Chapter 31
SUTTON
Sterling Springs, New Mexico
“Wow, you really cleaned this piece of shit up,” Sly’s voice bellows from outside the food truck.
I don’t really care that he’s here though because the only person I wish was here was Kelsey.
It’s been two weeks since our first real date at Gloria’s and spending time with her has been the only thing on my mind—which is hardly a new development.
I still needed to make one of my regular trips back here though and on a hot July day, the garage feels like a sauna and I have to wipe the sweat from my brow.
I hear his footsteps across the floor of the garage, and when they stop I look up to see him leaning in the open serving window of the truck.
He peers in at me, then his blue eyes—a shade slightly darker than mine—inspect the inside of the truck before he disappears.
“Well, you certainly weren’t much help,” I scoff from my spot on the metal floor, tightening the connection on the gas line for the stove.
I can feel his weight shift the van as he climbs into the nearly finished prep and cooking space through the open back door.
I always thought it was fairly spacious in here for two people, but Sly is taller and broader than me and now it feels very cramped.
When he leans against the refrigerator in his signature mechanics coveralls, folding his arms over his chest and nods. “You actually made this tin can nice. I’m impressed.”
“You say that like you’re surprised,” I say, grunting when I finally secure the gas line. “Don’t forget that I was watching Dad in the garage while you were still in diapers.”
When the overly ambitious couple all but abandoned the truck and never paid their repairs bills a few years ago, I remember counting down the days until our garage took ownership of it to pay off their debt. Two years later, and now the inside is nearly done.
Standing up, I’m almost eye to eye with my little brother. I grab a towel to wipe my hands off, and then flick my wrist to hit him right in the face with it.
He lowers his eyes with an unimpressed look. “What’s left?”
I run my hand through my hair and look around the tight space. “In here? Nothing really. It could use a paint job though, and a new set of tires and brakes.”
He nods. “Well, since you actually got this thing to run, I’ll take care of the tires and brakes. And I bet Sisi would love a painting project.”
I shake my head. “You don’t have to do that. I’ll get around to it.”
He lets out a deep chuckle. “Please, consider it my thank you gift for finally getting this thing out of our parking lot and garage. I have enough of those adventure vans that I’m fixing taking up space already.”
I sigh and smile back at him. I know there’s no point in arguing because he’s as stubborn as they come once he’s made up his mind.
“What are you going to do there?” Sly is pointing at the open counter space next to the sink, along the back wall.
That section of countertop is the one space I haven’t laid out yet. In this confined space, real estate is at a premium, and I made the most out of every square inch I could. One perk of my experience working in world class kitchens.
I shrug. “It’s just a flex space for now. Could use it to make drinks or set up a food warmer.”
“Drinks? You mean like an espresso machine?”
I look back at the open space and I’m ashamed to admit that I never thought of that, despite having an espresso machine in every restaurant I’ve ever worked at.
“I was thinking more like cocktails, but yeah—I like that idea.”
“Glad I could help.” His lips pull up into a smug grin. “And don’t sound so surprised. You know I’ve spent enough time in your restaurants over the years.”
Looking back at the open bit of counter space, a different image fills my mind.
Instead of my brother’s hulking frame next to me, I picture Kelsey in those painted on black jeans and tank top, constantly bumping against me in the tight quarters.
Her long black hair would be tied into a ponytail while she pulled shots of espresso and made her delicious signature drinks.
The space would be filled with the smell of fresh food and coffee while we worked together—just the two of us.
That would be a dream, working so closely and intimately with her.
That’s exactly what the last two weeks have felt like with her though—a dream.
“Oh my god, stop bouncing your knee. You’ve been doing that all morning.” Sisi juts her chin at me from across the booth at the diner. “You’re shaking the whole table and my seat too.”
I shoot her a sidelong glare over my cup of coffee while she shakes her head. I don’t say anything though.
“And all weekend too.” Sly chimes in, prompting her to look at him beside me in the booth.
As kids, we always sat like this, with Slade next to her.
As adults and without Slade here though, I find it just a bit amusing she puts our hulking frames on one side of the booth while she has the entire other side to herself.
She shakes her head. “Wow. I can’t believe you haven’t lost your mind yet. I’ve only spent the morning with him and he’s already driving me crazy.”
We’ve spent all morning talking about the details for her wedding. It’s coming up fast, but I think we have everything finally under control.
Sly’s lips curl into a knowing grin. “He just wants to get back to Wyoming and see his girlfriend.”
I drop my hand under the table, ball it into a fist, and punch him square in his kidney.
Shit. Is that what we are though? Boyfriend and girlfriend? We haven’t actually discussed that yet, but it kind of feels that way. Now I know I want to have that conversation as soon I’m back in Jackson.
Sisi laughs and leans over the table, steepling her hands in front of her with a devious grin. “Yeah. We haven’t had a chance to talk about that development yet.”
Honestly, as much I do want to tell them how great the last two weeks have been with Kelsey, I don’t know where to start. I’ve spent nearly every day with her until I had to come to Sterling Springs. I even spent last week in Jackson, instead of back here or in Seattle with Slade.
