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We didn't talk about our 'relationship' if it even was that. Him, likely because he was a guy and they didn't usually do that kind of thing unless prompted. Me because, well, I was really enjoying his company and if bringing up the 'talk' was going to possibly take that away from me, yeah, it wasn't worth the risk.
So I kept my mouth shut.
And I enjoyed him.
We were a solid twelve days into construction in the shop next door when there was a crash that sent my mirror flying to the floor where it shattered in a million little pieces, making my client with a head full of foils screech and almost fall off the side of the chair.
And, well, there was only so much I could take.
I slammed my timer down on the counter on what could only be described as a growl.
"Okay," I declared to Benny who looked over at me with a raised brow. "Enough of this."
"I got her," he said, motioning to my client, giving her a smile, "and this," he added, waving to the mess on the floor. "Go drag them."
Because after about the seventh day, Benny had lost his patience as well. Since the sounds were literally so loud that his clients couldn't even hear him prattle on, charming their socks off like usual. Which meant a steep drop in tips. Which made him, rightfully, fit to be tied.
We had tried to keep each other reasonable. After all, most of our anger was directed at Ethan who had, smartly, not shown back up since 'the incident.' We were irrationally angry over the noise mostly due to him. It wasn't the construction workers' fault, not really. Though it was, perhaps, the fault of whoever their boss was. And I had been beyond patient given the absolutely unacceptable level of noise we had had to endure.
I reached for the door, yanking it open before I could lose my nerve, and storming inside.
"Alright, I think I have been incredibly patient while you traipse an entire herd of freaking buff... Reeve?" I stopped short, seeing the blond, solid, serious biker with his hand inside a wall with a fist full of wires. "Roderick?" I asked as he walked out in full construction-worker-garb, sweat making his shirt stick to his body, revealing somehow the abs beneath.
"Hey mami," he said, smile warm, dimple peeking out. "You look stressed. Pagan not giving you the royal treatment? I would be happy to..."
"Watch your fucking step," Reeve offered.
Roderick smiled wider, "She knows I'm fucking around."
"Think Pagan would see it the same way?" Reeve offered.
"Okay," I said shaking my head, feeling like I suddenly walked into some alternative reality. Why were two of Pagan's brothers in the store next to mine? Doing work? "I am just... I need to know what you guys are doing here?"
"You know, I'm afraid that isn't our place," Reeve said. "Sorry, sweetheart, but we can't help you." Was he dismissing me? "This is a construction zone," he added, giving me a pointed look. He was totally dismissing me. "Pagan would skin me if something hit or electrocuted you."
And then he was walking me to the door.
I almost wanted to sputter.
I had never been walked out of a building like some drunk starting a scene before. True, I had totally planned on starting an epic scene, but still. I was pretty sure these guys were allowed to mess with me like Roderick did, tease me like Cyrus occasionally did, give me those pointed brow raises like Edison gave me. But I thought they were supposed to, you know, treat me with respect. Getting escorted out of a building where I was asking for some simple answers didn't seem respectful to me.
"Sorry, Kennedy," Reeve said, ducking his head so he could catch my eyes, looking sincere. "You're just going to have to ask Pagan your questions."
With that, he turned and left, and if I wasn't mistaken, I could hear the click of the lock.
"Did you give them hell?" Benny asked, standing at the washing sink, pulling the foils out of my client's hair. The glass was all swept up and my client was beaming up at Benny. So everything was okay.
Sort of.
Except the whole situation next door.
I gave Benny a look that said we had to talk about it later, making him nod, and get back to work.
Twenty minutes later, we were in an empty shop.
"Alright, spill. What has that look on your face? Did they get nasty? I mean, I might not be scary, but I will call my man and have him over there in a heartbeat. You've had enough of shitty men this... what?" he trailed off.
"The weirdest thing just happened..." I started, cut off by the chime of the door, making me turn. "Perfect timing," I said, seeing Pagan walking in, hair wet like he had freshly showered, but otherwise just him- jeans, boots, wifebeater, leather cut, scruff. "I need to talk to you about..."
