Chapter 48
Kade
We pull up outside her house, and I reluctantly cut the engine, dreading the moment I have to wake her.
“Liv, we’re home,” I say softly, my hand lingering on her thigh for a moment before giving it a gentle squeeze.
Slowly, she stirs, stretching her arms above her head just as my phone starts buzzing relentlessly in my pocket.
I grin, teasing, “Hey, sleepyhead. Welcome back.”
She blinks awake, groggy but smiling. “Was I out long?” she asks, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
I chuckle softly. “Oh, no—not long. Just the whole drive back.”
“Oh,” she stammers, a little embarrassed. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be silly,” I say, smiling warmly. “You clearly needed it. Come on, let’s get you inside.”
Before she can respond, my phone vibrates again. I groan quietly and pull it out of my pocket. Seeing Brandon’s name flash across the screen, I glance over at Liv. “Give me a second, baby. Brandon’s been blowing up my phone ever since I got cell service.”
Liv nods, settling into her seat, as I swipe to answer.
“Jesus, Brandon,” I say, trying to keep the irritation out of my voice. “What’s the emergency?”
He snaps back, “Finally. I thought you said you’d be back early.”
“Yeah, well, plans changed. I’m back now.” I say, forcing a chuckle. “Wanna tell me what’s got your panties in a twist?”
“This isn’t funny, Kade. Glen fucking Woods has been blowing up our phone and inbox since you and Liv went away yesterday. He’s demanding to hear from you,” Brandon says, annoyance sharpening his tone.
I glance over at Liv. She’s watching me quietly, concern flickering in her eyes. I smile and lift my hand, signaling I’ll be quick, then climb out of the truck.
“Are you serious?” I exhale, running a hand through my hair. “Okay, well—I just got Liv home. Let me get her stuff inside, and then I’ll head into the office to deal with him. God forbid I take some vacation time.”
Brandon’s voice comes again, tense. “He’s driving me insane. Five calls yesterday, two already today. He’s been driving Trent mad, too.”
“Yeah, okay. I’ll sort it out. Shouldn’t take more than half an hour,” I say, then cut the call. Sliding the phone back into my pocket, I notice Liv sliding out of the passenger seat.
I move quickly, grabbing her bags from the back and reaching for her hand just as she reaches me.
“If you need to get going, I can take the bags,” Liv offers.
“Don’t be silly,” I say, smiling. “I’m walking my girlfriend to her door, kissing her goodbye, and promising I’ll see her later.”
Her smile deepens. “Your girlfriend? Very presumptuous of you.”
I grin, stepping closer. “I kind of assumed—after you let me fuck you out in the open on the bed of my truck and said you think you love me—that it was obvious you were my girlfriend.”
A flush creeps across her cheeks, and I fucking love it when she blushes.
As we step onto the porch and Liv opens the door, stepping inside, I pull her back lightly toward me. “Do you wanna be my girlfriend, Liv?”
She lifts her eyes to meet mine and nods. “More than anything.”
“Mine,” I whisper before I capture her lips, kissing her deep and slow until she melts into me completely.
When I finally pull back, we’re both breathless, her eyes soft and shining. I rest my forehead against hers, not ready to break the moment.
“I won’t be long,” I promise softly, brushing my thumb across her cheek. “Make sure you lock the door, okay?”
She nods, her breath catching as she leans into my touch. “I will,” she whispers.
I press one last kiss to her forehead before letting her go, my fingers brushing against hers until the very last second as she steps inside.
“See you later,” she says softly, offering me one of those small, beautiful smiles that always knocks the air right out of my chest.
“Count on it,” I promise, watching as she closes the door behind her.
I stand there for a beat longer than I should, staring at the closed door like an idiot, my heart still thudding from that kiss—from her.
Only when I’m back in the truck do I shake myself out of it, start the engine, and head toward the office.
I’ll deal with Glen Woods.
