”
She pivots back to me with a grin. “It was great! Work was fun, and Ella called and asked if I would come to her final wedding dress fitting with her tomorrow. And I think a few other people are coming.” With a dreamy expression, she claps her hands together. “I’m so excited for their wedding!”
Their wedding is just over a week away, and Jack seems more stressed than Ella.
Maggie’s happiness today warms me. She’s always been amazingly resilient from what I’ve seen, but it seems talking to Pamela has been as beneficial for her as it has been for me.
“Did Ella tell you about the show tomorrow?” I ask.
Jack told me he was going to invite the girls to a show we’re working tomorrow night at one of the bars downtown.
We’re hoping we can move away from taking contracts for events in the bars downtown, but it’s difficult because the revenue these jobs generate is substantial.
Typically, Jack and I wouldn’t be working an event like this, but Jack knows the owner of the bar, and he asked Jack to take this job at the last minute as a favor due to some staffing issues with his in-house security team.
And because the rest of our employees were on a job or had the night off, we decided to work it rather than ask them to give up their free night.
“Yes.” She wags her eyebrows at me suggestively. “I can’t wait to see you in action.”
“Technically, you saw me at the trial.”
Her smile fades a little, and I internally wince for bringing that up.
She recovers quickly, and her smile returns, even if it’s a little less bright than it was before. “That’s true, but I was distracted, so I didn’t get to admire the view as much as I would have liked.”
I push off the counter and saunter over to her. “You can admire me as much as you like.” Kissing her forehead, I pat her ass. “I’m going to take a quick shower before dinner.”
Feeling more at peace than when I first got home, a lightness surrounds me as I walk out of the kitchen. I may not know what love feels like, but I do know this feeling, whatever it might be, is pretty fucking amazing, and I’m not going to question it.
I enter the bedroom and pull my phone out of my pocket.
Me: Franklin, I need another favor.