Chapter One
Gideon
September
"Gideon Kohl, architect extraordinaire," I said as I took the sharp curve out of the glass tower of my penthouse apartment.
"It's Gabriel," my brother said. In the background, I heard a gruff voice yell something about a speed bag. "Are you nearby? I'm at the gym meeting some new fighters. I need to talk to you about the South End project."
The South End project was a grant created by my brother, Mr. Mixed Martial Arts, Gabriel Kohl. The intent behind it was to fix up the shitty neighborhood he and I grew up in and make it safe again. I was working as the project architect with my friend Becca Draven, who was managing the project.
"I'm almost to City Hall," I said. "Can this wait?"
"No, the Mayor called."
Shit,I thought.He was supposed to keep his mouth shut.
"I thought you were only staying on the project until you completed your licensing hours," Gabriel said. "He told me you're still showing up there at least once a day."
"I don't see what the big deal is. I'm working pro bono and he knows that."
"I don't know, Gideon. He said something about insurance. I'm too busy to get involved with this crap. If you're done with your hours, then you don't need to be there anymore."
"Becca is shorthanded. I'm helping her out."
Gabriel laughed. "Is that what this is about? Let me guess, you love her and can't live without her. I've heard this way too many times before."
"Gimme a break, we're just friends. That's all. You know I've got my sights set on Cassie. Any day now she'll get tired of your old ass and upgrade to the newer model," I joked.
"Keep your eyes off my wife," he said.
"It's not my eyes you should be worried about."
"I've told you, Gideon, she's off limits. I'm not joking. You know I can still kick your ass."
"Okay, okay. Jeez, lighten up! I was just kidding."
"Back to Becca," Gabriel said. "She doesn't need your help. Maybe you should think about why you're still going to City Hall every day."
"We're friends, bro, nothing more."
"I don't know. I know you, Gideon. I don't think you can really be friends with a woman."
"What makes you say that?" I asked.
"Because we're men. Say what you want, but eventually the sex always gets in the way."
He hung up before I could argue. He didn't know what he was talking about. Becca and I had been great friends for a while now. Nothing would change that.
I pulled into the small parking lot behind City Hall and found a spot next to Becca's red pickup truck. I pushed my sunglasses up the bridge of my nose to shield my eyes from the bright sky as I stepped out of my car. As I glanced at the wide brick building in front of me, I couldn't help but grimace. It was one of those places where people groaned when they talked about going to work, and I definitely saw why.
City Hall was located downtown in Canyon Cove. It was an old brick building with a tall clock tower in the center. Surrounding City Hall were tall skyscrapers that would lead some people to believe they were in a big city, but it really wasn't. Canyon Cove was large in terms of size, but most people who lived there were connected to each other somehow.
The stench of stale coffee struck me as I entered through the side door. Above, the fluorescent lights buzzed as they reflected off the pale green floors. The building reminded me of the hospital my mother was admitted to before she left us. It was part of the past that I wanted to forget.
I pushed away the memory as I entered the office I shared with Becca. She was the only reason I tolerated this place. I didn't have to show up anymore, but I looked forward to spending the day with her.
Becca's light brown hair was pulled back into the same sleek ponytail she wore every day in the office. Each strand of her hair was carefully in place. Even her bangs, which grazed the top of her eyebrows, knew where and how they should lay.
