I jerked my head back. “What? They’ve been together since they were—what? Sixteen?”
He nodded. “Landon’s a mess. And he’s determined to win her back.”
“Good luck to him,” I said. “Women can really fuck with your head.”
“Like Audrey?” he asked, and I tried to school my expression into something neutral. “What’s up with you two anyway? You planning to tap that?”
I closed my eyes and shook my head. It had been a few days since her arrival, though I’d mostly avoided her since the memorial celebration. She knew how to push my buttons, and I was sick of feeling out of control when I was around her.
“No. I’m not planning to ‘tap that.’ She hates my guts, and the feeling is mutual.”
“Hate is just on the other side of love.” He smirked, though I wondered if he was feeling me out so he could make his move.
I shoved at his shoulder. “No. It’s not. And if you’re so interested in Audrey, why don’t you pursue her?”
“I get the feeling she isn’t planning on sticking around,” he said, following me around the house as we grabbed more supplies.
“Since you’re all about no-strings sex, that seems perfect.” Why was I encouraging him?
“What are her plans anyway? Are you going to have to relocate the tiny?”
“She wants to sell the house, but I don’t.”
“Wait.” He paused and placed his hand on my forearm. “You have a say in this?”
I nodded. “Scott left the house to both of us.”
“Let me get this straight.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “You currently co-own a house with a woman you can’t stand.” I nodded, and he tilted his head back and let out a hearty laugh. “Oh, this is too good.”
I gave his shoulder a playful shove and walked around to the other side of the house. It wasn’t good. It was… I blew out a breath. I didn’t know what it was, but good certainly wasn’t the word I’d use to describe it.
“What are you going to do about it?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” I huffed. “But I need to focus on finishing this tiny and getting everything in order for the nonprofit, plus bringing on some new crew members with business ramping up.”
He nodded. “Yeah. We could really use the extra help, especially with the new year looming.”
“Right? Business always booms with resolutions to be minimalistic and go tiny.”
“Yes. And it will be nice not to have to turn away customers this year.”
In the past, our time frame for building had typically been limited due to fire season. But with me retiring, that meant I could supervise the crew year-round. I hadn’t realized Chase was planning to step back as well.
“I thought you were going to stick it out another season with the hotshots.”
“I don’t know.” He rubbed the back of his neck.
“Feeling your age?” I teased. He was only a year older than me, but I couldn’t help but give him shit for pushing thirty.
“No. I just…” He shook his head. “Never mind.”
“No.” I paused, forcing him to stop. “Tell me.”
“I didn’t realize how much I’d enjoy being an uncle, and I don’t want to miss out on time with family.”
“Wow.” I blinked a few times, surprised by his admission. “Are you saying you want kids?”
“Fuck no.” He chuckled. “But I’m road weary—being gone March to November, working long hours. You know what it’s like.”
