The guys laughed, and Chuck pulled off his gloves and stepped over a couple of sheets of plywood to approach me. “I’ll handle lunch. But why are you taking off, and please tell me you’re having that hunk of junk fixed.”
“Better than that, I’m trading it in.”
Tommy looked up from the stack of two-by-fours. “You’re getting rid of your truck? Why? That’s a classic.”
“Because I’m tired of it making me late, and it’s about time I got something new.”
“Can I buy it?” Tommy asked. “I don’t have a truck, and I could fix it up.”
“I would feel too bad taking any money for it, Tommy. It needs a lot of work.”
“Work I can do myself. I’ve always loved the old thing. I’ll give you five hundred for it. Cash. Right now.”
“You won’t get that much for a trade-in,” said Chuck. “The kid could use his own ride. He walks to work.”
“I live right across the street, so I probably still will, but then at least I could take my girl out in something other than my dad’s truck. Please? I’ll give you six. Today.”
“I never knew you liked it so much.” I still felt weird taking his money. He’d worked hard for it, and the truck had been left to me. “I tell you what. You can have it, but I’m not going to take any money.”
“What?” He and Chuck sounded like a chorus of frogs as they croaked out in surprise.
“You’re giving it to him?”
“Yes. But only if you promise me that you’ll keep it on the road. It will be like seeing the old man driving around again.”
“I feel bad taking it.”
“I want you to have it. You’re a good friend, and you deserve it. But I’ll need a ride to the car lot.”
Chuck looked back and forth between us. “It’s a slow day. If you promise to hurry back, kid, I’ll let you go now.”
“That’s perfect.” I was ready to go buy my new car, but I had no idea what I wanted.
“This is the best day ever!” shouted Tommy, who pumped his fist in the air and then picked me up in a spinning hug. “I could kiss you if you wouldn’t slap me silly.”
“I’d probably slap you silly.”
“I’m going to kiss you anyway!” He gave me a quick peck and then put me down. “I can’t wait to get started working on it.”
I wiped my mouth. “Come on, you little fiend. Let’s get me to the car lot before I change my mind.” I gave Chuck a wink, and then Tommy and I walked outside and got in the truck. It was hard to believe that soon, I’d have a set of new wheels, and Tommy would have him a new truck too.
After thanking me profusely the whole way there, Tommy took me to the nearest car lot on the edge of town. “I could wait with you if you want.”
“It’s okay. Chuck is going to need you back at the yard. And I think I already know what I want.” It was between a new midnight-blue Camaro or a black Mustang.
“Go with the Mustang. You won’t be sorry.”
I laughed. “Get to work.”
He finally left me alone, and I went to talk things over with the dealer, who I’d gone to school with. After much deliberation, I decided to take Tommy’s advice, and only because my dad’s old truck had lasted a long time, and I’d had good luck with Fords.
Driving back into Camden was nerve wracking, especially since I was so afraid my maiden drive in my brand-new car would end in disaster. I kept telling myself I deserved the new car and that there was not anyone who would judge me. Well, maybe a few. But fuck them. Even the dashboard was the prettiest thing I’d ever seen, and I couldn’t stop smiling every time I glanced over at the leather seats. The smell was like heaven.
But most importantly, now that I’d taken one big step, there was enough time left in the day to take another one. I had to go see Greyson and try to talk things out. I only hoped I’d find him alone.
I drove across town and to Lincoln Street, where I turned into the drive and smiled when he walked out on the porch with a puzzled look on his face.
His jaw really dropped when I stepped out of the car. “Sage?”
My heart ached, hearing him say my name and seeing him face to face. “I just picked it up. Thought I’d come by and show you.”
“Gorgeous. And the car’s beautiful too.” He gave me a friendly smile and walked over to give it a once-over. “You get it financed today?” He scratched his head.
“I paid cash.”
“Oh.” He nodded. “Good, I was going to say, I could have financed you no interest.”
There he went, assuming that he was the only one with money and that I needed his help. But I didn’t want to get into it again. It wasn’t his fault for assuming. Hell, even my best friend had. “We need to talk.”
“I was just about to have lunch.”
“Where?”
“Here. I’m cooking.”
“I like it when you cook.” I had always preferred it to eating out.
“Won’t you come in?” He turned and pushed his door open and then waited for me to agree. I followed him in, and when I went to the table, there was a bowl of tumbled crystal in the middle of the table with a tiny trio of succulents. One of the stones was my tiny rose quartz.
“Nice centerpiece.”
“Thanks.” He went to the stove and turned on the heat, and while he cooked, I sat quietly, staring at the stones which were all colorful agates and jaspers, polished to a fine shine.
A few minutes later, he presented me with French toast and a glass of juice. “I’m a little limited on groceries. I hope you don’t mind. I’ve kind of grown used to breakfast all day.”
“So, how have you been?” I didn’t mean his eating habits. I cut into my toast and took a bite.
“Do you want the awkward truth, or is this where we pretend to be strong and happy?”
His tone was a bit harsh, and I couldn’t blame him. I probably should have called. “Greyson, I know it’s been hard, and I’m sorry.”
