As expected, there was a ton of activity going on when he arrived. Today was a workday, and he felt a little guilty about not being there and doing his part. And then he felt even worse because he was going to take a few days off to go with Maisie to the city.
He parked and climbed out of the truck and tried to figure out where he should go first. Fortunately, Slater was walking his way.
“Hey, you’re back!” his buddy said as he approached. “You doing okay?”
“Yeah. Thanks. And thanks again for taking care of my crew yesterday. It was a real dick move for me to leave the way I did when I have a ton of responsibilities here.”
“Extenuating circumstances, and you’re allowed to step away when you need a break. Out of all of us, you’re the only one who’s basically been here 24/7. If anything, you’re due for some time off.”
Raking a hand through his hair, Axel laughed softly. “Funny you should mention that. Maisie and I talked last night, and I’m going to go with her to the city today. She’s having dinner with her parents and asked me to go with her.”
“Wow! That’s a huge step. And I’m guessing that means the two of you worked things out?”
He nodded. “I’m in love with her. I don’t know what the hell she sees in me when she can clearly do better, but I’m going to just ride it out until she realizes it.”
Slater’s expression hardened. “Why do you do that?”
“Do what?”
“Put yourself down? Why wouldn’t she see something in you? You’re an incredible person. The only one who doesn’t see it is you.”
“Well…”
“I’m serious, Axel. You are the most honest and loyal person I think I’ve ever known. I’d trust you with my life. You’ve been a great friend to me for all these years—to all of us—and it sucks that you don’t believe in yourself.”
He was about to comment when he spotted Connor walking their way. Slater caught the direction of his gaze and chuckled.
“This is my cue to get back to work.” He clapped Axel on the shoulder as he leaned in close. “Remember what I just told you. Every single one of us has your back, no matter what.” He paused. “Go easy on him.”
“We’ll see,” he murmured even as Slater stepped away.
“I’ve got your crew covered. I’ll see you in a few days.”
“Thanks, man. Seriously.” They shook hands just as Connor stepped up.
“You’re here.”
Axel nodded. “I’m here.”
“Want to talk in my cabin? I can whip us up some breakfast.”
“Um…yeah. Sure.”
They turned and started making their way toward the cabins, with Connor making small talk about all the work they accomplished yesterday with getting the guest rooms in the lodge furnished.
“And Slater said the punch list for the cabins is almost done, so when the next batch of furniture arrives, we should be good to go.”
All he could do was nod because none of this was new information to him.
When they stepped into Connor’s cabin, Axel glanced around. “Where’s Annabeth?”
“At school,” Connor replied as he stepped into the kitchen. His cabin was the largest of all the ones they were currently using. They had all agreed on it since he was moving Annabeth here with him.
“Any word on when you’re going to be moving into a place of your own? I thought Harlow had been showing you houses.”
“She has, but nothing’s thrilled me. I’m actually toying around with the idea of buying property and building a house. It’s been kind of nice staying here in the cabin and just having the time to be with my daughter and talking to her about what she wants us to do. I feel like back in Boston, I was always working, and she was with a nanny or at school, so we weren’t really having any down time together. So for now, this is working.”
He handed Axel a steaming cup of coffee.
