6. Chase
Guilt tugs at me as I sit with my brothers at our usual booth at the Inn. It’s not for ditching her with Noah’s ex, who I don’t know why, but seemed a good fit for Pepper. I’ll never admit this—especially not to her, but Charlie’s one of the good ones. And she won’t judge Pepper.
I also know that Charlie—being media obsessed—is very much aware of Pepper’s planned nuptials to Prince Politics, so opening up to her should be easy enough.
The guilt gnawing at me has everything to do with Elliot’s place—and making Pepper do my dirty work.
I’ve been trying to convince myself for the past two hours that it’s not a big ask. Pepper’s done this before. She’ll know what to do. She’ll know what can go and what should stay.
With any luck, the pile that stays is small—maybe even nonexistent.
“Good news. I’ll have a room for Pepper next Friday,” Dad says, returning with another beer for him and me.
I don’t respond. Instead, my mind searches for the last time I saw one of these supposedly renovated rooms. Would she feel comfortable there? Is it safe? Who does he have stay here on a regular basis, anyway? I’m tempted to tell him she’s fine at Elliots, but don’t want to stir more questions.
“Thanks for lunch, Dad,” Noah says, pushing his plate to the side.
“Don’t get too full,” Levi says, coming through the door with an almost eight-year-old running up to us. “Got enough sliders and wings for us later to feed half the town.”
Jackson throws his arms around me first. “Uncle Chase!”
“Hey, kid. You get taller every time I see you.” I ruffle his hair. The kid’s got his dad’s eyes, but his mother’s thick dirty blonde hair. “You excited for your birthday in a few weeks?”
“Yeah. Dad said I got twice as many RSVPs as last year. That means how many people are coming.”
Jackson’s party last year went south when his mom showed up with her boyfriend and his son, who’s slightly younger than my nephew. The spoiled kid dug into the cake first and started ripping apart Jackson’s presents.
The three of us made it our mission to make this year epic for him. Twice as big with advanced planning to get the kid excited about birthdays again.
Dad reaches for Jackson. “Come on. We’ll make you an ice cream sundae.”
“Easy on the sugar, Dad.”
Our old man waves him off and Levi takes his seat beside Noah in the booth, resigned. “Alright, which one of you buttheads is fucking with me? Almost all the RSVPs are from the single moms in town.”
Noah and I chuckle. “Don’t look at us,” I say. “You put us in charge of vendors and games.”
Levi’s eyes move to the bar. “Dad,” he grits.
“Gonna have to tough this one out, hotshot,” Noah says, slapping our older brother’s back.
He points at us. “Do not leave me alone with any clingy moms. I mean it.”
I shake my head at him. “You’re going about this all wrong. What you need is a chick by your side to serve as the opposite effect of a magnet.”
“A chick de-magnet?” Levi quirks a brow.
“Yeah. We just have to find someone willing to put up with your grumpy ass for the evening,” Noah agrees.
My eyes shift to the front door when a familiar blonde enters. She’s changed. She’s in dark denim and an ivory hooded cashmere sweater.
Clothes I bought her, maybe?
Pepper’s hair is gathered on one side and she’s holding a pair of sunglasses. She’s biting her lip but releases it when she finds me. A small smile touches her lips before she tucks it away.
“Hey,” she addresses us.
“Back so soon?”
“Okay, I’m going to ignore your attitude because I wanted to say thank you for setting me up with Charlie—she’s amazing. I can’t believe I didn’t get a chance to know her better in high school.”
“Didn’t get a chance is one way to put it,” I mutter before sitting up. “So, why aren’t you with her now?”
“She’s in the car waiting for me.”
I sneak a glance at Noah.
“I came to return this.” Pepper hands me my credit card. “And is there a key under the welcome mat at the cottage?”
Right. Shit. I tighten at the possibility of her mentioning our agreement in front of my brothers. Digging into my pockets, I hand her the small set of keys.
Levi’s brow rises at the exchange, but my other brother has his focus set out the front window.
“Staying at Elliot’s?” Levi asks.
Pepper releases a breath and it’s…refreshing to hear. To see her in fresh clothes and a warm smile. “I am. I really appreciate you guys letting me stay there. As soon as I can get access to my account without—”
I lift my gaze to hers as she catches herself.
“Without what?” Noah asks flatly.
Pepper frowns. “You didn’t tell them?”
My eyes flick to hers. “Not my tale to tell.”
“Oh. I guess I thought that’s what people around here did...talk.”
“Oh, we talk plenty,” Levi assures her. “But not about other people.”
Pepper bites her lip. “Well, I should go. I don’t want to keep my new friend waiting.”
