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But Easton was right back then, and sadly, he’s probably smart to walk away from a fight we don’t need to have now.

I do have shitty taste in men, and it’s only been more apparent to me since that fateful prom night when he made me face my reality.

The first time I suffered the consequences of my choice in boyfriends was in eighth grade when my boyfriend at the time, Zane, dumped me because I wouldn’t give him his first blow job. Two days later, he found a new girlfriend who would.

Next, during my freshman year, Cory only dated me so he could feel my boobs. Once he won that bet, he dumped me.

Sophomore year I stayed single on purpose, until this new kid, Kaden, moved to town. He was all into music and even wrote me a song. I went to third base with him, and then once summer started, he broke up with me so he wasn’t “tied down.”

And then senior year, I fell hard and fast for Justin Gold, the quarterback of the football team. Cliché, yes, I know. But I was in love, or so I thought. Two days after we had sex, he dumped me and told everyone on the football team he took my V-card.

It was the hardest few weeks of my life.

And then when I gave Justin a second chance so I didn’t go to prom alone, it only solidified that I was wrong to let him back in because it ended up costing me one of my best friends. And then Justin ended up dumping me later that night when I wouldn’t sleep with him, saying I “wasn’t worth the trouble.”

Yup. I picked the wrong guy.

I just didn’t think my best friend would be the one to tell me that straight to my face.

That conversation changed everything between us, and since then, our friendship has fizzled, only reignited when he showed up after my dad’s heart attack.

I ruined it that time, though, and after tonight, I’m not sure if we’ll ever get back to a place where we could be real friends again.

There’s too much history, too much truth lurking under the surface.

When you know someone as well as we know each other, looking into the other person’s eyes can be like looking into a mirror.

I’m just not happy with the reflection staring back at me at the moment.

Little did I know that just a few months later, Easton would offer to help me in my time of need.

And I’d be stupid enough to accept it.

Chapter 5

Easton

It Pays to be a Family Man

Present Day

“Good morning, gentlemen.” Donovan, my boss, greets the fifty or so men standing around him just as the sun crests the sky in Knoxville. “We have a busy week ahead, so I won’t waste too much time with this week’s safety meeting.” He glances down at his clipboard and then back up. “Two of our jobs in Nashville wrapped up last week, and a new one is starting in Garnet Valley next week.” My ears perk up at the mention of my hometown, but since I usually request to be sent elsewhere, he probably won’t put me on that crew.

“We also have a few crews that will need to travel to Florida to help with storm recovery.”

Jake, the coworker I’m closest to, bumps against my shoulder with his. “Ready to party it up in Florida, man?”

I shake my head. “Actually, I’m hoping Donovan will put me on that Garnet Valley job.”

Jake nods. “Makes sense…but you and I both know he counts on us for storm recovery.”

I tip my head in agreement as Donovan keeps talking.

“OSHA certifications are up for renewal this week for a few of you as well, so you’ll be parked until that training is completed.” Groans ring out among the group of guys as our boss glances down at his clipboard once more and then nods. “Okay, I think that’s it. Standby for your assignments. In the meantime, this would be the best time to do inspections on your trucks and restock your materials.”

Moving quickly, I rush toward my boss, matching his step as I walk with him back to the main office. “Donovan.”

He glances over at me. “Hey, Easton. How’s it going?”