Chapter 38
Logan
We had peace as September bled into October.
My parents didn’t start trouble, Gage’s parents didn’t start anything, and we were able to go about our lives. Finally, finally we were able to start renovations on the new Blackbird.
Gage told me the plans had been approved by the city, meaning we had permits to start, and I was so eager I could barely contain myself. Maybe Gage sensed my excitement, since he offered to let me join the demolition crew.
Break things on purpose? Abso-fucking-lutely.
I wore my yardwork clothes to the new bar this morning: ratty jeans, tennis shoes that should have probably been tossed a year ago, and a shirt covered in different paint splotches. Gage showed up in something similar, so I knew I was on the right track.
Cohen waved as I crossed the parking lot. “Good morning. Couldn’t help but get your hands dirty, huh?”
“Honestly, yeah.” My admission made him chuckle. “Plus, I figured if I’m on-site and we find something surprising, we can discuss it right in the moment.”
“Works for me. Now come here, let me run you through a few safety rules.”
He did, and most of them came down to please for the love of god use common sense. Made me wonder how many times common sense was not applied on the job. Too many was probably the answer.
We put on masks and helmets, armed ourselves with crowbars and sledgehammers, and waded in.
Cohen and Gage—and probably Asher, too—had placed blue X’s made with painter’s tape over everything we wanted to keep. There was some unique woodwork hidden behind the renovations that I didn’t want to let go of, as well as some amazing brick I didn’t want damaged.
The rest of their crew was welcoming, shaking hands, introducing themselves. I said hi and explained who I was, and they immediately started teasing Gage.
“Yo, Gage, if I’d known you liked bad boys this much, I coulda fucked you!” Charlie called out to him, winking at me to show he was teasing.
Gage was on the far end of the room but called back, “Like I want your crusty ass!”
Charlie cackled.
Yeah, Charlie and I could be friends if he could tease my boyfriend.
It would take more than a day to get all this stuff out—Cohen had scheduled three—but we made killer progress.
Having two extra sets of hands on-site likely had something to do with the speed, as Cohen hadn’t counted on me or Gage being here.
I was having so much fun breaking walls and hauling stuff around, it surprised me when lunchtime hit.
Gage gestured for me to sit on the back of his truck, which I did. It felt great out here, mid-sixties, which was perfect for my hot and sweaty self. Plus, with the light breeze, I could finally cool off. I settled, then Gage offered me a small cooler with aluminum foil things wrapped inside.
“Hoagies,” he explained while also passing me a water bottle. “I’ve got a club, roast beef, and salami.”
“Ooh, pass me the roast beef.” I took a bite and moaned. God, Gage could cook. Even a sandwich was somehow super tasty. I must learn his tasty sandwich trick. “So this is surprisingly fun.”
“Demo?”
“Yeah. Plus working with you.” I blew him a kiss, delighted by his smile in return. “But it’s also interesting to see Cohen in his natural element. He’s very laid-back even on the job, isn’t he?”
“When Cohen isn’t laid-back, that’s the problem.
” Gage shuddered somewhat exaggeratedly.
“I’ve seen him truly lose his shit about three times since partnering up with him, and usually it’s because someone has done something ridiculously stupid.
Something that cost us. Last such incident was an idiot who decided to take a chimney down via the base, instead of coming from the top down.
Toppled a brick chimney right onto the floor we were trying to save. ”
“What the hell?”
“Almost hit Cohen in the process with flying brick, mind you. It’s a miracle no one got hit. The hell of it was, Cohen had given him detailed instructions on how to take the chimney down not a half hour before he decided to go rogue.”
“So he just didn’t want to put in the work.”
“That was the size of it, yeah. It was incredibly stupid, almost hurt Cohen, and destroyed a hundred-year-old maple wood floor that had been in near pristine condition. You can bet none of us were happy with the moron. We took the price of said floor out of his hide, too. Riggs took him to small claims court.”
I nodded in approval since my mouth was full. Good for them. Stupidity shouldn’t cost anyone except the person who chose to try a shortcut.
Gage shrugged. “So yes, Cohen’s mood is a good barometer for how the job’s going. If he’s moseying about a site, getting things done, then there’s not a problem. If he’s yelling, there’s a problem.”
