“I can help you do whatever needs to be done. Work comes first.”
I felt his hand cover my knee and instinctively hit the brakes and looked down at his hand. He removed it quickly and placed it in his lap.
“Thank you,” I said. He thought I meant for the help, but it was more for removing his hand from my knee. We picked up the panel from another project and drove it to the job site. Once we had done some damage control, we both realized that the situation was worse than we thought.
“When the bracket broke, the panel slid down the roof and took two others with it. I thought they were fine, but the electrical is busted and is going to need to be replaced. We can dismount two from Salston, but the other is going to have to be shipped from Oklahoma. I didn't realize it was this bad.” John looked worried, but it wasn't his fault. It's better for these things to happen and delay a job then wait until after it’s complete and cause more problems.
“It's fine. We’ll get it figured out.” I patted John on the shoulder and moved around to inspect the back panels to see how much damage was done for myself.
“They should be repairable.” Chris said from just a little too close behind me. I moved and walked over to John.
“We should be able to get a rush on the panel from Oklahoma,” John assured me. “I’ll get on the phone with them now and see if we can at least get it here by Saturday.”
“That sounds great,” I said. “Thanks.”
We stayed and helped get the panel from Salston in place. The owner of the house was very understanding and didn't seem upset at all.
“We should grab some food. It's after nine,” Chris suggested as we walked back to the truck.
“Sure. John, you want to join?” I agreed because I was hungry and exhausted.
“Yes, I'm starved,” John exclaimed.
We’d just ordered a pizza at the restaurant down the street from the office when my phone rang. It was Luke.
“Hey you!” I smiled as I answered.
“You get everything handled?”
“For now. We just sat down to eat.”
“Who is we?”
“John and Chris. It's been a super long day, and we had lunch early because we had a conference call. So, I'm tired and hungry,” I complained.
“That sounds like a disastrous combo,” he laughed. “Is it as bad as a no sleep, no coffee combo?” he joked.
“It really is. I don't know how they stand me.” I lifted my water from the table and took a sip. Chris and John both had their faces in their phones, so I continued to talk.
“You get everything packed for tomorrow?” I asked.
“Yeah. I just wish I could have seen you before we left.”
“Me too,” I frowned even though he couldn’t see me.
“You'll be home Sunday, right?”
“Yes. I'm am going to stay on through Sunday morning and make sure this goes smoothly. Plus, I can get some other work done. That way, I only have to come up for one day next week.”
“I can't wait to see you." I heard his sigh through the phone and knew that he missed me as much as I missed him.
***
I spent all day Friday and Saturday fixing the mess from the broken panel. My mother had called me seven times in the past two days trying to set up a dinner between the two of us. I avoided her calls, but finally agreed to have dinner with her Saturday before heading back Sunday morning.
Once I finished my work on Saturday, I headed toward Granddad and Mimi's to change clothes and meet my mother for dinner. I sent a text message to Luke to see how he was doing. I wasn't sure what time his competition ended on Saturday, but figured it would be late since it was only for one day.
When I arrived at the restaurant, Chris was standing in the lobby. "What are you doing here?" I asked.
“I was told dinner was at seven.” He smiled at me.
"Is that right?” I mumbled, irritated. “Well, have you seen her yet?" I looked over my shoulder for my mother, but I didn't see her. No sooner had the words come from my mouth, my phone started to ring.
"Hello."
"I'm so sorry, honey, I'm not gonna be able to make it to dinner, I have a terrible headache."
“That's too bad,” I sighed loudly.
“Just have dinner with Chris. He should be there,” she said.
“He is, and thanks for telling me you had invited someone else,” I tried to say where Chris wouldn’t hear.
“We have dinner once a month, so I figured I’d just kill two birds.”
“Yeah, but now you aren't here, Mother,” I snapped.
“I know, and I'm sorry.”
“Bye, Mom.” I hung up and turned to leave the restaurant.
“Where are you going? You might as well stay and eat. My treat.”
“Chris, I shouldn't.”
“We’re just friends. Are you not allowed to have friends?”
Friends wasn’t the issue. I wasn't so sure I would want Luke to eat with another woman, but I’d known Chris forever, and it wasn't like I was ever interested in him nor ever dated him.
“Fine.” I followed the hostess when she called out Chris’ name. The table for three was close to the street, and I watched as cars drove by. It was a little chilly for it to be so close to summer, but such is life in the pacific northwest.
“Are you just going to ignore me all night?” Chris said.
“Sorry. I'm just ready to be home and in my own bed.” I shrugged and lifted my iced tea to my lips.
“Are there apartments out there?”
“Maybe, but I live in an old farmhouse that Luke and Ryan converted into a duplex. Ryan moved into the town, and I’m renting his half. I live quite a ways out. But it's quiet, and it's near the woods, so it works for me.”
“Oh, I didn't realize you lived that close.”
“I can practically walk out my back door and into the woods. There is this amazing meadow that I love and work in often. Technology has come such a long way. It great that I can carry my battery source out there with my phone as a hot spot and work for hours.”