“I don’t want to hear that you’re sorry, baby. I want to hear that it’s been fucking miserable for you too.” He sat back in his chair, cut a piece of his toast, and then dropped his fork to his plate.
I searched his eyes. “It’s been fucking miserable for me too. And I’m sorry that I threw my rock at you.”
He shrugged. “I carried it around in my pocket for days and decided I was going to lose it if I didn’t find a place to put it. So I went to one of those metaphysical shops and found these.”
“They’re lovely.” I cut another piece and brought it to my mouth. He went about getting a bite and then let out a long breath.
“Yeah, well, what’s crazier is for some reason, the little pink rock seemed—”
“Lonely?”
He nodded. “Yes, but that’s weird right?”
“Actually, no. I’ve always felt that way.” We really must be two of a kind.
“I’m sorry that I bought you that building. I can put it on the market and get rid of it. I won’t need it anyway if I’m back in New York.”
It took a minute for his words to sink in. “Back in New York? You’re leaving?” I instantly felt lightheaded as my heart raced, and I had to blink away the black spots from my eyes.
He cleared his throat. “Unless you give me a reason to stay, yes. I’ve built my boat and found and lost my soul mate, so I don’t know what to do. Perhaps I never belonged here. I’ll keep it as a summer home or sell it. I don’t know.”
My heart was going to crumble in two if we didn’t work this out. “I’m not lost, Greyson. I’m just confused. And I wasn’t angry as much as I was hurt. You should have asked me about the building. You should have waited until I was ready like you said you would.”
“I don’t understand what has to be so confusing,” he said. “I just wanted to help out. Everyone else just lets me help and doesn’t make a fuss.”
“They’re all fine with taking your money. You just don’t get it. You’ve probably never had anyone push expensive shit on you.”
He suddenly let loose a laugh that was so lighthearted it brought a smile to my face. “You have met my friend, Eric De-Fucking-Vant, have you not? He bought me a car for my sixteenth birthday. Who does that?”
Eric was a billionaire, and I realized he’d probably gifted Greyson many things over the years. But that wasn’t the point. It was time to tell him.
“Greyson, my dad used to bitch daily about my gold-digging mother. He turned against her and told the entire town she was a witch and a money-grubbing whore.”
“That’s horrible. I’d never think that way about you.”
“Well, that’s good. Because when I say I don’t need your money, it’s because I don’t need your money. I just need you.”
“Baby, you have me. You always did.” He reached out, and I moved into his lap as he took me into his arms. “But it’s just money, Sage. It’s only nickels, dimes, and dollars. I give more of it away than I spend. And I’m not making light of it or throwing it around, but it means nothing to me like you do.” He planted a soft kiss on my cheek.
“I’ve got money. That’s what I’m trying to tell you. My father left me a ton of it. More than I’ll ever need as it is. And funny enough, I haven’t spent hardly any of it until today. The only thing I’d allow is bills when times got tough, or to keep the house, and pay taxes and charities. But never for anything I wanted. Until today.”
“What changed today?”
“I realized that my dad’s gone. His truck got sick and died just like he did. And Lissa had a talk with me. I know it’s time I change my perspective a little and start living life instead of trying to stay buried in that house for the rest of my life. I guess I’ve been that little girl, burning sage and looking at healing stones long enough.”
“So, what do you want to do now?” He cut a piece of his toast and fed it to me before I could answer.
“I don’t know long term.” I chewed and swallowed. “I know I don’t want my art to become work. It means a lot to me. I don’t want to do it so much that it sucks to get out of bed every morning and go to that warehouse. But I know for sure that I’m tired of fighting.” I reached over and pulled my plate closer.
“Me too.” As I brought my fork toward my mouth, he opened his. So I fed him the bite.
“You know, I stepped out of my comfort zone today when I bought that car, but man, I love taking hold of that wheel. It’s so powerful. I think I could do other things too.”
He swallowed the bite and smiled. “We could do anything you want. And I love your car. I mean, it’s not red or a convertible, but you’re still the hottest thing breathing behind the wheel.”
“You still know how to say all the right things.”
“Do you want to make this work?”
“Yes, but there is something I want to do first.”
“Name it. I’d do anything for you, Sage.”
I hoped he really wanted me and everything that came with me. “Come by my house later for dinner?”
“Your place? Sure. I love your place.” He put down his fork and then planted a big kiss on my lips. Then he reached out and handed me the tiny pink quartz. “Here, you should take it home.”
“I want you to keep it. It stands out with the others. A little different, but mostly the same. Just like me, I suppose.”
He laughed. “No. Just like us.”
37
Greyson
Having Sage show up at my house was more than I could hope for, but I had to admit, it just didn’t feel real with her arriving in that black Mustang like some kind of fantasy girl.
Even though I knew that we were on the mend, I still felt like I had a long way to go before making her mine. So, whatever she wanted to do, I was going to let her take the wheel.
It would disappoint me if she didn’t take my offer, but I could understand her not wanting to make a job out of something she loved. It was just like me and the boat business.
I was all set to leave when Mr. Abbot came over to see me. “How’s it going?” he called to me as I opened my car door.
