“What? No. I wasn’t…” I giggle at his horrified expression, pleased with myself for rattling his cocksure composure.
Maddox looks impressed.
“Touché, little mermaid. Touché.”
“Well,” I say, deciding to end this conversation while I’m ahead. “I just came by to let him know I’m heading into town. Thought I’d ask if he wanted anything from my friend Dee’s café. Best baked goods and quality coffee around. I don’t mind bringing something back for you as well, if you’re hungry.”
The giant perks up at the mention of food. “Sure. That’d be great, actually. Cole made bacon and eggs before he left, but he barely left enough to feed a mouse. And between you and me, the guy makes shit coffee. I’d sell my right nut for a quality latte and a couple of blueberry muffins. Let me grab my wallet.”
I hold up a hand to stop him. “Don’t worry about it. Treats are on me. Your money is no good around here. Neither are your testicles. As a form of payment, anyway,” I backtrack when I realize how wrong that sounded. Maddox throws his head back in a laugh.
“You know what, Charlie? I like you. I can see why he kept you secret.”
I don’t know what to say, and thankfully, I’m saved from having to respond by Dave, who’s chosen that moment to strut out of his cabin, wearing nothing but a pair of tighty-whities, which is progress, I suppose.
“Howdy, everyone,” he greets before he takes up residence in his Adirondack chair. To his credit, Maddox’s jovial expression doesn’t change.
“Haven’t seen you before.” The big man observes, looking around me to get a better look at our new overnight guest.
“Got in late last night, and I won’t be staying long.”
“Busy guy, huh? Got time for a cold one?” Dave asks, pulling two Bud Lights from his cooler and pointing one in our general direction.
Maddox frowns, glancing down at me like he’s asking my permission to start drinking at the butt crack of dawn. I give him a shrug.
“It’s eight o’clock in the morning, buddy,” he finally points out.
“It’s five o’clock somewhere.”
Maddox nods, like that’s a perfectly reasonable excuse. “You know what, what the hell. I’m off the clock.”
Mind made up, he pulls the door closed behind him and doesn’t bother with a shirt. Given the state of undress happening across the road, he’s most likely gotten the sense that this is the kind of place where clothing is optional. Not that I’m complaining. I’m not one to turn my nose up at a pretty view.
Halfway to Dave’s porch, Maddox spins around. “By the way,” he calls out, walking backward. “I wasn’t trying to hitch a free ride or anything. I was going to come to the front office later to settle up for crashing here last night. It’s just that I got in after hours, and I didn’t want to disturb anyone.”
I wave a hand in the air. “It’s all good. It’s not like you snuck into an empty cabin. You’re visiting a friend, and I can only imagine that fossil of a couch in there wasn’t too kind on your back, so I wouldn’t feel right charging you. Besides, Cole’s been helping me out so much getting this place fixed up, the least I can do is return the favor, considering the money he’s saved me.”
A thoughtful expression crawls over his face before he eventually gives me a nod of appreciation.
“I’ll see you in a couple of hours. It was nice to meet you, Maddox.”
“Likewise, little firecracker.”
I leave the two men to bond over their liquid breakfast and make my way back down the gravel path, but I can’t help sneaking a final glance over my shoulder.
Smiling to myself, I watch them clink their cans together in a toast, looking completely at ease with each other in their various states of undress. It’s a strange sight, and all I can think in that moment is how vastly different this new life is from the one I left behind. And I love every single thing about it.
twenty
Cole
When I get back to the cabin, Maddox seems to be lost in thought, staring out the small kitchen window as he brings his mug to his lips for a generous sip. Even from a distance, I don’t miss the way he wrinkles his nose in disgust, and I fight an eyeroll as much as the urge to laugh. My best friend has always been a coffee snob. He has no issue surviving on processed rations and questionable drinking water for days, sometimes weeks on end, but hand him a cup of drip coffee and he turns into a regular prima donna. When the door clicks shut behind me, he spins around with a knowing smirk.
“What’s that look for?” I ask with a heavy dose of suspicion, as I push past him to grab a cold glass of water. I ran more thanmy usual five miles this morning, needing to push my body to rid myself of this restless energy that’s plagued me since I left Charlie’s house yesterday. I turn on the tap and hold my glass under the stream, then guzzle the whole thing down before filling it once more.
“You didn’t tell me you were so cozy with the ’50s pin-up that owns this place. You also failed to mention that she’s curvy, and so damn sweet. She’s got these exotic eyes that suck you in, and the most extraordinary hair I’ve ever seen. Seems just like the type of woman you’d go for. I wonder if that could be the reason you kept her all to yourself?”
I lean against the counter and rest my empty drink on my thigh while I focus on getting my breathing under control.