“Aren't there bears and stuff?”
“I've seen a few scratchings, but I haven't seen a bear. Ryan always kids and says well they’ve seen you.”
“I'm sure they have. Do you carry something with you?”
“Yes, I have spray, and I carry my Glock, if needed.”
When the waitress arrived, she took our order and then disappeared. The rest of dinner was all business oriented. Every time he would ask a personal question, I would steer the conversation back to work.
“Thanks for dinner,” I said as I pushed the door open.
“No problem. It was fun. I like getting to hang out with you outside of work, even though you insisted on talking about work.”
“I'm just glad it’s all been resolved. I was worried Granddad was going to have a stroke if we didn't get it fixed.”
“We got this. Imagine where we can take this company in the future.”
I smiled and started toward my truck, which was parked across the road.
“When will you be back in town?” he asked.
“I'm coming in for the day on Wednesday. I have grant work that I need to get done before I come back.”
“Okay, see you then.” He waved and disappeared around the corner.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Luke
I heard her truck when it came rumbling down the driveway. I had talked to her briefly last night, but both of us were exhausted and honestly every time I spoke to her Chris came up. I was trying not to be a jealous asshole. I knew she had to work with the guy, but he’d laid down the gauntlet, and I wasn't playing his game.
I watched as she parked the car and opened the door. I didn't want to be that guy, but I pushed open my screen door and waited. I smiled when she looked up and smiled back. She rolled her eyes and pointed toward the phone. I grabbed her bags and carried them in the house.
“Mom, I'm home. Can we talk lat
er? Luke is here, and I haven't seen him for a week.” She took the phone from her ear putting it on speaker. Her mom was talking about everything and nothing at the same time. She walked toward me, wrapped her arms around me, and kissed me softly. I pulled her against my chest and kissed her again.
“I missed you,” I whispered.
“I missed you more.”
“What did you say?” her mom's voice echoed through the room.
“Mom, I really need to go.”
“Oh, I meant to ask how your dinner with Chris went last night?” I felt her stiffen in my arms and then look up at me. She had dinner with him last night. I stepped out of her arms and walked toward the door.
“Luke, wait!” she said as I pushed open the screen door. “Mom, I have to go. We’ll discuss the mess you created later.” She hit the end button and came after me.
“You didn’t tell me you had dinner with Chris last night? I thought you were going with your mom,” I barked. I wasn't going to do this again.
“I was supposed to have dinner with my mom, and she didn't show. She sent Chris in her place, and I didn't want to be rude.” She stood there, hands on her hips.
“You had dinner with another man...” I walked away and into my house. She followed me.
“Luke, are you being serious right now?”
“Yeah, I guess I am. What if it was me? What if I went to dinner with some chick?”
“Chris and I have known each other forever. It isn't like that and never has been. He's a nice guy, and we work together.”
“If you want to believe he's a nice guy then you’re a better person than I am.”
“What do you mean if I believe? He's never been anything but nice to me. He's worked for my grandfather for years and does a good job, so I don't understand what you mean. You want me to just not to talk to him? Do you want me to be rude to him because you have some competition grudge? I don't understand what you want me to do.”
“I just want you to think about my feelings.”
“Luke, seriously. I like you. Only you. I don't know why you would think otherwise.”
I could see where this was heading. He made a ton more money than me, he was close to where she would live one day, and this was turning into a competition I didn't want. I wasn't going to be cheated on again, and I wasn't going to stand there and let her downplay what had happened.
“I don't think this is a good idea.” I turned toward her. “I think you need to leave.”
I watched her expression fall. And as much as I wanted to go to her, kiss her, make it all go away... I knew I couldn't. I knew I was being an ass, but this was about self-preservation. I was already more invested than I should have been, and there were so many reasons why this never should have started and so many reasons why it would never work. I had no intentions of ever moving to Portland, and she was going to be there sooner or later. Hell, she was there more than half the time now. I missed seeing her every day. I missed having lunch and dinner with her at random times. That would only get worse if I didn’t stop it.
“Luke, please.” A tear trickled down her cheek, but I just looked at the floor and then she walked away. I heard the sound of my screen door slam and then hers echoed. I punched my wall and yelled in frustration, leaving a hole I’d have to repair later. I knew she probably heard me, but I didn't care. I was so angry that she didn't think dinner with him was a bad idea. As far as I knew, she’d been with Chris all week. I understood that he worked there, but when she started meeting him for dinner and lunch, that was getting a little too much for me.
***
I watched her through my front window as she had left that morning after being home for two days, but when we saw each other, I would ignore her smile and grunt and walk away. The last thing I was going to do was put myself through another heartache when I could clearly see it coming. And when Ryan asked me what the deal was, I told him just that.
“You are an idiot,” Ryan said as he sprawled out on my couch.
“Why? Because I don't like the fact that my girlfriend was having dinner with another man and just forgot to tell me about it?”
