Chapter 6
Teague
I t was one of those long days where I had too much to do and not enough time to do it. Oakley had come with me to the sawmill, but I left him with Dad since he seemed to be having fun stacking firewood. I figured he was actually using the physical work to sort out some feelings, but since I did the same thing on occasion, I couldn’t blame him. He still didn’t want to talk about his parents or tell me anything else about what happened. I sort of hoped Dad would get Oak to talk. Dad had always been good at that, and Oak needed it.
I didn’t know if Erin was relentlessly calling our parents like she was me, but I thought that might be part of the reason that Oakley wasn’t talking to me about things. Not that he didn’t trust me not to tell her anything, because I knew he knew I wouldn’t, but because he didn’t want to put me in the middle. I appreciated that, but he had to know I was willing to put myself between him and the rest of the world.
I probably should tell him flat out, just so he knew.
But that was for future me to deal with. I filed it away for later and made my way to Sugar Rush. Regan had sent a text asking me to call when I had a moment. They knew I was on the road delivering firewood as well as working with Dad, and I figured they didn’t want to interrupt. It couldn’t have been that important because otherwise Regan would have told me. They were good about not leaving things open-ended like that. But since I felt the need for a cupcake pick-me-up, instead of calling, I showed up.
Regan appeared from the backroom when the bell sounded as I pushed open the glass front door. Their big grin made me smile, as did their new hair. Yesterday, it had been bleached blonde, the same as it had been for the past few weeks. Now, though, it was a galaxy mix of different blues, purples, and pinks. Regan had it pulled back because they were working, but I bet it looked even better down and swishing around their shoulders.
“Looking good, sibling mine.”
They preened and posed, getting me to laugh, then shook their head with a fond smile. “You could have called, you know. It wasn’t anything dire.”
“I figured.” I shrugged one shoulder. “But I was hoping for a Unicorn Fart.”
“Of course you were.” Regan rolled their eyes but reached into the display case for one of the rainbow frosting laden cupcakes. It even had edible glitter on top, and it was one of Regan’s best sellers. They didn’t even bother to place it on a plate or put it in a box, just handed it over along with a napkin. I was quick to peel off the paper cup, peel off the bottom, and plop it on top so I had a frosting sandwich.
“Wa’s uh?” I asked, mouth full of confection perfection.
Regan made a face and handed me several more napkins, then crossed to the fridge on the far side to get me a bottle of water. “You’re gross.”
I made my eyes wide and pointed to myself, like how could they even say that? Regan snorted a little laugh and then unscrewed the bottle cap for me.
“Starting on Sunday, I need you to make daily early deliveries to Black Dog Inn.”
I swallowed before I spoke this time. “Oh yeah? How come?”
“Dana doesn’t do pastries.”
I rolled my eyes. “I know that. But usually she just calls you up to place an order when they have guests.”
“I guess business has picked up which, you know, good for them.” Regan pursed their lips, thinking for a moment. “Good for all of us really, because more tourists mean more business all around. I mean, sure guests could just be staying there to head off to Lake Champlain or even head into Vermont or whatever. But more people in town means more business, and we can all use that, even if tourists are also kind of a pain in the ass sometimes. You know how entitled some people can be and—”
“Regan.” I had to cut them off and redirect the conversation before they really got on their soapbox about it. Regan loved people, loved customers, but had little patience for the ones who acted like jerks. I didn’t blame them, but that wasn’t the point of this right now.
“Right.” They took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Anyway, Dana said they’re booked solid, or nearly, for the next few weeks and are hoping that only increases with more word of mouth. She and Nic are working hard to be known as the Queer friendly, family friendly place in the region. And part of their offerings is the continental breakfast. Dana has the food covered, but baked goods are my purview.”
I nodded and finished my cupcake in two big bites. “And you’re happy with a standing order as well. I bet you even cut them a deal, eh?”
“Of course. Local businesses need to look out for one another.” Was that a blush gracing my sibling’s cheeks? It was gone before I could figure it out. I opened my mouth to ask, but Regan talked over me. “Anyway, they need the delivery by seven. Is that gonna be a problem?”
“No. I can do it.” It was only about ten to fifteen minutes up the road. It meant waking up a little earlier than I normally did to be at Sugar Rush by six-thirty, but I wasn’t opposed to that. I was nothing if not helpful, and this helped both my sibling and the ladies at Black Dog. Regan couldn’t exactly leave their baking to make the delivery, and I was sure with that many guests, it wasn’t easy for Dana or Nic to head into town to do a pickup.
Regan’s relief was obvious. “Thanks. You’re the best.”
I puffed out my chest. “I really am.”
“A lot better than other siblings I could name,” Regan muttered, a scowl darkening their face.
“That’s not a high bar to clear,” I responded. I watched them for a moment, trying to figure out where the comment had come from. Then, I carefully asked, “Has Erin actually called you?”
Regan blew out a breath. “Once, but I was elbow deep in dough, so I didn’t answer. She left a message, but she was hostile. And misgendered me, so I blocked her number.”
“Good.” I’d stand between Erin and Regan too. “Let me deal with Erin. You don’t need that shit any more than Oakley does.”
Regan cocked their head and studied me for a long moment. “It’s not fair for you to deal with it either.”
“I’ve got big shoulders.” I flexed to show off and got a hint of a smile from Regan. “It’s fine. She can harass me all she wants. Even bring up my sexuality. It’s not gonna hurt me. But I draw the line at her attitude to anyone else.”
“Mom says she’s at least been civil with her.”
“Erin still respects the parents, and as long as she does, then fine. Just don’t answer any unknown calls, and you should probably delete any voicemails without listening.” I waved it away, not wanting to think about my sister anymore. “I gotta get going because I need to go to the store before I head back to pick up Oakley. You good?"
