Cole
Holly’s car is still parked in the brewery parking lot, and I’m beyond confused as I park the truck and we both get out. Part of me wants to invite her back up to my apartment and into my bed. Maybe even hang out and watch a movie or something.
And it’s the last part that scares the shit out of me.
For seven years, I’ve built up this protective wall around my heart. Around my feelings. It’s easy to screw some random woman and take care of my physical needs—hers too, of course—but it’s totally different to hang out with the woman outside of sex. When did I cross that line?
Was it because of Cherrybomb, or was it Holly?
The scared shitless part of me wins out.
“Thanks again for setting up Jane’s computer,” I say, knowing how lame it sounds. “She’s going to be thrilled.”
Her forehead furrows for a moment, then a smirk lights up her face as she takes a backward step toward her car. “Yeah. Sure. I’ll let you know what I find out about this Deacon character.”
“Thanks.”
We stare at each other for a long moment. Then she lifts her hand into a salute before she turns and walks away.
I stand there like an idiot, fighting with the irrational part of me that wants to stop her and invite her upstairs so we can spend more time together, but the sensible part wins out.
She gets in her car and drives away, yet I keep standing here, watching her like an idiot. I should be relieved that she looked completely fine leaving…right? Who the hell needs a clingy woman?
But the thought of spending the rest of the evening alone in my apartment feels too damn depressing, especially after that jackwipe Deacon showed up again, still wanting to buy the brewery. His offer was slightly higher, but he had a harder edge in his eyes this time. And his message seemed more doom and gloom.We never know how much time we have left in this world—you of all people should know that after what happened to your wife—and don’t you want to give all your time and attention to your daughter instead of a business, which is incapable of loving you back? I nearly kicked him out on his ass for bringing up Millie so casually, but instead I turned and walked away.
Still, I have to admit that some of his words slid under my skin.
Then, of course, there’s the Labelle’s threat looming over me, which in my quieter moments, scares the hell out of me. They have more money, more power. The attorneys I consulted told me it was doubtful they could win full custody of Jane, but they couldn’t guarantee it was impossible.
It was hard enough losing Millie. I’m not sure I could survive losing Jane.
Being alone with my thoughts is making me anxious, so I text Logan and invite him over to play video games. He texts back that he’ll be over in twenty minutes.
As soon as I walk into my place, I see the disaster that’s waiting in the kitchen. Heaving a sigh, I get to work, starting on the floor.
Fifteen minutes later, my back door opens, but I don’t look up.
“What the hell happened here?” Logan asks, sounding stunned. Not that I blame him. It still looks like a flour bomb exploded.
“Don’t ask.” I’m currently on my hands and knees trying to sweep up the mess with a hand broom, but some of the flour is stuck in the cracks of the wood flooring.
“Seriously,” he says in amazement. “It’s like a bomb went off in your kitchen. Did you set a bag of flour on your counter and use it for target practice?” He laughs. “Because that was a seriously dumb idea.”
At least he isn’t sulking like he was the last time I saw him.
“That’s not what happened,” I grunt, “and if you’re going to keep giving me shit, you can walk right back out the door.”
“Touchy,” he says, still amused. He slips off his coat and drops it on the back of a kitchen chair, then he does a double take. “Hey, where’d the computer come from?”
“It’s for Jane,” I say, evading the question. “She’s really into that coding shit and wants to do it at home.”
“Funny,” he says with a grin. “That’s not what I asked.” He touches his nose, then points his finger at me. “I’ve known you for thirty-four years, man. I can tell when you’re trying to get out of answering a question.”
“Fine.” I rise upright, still on my knees, and look him dead in the eye. “Holly Mayberry built Jane a computer.”
He does a double take, his jaw hanging open. “Wait. HollyMayberry?”
Irritation pulses through me. “Isn’t that what I just said?”
