by Vivian Lux
"I told you," Finn said with a know-it-all grin.
"Your family vacationed here when you were a kid?"
"All the time. I told you," Finn said. "We'd get the same house every time too, so that it felt just like a second home." He tapped his finger on the steering wheel. "I sort of figured it'd feel like that again once we moved here but..."
"But we've been a little preoccupied," I said, finishing his sentence.
He nodded, still tapping his finger. "But I promised you. This'd be a good place for you to make a fresh start."
The image of Bee, naked and writhing underneath me suddenly popped into my brain. "Yeah, uh, I'd say you made good on that promise."
Finn turned his head sharply. "You mean that?"
"Hey fucker, eyes on the road!" I hissed.
"Sorry." He jerked the wheel back over and we lazily drifted back into our lane. "But seriously. You think I made good?"
This time it was my turn to tap my fingers on the dash. A strange wash of guilt flooded through me and I glanced at him, feeling slightly chagrined. "Have I not said that aloud?"
Finn chuckled. "Not exactly, no."
"Well, shit."
"I just want to help, dude." There was a plaintive note in his voice that I rarely heard. Finn wasn't one to make himself vulnerable.
I swallowed and took a deep breath. "Well, you did," I said, haltingly. My voice cracked, the way it always did when I tried to say something more significant than casual insults. "I was in a pretty bad fucking place."
"I know."
"And you took me to..." I spread my hands to take in the beauty of our surroundings... and the restaurant we were opening, and the woman we were... sharing. "A pretty fucking good place."
Finn shot a glance at me, his mouth twisted oddly. Then he nodded once, seeming to try to find words and then failing. When he finally did speak, his voice was rougher than normal.
"Well good," he said gruffly.
Then he turned right, sending us bouncing along a dirt road, clouds of dust falling like a curtain over our car, obscuring the view so that for a moment we were driving completely blind.
But when he parked, the curtain of dust gradually settled to reveal the slopes of winery surrounding us.
The vineyard clung to the side of the mountain, with the vines marching down the side in orderly rows of red and green. The air was warm and heavy with the smell of grapes. There was no sound other than the sigh of the wind and the occasional faint buzz of the bees.
I leaned forward. "Oh, now this is pretty as fuck," I commented.
Finn leaned forward, grinning. "You always were an eloquent motherfucker," he teased with a grin. "But you're right. It really is pretty as fuck."
"We should bring Bee here," I blurted. "She'd like it."
"You think?"
"Yeah," I said with a shrug. "She needs to relax more, and it's pretty relaxing here."
Finn nodded slowly. "Pack a lunch and come up?"
"Absolutely. But let me do the packing. Your picnic lunches are pathetic."
"What? I like peanut butter and jelly."
"Right. You have the palate of a child."
"God you're an asshole," Finn sighed. "Fine. You pack the lunch. But we we're here on business right now."
"I'm really fucking sick of business," I complained. I looked out across the vineyard to the view that swept around us. Not having Bee here right now felt very, very wrong.
I missed her. I wanted her to share this with me.
With us.
"This way," Finn said, interrupting my thoughts. "We are looking for Mike."
I nodded, feeling the sun on my shoulders. It had been ages since I'd been out of the restaurant, out in nature again. I never was one for the countryside. But this was my home now, and it was feeling like it more and more every day.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Bee
Although I was driving as slowly as I possibly could, Malcolm still whimpered when I hit the bump.
"Shh," Charlie soothed, rocking her son gently back and forth on the floor of my delivery van. "It's okay, baby. Mama's got you. Mama's got you."
"My sweet little boy," Charlie's mother cooed from the passenger seat. Her hands fluttered to her purse to close around her pack of cigarettes, but when she caught me looking at her, she slid them back in again. "I don't know how he did it," she repeated. She'd been saying the same refrain since we'd pulled up to the town park and collected her and her grandson. "He just climbed up to the top, just as quick as you please. I ain't never seen him move so fast before."
