Chapter 28 Scotty
Scotty
“Hey, Sadie, smells amazing in here today.” Axel has a grin a mile wide plastered on his face, and I know damn well it’s not for me. He slides into the booth across from me at the new café in town, a place that he has suddenly taken a huge interest in.
“Hey Axel,” she offers a warm smile and a small wave, “you say that every time.”
“Because every time I'm in here, it smells better than the last time, which I didn’t think was possible.” I give him a knowing look. “What? I’m just being friendly; she’s new in town.”
“Right.” I laugh.
“What’s your deal?” He nods toward the smile I can’t wipe off my face either. “You look way too happy for a guy who’s probably been elbows-deep in transmissions all morning.”
I lean back, smirking. “Guess I’ve had a good week.” It has been a good week, hell, the best in a long time. Every night with Adrienne feels easier, like we’re past the games and bullshit and finally building something together.
“Don’t be weird, man, it’s still my sister you’re dating.”
“Relax, I didn’t mean like that. It’s just been good, better. We both have said a lot of things we needed to say over the last several days.”
“Yeah, I was sad I missed the fireworks at my parents’ the other night. I’m sure that had to be pretty damn entertaining.”
“Shit,” I stretch my neck, remembering the tension and discomfort that night. “It sure as hell was something I never want to experience again. Your dad has got a way of making you feel like the smallest man alive at times.”
He snorts. “No kidding. He’s still got that military mindset now and then. He can be incredibly hardheaded, which is where Adrienne gets it. ”
“Oh, trust me, I know. If there’s one thing you aren’t going to do, it’s tell Adrienne Slade what to do.”
“Which is exactly why we call her,” we both say the last part together before laughing, “the bossy one.”
“So what’s up? I know you didn’t call me in the middle of a workday for lunch just to hang out. Is everything okay with you two?”
“Yeah, things are great,” I say, tracing a ring of condensation on my glass. “Just need your help with something.”
His brows lift. “Please tell me you’re not asking me to hide a body.”
“Worse,” I say, deadpan. “I’m asking you to help me design a ring.”
Axel’s grin fades into stunned silence. Then he whistles low. “Bro, are you serious?”
“Yeah.” My chest tightens. “I’m gonna ask Adrienne to marry me.”
For a second, he just stares, then breaks into a grin so big it’s ridiculous. “Holy shit, Scotty.” He leans back, shaking his head, and Sadie glances over our way at his sudden loud outburst. “Didn’t think I’d see the day. You really love her.”
“Yeah,” I say quietly. “I do.”
“Have you told Aiden?”
“Yup, called him the night before I went over to confront your dad, actually. Needed the calm, sane one to talk me down.”
A minute later, Sadie pops over with our sandwiches. “Here you guys are, can I get you anything else?”
“Did you hear him?” Axel points toward me and he’s not about to do what I think he’s about to do. “He’s going to propose to my sister.”
“Jesus fucking christ, Axel!” I throw my hands up in the air, and Sadie’s eyes grow wide. She looks from him to me, her mouth falling open in a gasp.
“Oh shit, I talk too much.” He says to her, rolling his eyes. “Just don’t tell anyone okay? It’s fine,” he looks at me, “she’s not going to tell anyone.”
“I—I won’t,” she says, panicked. “I swear.”
“Oh my god, this is going to be a miracle if I can actually pull off the surprise with you around.” I shake my head, and Sadie walks back behind the counter.
“So what’s the plan? You want me to sneak you one of Mom’s old diamonds or something?”
I laugh, but he's serious. “Oh, is that an option?” I consider how Adrienne reacted to me giving her the locket and realize that’s exactly what I should do.
“Yeah. She has this brooch that is from her great grandma, and she always said to Adrienne growing up that she wanted her to use it for her engagement ring.”
“That is amazing. I was planning on having Nate Palmer make it.”
“That’ll be perfect. Axel’s voice softens. “You know she’s gonna lose her mind when you propose, right?”
“Think so?”
“I know so. She’s been in love with you since middle school, and it’s all about to come out.”
I laugh nervously, hoping and praying he’s right because I’m not sure I could handle if she said no.
He raises his glass. “To you and my sister, about damn time.”
The sound of her blow dryer hums through the bathroom while I button my shirt, the smell of her perfume floating out with the steam. I’ve gotten used to this, to her toothbrush beside mine, her heels by the door, her laugh filling my mornings.
When she steps out, her hair’s loose around her shoulders, and she’s still half-dressed—skirt on, no blouse yet, bra strap slipping down her arm. “You’re staring again,” she teases, reaching for her earrings.
