Chapter 28
DREW
The soft press of a kiss to my temple wakes me up, and I open my eyes to look up at Greyson.
He winks, eyes smiling at me, before he retreats to the kitchen.
I sit up, seeing Gabe and the way he frowns at the exchange.
Suddenly, I feel like I’ve messed everything up. My return home. Sleeping with three men and getting attached to each of them.
It’s not like they’re not aware. But it still feels like an utterly shitty thing to do.
And the topsy-turvy tilt in my middle is exactly what would have normally sent me running.
The option to do just that, go back to a job that suits me so well, even with the fallout from last time, I could do it.
Without Nick there, it might be even better.
Would it be any less lonely though?
It’s a hard toss-up.
A fulfilling job or being surrounded by people who love me?
Being alone or being smothered?
My heart is at war with itself, and I finally pull myself off the couch, determined not to think about it.
At least for a little while.
Rubbing my face, the scent of bacon stirs me, and I make my way into the kitchen where Gabe is making breakfast.
Greyson sets a coffee cup on the counter for Gabe and hands me the one in his other hand. The heat is pleasant and welcome.
“What’s your gut saying?” Greyson asks, jumping right into what he’s thinking.
“Let her eat breakfast first.”
“She doesn’t need you speaking for her.”
I sip my coffee and bask in their usual brotherly bickering.
My gaze pings back and forth between the Kincaid brothers.
This is so similar but so different from what used to be the norm.
Gabe has a singular-minded focus, interrupted only when he glances over at me.
Greyson casually leans against the opposing side of the island counter, watching us both with more ease than I could ever manage.
I sneak in and steal a fresh piece of bacon and smile at them.
Greyson pins me with his gaze as I crunch through it.
“So, your gut?” He pushes off the island and comes to lean against the counter beside me, brushing my hair from my shoulder. “You’ve already made your decision. You’re just not ready to listen to it yet.”
I hate that he’s probably right.
I don’t actually want to go back to the city.
I realized that last night while Jennifer and I talked.
Pinebrook has grown since I’ve been gone—and grown on me since I’ve come back.
But does that mean there’s anything here for me. Really?
Obviously, Greyson and Gabe are here. Adam’s here.
Daisy and Mom and Dad. But…what will I do?
Host little town events? Turn this place into a bigger tourist attraction?
That will change the town even more, and I’m not sure I want that either.
Still, a spark of an idea comes to life in the back of my mind.
One that might blaze if I don’t smother it with my ability to overthink things.
Gabe grumbles as he plates the food—scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast. “Leave off her.”
Watching them clean up and maneuver me to the other side of the island, handing me a fork and flanking me on either side, I’m reminded of how different the dynamic in this house is now that their parents are living in Florida.
I’m reminded of Colleen at the deli and the changes she’s made.
The improvements and new traditions that Alice Wardorf has created in this town.
How many of the kids I went to school with have stayed in Pinebrook to make it their own?
Can I do the same?
Do I want to?
Greyson refills my coffee, and I smile at him through my mouthful of toast. It’s like he can see my brain working.
Gabe tucks a stray strand of hair behind my ear before it gets caught in my mouth with my forkful of eggs.
I wish I could blend my two worlds together.
My heart sinks a little. There’s no way Pinebrook would ever become a hot stop on any author’s literary journey.
Or could it?
Is that as insane as it sounds in my head?
My plate is clear before I realize it, and Greyson whisks it away before Gabe wipes down the counter.
He leans into my side, mouth warm against my ear. “Go get changed for work.”
Tipping back to look up at him, I nod, but I’m not in a rush. Being around him keeps me grounded. Stable.
His hand comes up to brush a light touch against my cheek. “Go on. We’ll be waiting for you when you’re ready.”
The double meaning isn’t lost on me, so I slip my shoes on at the door and dash over to my parents’ house to get changed.
Daisy’s lingering in her room, but I don’t want to bother her.
She sat with me for a while, helping me talk through possibilities of my future.
I’ve never heard her so supportive before.
So…pro Pinebrook.
Even with her recent engagement to an out-of-towner—someone I still haven’t met—she wants to stay here. Growing up, her entire identity was finding a way to leave.
I was the one to leave.
And honestly, I’m not sure it was all I expected it to be. Diverting, obviously. But what do I want out of life?
I’m not as sure as I once was.
Sighing, I shower and change into warm slacks and a sweater.
It’s comfy but professional enough, because I know today isn’t going to be so good for working.
Not with the laps my mind is taking.
I tie my hair back and put on my earmuff headband, grab my coat and coast down the stairs to see Gabe and Greyson leaning against Gabe’s 4x4.
They both tilt their heads the same way to look at me.
It stops me in my tracks. They don’t usually go to work together.
Greyson peels off first, coming up to stabilize me by my elbow and help me over to their driveaway where Gabe meets us and takes me like some precious hand off.