“Got it.”
“Switching topics”—Gage sort of eyed me sideways, as if judging how this would be taken—“but Cooper’s serious about working for you. Especially now that you have two bars. He started studying for a bartender’s license.”
“I’m delighted to hear it. Wait, is he healed enough for that?”
“Not really, so he’s clumsy as hell doing it with one hand, but he’s been memorizing how to mix all the cocktails and such. I realize he’s still got to go through a training program, but he wants to be ready for it.”
My mouth was full again, so I nodded. Bartenders needed to go to a state-approved alcohol server training course, called Michigan Techniques of Alcohol Management, to bartend in this state.
It wasn’t a statewide license, but most areas required a permit of some sort.
To be fully licensed on my end, I preferred my bartenders to have the training.
Cooper was wise to get it, as it would look great on a résumé even if he didn’t stay working for me.
“He’s passing all the benchmarks in rehab, too.
They were leery about him working in a bar once he’s out, but he’s not even tried to touch alcohol since leaving the hospital.
He explained to me that the alcohol was a crutch to keep him numb.
Now that he’s working through shit at therapy, it doesn’t hold much appeal. ”
I swallowed to answer. “That. I did that. Realized alcohol wasn’t the solution but the problem, and honestly, I was mostly drinking because friends were drinking. With them out of my life, it was easy to quit. I’m glad Cooper realized this too. Half the battle’s won when you do.”
“Trust me, I wanted to throw a party when he said that.” Gage relaxed after my response but pressed, “Is this really, truly okay? You’ve got a lot on your plate as it is without taking on my little brother.”
“It’s really, truly okay. If it ever becomes not okay, I’ll tell you.”
My answer satisfied him, and he finally started eating his own lunch.
Cohen wandered over to us with an unhappy face. “I need to step out, get lunch. My packed lunch somehow leaked and the melted ice invaded my sandwich. Only fish would be interested in it now.”
Gage lifted up the last sandwich and offered it. “Club?”
“Oooh, I’ll take it.” Cohen accepted and started unwrapping it.
We ate in companionable silence for a few minutes.
The more time I spent around Gage’s friends, the more I understood why he’d been able to open a business with them.
They were just so honest, so hardworking, it was a no-brainer to form a business together.
If I’d met them back then, while they were building the company, I would have found a way to join in.
I felt happy where I was, though, and knew I’d found the right place for me. I guessed it was a testament to how much I’d come to love these guys that I even had such thoughts.
Cohen talked a little of DnD with me, as I’d joined the campaign officially, which meant we were gearing up for the next session. I even had a miniature on order! I was happy to pick up a hobby I’d loved but even more pleased with my new friends.
Lunch done, we stretched, downed more water, and waded back into my building. I’d only be able to do demolition today—I’d have to leave the rest to the guys—but I’d enjoy smashing things while I could.
After that day, it felt like time flew by.
The demolition finished, then Gage’s turn to shine arrived.
They sistered the bad joists and shored up any structural issues.
The second all of those things were fixed, he bowed out and let Cohen and Asher take over.
If anything, I saw more of the building than he did when Asher really got going, as Asher wanted to make sure I was happy with all the design elements before installing them.
Needless to say, I was. Asher’s eye for design was incredible.
I popped in at Asher’s behest on a Thursday, on the way to my grandfather’s bar for a check-in.
I was pleased as hell to see the old hardwood floors had been refinished in a dark stain, gleaming under the sunlight streaming in from the windows. Asher had a tablet in hand, color swatches painted out on a board that he was holding against the floors.
I called out a greeting as I entered. “Hi, Asher!”
“Hi!” He turned to give me a quick smile. “The color we picked out looks…not quite right. Here, take a look.”
He had painted samples on three different walls in the big room, and I saw what he meant. In the deeper, shaded part of the room, it was almost mustard yellow. “Eww. No.”
“See? This is why I paint samples and then look at them. The swatch and the dried paint on the wall are sometimes two different colors. I didn’t think you’d like that one. So take two, but I’m overthinking and need your opinion. Which do you like best?”