Regan nodded and they looked okay, so I took them at their word. I waited for them to pack up a half of a coffee cake that hadn’t sold yet to take to our parents, said goodbye, and headed out into the afternoon sunshine. My brain wanted to latch on to Erin’s antics, and maybe even give her the benefit of the doubt, but I knew better. So, I shoved that away. Even if I wanted to really give her a piece of my mind, I wasn’t going to stoop to her level.
I reviewed my mental list of things I needed as I drove to Altmann’s. It was a family owned and operated store and had been for at least fifty years. We had a Price Chopper in town, and sometimes I shopped there if I needed to, but I preferred Altmann’s. They had everything from groceries to home goods to hardware and seasonal displays. It was like a Target, but better, because it catered to the needs of our community and had since it first opened.
I parked at the back of the lot like I always did and grabbed a basket when I stepped through the doors. I’d been ready to beeline toward the grocery section when my attention was caught by the two cashiers bent over and giving love to a big black dog.
“Steve!” I shouted with joy. The dog lifted his big head, jowls wobbling, and let out a “boof” that reverberated off the high ceilings. I went to him, because it was quicker than waiting for him to amble over to me, and he might not want to considering the attention he was getting. I scratched his scruff and asked, “You here with your moms?”
Steve, of course, didn’t answer. And no one else did either because Annie Altmann, the owner’s ten-year-old granddaughter, came running up from somewhere in the back and descended on the dog with squeals. Steve was good natured about it, only letting out a huff before sitting on his haunches and submitting to her hugs.
I left them to it, figuring I’d run into Nic or Dana in the store. Or both, for that matter. Pulling up my mental list again, I started up and down the aisles, dropping things into my basket as I went. It was sort of mindless, and one of the things I liked about grocery shopping.
But when I turned down the cereal aisle, my entire world shifted on its axis. My attention was caught by the beautiful man studying the numerous boxes. He was tall and thin, and though it was a little weird he was wearing jeans and a long-sleeved shirt in the middle of this heat, it didn’t hide his tight and toned body. But it was his face I couldn’t stop staring at, the square jaw and straight nose. I wanted him to turn toward me so I could see more than just his profile.
As if sensing my thoughts, he did turn, just his face, and my breath stuttered in my lungs. The warm brown eyes framed by glasses held my attention, and I couldn’t look away. His expression morphed first to confusion, and then to wariness, but I couldn’t stop staring. I opened my mouth to say something, anything, when my phone rang. I was so distracted by the gorgeous man, I answered without looking at the caller ID.
“Hello?”
“Brother Teague, thank you for answering the phone.” My brother-in-law’s voice was grating on a good day, but now, dripping with false politeness, it was particularly annoying.
“What do you want?”
“Simply to chat, of course. I know my son is there with you, and I’d like your cooperation to end this nonsense. He needs to be home with his family.”
“He is with family,” I ground out, finally tearing my gaze away from the pretty man.
“Family who can help him.” On the surface, Bart’s voice sounded reasonable enough, but I knew better. “I’m flying out to Burlington on Tuesday and if you—”
“If you show up here, I will end you,” I growled, my voice dark. “Do you understand me? I will send you home with bruises and broken bones. And that’s if you’re very lucky.”
A clatter drew my attention, and I lifted my gaze to see several boxes on the floor and the pretty man hustling away. Fuck. I’d clearly scared the guy and I hadn’t wanted that. But it wouldn’t be the first time my size had intimidated someone, and with what I’d just said? It didn’t take a genius to figure out what happened.
“Are you threatening me?” Bart’s voice was still polite, but there was an edge to it I didn’t like.
“It’s a fucking promise. Oak is an adult. Get over yourselves, you and my sister both. Stop harassing us, and stop threatening Oak. You should be ashamed of your behavior.” I sighed, pushing up onto my tiptoes to try and see over the shelves, looking for the pretty man. I needed to explain.
“Oakley’s salvation—”
“Shut up, Bart. Stop calling. Unless you take a look in your book and see that love is the most important thing and have a change of heart.” I hung up, a little more forcefully than necessary. Then I took a minute to simply breathe. My anger might be justified, but it wasn’t going to do me any favors at the moment. And I really needed to apologize to the pretty man for what he’d overheard. At the very least. Maybe I could explain as well.
I grabbed the last two things on my list, dropped them in my basket, and disappointed that I hadn’t seen the man again, hustled to the front and hoped he was checking out. To my relief, he was unloading his cart onto the belt. I broke into a jog, hurrying over.
The man saw me coming, and even across the distance, I heard his gasp. There was no missing the way he stepped back, putting the cart between us. An instant later, Steve was there, at attention in front of the man, staring me down with his fathomless doggy eyes. I skidded to a halt, my sneakers slipping on the polished linoleum floor. Steve let out another booming bark, and I knew it wasn’t smart to come any closer. By nature, Steve was usually loving and an attention whore, but I’d seen him in protective mode once before. I held up both hands and stayed where I was.
The man finished checking out, only glancing back a couple of times to make sure I hadn’t moved. Then he patted Steve’s head and the two of them left the store. It was only then that I made the connection. Steve hadn’t been here with one or both of his moms, but with this man. And that meant he was, at least, friends with Nic and Dana.
If I was lucky, I’d see him again and be able to apologize and explain. And if I wasn’t, I could at least relay the message to the ladies of the Black Dog Inn and they could pass it on. I didn’t like the thought of anyone being afraid of me, but it especially didn’t feel good to have this beautiful man thinking I was some kind of monster. I needed to fix it. And hopefully I’d get the chance.