I pressed my lips together. Charlie wasn't blaming her mother, so I tried not to either. Instead, I pressed the accelerator just a bit faster. The hospital was on the outskirts of town, and it seemed like it was taking forever to get there.
Malcolm whimpered again, and I heard Charlie kissing him. "Shh, baby," she murmured.
"Charlotte Grace, don't you let that baby fall asleep now," her mother barked. She twisted around. "Pinch him."
"Mom!" Charlie gasped, snatching him away.
"You can't let him fall asleep, baby. Not if he has a concussion."
Malcolm whimpered. "There's my handsome man," Charlie cooed, and I glanced down to see that his eyes were at least open, if a little glazed.
"I'm gonna lose my job," Charlie whispered to herself. But when I glanced in my rearview mirror, I saw her brushing her son's hair back from the swollen bruise on his forehead, and holding him tight.
"It'll work out," Charlie's mom declared. "I'm sure your boss'll understand it. You being a mom and all."
Charlie said nothing. I glanced down again to see her staring angrily at a fixed point on the floor. I had a feeling that this was a frequent topic of conversation between the two of them.
"How's the little guy looking?" I asked, tapping my fingers on the steering wheel. "I'm sorry, these tourists, they think the rest of the world's on vacation too."
The crush of Main Street visitors in midday was something I was completely unused to. I was used to rolling through the deserted pre-dawn streets, the traffic lights still set to blinking yellow.
"He's doing just fine," Charlie murmured, kissing her son's hand. "He's a big, strong, brave boy and Mama loves him so much."
Malcolm let out a small, whimpering cry at that, and my heart squeezed tightly in my chest. "There it is," I said with relief when I saw the big, sprawling 60s style building up ahead. "We're at the hospital."
"Oh, my poor nerves," Charlie's mom mumbled, and reached for her cigarette pack again.
I didn't even bother trying to find a place to park. I pulled right up into the loop where the ambulances sat waiting, wedging my bakery delivery van in between them like it belonged there.
Then I hurried inside to the front desk. "My friend's son fell at the playground," I told the nurse behind the desk. "He's bruised up and pretty groggy."
I looked behind me and saw Charlie's mom enter first, then stop to press her hand to her heart. Charlie sidestepped her, carrying Malcolm in, his head resting on her shoulder. "Charlie, don't let him fall asleep," I called out.
Immediately, she started touching his face, and tugging on his ears. "Wake up, little man," she told him, the tension pouring out of her voice. "Come on little guy, wake up for Mama please."
"You can go right back," the nurse said, rising up. "If it's a concussion, we need to treat now. Are you the mother?" she asked Charlie. Charlie nodded, biting her lip.
"And I'm her mother," Charlie's mom declared, putting her hand on Charlie's shoulder. Even from several feet away I could still see how badly it was shaking.
"You can both follow me then," the nurse said. Both women nodded and started to head to the double doors.
But once she reached it, Charlie paused and looked back at me. I quickly turned around, grabbing at slip of paper from a notepad at the reception desk and jotting down my number. "Call me," I said, reaching out and handing her the piece of paper. "Let me know how he
is. I'll take you home. Whatever you need, okay?"
Charlie stood frozen for a moment, her lower lip wobbling slightly. Then all at once she threw her arm around my back and hugged me tight.
I squeezed her, and then brushed my hand on Malcolm's back, feeling strangely grateful for some reason.
Then I let her go so that she could go back and be with her son.
The drive back to the bakery was strange one. Worry for that sweet little boy ate away at my stomach, but at the same time there was a weird pride twisting in my stomach.
You need someone to look out for you, Zach's voice piped up in my head. I suddenly realized just how long it had been since the last time I heard it.
Not since I'd met Finn and Jackson.
"No I don't," I reminded it. "And what's more, I can help people."
The thought made me smile.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Finn
We stood on the sidewalk outside of the restaurant, neither one of us knowing what to do next.