We walked around the town square with ice cream in the middle of the afternoon. Another day, we took a scenic gondola ride at the mountain, and it might have gotten just a little bit handsy. And we’ve spent a lot of time in my apartment.
Yeah, things are good—really good.
We’ve talked about everything from why we still love the service industry to silly things like who’s more of a diva: Oscar or Felix.
I still get these occasional glimpses of something nagging at her, but it’s hard to focus on that when she smiles back at me.
The more she opens up, the more I see that she’s not as stubborn as I like to tease her for.
She’s just very determined and isn’t afraid to stick to her guns—something I admire deeply.
Looking back at my sister, I finish my last spoonful of cereal and drop my spoon into the bowl. Instead of going on an endless rambling speech about how happy I am, I choose to keep this simple. “Well, I’m here. What do you want to know?”
She bounces up in her seat, clapping her hands together once. “Where was your first date? Oh, or where’s your next date? No, wait. When do I get to meet her?”
Yep. There it is. I can see the wheels turning in my sister’s mind. “One question at a time, Sisi.”
She huffs. “Fine. First date then. What’d you do?”
My mind goes back to how the date started on the balcony. The way the sky and mountains silhouetted her while she was riding my cock was absolutely perfect. I bury that thought away so I don’t get an erection at breakfast with my siblings, even though that was a highlight I’ll never forget.
“We had dinner at Gloria’s.”
Sisi narrows her eyes at me. “That’s fucking boring, Sutt. Where’s the wow factor? You’re telling me she wanted to go on another date, after that?”
I shrug. “I guess the food is just that good.”
A deep chuckle next to me has us both looking at Sly. “Maybe it’s your hero complex. I see you haven’t given up on that.”
“Ass,” I chide before taking the last sip of my coffee just in time to hear my phone buzz on the formica tabletop.
Shadow: Was just thinking about you…
I frantically type back.
Me: About how pretty I am?
Shadow: No… My parents asked me to bring dessert tonight.
Me: Oh, well you came to the right person for advice.
Three dots appear and my heart swells knowing that even nearly eight hundred miles apart, I have her undivided attention.
Shadow: No need. I baked a pie at the coffee shop to take. But all I really want is some gelato…
My mouth waters at the thought of tasting her again and any early attempts to keep my cock from getting hard at breakfast were in vain.
Fuck me. I want to be in Jackson. I want to be home and feel her eyes on me. I want to be behind the counter working with her and feel her brush against my thighs. I want to be on my balcony and feel her breathe my name against my neck when I’m deep inside her.
I want to be wherever she is because I’m an absolute goner for her.
The sound of my sister clearing her throat snaps my attention up from my phone.
She raises her brows with a knowing look before her gaze drops to the syrup bottle rattling on the table, courtesy of my still bouncing knee.
She palms her face and sighs. “Seriously, Sutt. I love you, but get to the airport and see if you can catch an earlier flight.”
I tuck my phone back in my pocket and groan. “No point. Even if I get the earlier flight out of Taos, I still have to take the same connection back to Jackson and won’t get back any earlier.”
“Aw, you miss her, don’t you,” my brother coos from beside me.
I’m about to say something when Sisi cuts him off. “Oh, screw off, Sly. He’s allowed to be happy.”
I smile at my sister before making a kissy face at my brother. “Just means you’re stuck with me for at least another couple hours.”
I feel a pinch on my forearm and look back to see Sisi pointing a finger at me. “Don’t think you’re getting off that easy. You still need to bring her here. I want to meet her.”
“I don’t know. It feels a bit early for that.” I’m not sure why I said that because I know it’s a lie. I do want her to meet my family. Everything has been so easy the last two weeks and I love that she’s getting to know me. Seeing my hometown would only make that easier.
She rolls her eyes and huffs. “She’s the only girl that you have mentioned in years. I want to meet her, Sutton Sterling. Do you understand me?”
I start to say something, but her eyes widen. I already know she has an idea that is probably equally great and horrifying. “Oh my god! Bring her to the wedding! She can meet the rest of the family.”
I palm my face and she arches a brow at me.
“I know you want to bring her. Don’t pretend like being away from her the past couple of days hasn’t been driving you mad.”
I groan while Sly laughs, clearly amused with my misfortune. I can’t argue with her though because she’s right. I do want her here and the thought of spending the entire weekend of Sisi’s wedding away from Kelsey already has me on edge.
“You don’t think it would be too much? Meeting everyone at a wedding?”
She leans over the table and props her chin on her fist, batting her eyes like only a little sister can. “Pretty please? You can consider it a wedding gift.”
“Maybe, but I don’t even know if she’ll be able to take off work. Also, I thought catering was my wedding gift to you?”
“No. That’s just being the best big brother. Bringing your dream girl is the real present.”
Sly lets out a questioning hum. “He’s the best big brother? You know I’m sitting right here.”
She waves a hand at him dismissively and stays focused on me. She grabs my hand and holds it in her much smaller ones. Her eyes soften and I know I have no hope of winning this argument. “I really do want to meet her. Make sure she knows she’s welcome.”
I nod. “I’ll do my best to get her to come.”
“Good.” She turns her attention to Sly and all I can think about is that I just want to get back to Jackson tonight and see Kelsey as soon as I can tomorrow.