This is weird.
But I follow as Gabe brings me around to his side and helps me into the back seat, knowing I prefer that side if I’m in the back.
Car sickness.
He lingers, buckling my seatbelt for me.
Something he’s only ever done if I was sick or sleeping. I’m not either right now, and it’s intense.
He’s barely touching me, and I’m uncomfortably warm.
Gabe smirks, closes my door, and gets behind the wheel.
It sends my mind back to the track, lapping itself.
The words Gabe whispered into my hair, “I want you to stay. With me.”
Simple. Honest. Heart seizing.
What if I stayed?
Would it ultimately ruin this?
Have I already ruined it?
Sleeping together could have…but I love the way he looks at me.
Greyson peeks over his shoulder at me, amusement and longing a glittering combo in his gaze.
My attachment grows. I want him, too.
And I never want him to feel the kind of rejection his ex made him feel again. Certainly not from me.
It makes thinking through this decision even harder.
Because what if they make me choose? That’s what comes next, right?
My metaphorical feet keeping pounding along that track, and I’m back at the start, ready for another lap.
At the Lodge, Gabe seems slightly disgruntled that I unbuckle myself, but his hands are at my waist to hoist me out of my seat.
I might like this kind of behavior from him.
The Kincaid brothers escort me inside and hover at my office door as if afraid to crowd me.
I brush my palms down the front of my sweater. “I’m just gonna write myself a list for the day before I figure out what I’m doing.”
Wow. The layers of meaning in that has me feeling awkward.
Greyson winks at me. “See you soon. With orders I’m assuming.”
I smile. “Probably.”
He nods, pats his brother on the shoulder, and disappears from sight.
Gabe lingers again, watching me intently.
Another shot of heat hits me, and he smirks again before backing away and closing my door behind him.
My heart kicks up. What if I stayed?
I round my desk and sit, making a list. I’m halfway through it, before I’m interrupted.
Adam walks in without knocking, but instead of teasing he studies me. He’s calm, steady—dominating the space with his mere presence.
“You handled yourself well last night. I wish I’d been the one to defend you.” He steps closer, and the concern in his green eyes is more evident. “To comfort you after.”
Sucking in a trembling breath, I shake my head. “It’s okay. I’m fine.”
“She shouldn’t have ambushed you. Not like that.” He’s just out of reach, and I get the sudden urge to launch myself at him, but he pulls my chair free from my desk and kneels before me.
There’s something so vulnerable about having him like this, like he’s handing me the power.
It strikes me deep.
I give him a half smile and run my fingers through his hair. It looks like it’s been run through plenty of times this morning.
“We had a good talk.” It’s the biggest comfort I can give. “Put my past into perspective for me.”
His hands cup my hips, and he drags me closer. “And your future?”
I don’t have an answer for him, and I deflate a little.
It’s hard to admit that I’m tempted.
He tips my forehead against his.
“You don’t have to decide anything right now. Just…don’t vanish on us.”
Us. Did they…did they talk after Daisy dragged me off?
Could the idea I’ve been kicking around actually work? With all of them?
Or have I simply gotten myself into something I can’t handle? That’s going to not only hurt me but utterly ruin me?
My heart beats harder as he plants a kiss to my forehead and lets his presence seep into me.
Am I inventing reasons to sabotage this?
I spread my hands over his shoulders and am grateful as his muscles slowly relax under my touch.
His big hand cups my cheek as we separate, feathering his touch over my skin.
“I’m not packing my bags and running away.”
Not yet.
Adam laughs softly. “Not the endorsement I’d been hoping for, but I’ll take it. For now.”
I push at his chest halfheartedly, and he holds my palm over his heart. God, what if I’m too far gone to really have a choice?
“If there’s something you want to do, create, build. Name it.”
His intensity should surprise me. But it’s his ability to narrow in on the real problem that does. “How?”
“I own half this town. I’ll make it happen. If I haven’t said it enough times, Drew, I want you. Here. With me. As long as you’ll let me have you.”
Sucking in a shaky breath, I lean in to give him a small kiss and try to wrangle my emotions.
“Okay. I’ll leave you to it. Just, come get me when you’re ready to talk it out,” he says.
I shake my head. “You’re being far too reasonable.”
“I know when to be overbearing and when not to be.”
He stands and leaves me to my thoughts and my list.
I jot a few more items down before I get up and stretch.
I need to grab some tea, to get moving and my blood flowing to help figure some things out.
I go out front and make myself one of the complimentary teas at reception and smile at Sandy manning the front desk.
She smiles back before her gaze shoots to the front parking lot. I see it the same moment she does.
A giant bus.
“Well, the tour bus just pulled in. The Lodge is gonna be full for the weekend.”
Here we go again.
What an excellent distraction.