Instead of the fight we were expecting, Mike had greeted us warmly and invited us to watch him pack the delivery truck. We'd taken notes on what was coming, even opened a few of the cases to take photos of the bottle count with our phones.
All of the wines we'd ordered were packed and ready to be driven over right now. Mike had let us climb into the truck ourselves and double-check that he wasn't screwing us, then closed it up and locked it tight before following behind us back to the restaurant.
But we'd driven fast to get here first.
"So here it is," Jackson mused, staring at the handwritten list we'd made up at the vineyard. "I'm folding it up and putting it in my pocket right now, okay?"
I nodded and clenched my fists, looking into the restaurant.
Mike wasn't screwing us.
Which meant someone else was.
"Do we confront him?" Jackson asked.
I stopped pacing for a second to consider.
But I had no plan.
Not yet.
Kyle's silhouette passed across the window then paused. I clenched my fist and started to move, "I'm gonna fucking break his..."
"Hey!" Jackson grabbed me by the arm and spun me around. "We're not absolutely sure yet."
"I'm pretty fucking sure," I reminded him.
He grimaced. "I know. Me too. But we can't risk fucking everything over for just a hunch."
"So what are we supposed to do, just go ask him?" I hissed. I was pissed off, livid actually. At Kyle, at the situation.
But more than that, I was angry at myself.
"I don't know yet."
I paced in a tight circle. Kyle's shadow darkened the window again, and now I was sure he was watching. Probably wondering why we hadn't come in yet after our unexpected errand.
"Dude, we have to do something, or he's gonna get spooked."
I glanced back up again. The sound of heavy wheels and a squeaky axle made me sigh with relief even before I saw Bee's van bouncing its way down the street.
Bee rolled up next to us and peered out, and some of my agitation gave way upon seeing her sweet face.
"What are you boys doing out here?" she called.
"Waiting for you!" Jackson called back with a grin.
"Nice line," I muttered.
"Better than you," Jackson hissed back.
So I shoulder checked him out of the way and went to her first.
She came to me with a smile, wrapping her arms around my neck and pulling me down for a long, deep kiss. I sighed against her mouth, pressing myself against her, pulling her small body as close to me as I possibly could. My hands traced the line of her curves, from the swell of her ripe, round ass, up the swaying curve of her back to cup her face. "I've missed you," I told her as I pulled away.
Jackson reached out and touched her face, and I stepped back, allowing the two of them to have their reunion, and if I was at all surprised by how okay I was with all of this, I was more surprised by how much I liked seeing my best friend so in love.
In love? Was that what this was?
I shook my head, trying to clear it. "I missed you too," Jackson told her, echoing my sentiment.
She chuckled, shaking her head in amusement. "It's only been a day, guys. Geez."
I shook my head. "Yeah, but it's been a pretty shitty day."
She looked up at me, curious. "What's going on?"
I looked over at Jackson, who shrugged. ""We are not a hundred percent sure yet, baby girl. But if it's true..."
"We're fucked," I finished.
At that, we heard the sound of wheels crunching on the pavement, and turned to see another truck rolling down our street. Jasper Hill Winery was painted on the side in swooping purple script. From the driver's seat, Mike lifted two fingers off the steering wheel in greeting.
"Here we go," I muttered, waving back to him. "Should we go in?"
"Nah man, let him get it checked in," Jackson reminded me. "That's the whole fucking point."
"You've got the list?" I asked again.
"Yes," Jackson sighed. "I told you. I have it right here." He patted his pants pocket.
Bee was watching us with curious eyes, but she didn't ask any more questions, which made me want to kiss her even more than I already did.
I took a deep breath and clenched my fists. "I'm too fucking jumpy to hang around here," I told her. "Let's do something else. Before I punch a hole in the wall or something."
"What do you have in mind?" she asked, with a cheeky grin.
I turned, and waggled my eyebrows at her suggestively. "I know what will help get my mind off my troubles," I said, squeezing her by the waist.
