11. Declan #2
Sam looked between the two of us, shaking his head. “Want another beer, Declan?”
"Sure. Why not?" I said.
Luke flagged the waiter, who came right away.
“Thanks for being so quick,” he said. “Great service, especially considering how full the place is. Any special event?”
“Yeah, the mayor’s birthday. What can I get you three?”
“Another round of beers for these two and soda for me,” Luke said.
"So, are you going to tell us why you bought this land in the first place?” Sam asked once the waiter headed to the bar. “It’s not big enough to build a hotel, which was my first thought.”
“I bought it for myself. Thought it was a great place to build a house—you know, raise a family when the time comes.”
I was too stunned to reply.
Sam blinked rapidly, turning to me and opening his mouth before closing it again and focusing back on Luke. “What’s going on? I’m gone for a couple years and everyone in the family develops a different personality?”
“He bought the property before you left,” I pointed out. I was as shocked as Sam though. Luke was very much like me, Travis, and Sam in that he dated casually.
Come to think of it, he had been in a relationship when he bought the property. Had it been more serious than he’d let on?
“So why are you renting it out, then?” Sam asked.
“I like living in the city. Don’t know what I was thinking, imagining I could live out here. Can we change the subject?”
Sam patted his arm. “A very heavy-handed hint that there’s more to it, but I’ll let it slide for now. I’m not sure I’m ready for the actual story. I’ve had enough surprises today.”
“Consider the subject changed,” I said. “Luke, I need to ask you something. Do you know a realtor named Andreas Reading?"
"He's a damn good one. Clients of mine have worked with him. Why?"
"He's the one helping Liz find the space for her bakery, and so far hasn't found her anything that works."
“How friendly are you with Liz now?” Sam asked.
“Very. Turns out he’s crazy about her,” Luke filled him in. “But back to the bakery. Finding a place that checks all the boxes isn’t easy. But if anyone can find it, it’s him.”
“Thanks for vetting him. Just wanted to make sure she's in good hands."
“Jesus!” Sam exclaimed. “I really need to get back into the WhatsApp group. I’m missing out on all the fun.”
“You’re the one who wanted out,” I said. He’d claimed it took away from his focus because we messaged constantly. Which was true.
Luke sat lower on the bench, putting his arms up on the backrest.
"She's got you by the balls, hasn't she?" He had a sly grin.
I looked him straight in the eyes. "I wanted to make sure she's taken care of, that’s all, smartass.”
“You're evading the question, so yes, she does. That’s good. She’s good for you. You were starting to sound like a broken record, citing divorce numbers whenever someone brought up marriage,” Luke said.
“The numbers don’t lie,” I replied.
“True, but you were turning into a cynic. Damn. Travis was right.”
“About what?"
"When we helped you move in, you were territorial.” Turning to Sam, he added, "He warned us all not to flirt with her.”
Sam grinned. “Imagine the headlines: ‘Declan Maxwell finally brought to his knees by his feisty neighbor, who drove him crazy listening to music in the middle of the night.’"
An image flashed in my mind of Liz in her tight workout clothes, sweat dotting her neck and temples. Fuck, she was delicious.
"What headlines?" I asked, bewildered.
Sam pointed to his temple. "The ones in my mind."
I burst out laughing, shaking my head.
“Damn, I missed hanging out with you lot,” Sam said.
“So then visit more often. Or, here’s a thought, come back to Chicago. You can be a doctor here too, you know,” I pointed out.
“Yeah, I will, but for now, I like working with Doctors Without Borders. I like the work. But being away is… difficult. I thought I’d get used to it after a while, but it’s still weird. Kimberly says it’s the same for her.”
“She didn’t tell me that,” Luke said.
Sam grinned. “Careful, brother, or I’ll steal your thunder as the favorite cousin. Kimberly and I have been talking a lot lately, comparing notes on living away from the nest.”
I laughed because Luke genuinely seemed taken aback by this. He relished his role as Reese’s and Kimberly’s protector and confidant.
