3. BRIGGS
CHAPTER THREE
brIGGS
“Ruby, would you mind?” The young woman jumps at the sound of my voice.
At one point, my part-time employee’s penchant for startling at my presence meant she feared me, but since then, I’ve learned that Ruby often loses herself in daydreams.
“Sorry, what?”
“Would you mind covering for Wallis on Saturday?" I repeat the question.
“Oh, sure. That's fine. I can always use the extra hours.”
“How's your mom doing?” Ruby's ailing mother is the reason she needs more work. I pay her fairly when she comes in, but I don’t have enough tasks to take her on full-time.
Wallis and Ruby split part-time duties, so someone is always available in case of an emergency.
Ruby pauses her sorting of this month's invoices and shrugs. “She's doing okay, I guess. As long as she continues her shifts at Fancy's, I figure things aren't too bad yet.”
Nodding, I shut down my computer after updating the schedule and prepare to head out. “That's fair. Let me know when things change, and we'll figure out your paid leave.”
“You don't have to…”
“I’m going to anyway,” I say with a hand up to stop any further rebuttal. “Have a good night. I'll see you tomorrow.”
“See ya… and thanks.” Ruby offers a shy smile.
Forcing my mouth into something that probably resembles a grimace rather than a smile, I hurry out the door. Her gratitude makes me itchy.
Especially when I'm just doing my job.
Being a good boss. Keeping my employees happy. Yada, yada, yada.
The itchiness doesn't fade during my drive to the Rocking M Ranch; it only intensifies. Cormac invited me to dinner with his family tonight, which means rather than playing good boss, it's time to switch to being a good friend.
Something I've been failing at lately.
“Because you can't keep your damn mouth shut.”
A few months ago during a guys’ night out, I’d voiced my sour opinion on Davie, and Cormac hadn’t taken it well. Neither had our other best friend, Deacon, nor Cormac’s brother, Connor. Everyone had agreed I was a fucking asshole.
The air had been tense between me and Cormac until I finally apologized.
To be honest, it’s still kind of frosty between us, but that’s why I have to show up for nights like these—dinners with his family at the ranch. I’ve got to earn his trust back and make nice with Davie.
Or else I lose one of my closest friends.
Possibly both of them, since Deacon would probably side with Cormac.
Parking in front of the Rocking M’s main farmhouse, I hop down from my truck and take a deep breath of air tinged with hay and horses. It’s sweeter than the mechanical scents of the salvage yard.
The front door creaks open as Cormac steps halfway onto the porch. “Hey, man, glad you could make it. Everyone else is already inside.” He waves me forward with a wry grin.
Almost like he’d been wondering if I’d even show.
As if I’d flake on my best friend.
I may have trust issues when it comes to Davie—women in general, honestly—but that doesn’t mean I’ll break my commitments just to avoid her.
“Briggs, welcome!” Davie offers a friendly smile from the dining table where Deacon, Connor, and little Jesse also reside.
“Good to see you. How’s the salvage business?” Deacon asks, patting my shoulder as I choose the seat next to him. Food already fills the tabletop, though Fancy, the ranch’s cook, is nowhere to be found.
“Same as every other day,” I say, grabbing a spoonful of potatoes while everyone else starts digging in. Well, Cormac makes Davie’s plate since she’s occupied by Jesse, and the gentle look that passes between them is hard to miss.
They’re in love. It’s real. You can’t fake that devotion.
I repeat the mantra in my head despite the initial rise of suspicion in my gut. There’s really no comparison between Davie and my ex, except for the fact that they’re both women, yet there’s something stopping me from completely trusting Davie with Cormac.
Like I’m just waiting for her to show her true intentions—even after all these months.
Shit, I’m fucked in the head.
I don’t know what will help me get over this prejudice. Cormac and Deacon would say I need to let another woman in. Learn that not everyone is like Ashley, who liked feeling superior to me, or my mom, who liked using me against my dad.
But I’m not sure I believe their theory.
Besides, it’s not like women are banging down my door, and that’s how I prefer it.
Makes my life easier.
Safer.
Conversation flows around the dinner table, and I try to refocus, but for some reason, my thoughts trace back to Autumn.
There’s a woman who wouldn’t make anything easy.
Or safe. I cover a snort of laughter at the memory of that bat raised above her head, a vicious glare painted over her face, reminding me of a little valkyrie.
She hasn’t been back to the rage park, and I haven’t seen her around town.
She was a blip, an anomaly, in my routine.
Yet, she made an impression.
“Briggs, what do you think?” Deacon elbows my side, and I shake off the odd sensation blanketing my chest.
Who cares about one feisty little doctor? I’ve got enough to handle trying to earn back Cormac’s trust, and in turn, learning to trust his wife.
I don’t have time for whatever… feelings… Autumn—Dr. Landish—evokes.