“He works with her. Besides, I doubt seriously she is interested in that Neanderthal. She has better sense than that.” Ryan was always so sure of himself. “She isn't Bimbo Barbie, and she isn't cheating. Grow a set and apologize,” he demanded.
I wanted to, but I was mad and hurt more than anything. She felt she couldn't be honest with me, and even after we spoke that night, she hadn't said anything about having dinner with him.
“She lied,” I stated.
“She didn't feel the need to elaborate,” Ryan said.
“She omitted, same difference.”
“I don't think she did it on purpose.”
“Well, good for you. You date her then.”
“Don’t tempt me,” he gave me the look. “Seriously, dude. Don’t lose the best thing that could happen to you because you’re being stupid and stubborn.”
I was still angry, but deep down, I knew Ryan had a point. I wanted to talk to her, but she was gone to Portland. It wasn’t really a conversation I wanted to have over the phone. This was an apology I needed to make in person.
I was an adult, not a twenty-year-old kid, and even though everything pointed in one direction, I knew that Chris just trying his damndest to get under my skin. Chris had made promises and threats to me personally, and while Emmy was an amazing woman, I didn’t doubt he would do whatever to whomever—including Emmy—just to piss me off. I knew I should have acted accordingly, but even the idea of his hands on her broke something deep inside of me, and I wasn't sure that could be fixed.
“So, you done being a dick?” Ryan asked.
“No, are you?”
“I am not the dick in this relationship.” He motioned between us.
“Thank you, Captain Obvious, for the information.” I rolled my eyes, walked into the kitchen, and poured me a glass of water.
“Have you even talked to Emmy?” Ryan asked.
“Nope, have you?”
“I think maybe her phone is off. She texted me last night, but I haven’t been able to get in touch with her today.”
I sat the glass down, put my hands on the counter, and dropped my head between my arms.
“Did you talk to her while she was home?” he questioned.
“What was I supposed to say? How’s Chris?”
“You know it is all a show on his end. You cannot be that stupid.”
“It isn't about me being stupid. It’s about the fact that she wasn’t upfront with me.”
“You are seriously mad because her mom flaked on her? The same mom that made it a point to ask how Chris was so you would hear it over the phone? The same one who kind of did the same thing to your face at dinner that night?”
“It's just happening all over again,” I muttered.
“Emmy is not the same person who screwed you over, and you have got to stop acting like a chick over this.” Ryan walked over and slammed his hands down on the counter. “You need to get your head out of your ass. I'm just telling you how I see it. I see you living in the past and jumping to conclusions because of it. Emmy has been through some pretty shitty relationships, and I seriously doubt she would actively try to hurt you.”
“And how the fuck do you know that?”
“I talked to her for months before she moved here. And we’ve talked since she arrived. We’ve talked about a lot of things.”
“I just don't know what to do.”
“Then I guess you had better figure it out.” He looked down at his watch and grinned. “The day is young. You can make it there before she leaves the office if you get your ass in the truck now.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Emerson
I was sick of crying over some guy who was just going to act like a dumbass for no reason. I had already laid in bed the night before having a pity party. The last thing I needed was to waste my energy on this crap; I needed t
o focus on driving in Portland traffic. I needed a pep talk. Hell, what I really needed was some girl time. I grabbed my phone and called the one person I knew who could give me just that.
“Hello Jello,” Rachel’s bright voice came across the phone.
“Hey.”
“What the hell is wrong with you?” I could hear the concern in her voice.
“Luke and I had a fight, and he thinks I am cheating on him.”
“Who the hell would you cheat on him with? It's not like you are in a place where there are tons of men. Oh my God, did you sleep with Ryan?”
“What? No!” I almost laughed.
“Too bad. I would have wanted all the details on that. That man is eye candy.”
“He thinks I'm cheating on him with Chris.”
“Seriously, what? Although, that dude has been crushing on you since high school. Does he still work for your grandfather?”
“He isn't crushing on me. And yes, he still works with us.”
“Girl, you must be blind not to see what I've seen. I've only been around him twice, and I know he wants you.”
“It isn't like that. I could care less what Chris wants.”
“I get that, but does he?”
“Rach, I know it's last minute, but I really need to get out of here for a few days.”
“Yes. Don't even finish that sentence. You can help me dress shop.”
“Okay. I'll catch a flight out this evening. I’ll text you later with details.”
“Sweet! You know these doors are always open to you. Call me before you leave.”
I hung up the phone, did a quick search online, and booked my flight. I packed a quick bag and walked out the door, locking it behind me. I wanted to at least see him before I left, but I also knew that seeing him would make no difference. He’d been ignoring me for the past two days, and nothing had changed since I’d gone to bed the night before.
I backed out of the driveway and took off toward Portland.
***
After a long day at the office, I walked up to the ticket counter and checked in for my flight to LAX. I would fly from there to Maine. I needed a break from my reality. I needed to get away from everything that was going wrong in my life, and this was the only way I knew to do it.
Daddy Boss (A Boss Romance Love Story) Page 183
