Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
ALEX
“See you next week,” I say to Mindy, the editor-in-chief, and make my way to my car. The newspaper offices are on the edge of town, and it’s too far for me to walk in this heat.
It’s fucking hot today. Summers may be short in Montana, but they don’t fuck around and find out. The sun does her business with a vengeance.
Which means that my apartment will be sweltering by noon, even though I opened the windows and blew in the not-so-cool air this morning. You just can’t trick this kind of heat with old-fashioned tactics.
And my landlord is a cheap ass who won’t even spring for a window AC unit, nor will he let me install one because he doesn’t want to “change the integrity of the building.”
Whatever the hell that means.
Mostly, I think he likes being an asshole.
Sitting in my car, I start the engine and flip the AC on full blast, checking my phone while I wait for the air to cool down.
First, I do a quick search for the guys to see if they have social media pages.
Spoiler alert: they do. Although neither is terribly active on their accounts. But there is a photo from about a month ago of the guys standing in front of the boat, holding hands and grinning at the camera.
God, they’re sexy. And they look so good together. I love that they’ve never made me feel like a third wheel. Sure, I’ve only known them for a couple of days, but they didn’t make me feel like I was intruding on their relationship. They even asked me to stay.
And yeah, that made me run. Because being independent is important to me, and I don’t want to get excited, fall in love with them, and have them break my heart when they get tired of me. They’re clearly soulmates, so where in the hell would I fit into that?
I wouldn’t.
So it’s best to keep my distance and remember to guard my heart. However, looking through their photos, I can’t help but miss them, remembering how good it felt to be around them. To be held by both of them.
The Alex sandwich thing really is the best.
After I’ve scrolled through my social media for a good ten minutes, I realize that the air in the vents is still warm.
“Shit.” I rest my forehead on the steering wheel and then remember that I could take it to Brooks Blackwell’s garage and see Gabe at the same time.
The garage is close to downtown, so I can walk to Bitterroot Valley Coffee Co. and get some caffeine, browse through Billie’s bookstore, and even set up a workspace there, allowing me to work in a cool spot rather than my hot apartment.
With that decided, I roll down all the windows and drive into town and over to the garage and pull into a spot out front before walking inside.
Brooks glances my way and gives me a half grin as he walks over to me. A half grin is a full-on smile for the grumpy mechanic.
“Hey, Alex,” he says, wiping his hands on a rag that already looks dirty. “What can I do for you?”
My eyes skim the area, looking for Gabe, as I answer him.
“My car’s check engine light has been on for a few weeks, and this morning, the AC decided to die on me.”
“Not a convenient time for that,” he says with a nod. “We can work it in today, but it probably won’t be until this afternoon.”
“Oh, there’s no rush. I walk almost everywhere anyway.”
Gabe comes sauntering around a Jeep, a wrench in his hand.
When he sees me, his gorgeous brown eyes darken, and he walks my way.
My heart stutters. How in the hell am I supposed to keep my guard up against that?
For fuck’s sake, it should be illegal for him to look like that.
He’s in faded, worn blue jeans with a black T-shirt, the sleeves of which hug his biceps, showing off every ripple, every vein.
It’s suddenly hot in here.
“Good morning,” Gabe says, looking me up and down. I’m just in a blue sundress today, nothing fancy, but the way he licks his lower lip, he obviously likes what he sees.
“Hey. I’m dropping my car off to you guys.”
Brooks’s eyebrow wings up as he watches our exchange, and I simply smile at him.
“Good. I’ll get it back to you later today,” Gabe says.
“Just call me and I’ll come pick it up,” I reply, but Gabe’s already shaking his head.
“I’ll bring it to you,” he says simply.
“I’m going back to work,” Brooks announces. “It’s always good to see you, Alex.”
“You too, Brooks. Thank you.”
Gabe’s lips twitch as Brooks walks away.
“I think you’re going to get questions after I leave.”
“Nah, Brooks isn’t one for gossip.” He shrugs. “But if he asks, I’ll tell him the truth.”
“And what’s the truth?”
“That I am one lucky son of a bitch.” He grins when I snort, then shakes his head. “Fuck, I want to touch you, but I’m a mess right now.”
“No dirtying up this dress. I’m walking over to get some coffee and see Billie. You have a good day.”
“I’ll see you this afternoon,” he replies. “Be careful out there.”
I blow him a kiss, then leave the garage and walk the few blocks to the coffee shop. I’m a sweaty mess by the time I get there, and I sigh in relief when I walk through the door and the cool air washes over me.
“Holy hell, it’s hot out there.”
Millie, my sister-in-law and the owner of this coffee shop, grins over at me from behind the counter. Standing in front of her is my brother, Holden. No one else seems to be around.
“Did I miss the rush?” I ask as I walk over and let my brother wrap his arms around me, hugging me close. I feel his lips in my hair, and it settles me.
Holden has always been my safe place. My big brother, fierce protector, father figure. He’s the only true parent I’ve ever known, and I love him so fiercely that it sometimes makes me emotional.
Because this man sacrificed so much for me and my sisters, and he never complained. Not once.
“It just slowed down,” Millie says. “Iced or hot today?”
“Iced. It’s a million degrees outside.” I don’t move out of Holden’s hug as I reply to Millie.
“You okay, little one?” he asks me.
“I’m great, just missed you.” I squeeze him once more and pull away from him. “I haven’t seen you in a bit.”