While we finished our drinks, someone started singing in the back of the restaurant. She was also playing the guitar.
“That’s our cue to leave,” Luke said. “That sounds dreadful.”
“Come on, let’s go. How far away is the B&B?” Sam asked.
“No clue. Probably across the road or something,” I replied.
Turned out I was right. The B&B was two minutes away by car from the bar. We were the only guests, and the host insisted we got the best rooms they had.
It was spacious and fairly decently equipped. Despite the long day, I had a buzz rushing through my veins. I didn’t want to go to sleep.
The conversation with my brothers was still mulling around in my brain. I couldn’t grasp the fact that Luke had bought a property because he’d imagined living there with a family.
I’d never planned anything like that. But Sam was right. I was changing. Because a month ago, my only plan for tonight would have been to get a good rest so I’d be in top shape tomorrow to catch up on work.
But at the moment, I wanted to call Liz. She was probably working the bar job right now. That picture of her had taunted me the whole afternoon. Her nipples were branded in my brain, obviously, but it was more than that. She’d looked genuinely thrilled about the gift.
Sitting down on the bed, I took out my laptop and looked over a case I had in court the next week. My associate had already prepped most of it, but I still had a lot of work to do to win it. It was a divorce, my specialty, with a messy custody battle.
For the next few hours, I looked up statutes, building compelling arguments. I was going to win this. I felt it in my gut.
A law professor once told me that it took someone with immense self-confidence to become a lawyer. But winning was more than an ego thing for me. Once a client told me their case and I decided to take them on, I had to win. For them .
I wrapped everything up at eleven thirty. Liz would finish her shift in half an hour. Energy coursed through me. Closing my laptop, I headed to the bathroom, taking a quick shower.
When I came out, I grabbed the phone, sitting on the bed. I could imagine how much shit Luke would give me if he knew what I was doing. I called Liz at five past twelve. To my satisfaction, she answered right away.
“Look who’s up at ungodly hours of the night,” she taunted.
“I stayed up late prepping a case. And I knew you got off at twelve.”
“You remembered that?” she whispered.
“Fuck yes.”
“Actually, I got off earlier tonight. It was slow, and my boss said she’d close up. So I’m already home in bed.”
“No dancing?”
“Oh, I danced already.” Her voice was sassy. My cock twitched, imagining her in that outfit. I groaned.
“What was that?” she asked.
“Nothing. Tell me about your job at the bar.”
“Declan… you called me at midnight to talk about that?”
“I want to talk to you about everything. Tell me, do you like it?”
“I do. A lot. I feel like every job is teaching me a skill that will help me run my own business.”
Her optimism was out of this world. She worked more than anyone I knew, but instead of complaining, she saw the benefits in everything.
“I can see you putting those ninja skills to use.”
“Hey, don’t mock me.” She yawned, reminding me that it was indeed the middle of the night.
“I’m not. You certainly killed me today. You’re a force of nature.”
“I didn’t mean… I didn’t realize that… Oh, crap. You know what I mean.”
I chuckled. “Yes I do. It was genuine. You were happy.”
“I was. Who knew my grumpy landlord could be so thoughtful?”
“I’m even better in person.”
“Oooh, is that a promise?” she teased.
“You bet it is. But now it’s late, and your shift starts early. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“You will? Declan… it’s sweet of you, but I know your schedule is completely opposite of mine. I don’t think they’re compatible at all.”
“Is that the only reason you’re hesitating seeing me?”
“No,” she said after a brief pause.
“Got it. You can share the reason with me when you’re ready. I’m patient. Tell me one thing. Do you want to see me tomorrow?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
“Then you will.”
“When?”
I smirked. “You’re not getting any more details.”
“Oooh, right. We’re playing that game again. I mean, it did work out well today. You even got photographic evidence. Who knows what will happen next time?”
“I guess we’ll find out.” My mind immediately skipped three steps ahead. My cock was twitching again. I lowered a hand in my boxers and barely bit back a groan. “Good night, Liz.”