“FaceTime later tonight?”
I’m not sure if Holden and I still have plans or not. “I might have some errands to run, but you can try me. If not, I can call you back in the morning. We can talk all things town gossip. They’ve got a new artist down at Rugged Mountain Ink, and there’s a new barista in town who’s apparently trying to snatch up the library.” I pop my lips. “I’ve got all kinds of tea.”
“Lord,” she slides back into the accent, “who’d have thought so much could happen in such a short time.”
“Small towns,” I shake my head, “everybody’s got a scent in the wind.”
“I forgot how bad that can get.” Alice taps her keyboard. “I’d better run too. The editor is messaging me. Love you, babe.”
“Love you more! We’ll talk soon.”
“Can’t wait!”
When the line disconnects, I stare down at my phone and scroll to my messages. I’m not expecting to see anything. I know Holden has a busy morning with the Wilder Brothers project, and he’s not the type to be on his phone while he’s working, but I check anyway.
This morning, I have a text. A text that has me excited and even more confused.
Chapter Four
Holden
I’ve spent the last ten years of my life creating a version of myself I can be proud of. I’ve worked hard, I’ve put money away, I’ve helped friends like family, and found family in friends. I’ve lived a righteous life, and I’ve found light through a tunnel of sins.
The man I was ten years ago isnotthe man I am today, and I refuse to let the past define my future, though I have a feeling Wyatt is going to do his best to make sure the opposite happens. At least that’s what I assume, considering he followed me to the jobsite in the truck he swore he wasn’t driving.
I shake my head as I park on Main Street, grab my lunch bag, and make my way down the icy sidewalk toward the brewery. I hope Wyatt is following. I’m desperate to finish this shit right here and now.
I’m at the edge of the brick building the guys and I have been working on the past few months when the asshole calls my name.
I laugh and turn back slowly, fog gathering where the cold meets my warm breath. In the center of the sidewalk, like a cowboy at high noon, stands my ex-best friend. He’s not a small guy by any means, and a fight with him would mean some effort on my part, but if I had to, I know I could take him.
“I gave you mercy once,” he shouts as he steps forward. “I could’ve blown you up so many times, but I didn’t. Did I?” Laughter spills from deep in his gut like some mentally disturbed coyote. “But this… fucking around with my baby sister after you tore Alice and I apart… you asked for this.”
I nod slowly, my stance unmoving as I plant myself firmly in place. “So what? You’re going to follow me around and threaten me with a good time? I’m trying to be a changed man, but if anyone knows what I’m capable of, cowboy, it’s you.”
He wears flannel and jeans with a ball cap sat low. The icy wind whips in his direction but he does a fairly good job at pretending it doesn’t sting. “You’ve got to the end of today to tell her the truth or she’ll hear it from me.”
This fuck.My jaw clenches, my fists tighten, and a raw, rage filled heat rises inside of me until I’m seeing white.Now he’s giving fucking ultimatums?
I could hurt him, I could take what little pride he has left, and I could break him in half. It wouldn’t take too much, given his alcohol fueled breakfast, and the Lord knows the man could use a good, solid lesson.
“You know what?” I say, stepping forward, a smile on my face. “You gotta do what you gotta do. You want to tell the whole town what I did… that’s fine. We’ll both go down andI still keep seeing your sister.Or… you walk away with your dignity intact and drop all this.”
He pulls back his fist and swings at me, but I stop him again, this time slamming him up against the brewery with enough force that he coughs when his back hits the brick wall. “You get your fucking life in order, or I swear on all that’s holy, I’ll make sure you learn this lesson by any means necessary.”
I’ve known Wyatt most of my life and I know he’s not one to back down from a fight, but I’d go to my fucking death bed before I gave up on Maya.
“Everything okay out here?” One of the guys steps out of the building with eyes on the sheetrock stacked on the opposite side of the street when he catches sight of the fight. “We’ve got work to do, man.”
Jesus, this is embarrassing. I’m a man in his forties. I’ve built a solid reputation, and it’s not as the guy who slams assholes up against brick walls before coffee and donuts.
I offer a nod to my buddy and glance back at Wyatt who’s already heading back toward his truck. He doesn’t have to say it.
I know this isn’t over.
If he wants a fight, I’ll give him a fucking fight, but there’s no way in hell I’m going to lose everything I’ve worked for, especially Maya. She’s quickly become my everything. The one thing in life I know I need above everything else.
When he’s out of my sight, I pull out my phone and send a text to my girl.