“Only a couple of weeks, but we’re having dinner tomorrow night at our place. You’ll come.”
“Family dinner on a Tuesday?” I ask.
“It’s when Charlie’s available,” Millie says. Makes sense. Our baby sister is the most sought-after wedding planner in the county, and we’re in the heart of wedding season.
“Ah, gotcha.” I nod and gratefully accept the iced coffee from Millie and take a sip. “No one makes better coffee than you do.”
“Duh.” Millie winks at me. “What are you up to today?”
“I thought I’d set up a workstation in here or next door in the bookstore for the morning. I just dropped my car off to Brooks.”
“What’s wrong with your car?” Holden wants to know.
“Who knows? That’s why I dropped it off.” I smirk when Holden tugs on my hair.
“You’re not too old for me to spank.”
“You’ve never laid a hand on me in my life,” I remind him, and his blue eyes fill with love as he smiles at me. “What can I bring to dinner tomorrow night?”
“Oh, do you want to make your baked beans?” Millie asks. “They’re the best.”
It’s my mom’s recipe. I found it in the box of all of her recipes that I rescued from our childhood home before Holden burned it to the ground.
Best thing he ever did.
“Sure, I can do that. Anything else?”
“Just yourself.”
The door opens behind me, and a rush of tourists walks in. That’s my cue to move on.
“I’ll see you tomorrow night then,” I reply, hitching my bag on my shoulder. Millie moves to greet her customers, and Holden follows me toward the opening that leads to the bookstore.
“You sure you’re okay?” he asks me.
“I’m great.” I’m so not going to tell you that I had the best sex of my life with two men this weekend, big brother. “It’s just hot as fuck outside, and I hate summer. Aside from that, all is well. How are you?”
“It doesn’t matter—”
“Stop that.” I roll my eyes, and Holden lifts an eyebrow. “It matters how you are, Holden. I’m not six. I love you, you’re one of my very best friends, and I want to know how you are.”
“I’m great,” he says. “Do you need anything? I’ll pay for your car to get fixed.”
I shake my head. “I’m fine. I don’t need anything.”
No way in hell will I tell him that my apartment is too hot. He’d make me move in with him and Millie, and as much as I love them, that’s a hard pass for me.
“Call me if anything comes up,” he says.
“Always.”
He kisses my forehead, and I walk into the bookstore, where it’s quieter. I’m shocked when I see Billie working today.
“Why are you here?” I demand as I walk to the counter where she’s typing away on her computer.
“I work here,” she says. She doesn’t look great. Billie is always so put together with flawless makeup and perfectly styled hair. But today, that hair is up in a messy bun, and even her makeup can’t hide the dark circles under her eyes.
“Are you okay, friend?” I set my coffee and bag down, then walk around the counter to hug her. “Dani called me last night. I’m so fucking sorry that happened, and so relieved that Connor was there to make sure you got somewhere safe.”
She clings to me for just a minute before backing away, blinking furiously to control her emotions.
“I’m okay,” she says. “Connor took care of me. I’m really tired today, and don’t feel fabulous, but I’m much better than yesterday.”
“You should probably be at home.”
Billie scrunches up her nose. “Not you too. Everyone has lectured me about working today.”
“Maybe you should listen to everyone.” I grin and push a stray piece of hair behind her ear. “We love you. We want you to feel better.”
“I know.” Her voice is soft, and that’s so unlike her. “I love you, too. I’ll probably just work half the day today and then go home and rest.”
“Good. I like a compromise.” With a glance around, I decide to work in one of the big, cozy chairs by the front window. “Do you mind if I set up shop here for a few hours to get some work done?”
“Of course, I don’t mind. I got some new books in, too. What are you in the mood for?”
I lick my lips. “Maybe some why choose romance.”
Billie’s eyes brighten at that. “So it went well, then?”
“It went very well.” I waggle my eyebrows and laugh with her, then spend a few minutes choosing some new books. I grab Trouble by Brittanée Nicole, Unstitch by Elodie Hart, and Give Me More by Sara Cate, all why choose romance, and I’m so excited to dive in.
“Trouble should be the next book club read,” Billie says with a grin. “I’ll put it on the schedule.”
“Love that idea. Okay, I’m going to go bury myself in work for a bit, but if you need anything, just tell me, okay?”
“I think that’s my line,” Billie replies.
“No way. You’re one of my best friends, and someone fucked with you. If you need me, I’ll be right over there.”
Billie swallows hard, then nods, and I go find a spot to work.
“Jesus, did the devil move to Bitterroot Valley?” I ask out loud as I climb the steps to my apartment. The ten-minute walk from the bookstore to my place was excruciating, and I’m a sweaty mess.
I go ahead and open some windows to at least get some air moving, then get into a cold shower, wash my hair, and change into some thin, super-short yoga shorts that I only wear around the house, and a loose tank top over a bralette, trying to stay as cool as possible.
I pile my wet hair on my head, and when I sit down at my desk with my water tumbler full of ice and fresh water, I already have a sheen of sweat on my skin.
Today is just going to suck ass.
And I can pretty much guarantee that I won’t be able to sleep tonight.
I set my fan on the desk, directed right at me, and get back to work. I’ve been at it for about an hour when there’s a knock on my door.
When I open the door, I smile up at Gabe, but his eyes narrow and his jaw hardens.
“Fuck no, Alex.”