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After cleaning today, I had to prepare for tonight, so that would keep me busy. I looked out over the pool and wondered if they’d use this area out here too. They hadn’t yet, but the warmer it got in the evenings, there was a possibility. I needed to ask Gage. If they were going to swim, then the towels needed restocking, and the outside bar needed to have ice. I should probably do an inventory on the liquor for out here too.
I finished my meal and stood up to go get things started. Huck was walking out the back door as I turned. Being alone with him after all we’d done last night made me suddenly feel shy. Something about the light of day and reality.
“I’m heading to the shop, and then I’m needed at the ranch. I might not make it back for the fight tonight,” he said, not moving to get closer to me.
“Okay,” I replied, holding my empty plate and cup.
He studied me for a minute. “You’re good then?”
No, Huck. Not even close.
I nodded. “I’m fine.”
“All right,” he replied, then turned and went back into the house.
That was painful. I could admit it. Really painful. But I could get over it. Think about other things. Not Huck.
I followed him inside the house and went to the sink and began putting away leftovers and cleaning up the mess from making breakfast. When I finished, I made a grocery list of items I needed. Gage walked into the kitchen while I was writing it all down.
“You good?” he asked me.
I clenched my teeth. Were they all going to ask me that? No, I wasn’t good. Stop asking me.
I nodded, then took the list and held it out to him. “I need these things for tonight. Are you planning on opening up the pool area? If so, we need to check the liquor cabinet. You might need to pick some more up along with beer for the bar out there.”
Gage took the list and tucked it into his pocket. “Yeah, we’ll have the lights on out back. Might as well use the pool. It’s time to start enjoying it. I’ll just grab everything, and if we don’t need it, then it’ll get used eventually.”
“Okay. Great,” I replied with a false smile and turned to head for the cleaning closet to get out what I needed to start.
“He’s my friend, and I’d kill for him. But you’re family now too. If you need anything, let me know.”
Gage’s words should have warmed me, but they only drove home the point that last night had been a onetime thing.
“Thanks,” I said, glancing back for only a moment before leaving the kitchen.
The day went by quickly. Cleaning had taken me several hours, and then preparing the pool area had taken another two hours. Once that was finished, I had the groceries I needed, thanks to Gage, and I threw myself into preparing food.
Levi and Gage both stopped by the kitchen to taste something I’d finished. Huck never came back, but then he had told me he probably wouldn’t. I didn’t think about it too much. Just every other five seconds. I was going to torture myself if I didn’t stop it.
“This looks fucking incredible,” Gage said, coming back in to look things over before people started to arrive.
I smiled, happy he was pleased. I’d needed a distraction today, and thankfully, this had provided it.
“Go get ready. Put on a swimsuit. You don’t like watching the fight, but you’ve worked all day. You need to enjoy the pool,” he told me.
My first thought was no. Huck had said I couldn’t wear a bikini in front of anyone. But that had been before. Before we’d had sex. Before he’d gotten it out of his system. Not to mention, he wasn’t even going to be here.
“You’re frowning,” Gage pointed out.
I shrugged. “Not sure if I am supposed to wear a swimsuit.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Because of Huck?”
I didn’t reply, but I knew the look on my face said it all.
“He’s not your keeper. Wear what the fuck you want.”
He was right. I wasn’t Huck’s. He wasn’t here.
