Chapter 3: Chapter 2

I SET the panels down and took the moldings out of Saylor’s hands and followed her gaze to the douchedick standing there gaping at her.

“Jalen, hey, what are you doing here?” Saylor’s voice was all light and flirtatious.

The girl was like sunshine on a cloudy day. Always had been.

I set the wood down on the floor but listened intently because I was a nosy dude, especially when it came to Saylor Woodson.

She was my best friend’s little sister. It was my job to protect her.

“I knew today was a big day for you, so I thought I’d stop by and give you these flowers and let you know that I had a great time last night,” he said.

I glanced over my shoulder to see him hand her the bouquet, and my eyes widened when I took in his baby blue shorts that were far too short to be worn by a man. Sure, he was all chiseled muscle, but the dude should consider wearing shorts that were made for men. Am I right?

I turned around and brushed my hands back and forth loud enough to make a clapping sound, which startled Saylor and had her turning in my direction.

“Oh. I’m so sorry. Do you two know each other? I assumed you do because Jalen just started working at Knockout Gym with Romeo a few days ago.”

“Yep. We’ve met.” I raised a brow and crossed my arms over my chest. “You two went out last night, huh?”

“Yeah, mate. We had a great time.”

Mate? He wasn’t from down fucking under. Romeo had told us that the dude was from New Jersey.

“Nice.” It was all I could say. I didn’t know she had gone out with him, not that she told me everything, but we were close. She had been on a few dates since she’d moved back to Magnolia Falls, but she’d yet to meet anyone she wanted to go out with again.

And I’d be lying if I didn’t say I liked that.

Saylor was special. Different. I cared about her. She deserved the best, and I was fairly certain this dude was not that.

He was too tan. His teeth were blindingly white. And his wavy blond hair was a little too perfect.

“It was so sweet of you to bring me these. They’re gorgeous,” Saylor said, shooting me a confused look because I was normally a friendly guy.

I turned around and got back to building the frame for the counter. Normally, we would do most of this at the shop, but with the space being more like a warehouse inside and having access to the large parking lot behind the building, we could work here, and we wouldn’t need to transport all the pieces once they were built. I tried to focus on the project at hand while I turned my head just enough to hear everything they were saying.

“Beautiful flowers for a beautiful girl,” he said, and I rolled my eyes before pulling out my nail gun and shooting it into the wood more times than necessary.

Saylor chuckled at the dude, and I couldn’t believe she was buying this bullshit.

“Hey, Saylor, can you give me a hand with this piece?” I said, glancing over my shoulder.

Did I need her help? No.

Did I have six guys here that were working a few feet away that could help me? Absolutely.

But I couldn’t stop myself. I didn’t like the way he was looking at her.

“Oh, yeah, of course.”

“I need to get to the gym anyway. I’ve got a client meeting me in five minutes. I wanted to see if you’d want to watch that movie tonight? The one I told you about?”

“Oh, yes, about the Australian surfer?” she asked, as she moved in my direction and set the flowers on the table before her hand rested on the piece of wood that I was holding up just fine on my own.

“Yes. I could grab takeout, and we could watch the movie over at my place if you’d like.”

“That sounds great. I’d love to.”

Really? An Australian movie? This guy was pouring it on thick.

And she was going out with him two nights in a row? Did she actually like this dude?

And should she be going to his house already? We barely knew this dude.

“Great. I’ll text you later.” He kissed her cheek, and my hand gripped the wood a little harder as he turned his attention to me. “Catch you later, mate.”

Yeah, how about you pack your shit and go on over to the Outback and order yourself some shrimp on the barbie, you fake Australian motherfucker.

“Yep. If you’re lucky,” I said, with a forced smile.

He waved and walked out the door.

“What was that?” Saylor asked, eyes wide as she held up the wood that was already attached and didn’t require any support whatsoever.

“Exactly. What was that?” I repeated her words back to her.

“I’m talking about you.” She barked out a laugh. “Why were you so rude to him?”

“What? I wasn’t rude. I’m never rude.”

“Once again, that’s my point. You’re never rude, and you were definitely not friendly. Do you even know him?”

I pounded the nail gun in about four times too many and really secured the piece. This counter could survive a category ten natural disaster at this point.

“I didn’t know you went out with him last night,” I said, as I pushed to my feet and assessed my work.

