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I mentally curse my dislocated shoulder. And Chief Wilson. I might have enjoyed the Wilderness Warriors trip this weekend a bit more if not for them both.
And while I’m at it, I curse him some more for putting the festival in jeopardy. I still haven’t come up with a plan to make up for what the loss of the Bell Automotive sponsorship has cost us. So far, the damage hasn’t spread to the other sponsors. Thank Christ for that. But I still need to find a new sponsor.
Maybe I could talk to either Theresa or Katelyn and see if they can help change their old man’s mind.
“That was a great trip,” August says as my brothers and I load the men into the rental vans. “I’ll be here next summer for sure.” The twenty-nine-year-old SEAL vet has a below-the-knee amputation, but he didn’t let that hold him back when it came to climbing. This was his first time doing it since losing his leg three years ago.
“Glad you enjoyed it.” I hoist my daypack into the trunk of the van. It was the only thing I could carry on the trip, and it barely had anything in it. I felt like a goddamn wimp.
All I can think about during the return trip to the cabins with my group of men is how I’ll be seeing Jess soon.
How I’ll get to kiss her. Get to make her come. Get to bury myself inside her.
My brothers and I unload the vans. The vets will be leaving tomorrow morning. Tonight is our last night together as a group. Suzanne, a retired Air Force lieutenant who had at one point dreamed of opening a restaurant, is already cooking the meal. And she doesn’t disappoint. The food is incredible.
I pull out my phone and text Jess.
Me: I’m at the cabin. Will be finished here in about two hours. Will head to your place after I pick up Butterscotch from Katherine’s
Jess doesn’t reply, but she’s probably busy with Simone. The two women had plans to hang out this weekend.
I put my phone away and join everyone by the campfire, where our visitors, Suzanne, and my brothers regale each other with stories about our time in the military.
It’s another hour before a text from Jess finally pings on my phone.
Jess: Sorry. Rain check? Have a headache. Going to bed early
Me: Are you okay? Maybe I should come over to check on you
Jess: No. I’ll be fine. Nothing a little sleep won’t cure. See you at work tomorrow
Me: See you tomorrow. Hope you feel better soon
I bounce my fingers against my thigh, restlessness growing inside me. It’s only been two days since I last saw her, but I miss her.
“Bad news?” Garrett asks me.
“Huh?”
“You’re looking like a grumpy bear. I figured you got some bad news.”
I smirk and still my fingers. “Grumpy bear?” I put my phone back into my shorts pocket. “No, nothing major.” At least I’ll see Jess tomorrow. Prior to our accidents four weeks ago, we’d spent the weeknights working on her renovations. That’s been temporarily put on hold. But now that I’m officially her boyfriend, I get to spend time with her without using the renovations as an excuse to see her.
I can’t take her canoeing or biking like we were doing before the accidents, but we can always watch something on TV together.
Or sit by the firepit, Jess in my arms, and watch the stars and talk. Talk and get to know each other better.
And I can make things up to her after she missed the firework celebration. Because of me.
I arrive at my office early the next morning. Jess isn’t here yet.
I dive into my awaiting paperwork—the part of my job I’m not a big fan of. It feels even more tedious than normal as I wait for Jess to walk through the door, my ability to concentrate at a new low.
My office door is wide open so I can hear when she arrives.
The main office door clicks open thirty minutes later as I reread a paragraph for the third time. I glance up from my computer.
Bailey and Jess enter the outer office and go to her desk.
