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I study the photo for a moment, noting the Easter holiday attire and lack of a smile on a certain grumpy mountain man’s face. Even without the beaming smile like the rest of his family, I can tell he’s happy. His arms are thrown over his brothers’ shoulders and there’s a smile in his eyes that can’t be denied.
A pang of jealousy hits me over the family pictured in front of me. I had that, too, once upon a time. And I miss it more than ever tonight…and every other night I’ve been alone.
In an attempt to avoid crying for the umpteenth time this evening, I walk into the attached master bathroom and start the shower. After taking a quick shower, I change into pajama shorts and a tank top before tossing afullload of Butch’s laundry in the wash with my few items.
By the time I’m done, I’m dragging my feet to my designated room to close the curtains. I flop down beside Frankie sleeping—who hasn’t moved one chubby muscle—on the bed. “Five minutes,” I yawn as he wiggles closer to me for warmth and I double-check my alarms—yes, plural—for work in the morning. “A quick cat nap and I’ll be good to go.”
I bring Butch’s pillow closer and relish in the scent still on it and now on my skin after having used the two wash products he owns.
I absently wonder what he would think of my six products to his two. The image of his scowling face telling me it’s a waste of money lures me to sleep. And when he wakes me up to eat an hour later, I ask him. And I laugh until there are tears in my eyes when he tells me I must be dreaming because,“No one uses that many products to take a damn shower.”
Thirteen.
Butch
“We’re takin’ bets here,boys,” Stan announces with a chuckle. “Tanner, what’re ya in for?”
“Twenty says three days max.” Tanner smirks.
“All right, I got fifty she stays through the week and into next,” Stan says.
Duke snorts. “No way. She’s gone by Sunday.”
Stan shakes his head with a laugh. “I’m tellin’ ya, Butch is gonna be on his best behavior.”
I snarl, “Are you assholes done?”
“Why? You in a hurry to be somewhere?” Duke grins.
I scoff, tossing my hard hat in the truck and checking my phone to see if she’s texted or called.
“That’s ahell yeahif I ever seen one.”
“Ya know, that’s probably the hundredth time he’s checked his phone in the last hour,” Stan tells Duke, and I scowl.
“No shit,” he mocks. “When you told me I had to get up here to hear this, I thought you were pullin’ my leg.”
“Did you ever ask her how she installed that hot water tank by herself?” Tanner asks, rubbing the back of his neck.
I cock a half grin. “Why? You need her help putting in yours?”
Tanner’s face heats, and we all boom with laughter. He waves us off with a huff in frustration. “Fuck you guys. I’ll see y’all Monday.” After a quick goodbye, Stan and Tanner head off for the day.
Pains in my ass is what these bastards are.
I open my truck door to get in when Duke asks me, “How’s it feel?”
My brow furrows as I turn to him.
“Don’t give me that look. I asked you, how does it feel? Going home to someone for the first time. Knowing she’s sitting there waiting for you.”
I lean against my truck. “Don’t know yet,” I lie, knowing damn well it feels too good to be true. To the point I’m itching to get home and make sure sheisthere waiting for me.
The repeat vision I’ve had all day since I took her in to work this morning plays once again in my mind. The one of me getting home and barely getting the door open before she races across the room, calling out to me as she leaps into my arms. It’s a lame thought—not even sexual in any way—yet it hits deep all the same.
My brother crosses his arms over his chest. “You’re a shit liar.” He chuckles. “Don’t screw it up, and you never know, tonight might be the first real night in a permanent stay. If you’re lucky.”
I huff, pushing off the running board and getting inside. When I close the door, I roll my window down. “You already know it feels good,” I tell him. “You should try finding it again for yourself sometime.”