I take the stairs two at a time, my pulse already kicking up with frustration as I blow past Brandon’s office and into my own.
The second the door shuts behind me, I slump down into my chair, dragging a hand through my hair as I mentally brace for what I already know is going to be a miserable call.
Glen fucking Woods.
I pull up his file on the computer, jaw tight, and stab at the phone with a little more force than necessary. Each ring winds me tighter. Once. Twice. And then—
“Kade. How good of you to finally call me back,” Glen’s voice drips with smug irritation. “I take it you enjoyed your vacation time whilst in the middle of managing my house renovation.”
I close my eyes briefly, exhaling through my nose. “Mr. Woods,” I say evenly, keeping my tone professional even though every muscle in my body itches to tell him exactly where he can shove his attitude, “I can assure you that Trent is more than capable of handling any on-site issues in my absence.”
There’s a deliberate pause on the other end before his voice sharpens. “I don’t want to deal with Trent. I want to deal with you. You’re the boss, aren’t you? You make the decisions? Oversee all the work?”
My hand curls into a fist on the desk. I lean back in my chair, forcing myself to keep calm even as irritation scratches under my skin.
“I am, yes,” I say carefully, jaw tight.
“But I can’t be in multiple places at once, which is exactly why I have Trent managing the site when I’m away.
He’s qualified. He knows the project inside out. He can handle any concerns you have.”
Another pause. Then his voice drops, smug and sharp. “I have paid, in full, Kade. I assumed that came with some kind of preferential treatment.”
I clench my teeth, my free hand flexing restlessly against the arm of the chair. It takes everything in me not to snap. This guy has been a headache since day one, and every time I think he can’t push harder, he somehow finds a new line to cross.
“Of course,” I say tightly, keeping my tone polite even though every nerve in my body is stretched thin. “You’re a valued client, Mr. Woods. I’ll make sure you get whatever clarity you need. Why don’t you tell me what’s going on?”
The call drags on longer than it should.
He rattles off complaint after complaint—half of them nitpicky bullshit, the other half aimed at my crew, and most annoyingly, at Trent.
Apparently, Trent’s attitude doesn’t meet Mr. Woods’ standards, though knowing Trent, I’m guessing he didn’t kiss the guy’s ass hard enough.
I grit my teeth through every second of it, nodding where I have to, making the right sounds. By the time I agree to meet him on-site first thing tomorrow to go over everything in person, my patience is shot.
But I keep my voice steady. Professional. Because that’s what this job takes sometimes, gritting your teeth and swallowing the urge to tell entitled assholes where to go.
When I finally hang up, I lean back in the chair with a sharp breath, scrubbing a hand over my face.
The tension sits heavy in my chest, but I push it down.
I know my guys—I trust them, especially Trent.
He’s the best foreman I’ve got, and more than that, he’s family.
But if showing my face tomorrow will keep Glen fucking Woods from breathing down everyone’s neck, then fine. So be it.
I pull my phone from my pocket, thumb hovering for a second before I bring up Liv’s contact. The last thing I want is for her to think I’m flaking on her, not after the weekend we just had.
Me: Might be a little later than planned tonight, baby. Need to meet with Trent before tomorrow.
I watch the screen, waiting, and the second I see the blue ticks, something eases in me. The typing bubbles appear almost instantly.
Liv: That’s fine. Take as much time as you need.
I smile faintly despite the weight pressing behind my eyes. God, she makes everything feel lighter.
I close our chat but hesitate for a breath before pulling up Trent’s messages.
Me: I’m in the office. Call me when you finish and I’ll meet you at the rig?
The reply comes fast.
Trent: You better have 5 beers and 8 shots waiting for me.
I huff a quiet laugh, shaking my head.
Me: That bad?
A pause. Then—
Trent: Considering you’re in the office when you’re meant to be with Liv, I’m gonna assume you already know the answer to that.
I sigh, dragging a hand through my hair, the weight of it all settling in my bones. Yeah. I know.