Chapter 9 Gabe
GABE
Rumors are flying about Drew and Adam, about Drew and Greyson, and I can only imagine about the two of us, although my employees are hesitant to spread that around me.
I’ve got a no nonsense management style, and I will not stand for gossip. It works for the most part.
But these lines of speculation have taken on a life of their own if they’ve reached me. It makes me furious.
My office door is open, an overt means of eavesdropping.
Whenever I hear her name mentioned or something that signifies Drew, I snap at my employees to get back to work. They scamper off, and I hate myself a little for being that kind of boss.
I’ve always prided myself in being level-headed. Of being fair.
This is not a good look. For me or the Lodge.
And it’s only making the rumor mill grind all the harder.
Because I see what they’re whispering about. I’ve been trying not to notice just how much attention Adam is paying Drew.
Or how that makes me feel.
The burning in my chest makes me uncomfortable. On edge.
Besides, I know Adam. He’s a good guy. A good boss.
But when he wants something, he’s ruthless in getting it. I won’t let him take advantage of her.
My hands squeeze with unspent energy, imagining throwing a punch in her defense. Too much has happened without any recompense, and I hate that I couldn’t protect Drew.
I won’t let another man hurt her like that.
I’m only able to keep myself in check until lunch, the turmoil sending me to his office after. He doesn’t seem surprised as I burst through his door.
Adam leans back in his chair, surveying me with a cool curiosity. “What can I do for you, Gabriel?”
I narrow my eyes at him and close the door behind me. The soft snick is dangerous. The ticking clock of a bomb.
“Word’s already spreading about you and Drew.” May as well come right out with it. I’m not one to mince words. “You know what this town is like. She doesn’t need that right now.”
“Maybe.” His hands fold together and come up to cover his mouth as he examines me.
We’ve butt heads on a few occasions over the years, but never to either of our detriment.
This time feels different. “But Drew’s not as fragile as you make her out to be. She can handle the attention.”
I step further into his office, shoulders rolling, squaring. “I know what people are saying. About her. About you. Don’t drag her into something that’ll chew her up.”
Adam takes my measure again, and he leans forward on his forearms, reminding me of how much he out muscles me. “You’re protective of her.”
That’s the most obvious statement he could have made.
“It’s been true for years, and I’ve seen it.” Adam pushes to his feet to meet me straight on. He’s big, but I bet I’m faster. “The way you look at her when you think no one notices…but you never say it. Never act on it. You’d rather watch her from the sidelines and pretend that’s enough.”
“This isn’t about me.” Panic taps at my sternum.
“Isn’t it? Because you’re warning me off like she belongs to you, when the truth is you’re too damn scared to step up. That’s not fair to her.”
Fire breathes in my chest. Part uncapping something I’m not ready to face and the other part sparking against my protective nature. My long years of ensuring Drew is okay and finding ways to make her less sad.
If he makes her happy…why can’t I make her happy? I shake off the thought. It’s not appropriate.
“What’s not fair is you sniffing around when she’s already been burned.”
“Maybe. Or maybe I’m the only one willing to admit I want her.
Greyson sees it. Hell, even you see it. The difference is, I’m not hiding from it.
” His meaty fists plant themselves knuckle-down on his desk, and his gaze bores into mine.
“I want her. And unless you’re ready to step up, don’t expect me to step back. ”
I stare back at him as we face off.
Do I want anything more than I have with Drew? My mind says no. But my body…is reacting like I do.
Taking a deep breath, I back away slowly.
Adam lifts his brow at me. When I reach the door, I clear the emotion from my throat. “If you hurt her and fuel the town’s attack on her, I will end you.”
He only smirks at me before I slip out of the door.
Greyson is on the other side as I shut the door, and Drew hovers behind him.
The only two who could winnow out my shift in emotions by merely looking at me.
“Everything okay?” my brother asks.
I’m practically growling. “Yeah. Peachy.”
Drew leans around Greyson’s back to look up at me with oversized curious eyes. “You busy?”
That makes me pause on my way back to my office and look between the two of them again. “That depends on what you want.”
She grins, and her happiness bleeds into me, taking off the edge from that ill-advised showdown with our boss.
The overwhelming swirl of everything I’ve suppressed since Drew returned ratches up in my chest.
“We’re setting up some obstacles for the kids sledding competition. Some of it’s pretty heavy.”
I sigh. Going outside would help me cool off, and moving heavy stuff will work off some of the lingering aggression.
Being around Drew might also ease the burn I can’t seem to tamp down.
“Fine.” I wave my hand for them to lead the way. “Let’s go.”
Grabbing coats, I follow them out, through the day-old snow to the far shed and carry the heavy ramps and obstacles Greyson built along the sledding hill behind the Lodge.
The cold on my skin creates a wave of calm, and the burn in my muscles gives me a sense of peace.
Standing with my hands on my hips as we line up the track, I shake my head. “If it’s a racetrack, it should be straight.”
“Giving it some turns will make it more fun. Plus, they don’t have to hit the ramps, that can be for extra points,” Greyson fires back.
I scoff. “Extra points? Whoever wins, wins. There are no points.”
“Well, given there are no points and the point is to have fun, it supports my argument that the turns will be more fun.” My brother plants his hands on his hips and surveys the hills and the ramps half in place.
“I don’t think the littler kids will be able to enjoy them as much.”
“They shouldn’t go on the ramps to begin with. That’s why we’re leaving that path along the shallower incline for them.”
I wipe a hand down my face. “I still think straight is better for speed.”
“Oh my god, you two. Figure it out. It’s cold out here, and I want to try the path before it gets dark.” Drew zips her coat up as high as it can go and covers her ears with her mitten-covered hands.
Her nose is getting red, and it reminds me of when she was little and we’d play in the snow to get her mind off her parents fighting.
“Fine. Let’s make it straight.” Greyson blows out a sharp breath and throws his hands up in defeat.
He used to do that when we were young, and he would bicker with me over something trivial before simply giving in whenever we were called out on it.
A good big brother. I’m glad to have him.
I slap him on the back, and we put everything in place.
I’m at the bottom, eyeballing the line up as Greyson climbs back to Drew. He says something to her that I can’t hear, but I catch her laughter as her head falls back.
On my way back up, she shuffles and slips, but Greyson catches her.
He doesn’t seem to have any qualms with holding onto her either, even after she’s got her feet back under her.
It reaffirms the things Adam said to me.
Does Greyson have intentions for Drew, too?
What are mine?
I huff as I climb back to their side.
“So we test them out?” Greyson’s eyes light with trouble.
I pull out one of the small plastic sleds and place it down, holding onto it and gesturing for Drew to get on.
She climbs in, smiling up at me with affection, and the want to nuzzle her neck is almost overwhelming.
“Hold on.”
When she shivers, I find myself hoping that it’s from me.
I give her a running push and rejoice at the howl she lets loose as she speeds down the path we created.
Going over one of the ramps sends another squeal echoing up into the air above us.
Greyson laughs, and I can’t keep my own smile hidden.
“She did always like a little danger with her fun, didn’t she?” Greyson says in an all too knowing way.