“Can’t help it,” I say, leaning against the dresser. “I like watching you.”
She laughs. “Flattering. Don’t forget, baby, I’m meeting the girls tonight after work, so I won’t be home till late.”
“Girls’ night, huh?”
“Yep.” She crosses to the mirror, sliding her blouse up her arms. “They’ve been begging for the full recap.
The lowdown on what happened with you and my dad, the fact that you didn’t get murdered, and the fact that we’re officially a couple.
I told them they can wait until tonight to hear everything. All the dirty details.”
I grin, stepping up behind her, sliding my hands around her waist. “You sure you wanna share all of our dirty details?” I flick her earlobe with my tongue.
“Not all of them.” Her reflection meets mine in the mirror. “Just a few of the highlights.” The words end in a sigh as she closes her eyes and tilts her head, giving me more access to her neck. I pepper kisses down it, stopping every so often to nibble. Continuing down, I bite down on her shoulder.
She laughs, turning in my arms. “I’m also telling them the big one tonight.”
“What big one?” I ask, already knowing but wanting to hear her say it.
Her smile softens. “That we said I love you.”
Hearing her say those words does something to me every damn time. “You’re gonna tell them that?”
“Of course.” She runs her hands up my chest. “I love you, Scotty, and I want the people I love to know how happy I am.”
My throat tightens. I press my forehead to hers, murmuring, “You have no idea how good it feels hearing that.”
“I think I do,” she whispers, brushing her lips against mine.
I kiss her slowly, deeply, until her breath catches. My fingers slip under the hem of her blouse, skimming her skin, and she shivers. When I reach her bra strap, I hook a thumb beneath it and tug it down her arm, my voice rough. “Maybe I should give you something else to tell your friends about.”
She lets out a soft laugh, low and breathy. “You’re going to make me late to work.”
“Yes, I am,” I reply, kissing her throat, trailing lower. She tilts her head back, hands gripping my shoulders, when her phone starts ringing from the bedroom.
She groans, forehead against my chest. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“Let it go to voicemail.”
She shakes her head, already stepping back. “I’m sure it’s something for work. I’ll just be a second.”
I watch her disappear down the hall, phone in hand, her voice soft and professional as she answers. I finish buttoning my shirt and head for the kitchen to fill up our coffee cups.
By the time I pour the coffee, she’s still talking.
Her voice drifts down the hall, that calm, professional tone she uses when she’s in work mode.
At first, I don’t think much of it. She gets calls all the damn time from clients, meetings, and some last-minute deal that needs her eyes.
But then I catch the words Los Angeles and firm opening.
My hand stills mid-pour. At first, I don’t think anything of it. Adrienne gets work calls all the time. But then I catch the words Los Angeles and the coffee pot nearly slips out of my hand.
She’s pacing the hall, voice calm and professional. “Right, that’s what Celeste told me. The reason I wanted to talk though was because I was curious what the role actually entails.”
I freeze, every muscle locked tight. I tell myself it’s nothing. She’s probably just being polite, returning a call. Still, the longer she talks, the heavier the air gets.
“Oh, I see,” she says, pausing a beat. “And what’s the timeline on that?”
The question hits hard. I set the coffee pot down quietly, straining to keep my breathing even. She’s still asking questions, her tone light but interested.
Interested.
I don’t mean to listen, but my mind starts spinning anyway. She turned that job down. Told me she wanted to stay. Told me we were what she wanted. So why is she still asking about it?
Maybe she’s just checking in for Celeste, passing along information. Maybe she’s curious. Maybe I’m overthinking it.
I grip the counter, jaw tight, reminding myself I promised to trust her.
When she finally says, “Alright, that sounds great, thanks again. Yes, go ahead and send over the details,” something twists in my gut. She hangs up a moment later and walks back toward the kitchen like nothing happened.
“Who was that?” I ask, careful to keep my tone even.
“Someone from LA,” she says easily, slipping her phone into her purse. “Just following up about a position Celeste mentioned.”
“Oh.” I nod, pretending it’s fine, pretending I didn’t just feel the ground shift beneath me. “Everything good?”
“Yeah, all good.” She smiles, leaning up to kiss my cheek. “Now, where’s my coffee, Mr. Sexy Barista?”
“Right here.” I hand her the mug, returning her smile with one of my own.
She takes a sip, humming her approval. “Perfect, as always.”
I grab the keys off the counter, and we both head out together. She’s glowing, light and easy, and I tell myself that’s all that matters. She loves me. I know that.