“Sit down, Pep. Stay a bit,” Levi says in a tone I don’t hear often. Then he shoves Noah practically off the bench. “Maybe one of my brothers would be kind enough to bring your new friend in.”
Noah doesn’t budge.
“So, Pepper. How long you staying? I might need a small favor in a few weeks you’d be perfect for.”
“No,” I snap.
“I’m…not sure. Why, what is it?” Pepper asks.
Levi tilts his head to his kid swiveling on the bar stool with Dad and digging into an ice cream sundae. “That’s Jackson. “We’re planning his birthday party at my ranch, if you’re interested.”
“He’s adorable. Um…are there going to be a lot of people?”
“Yes, too many. I’m hoping you could help me out with a dilemma.”
“I said no,” I snap again.
“I’d love to help. What can I do? Set up?”
“Pretend to be my date.” The balls on this guy.
Understanding hits and she smiles. “Ah. I take it you’re single.”
“On purpose.”
Pepper’s face falls. “I’m sorry. But I…can’t help you. I need to stay under the radar for a while.”
“I figured as much. I was kidding. I’d never ask you—or anyone to put up with me.”
“Then why did you?”
Levi turns back to me with a sly grin. “Oh… to see something.”
I should kick him.
“Pepper, in all seriousness, we can try to help if you tell us the full story,” Noah offers dryly, cocking his head to the empty seat by me.
She looks to me for guidance.
I nod and scoot over for her. “You can trust them.”
She inhales deeply and releases. I’m hit with a sweet scent of honey and vanilla as she settles beside me like we’re…together.
“You’re a lawyer?” she asks carefully.
“One you probably couldn’t afford, but my advice is free.” He smiles and I want to punch him.
But Pepper isn’t offended. She smirks right back and in a sultry yet sharp voice counters, “I wouldn’t hire you because my problem is above your pay grade.”
That drags a wide grin out of Levi. “Pepper Woods, welcome back.” He high fives her, nodding in approval. “But I agree, you can’t keep hiding under hoodies.”
My gaze lifts to the lip Pepper draws between her teeth again. She doesn’t want to do this alone. That much is clear. But whether it’s trust issues or insecurities holding her back, I’m not sure.
Three minutes later, my brothers are up to speed. Levi is shaking his head in anger and Noah’s wheels are spinning.
“I don’t recommend staying here,” I say dryly, since the idea of it has been bothering me after Dad mentioned a room opening up. “It’s the only hotel in town and if they figure out where you’re really from—this is the first place they’ll look.”
“You’re better off at Elliot’s,” Levi agrees.
“You didn’t happen to keep a copy of the agreement, did you?” Noah asks.
She sighs sadly and we’re expecting her to say no, but she digs into her backpack. “This is so embarrassing.” She hands the folded stack of papers to my brother.
“There you are. Thought you snuck out the back door to get away from me.” Charlie’s voice comes from the front.
“Charlie!” Dad calls cheerfully from where he’s seated. “Good to see you.”
“Hey, Charlie, look what Grandpa made me.”
“Nice. Save me a bite.” She smiles brightly at my nephew, then bravely approaches our table, acting like it hasn’t been nearly two years since she came in here.
Pepper stands. “Sorry. These guys are tough.”
The tinier blonde perks her brows. “You’re tellin’ me. Ready?”
“I’ll make a copy and get this back to you,” Noah says, ignoring his bubbly ex.
“Thanks just—don’t judge me too much when you read it.”
Noah stands, grabbing his jacket. “I’ll stop by tomorrow after I run through it.”
“Leaving already, Noah?” Bethany calls from behind the bar. Then gasps dramatically when she sees Charlie. “Charlie.” She rushes over from around the counter.
I groan internally. This is not going to be good.
“Oh my goodness. It is so good to see you showin’ your face around here again.”
Pepper frowns as Charlie’s face flushes. “Hey, Beth.”
“Well, I’m glad you two are over your little thing.” She points between Noah and Charlie. “I mean it’s not like we have a sign up here that says, ‘No Cheaters Allowed.’”
My jaw hardens.
“Bethany,” Dad’s hard voice calls from behind the bar.
She turns innocently. “Yeah, Boss?”
“Get back to work.”
Bethany jerks, then turns back to the table. “Let me know if you boys need anything.”
Pepper’s gaze shifts uncomfortably to her new friend and then at Noah. “Sorry, Charlie. We can go now.”
She nods and dashes out. Pepper tosses me a quick thank you with the keys between her fingers on the way out.
“Dad!” Levi snaps as the rude waitress disappears behind the kitchen door.
He pushes a hand down. “I know, I’ll talk to her.”
Noah rounds the booth and approaches our father. His voice is low but definite. “I want her fired. No one should ever feel unwelcome or chastised here.”
Dad nods solemnly. “I’ll give her one week.”