“We have a major project starting Monday.” Luke had never seen Keaton this worked up over a project. He wondered if something had happened between him and his dad because that was about the only time he got like this.
“I know.”
“The biggest contract we’ve landed.”
“So you’ve told all of us about a million times.” While he understood where Keaton was coming from, what Luke did on his own time was no one’s business but his own. And it wasn’t as if he were begging off work to help Noah. This was something he’d fit in after normal working hours, even if those working hours were long and painful.
“And you’re still going to help him, aren’t you?” Keaton drained half his pint in one long gulp. It was a good thing he’d told Jules to bring the next round when they came back.
Luke met his friend’s gaze steadily. “You didn’t see his kid’s face, Keaton. Or how Noah looks at that house like it’s both his biggest dream and worst nightmare. They deserve better than what some asshole house flipper left them with.”
Jules returned with fresh beers, and both men fell silent. Once they were alone again, Keaton sighed. “You’re going to do this whether I think it’s a good idea or not, aren’t you?”
“Pretty much.” Luke offered a slight smile. “But I was hoping you might help. Not with the labor—I know you’re swamped. Maybe access to our suppliers? Better rates on materials? I don’t know for certain what’s going on, but his kid deserves a place without a furnace that sounds like monsters or Super Soaker leaks in the kitchen.”
“And what happens when you fall for him?”
Luke snorted at the absurdity of Keaton’s suggestion. He wasnotgoing to fall for him. Too bad we weren’t talking about this where Sam could hear. She’d find the idea of him falling hopelessly in love as ludicrous as he did. It seemed like she was the only person in town who understood his reluctance to tie himself to anyone.
“This isn’t one of your anonymous hookups. He’s straight. And I know you think you’re immune to feelings, but someday, you’re going to get knocked on your ass when love sneaks up on you.”
“I’m not—” Luke stopped, frustrated. “It’s not like that. He’s straight, has a kid, and probably doesn’t remember anything about me beyond being Megan and Rachel’s annoying little brother.”
“Right.” Keaton took a long drink. “Because you’ve always been so good at keeping things casual, which means it’s impossible for you to experience shit like emotional attachment.”
The words hit closer to home than Luke wanted to admit. “Exactly.”
“Yeah, I call bullshit.” Keaton’s expression softened. “Look, you know I’ll help however I can. Just…be careful, okay? Not everyone sees the world like you do.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means you see the best in everything—houses, people, situations. It’s what makes you great at what you do. But sometimes…” Keaton paused as Jules arrived with their food. “Sometimes you can be blind to what’s happening close to you. In this case, it sounds like his kid is close to a bad case of hero worship already. What happens when your resolve fractures and shit gets weird between the two of you?”
Luke watched Jules smile at Keaton before heading to their next table. “Again, not going to happen.”
They ate in uncomfortable silence, the conversations around them creating a familiar backdrop. Finally, Keaton set down his burger.
“Use the company account for materials,” he said. “But I want detailed records of everything so Finn can keep the accounts organized. You know how he’ll be if an invoice comes in he can’t attach it to a job. And if it interferes with the Tillerman project?—”
“It won’t.” Luke grinned. “Thanks, boss.”
“Don’t call me that.” Keaton flagged Jules down for another round. “And, Luke? If this goes sideways…”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever.” Luke waved away his friend’s concern. He watched as Jules scribbled something on Keaton’s receipt that made his friend’s ears turn pink again. He quickly pulled out his credit card to pay, despite what he’d said earlier. Luke was dying to know what was on the back of the receipt. “Maybe I’m not the only one who needs to be careful.”
Keaton stuffed the receipt in his pocket, but not before Luke caught a glimpse of a phone number. “Eat your burger before it gets cold.”
Later, as they headed to their cars, Keaton caught Luke’s arm. “The house—it’s really worth saving?”
Luke thought of Eli’s excitement, of Noah’s quiet determination, of all the stories waiting to be uncovered within those walls. “Yeah,” he said softly. “It really is.”
“Then make it count.” Keaton’s expression was unreadable in the parking lot’s dim light. “Just remember—some things can’t be fixed with tools and good intentions.”
Luke watched his friend drive away, Keaton’s words settling like sawdust in his chest. He was right, of course. Some things couldn’t be fixed.
But as Luke thought about Noah’s almost smile, about Eli’s colorful disaster map, about all the possibilities waiting in the old house…he couldn’t help but think that maybe, just maybe, some things were worth the risk of trying.
CHAPTER FIVE
