Chapter 7
Problem – Ariana Grande
Gunner
“Who pissed on your grits?” Nash asked, a stupid grin on his face. “Or do you have a hard on you can’t get rid of?”
“No, I do not. My honkers are under control, thank you. It’s you, tapping the steering wheel in time to this shit music you’re listening to.”
His whole body shook as he chuckled and started tapping harder, adding a little hum. We drove like that for another couple of minutes before he leaned forward and turned off the radio.
“Come on little brother, tell me all about it.”
As we turned into the town hall parking lot, I remained silent. As Nash parked up I remained silent. When he turned off the ignition and then nudged me, I finally spoke.
“Cassidy.”
My brother, the stupid num-chuk, burst out laughing. Loud and deep from his belly.
I turned in my seat to face him. “What’s so fucking funny?”
“You and Cassidy. It’s about time you both figured out that you’re thirsty for each other and just do something about it.”
“I’m not thirsty for her,” I scoffed.
“In the words of Bertie, liar, liar, panties on fire.” He reached for his wallet, tucked in by the windshield. “You could cut the sexual tension with a knife when you’re together. So, when the fire goes out on them, pull up your big boy panties and ask her out on a date.”
“Hah, no way. You’re clearly delirious through lack of sleep.” I swung the truck door open. “Stop talking shit and let’s get inside.”
As I walked across the parking lot, all I could hear was Nash laughing, stupid prick.
The meeting with the town planning office was not going well.
It wasn’t the issue over building two more houses on our land or converting the barn.
Pete McCallister didn’t see there being a problem for either, as long as we followed some rules on certain restrictions on size.
The barn should be good to go, too, but there were a lot more hurdles to clear on that.
We had a much bigger problem. The whole town had a bigger problem.
“They can’t just do that, surely.” I fisted my hands at my hips, as Nash and I looked down at the plans.
“I know.” Calvin Taylor, our town mayor, was breathing heavily as he paced up and down his office.
He’d seen us passing his office on the way out and so called us in.
“I’m only showing you this because phase one backs onto your land. You can’t tell anyone about this yet.” He looked up at the ceiling and cursed.
“If you didn’t agree with this, who did?” I asked.
“Marissa Joseph, the County Mayor. She’ll do anything for fucking money, including selling off county land to developers.”
“What about the other town mayors? Don’t they have a say in it?” Nash asked.
Calvin shook his head. “None of us do. County has the final say. They’re reasoning is that the towns are running at loss and are also in disrepair.”
“Disrepair!” I cried. “What fucking disrepair? Silver Peaks is immaculate. There’s not a bit of litter; every store front is painted and tidy. What the hell are they talking about?”
“Gunner is right.” Nash leaned closer to the blueprints and stabbed a finger at it. “What the hell is that going to be?”
Calvin sighed. “A meat packing factory.”
“What!” I thought my eyes were going to pop out of my head. “A what now?”
“You heard.” Calvin braced his hands on the desk and groaned. “I’m speaking to Ron Matthews and Grace Rogers tonight.”
“Do you think we have a chance of getting them to change their mind?” Nash asked.
Calvin shrugged. “We’re going to discuss how we do that tomorrow, but wildlife has to be a big factor.”
“Fuck yes,” I agreed. “If there is any chance that any of it is going to be displaced then this development can’t be allowed to happen.”
“Gunner is right. This meadow that it’s going to butt up against.” Nash drew along the border of our line with his finger. “Well, we have weasels in there, right up against the edge of the land. If they build anything there, houses or a meat packing factory that will be really bad for them.”
Calvin nodded. “That’s something we could use, but that might only stop the building near your land.”
“The whole area is full of wildlife,” I responded, feeling my gut twist. I loved the land we lived on; it was beautiful.
Spectacular. With its jagged peaks that silhouetted the amber sky at sunset, to the dense forests and patchwork of emerald meadows, it had my heart.
I didn’t think I’d ever be able to live without the silence and peace or the way the soft glow of the moon turned the mountain peaks silver.
That was why I would never go to Montana like Nash seemed to think would have been good for me.
“Then that’ll be our main angle. We’ll get the state environmental board involved before permits are issued. If we can prove there’s protected wildlife or a major water contamination risk, we can force a review.” Calvin slapped my shoulder. “I’m sorry guys.”
“No problem, we just appreciate the heads up.” Nash scrubbed a hand down his face. “And the day seemed like it was going so well.”
“What were you doing here, anyway?” Calvin asked.
“Nash is building me and Wilder a house.” I grinned at my brother. “He wants us out of his love nest.”
“I’m not building them. I’ll be getting a contractor, and I do not want you out of my damn love nest as you call it. I told you; it’s for your benefit.”
Calvin laughed and moved to behind his desk. “Sounds like a great idea. Imagine having your own little love nest, Gunner.”
“Yeah, Gunner,” Nash added. “Your own little love nest that you could take Cassidy to.”
“Cassidy, Lily’s friend Cassidy?” Calvin wiggled his eyebrows. “I knew it.”
“No, you didn’t because he’s wrong.” I pointed at my brother. “And I’m sick of him stirring the pot. There’s nothing happening with me and Cassidy.”
“I’ll ask Bertie when I come for dinner on Tuesday.”
Calvin was seeing Ella, Nash’s mother-in-law and had been coming around with her for dinner a lot recently. It seemed things were going well between them.
“Short stuff won’t tell you anything,” I replied. “She’s Team Uncle Gunner.”
“We’ll see about that.” Calvin winked and opened a drawer in his desk. He took a card and handed it to Nash. “This guy is a contractor. He built my sister's house in Telluride.”
Nash took the card. “Markus Gruber. I think I heard of him.”
“You have,” I told him. “He was the one who turned Dad down for the refurb on the house.”
Nash laughed. “The one who told him it was a fucking travesty to such a beautiful home.”
“That’s the one.”
“He’s hired.” Nash pocketed the card and held out his hand to Calvin. “Thanks again and see you for dinner next week.”
As we walked down Silver Peaks corridors of power, Nash groaned.
“What are we going to do about this development?” I asked him.
“Fight it, Gun. What else can we do? Let them screw up the land with ugly apartment blocks and a meat packing factory?”
“Fuck, no.”
“So, we fight.” He slapped me on the back. “Now, let’s go to Missy May's to get a coffee so you can tell me what’s going on with you and Cassidy.”
He strode off chuckling to himself, not giving me a chance to reply. Fucking meddlesome dick.