Page 34 of Unruly

A few minutes later, a red truck pulls into the driveway. Colt hops out of the passenger side first, but it’s Cash climbing out of the driver’s seat that makes my stomach drop straight through the floor.

Are you fucking kidding me, Colt?

He’s well over six feet of pure farm-built muscle in a fitted gray T-shirt that stretches across his chest and shoulders, paired with worn jeans that sit low on his hips. His hair is messy under a backwards ball cap, and he looks stupidly good.

And I hate how aware I am of it.

Calm the fuck down, Halle.

Colt eyes the armoire and whistles. “Damn, Halle! What the hell did you get this time? That thing is way bigger than I thought. I’m glad I brought help.”

I force a smile, trying not to look directly at Cash. “I got some heavy shit, what’s it look like?”

Cash’s eyes find mine immediately across the yard. He doesn’t say anything, but the corner of his mouth lifts in that small, knowing grin that makes my pulse spike.

I break eye contact first, looking away and gesturing to the armoire. “Thanks for coming, boys. I swear it looked smaller at the yard sale.

Colt laughs and pulls me into a half hug. “I’m not even surprised. We got this, right, Cash?”

Cash nods, still wearing that annoying grin. “Yeah. Let’s do this.”

I cross my arms, trying to sound casual. “Why isn’t Dawson or Rhett here?”

Colt shrugs like it’s no big deal. “Cash wasn’t busy.”

Cash’s grin widens as he looks straight at me. “Couldn’t let you wrestle this thing alone.”

Asshole.

They assess the situation faster than me, muttering about measurements and angles to each other like it’s rocket science. Together, they agree on a plan. They tie the doors shut with leftover rope from Cash’s truck, then lift it with a coordinated grunt. Colt takes the heavier end, angling it to fit through the door, while Cash supports the other side, keeping it steady.

I stand back, arms crossed, trying to not stare at Cash. The way he listens to Colt, nods once, and adjusts his grip without hesitation … It’s annoyingly attractive. The veins in his forearms stand out as they coordinate the lift, and I hate how my body reacts to the sight. They bump it once against the wall on the way down the hallway to my room and curse, stopping to adjust before muscling it through and setting it down.

“Damn,” Colt says, wiping his hands on his jeans. “You weren’t kidding when you said this shit was heavy. Where, exactly, do you want it in here? There’s no way in hell you’re moving it by yourself.”

“Far wall—near the window in the corner, please,” I say.

They both nod and maneuver it carefully around the bed and into the corner. After a few minutes, it’s settled.

Colt steps back, eyeing it to make sure it’s centered where I want it. “It looks good here. Definitely fits the vibe you’ve been talking about,” he says as we walk down the hall to the kitchen.

I get them both a glass of water and the three of us sit in the kitchen for a moment.

Then Colt slaps his hand on the counter, startling me. “Hey, Cash, you still got that measuring tape in the back of your truck?”

“Yeah, why?”

Without a second thought, Colt starts heading to the front door. “I told Halle I’d measure her cabinets. I’ll be right back.”

Before I can protest, the door closes behind him and it’s just me and Cash.

The air in the room thickens instantly, so I busy myself with something in the cabinet that really doesn’t need to be rearranged, my back to him. “Thanks again,” I say. “I really owe you guys. I was never getting that in by myself.”

He doesn’t answer right away. Instead, I hear him moving behind me, footsteps getting closer. My pulse kicks up, and when I turn, he’s much closer than I expected, eyes locked on me.

“Are you still avoiding me, Halle?””

“I’m not avoiding,” I say, stepping sideways along the counter. “I’ve just been busy—work, the house … you know how it is.”