All of the options he presented were masculine earth tones, one of them a sepia tone with a hint of green, and the others grew progressively more green in tint. I looked them over, and they were all nice, but the first one, that sparked joy. I pointed to it. “That one.”
“Yeah? I debated between that one and the one next to it. I think it’s a good option. This will be your wall color. Assuming it doesn’t turn yellow on us when it dries. I’m still peeved at the other paint.”
“Assuming it behaves, definitely that one, then.”
Asher made a note on his tablet. “I’ll get this over to the painters. They’re waiting on me, so they should be able to start tomorrow.”
“We on schedule, then?”
“A little ahead, actually.” Asher promptly rapped his knuckles on the floor. “Knocking on wood so I don’t jinx us.”
“Yeah, please don’t.”
It suddenly occurred to me I had one of Gage’s friends.
Alone. That was harder to manage than you’d realize.
I’d been trying to get someone alone all week so I could float an idea past them, because I was stupidly in love with Gage, and I might have been projecting a little of what I wanted.
I needed an in-person sounding board. Plus, Asher was Gage’s BFF.
If anyone knew his ring size, it would be Asher.
Butterflies started up in my stomach. While I knew the guys liked me, I wasn’t sure if they approved of Gage being with someone like me.
Let’s face it, he could do way better. But I didn’t think they were that two-faced either, so…
time to put it to the test. Even if it made my stomach twist into knots. “Um, Ash. Got something to run by you.”
Asher rose to his feet, head canted in question. “Yeah?”
“Not business related. Uh, this sounds too fast, I know, but I’m tempted to propose to Gage the night before the grand opening of Blackbird.”
Asher’s eyes widened in delight. “Yes! Do it!”
His immediate enthusiasm caught me off guard. “For real?”
“Absolutely do it.” Asher leaned in, like he was speaking in confidence. “Gage has been debating for months how long you two have to date before he can propose.”
Pure joy lanced through me. So I wasn’t alone? Gage and I had agreed to date with marriage in mind, but I felt like I was rushing things a tad. Hearing he’d also been trying to find the right timing was like finding wind in your sails. I punched the air, I was so excited. “Then I’m doing it.”
“You got three weeks,” Asher pointed out. “You know his ring size?”
“I don’t and was hoping you did.”
“Well, fortunately for you, Zar has the same ring size. I’ll tell him to meet us at the jewelry store after work and he can try rings on for you.”
“How can you possibly know they have the same ring size…?”
“When we get drunk together, we talk about strange shit sometimes, let’s just say that. Anyway. I know for a fact it’s the same size.” Asher’s expression turned mischievous and he waggled his eyebrows. “I also know Gage has a proposal present for you.”
“So you weren’t kidding when you said he’s been tempted to propose.”
“Oh, I wasn’t kidding. In fact, please propose to him and put him out of my misery. The wistful puppy act was only cute the first day.”
I laughed. “I can’t even imagine it.”
“Be grateful. Also, Gage is not huge on pomp and ceremony, so something private will go over better.”
“Good to know, and noted. Thanks, Asher.”
Asher’s expression softened. “You are incredibly good for him, Logan. And honestly, I consider you a friend too. I would love nothing better than to see my two friends be happy together.”
I hugged him. “I’ll do my damnedest.”
Asher hugged me back before releasing. “Now, if we’re going shopping after five o’clock, that means we both have to go back to work. You, go do the responsible things. I’ll get Zar to pick us up. Unless you want to meet us somewhere?”
“I’ll shoot you the address to the shop.”
“Works for me.”
I left at that point, as Asher was right, we had a lot to do if we were going to squeeze in a shopping trip.
I called my manager to tell her I’d be in later tonight, as I had to go ring shopping.
She squealed so damn loud my eardrum nearly burst, so she was obviously thrilled I was getting my ass in motion, too.
It felt exhilarating finally taking the next step.
I’d dreamed so many times of proposing, each dream a different theme, but now that it was going to take shape? I couldn’t wait.
I wondered what style of ring Gage would like? Well, surely Asher would know.
That reminded me…What kind of proposal gift had Gage gotten me? Asher’s expression when telling me that hadn’t been completely trustworthy, which made me think it was something big.
Well, hopefully I’d find out soon.