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I wasn’t stupid, I knew what I was doing, and I knew those assholes weren’t going to last longer than a night or two. But I wasn’t looking to settle down and build a white picket fence life like Cade. I was fine with being a one night stand, or a plus one for someone’s cousin’s twice removed wedding.
The thought of being that now, though... where Nolan was involved, made my stomach flip.
What was happening to me?
Gina placed the pickles on top of the cheese I’d laid out.
“As long as he’s good to you, treats you like a person, we’re good. Because you know, that’s how you should be treated. Not like some sex toy.” She said the words quietly, which only added to their magnitude. I did know, and I hated that her words made me feel so vulnerable.
“I know,” I said softly.
Gina nudged me in the shoulder. “I know you know. But you have to believe you’re worth the good stuff, Dawson. Because you are.”
A soft smile tugged at my lips. Gina wasn’t the type to get emotional or soft. She always said things as they were, didn’t mince words. Her bluntness and boldness were two of the things I loved about her and probably why I considered her my work wife above all others.
Like Cade, Gina just got me.
“I want the good stuff,” I said quietly. “I just... don’t know how to be the good guy who gets it all, you know?”
Gina and I topped the burgers with ketchup and mustard, and I felt more exposed than I had in my shower this morning with Nolan.
“What are ya waitin’ for? Christmas?” Frank yelled from the living room.
Gina rolled her eyes. “We’re waiting for you to grow a pair and get up off your ass and actually make yourself useful!” Gina hollered back.
It was my turn to roll my eyes, and I loaded up my arm with plates, server style.
“The natives are restless,” I said with a half smile. “Come on, better get them fed before they turn to cannibalism.”
Gina huffed, but she didn’t argue. Instead, she followed me into the living room for another family lunch.
CHAPTER 29
Dawson
It was barely after four o’clock when I pulled up to my brother’s house.
I hadn’t heard anything in a couple days, and figured if I dropped by I’d know if he was home or not, and if he was, I could at least see if there was anything he needed.
Big brother habits and all.
My brother was loading his truck up.
“Headed out of town to see the misses?” I quipped as I came up to him.
“Yeah, well, it’s not like I’m needed any time soon, considering that adjuster just did a re-eval of everything all over again.”
“What?” I asked, confused.
Re-eval?
Nolan hadn’t said anything about the claim needing to be re-evaluated.
“Yeah, apparently there was an issue, and we had to fucking start all over again. I’m just ready for my shit to be replaced, you know. Feel like these insurance assholes are just dicking me around.”
My jaw tensed immediately. I wanted to believe Nolan when he said he’d make sure things were good, but it sounded like they were in fact, not good. Not at all.
Damn it!