She laughed and batted me in the chest. "How about we go for a walk instead?" she said.
"Sounds boring," I complained.
But she'd already twined her fingers in mine. "Come on," she urged. "You know I've lived here for four months now, and I've barely noticed there's a fucking lake right here?"
I laughed. This girl was the best. I freaking loved her.
Loved.
Jackson was laughing too. "You know something? I said basically the same thing to Finn this morning. It's like we all woke up from a trance and noticed the giant body of water down here today."
"It's pretty nice," Bee agreed, taking his hand. The three of us started walking all linked together this way, out on the wide, empty sidewalk where anyone could see.
And I didn't mind at all.
"So what have you been up to?" I asked her, squeezing her hand and lifting it to my lips.
She lifted her head proudly. "Helping a friend," she declared, with a big, beautiful smile.
"That's awesome," I told her.
"In fact," she went on, musing. "I've been meaning to ask you guys about her. You think you could do me a favor?"
"Anything," I said, at the same time that Jackson said, "Whatever you want." I glared at him for interrupting.
"You guys are the best," she sighed, resting her head on my shoulder as we made our way down to the pebbly shoreline.
"I know," Jackson declared. I reached behind Bee's head to smack him in the shoulder. She laughed and ducked as he launched himself towards my waist, sending me staggering several steps backwards. "Hey!" she called. "Don't kill each other until I tell you what I need!"
"Sorry," Jackson grunted, stepping back and wiping his hands across the front of his shirt.
"I think you broke my rib," I complained, delving at a tender place in my side.
"Is this what I have to deal with from now on?" Bee complained, rolling her eyes heavenward.
A wide grin spread over my face. I looked at Jackson, who gave a quick nod. "Yup," I told her.
And then we both tackled her to the ground.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Jackson
There was no one else around, so I didn't feel the need to watch out. Holding Bee's hand, swinging my arms to make her laugh as she held on to Finn with her other hand...
Well it all felt perfectly fine.
Even good.
For a moment, I forgot what Finn and I were up against and was able to just lose myself in this incredible girl and the weird but amazing way we'd come together.
The beach was strewn with algae and little bits of foam. I saw ripples rising from the surface and wondered if I'd ever get a chance to go fishing in these waters.
"So this is the lake," Bee exhaled in a little singsong sigh. She bent down and plucked a smooth gray stone from the pebbly beach and chucked it into the water with a surprisingly competent overhand throw.
"You've got an arm on you," I remarked as I followed the rock's arc. It fell to the water with a far-off plunking sound, sending ripples outward.
"Baker muscles," Bee declared with a proud grin, then flexed to show off her biceps.
"Ooh, remind me not to take you on in arm wrestling," I said with a grin.
"You'd better not," she laughed. "I could kick your ass."
"You wanna bet?"
"How much?"
"If I win," I growled, pulling her flush against me. "You owe me something sweet."
Her teeth dragged across her lip and she peered up at me with those warm brown eyes. "But not too sweet, right?" she breathed. "That's how you like it."
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Finn turn away, giving us our moment and my chest squeezed gratefully tight that I had a friend like him.
Because as I bent to kiss her, my head swam in dizzying circles to realize that this was real. She was real. And she was mine. I didn't give a shit that I had to share her with Finn. Whatever she'd give me, I would take it and treasure it. Fuck, whatever scraps she'd throw my way I'd fucking love with all my heart.
I stiffened as it hit me like a blow to the head.
"You okay?" she asked, pulling back and peering at me again. And I realized I must have made a sound when I realized...
I loved her.
The words crowded my mouth so that when I opened it, no sound came out. Bee slid her arm up my shoulder — unaware of the tornado of uncertainty that was swirling in my brain — and turned to look out at the lake again. "It's funny how you can just go the whole time and not even appreciate how pretty it is," she mused. "A whole huge lake, like a hundred yards from the door to my store." She shook her head.
