12. Chapter 12
Chapter twelve
Laiken
I regret this. Big time.
Nerves rattle me as Parker’s truck pulls into my driveway. I thought being away from the loft would be better, but now it dawns on me that I’ll have him in my house. Where there’s no running water.
Nice, Laiken.
I had plenty of time to drop Trace off at school this morning and even get a thirty-minute yoga class in.
It was almost a relaxing morning until I got a call from an unknown number.
It’s been months since Rhodes has tried to contact me.
Always from an unknown number. Always shouting.
I don’t even answer anymore. So much for calming my spirit.
I close my eyes, searching deep for that inner calm. I’ve never been calm around this man. Not sure why I thought I could start now.
Thinking quickly on my feet, I snatch up the bands I want him to use today, along with my notebook, before I press a palm to my screen door.
He’s climbing out of his truck when I reach the bottom step of the porch.
“Morning,” I chirp way too brightly.
Even for me.
His brows furrow for a second before he smiles.
Gah, it’s heart-stopping. And stupid.
“Morning.” He rubs his hand through his hair before tugging on his ball cap.
I swear, if he flips it backward, I’m toast.
My eyes drift over the faded logo, my heart attempting to claw its way out of my chest. I know what’s written beneath the brim of that hat. He still has it. And wears it? What’s he trying to prove?
My cheeks heat. I’m not sure if I’m flattered or pissed.
I shake the thought. “It’s surprisingly a nice morning. I thought we could get some fresh air during our session.”
It may be January in Texas, but last week it was forty-two degrees and today it’s already breaching sixty-five at nine in the morning. It will be eighty by the afternoon. Perks of a state with mood swings.
“Sure.” He glances behind me. “I like the house.” His eyes settle back on me. “Fits you.”
“Why? Because it needs a complete makeover?” I laugh. “The bones are good but the cosmetics…” My laugh trails off.
Because he’s not laughing.
He actually seems irritated.
His boots carry him across my overgrown lawn, then right up the sidewalk.
I’m startled when he reaches out to grip my chin between his fingers. “I don’t want to hear that out of your mouth. You’re still the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen, Laik.”
I momentarily lose myself in the unexpected compliment. In the feel of his fingers.
I clear my throat. “You can’t flirt with me, Parker.”
“I’m not flirting. I’m stating facts.” He shrugs before dropping his hand.
I roll my eyes, ignoring the way it warms me to hear him say I’m beautiful.
But then I remember that his girlfriend is practically a freaking runway model.
There goes my mood.
I give him my back. “Let’s get started.”
Fifteen minutes. We only have fifteen minutes left of the session when the sound of an engine rolling into the driveway has me stiffening. I peer over my shoulder, my stomach twisting when Micky Mack’s plumbing truck slows to a stop.
Fantastic.
Parker leans up from the portable table I have set up in the yard, his eyes curious.
“Got plumbing issues?”
I don’t answer as my feet move swiftly toward Micky.
“Hey, Laiken.” Mickey climbs out of his truck, then spots Parker behind me and his eyes light up.
Great. I guess everyone thinks he’s God’s gift to Mayson Ridge.
“Parker.” He bypasses me and heads straight for him.
“Hey, Mick. Long time no see,” Parker greets before they shake hands.
I’m rushing to the duo, itching to get Micky inside before he blabs my business to Parker. Who will, in turn, tell my brother, who will either force me to move back home or try to fund the repairs. Either one is not happening.
“Micky, let’s talk inside.” I smile. “Parker, we’re finished for the day.”
He pulls his phone from his pocket. “We still have fifteen minutes.”
I grit my teeth. “Okay. Go run a few laps around the house.”
“Laps?” He glances at his feet. “I’m in boots.”
“Yeah. You said cardio is part of your normal routine. Let’s get some of that in.”
Parker eyes me before his gaze shifts to Micky. Then they narrow. I know that look. He thinks Micky and I are a thing. We aren’t, but for some reason, it gives me pleasure knowing it bothers him.
“Inside?” I place a hand on Micky’s forearm, earning a flare of Parker’s nostrils.
This is kind of fun.
“Sure thing.” Micky smiles at me, a gleam in his eye at my touch.
Crap. I didn’t think he’d think it meant something. Now I’m mentally backtracking.
When we get inside, I distance myself to the sofa. “What’s up?”
He takes a seat across from me. “I talked with my father. We can do a little break on you for materials. That will cut some costs. But I can’t cut on labor. These boys still need to make a living.”
“Of course.” I shake my head. “I don’t expect any breaks, Micky. But thank you for working with me.”
“No problem at all. Total costs we’re looking at are a little over seven thousand.”
Seven thousand dollars.
“Okay.” I sink back into the couch. “I can do that.” I pause. “But I need about six weeks.”
He nods before adjusting his polo shirt. “Okay. In the meantime, you have somewhere to stay, right?”
“Yeah, yeah.” I dismiss the concern. “No worries.”
“I just want to be sure you and Trace are good. You can’t stay in a house with no running water, Laiken.”
His words cause discomfort, but I push it away. I’m about to stand when the voice from the doorway halts me.
“You’re living in a house with no running fucking water?”
I flinch, my eyes meeting Parker’s across the room.
And he’s not happy.