AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Why would they? Do they typically consult you when they schedule house repairs?” I ask, frustrated by the implication that I’m not worth hiring.
“No, but you’re…You.”
I move around the island to stand closer to her. I want to watch her reaction when I do it. She swallows—her throat moving gently with the action—and then she tilts her chin to take me in, several inches shorter than me given that she’s barefoot. There was a time when we couldn’t be this close without touching. That time has passed. I rest a palm on the countertop next to her hand and dip my head.
“You disapprove of your parents hiring me to do the work?” I keep my voice low and she sucks in a little puff of air that might be a gasp.
“N-No,” she stammers. “But because of our past I thought, I don’t know”—a shrug—“that they’d be more loyal.”
I straighten. Blink. The word lights a fire under my ass.
“Loyal?” I bite out. Then clamp my teeth tighter so that I don’t continue with a litany of accusations. Something like You mean the way I was loyal when you moved away? The way I was loyal when I visited California? The way I was loyal when I let you kick me out of L.A. and still tried to make up after I returned home?
Instead, I snort.
“Jackson, it’s not that you’re not a great guy, but…” Her brows pinch as if she’s doing me a favor by dishing out the “great guy” compliment. This sounds like a breakup speech. A speech she’s already given. A speech I don’t have to listen to twice. That’s probably why I’m pissed.
“I’m a great builder,” I inform her. “Your parents hired me because of who I am, not because of who you are. I show up and offer a fair price and they trust me to be here when they’re away. That’s why I’m here. It has nothing to do with you. Which must be hard to wrap your head around since your world has revolved around you for the last decade plus.”
“Jax.”
“I have work to do.” I turn and leave the kitchen, jogging upstairs to point out a few to-dos to Daryl and Tommy. Once they’re clear on what needs doing, I exit via the front door. A cursory glance to the kitchen shows no sign of Allie or her enormous ego.