“Pretty good. How are you?” The man seemed a lot nicer than he had times before.
“The paint job looks good.” He gestured to the house. “I like the gray.”
“Thank you. It was always my intended color.” I didn’t want him to think he had any bearing on my decision.
“Well, I came to tell you that your item on the agenda passed. You missed the meeting.”
“My item? I didn’t have anything on an agenda.”
“Oh, my wife took care of it for you. Thanks to you and your house, I’ve been looking at yellow paint for weeks.”
“She’s still set on buttercup yellow?” I thought yellow houses were nice.
“Yes, and there’s very little to deter her once she makes up her mind.” He gave me a look like I should know what he meant, and it made me think of Sage.
I knew I’d give her any color house she wanted, as long as she’d live in it with me. “Well, what does it hurt if it makes her happy?”
Mr. Abbot let out a long sigh. “I guess you’ve got me there. She does seem to have a lot more energy since she got on this mission. Why come to think of it, she’s really not been this excited about something since we built the house.”
“That’s good.” Maybe that’s all the man needed to be happy too. Happy wife, happy life. Maybe it was all true.
“I came to ask who those boys were that finished your job. I don’t want to dick around with Dodd and get taken.”
“Sounds like you’re already making a wise choice. I’ll have Tommy come by and give you a quote if you like.”
He seemed surprised, as if I might not share my connections. “I would. Maybe we won’t end up with orange sherbet or some other god-awful shit color.”
“Well, I hope it works out for you.” I looked at my phone. I needed to get to her house on time.
“Thanks. How come I haven’t seen that little girl from the lumberyard down here? Don’t tell me you already ran her off. She’s a nice girl.”
“Yeah, and no, I didn’t run her off. I’m actually on my way to see her. We’re having dinner.” And she thought that no one liked her, while Mr. Abbot seemed to.
“That’s nice. You tell her I said hi.” The man walked away, and I felt a certain satisfaction, as if I’d finally been accepted.
I hurried to get into the car before Christian came over to talk to me too. The last thing I needed was to be late for dinner with things on the mend.
I drove over to her house and parked behind her new car, still surprised she’d given Tommy her truck and shocked that she’d gone off and bought such a hot car. I went to the door, and when I knocked, she yelled for me to come in. She stood in the kitchen bent over to see inside the oven. “I’m waiting for the timer.”
She came up, her hair gently brushing her shoulders in long red curls that must have taken her some time.
“It smells delicious.” Whatever she had baking had a savory aroma that made my mouth water. I hadn’t eaten much at lunch. “What are we having?”
“It’s lasagna. I wish I could take all the credit, but it’s frozen. The salad is fresh, though.” She turned around as I walked into the room and stepped into my arms.
“I’m sure it will be delicious.” I didn’t mind what we ate, as long as I had it with her.
“Thanks. One day, I’ll make you a big pan from scratch. If you’ll keep me around.” She stepped up on her tiptoes and kissed me.
All too soon, she pulled away. “I don’t want you to go anywhere,” I said, pulling her back close to me. I let my hands roam her body and cupped her ass as I kissed her.
Things got a little out of control, and soon, I had walked her back to the counter beside the stove and then lifted her up against me so that her bottom rested on the counter. “I’m going to burn dinner,” she said with a giggle.
I stared deep into her eyes and brushed my thumb across her cheek. It had been too long since I’d be
en able to kiss her anytime I wanted, too long that I’d waited in lonely silence to see if she was going to let me back into her life. “Don’t stay away so long next time, okay?”
“Let’s skip next time. It wasn’t pleasant for me either.” Her hands were cool on my face.
“Are we all good? Do we finally have everything worked out?”
She gave a nod, her head barely moving as her chest rose with a deep breath. She took my hand and looked deep into my eyes. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about my money. But the truth is, no one knew.”
“Hey, you don’t have to go around telling anyone. In fact, for a young woman living alone, I think you did the smart thing. And never apologize for having money.”
“It’s always felt like dirty money, you know? Like my father hid it from me all of those years as if I wanted to take it too. I remember always feeling horrible when I needed or wanted something. I remember when I went to prom, I worked my ass off for enough money to buy a dress when my father could have bought me one.”
“But you probably learned more about the value of a dollar in the process. Maybe that’s all he wanted. For you to not be the kind of woman who was that way.”
“I guess. So, you’re not planning on leaving town, are you?”
“Not as long as you’re with me. That was my escape plan. I was really hoping I wouldn’t have to move back because I’d rather be here with you than anywhere else.” I brushed one of her long curls away from her face and kissed her soft lips. The kiss was hot and lingering, until the oven timer went off. I stepped back from the counter and then found the oven mitts she’d left on the other side of the counter as she hopped down.
“I can get that.”
“I know, but I want to help. And if you want me around, you have to let me help you at times.”
“With things like hot food handling and making my pulse race? Okay.”
“No, with everything.”
“But I don’t need your—”
“I know. But I need to give it. So please, just entertain me? Who knows? You might learn to love it.” I pulled the lasagna out of the oven and placed it on top. “What I want to know is, what’s your next big purchase?”
Caught Up In Love Page 22