“Well, we didn’t talk last night because you told me you were going to Whiskey Falls, which means you probably ended up taking home the latest flavor of the week, so I didn’t know you’d want to do pillow talk with me.” She tried to hide her smile because she was pleased with herself.

“Hey now, you know pillow talk with you is my favorite thing.” That’s what she used to call it all those years ago when I’d climb into her bed to keep her nightmares away. We fell asleep every single night for over six months the same way. My grandparents had no idea, as we’d each go to our own rooms after saying goodnight, and then I’d sneak across the hall after the house was quiet.

We would tell one another about our days and share all our worries and dreams before she’d fall asleep in my arms.

We were young. Nothing physical ever happened. I’d never cross that line.

But I’d be lying if I said pillow talk with Saylor Woodson wasn’t the best part of my day back then.

“I don’t know why you’re being so weird. Yes, we went out, and he’s a good guy. I like him.” She reached for her tea and took a sip. “How about you? Who’d you take home last night?”

I scratched the back of my neck and looked into those pretty blue eyes that had always been my favorite. “For your information, I didn’t take anyone home. But thank you for thinking the worst of me.”

“What is with you today? Why are you being so weird about this? I’d never think the worst of you.” She set her drink down and moved right in front of me. “But you like to keep things casual. That’s kind of your shtick, right?”

I sighed. “Yes, Saylor. I love women, and I enjoy sex. But I don’t take a different woman home every night of the week. I’m not a sex addict, for God’s sake. I have quite a few returning customers, by the way. So, it’s not quite as dirty as the picture you’re painting.”

Why was I being so defensive? I made no secret about who I was. I always treated women with respect. I just got bored easily. But I never lied. I never played games. I was a straight shooter.

“I don’t think you’re dirty, King.” She laughed, placing her hands on her hips as she studied me. “I think anyone who gets to spend time with you is lucky. You know you’re my favorite.”

And just like that, she walked into my arms, and I hugged her.

The way I adored this girl was unexplainable.

Saylor Woodson was my girl.

Not in a sexual or inappropriate way, but in an I’d-walk-through-fire-and-kill-for-you kind of way.

If that were a thing.

“You’re my favorite, too,” I said, as she stepped back, and I moved around her to grab the last piece that needed to be attached to the frame. “So, tell me about Jason.”

“His name is Jalen. The girls call him Coach Hotty.” She chuckled. “He is hot. There’s no denying it.”

“Really? Those shorts don’t bother you?” I nailed the next piece into place.

“His shorts? Um, no. They don’t bother me. What’s your problem with his shorts?”

“The color and the length.” I pushed to my feet and brushed off my hands.

“You are seriously ridiculous. He’s a trainer. That’s what they wear.” She ran her fingers along the edge of the wood and whistled. “This is going to be gorgeous.”

“Hey, can you grab me a hammer out of my toolbox over there?” I said, as I bent down to check the corners.

Saylor walked a few feet away to where the metal toolbox I’d brought in with me sat beneath the table. When she lifted the top, I knew she’d see what I’d left in there for her.

She walked back over with a hammer in one hand and a dandelion in the other.

“Very creative, King. I’m going to have to up my game.” She handed me the hammer, put her nose to the flower, and closed her eyes.

It was our thing. We’d started it all those years ago when she was going through a really hard time. I’d shocked her a few months ago when she’d moved back to town, and I’d started hiding them for her again. She’d jumped right in and done the same for me.

Like no time had passed.

“What can I say? It’s a big day for you. The start of something new.”

“Do you know that I used to wish for this? Everything that’s happening right now,” she said.

“For the bookstore?”

“Well, it wasn’t for a bookstore in particular. But it was for this… this feeling that I have.”

“Tell me,” I said, as I turned to look at the bookshelves the guys were building on the other side of the room. They were following the blueprint that I’d given them, and I’d add all the molding and detail to them after they got the base built on each one.

“That I’d have something of my own. A life, I guess. That I’d go home and feel safe and comfortable and not be bracing myself for what I’d walk into. That I’d know I was building a future for myself. One I could be proud of.”

And this is why she’s my girl.

“I’m so fucking proud of you,” I said, as I wrapped her up in a hug.

“Thanks, King.” She pulled back and smiled up at me. The deepest blue eyes that resembled my favorite place on the lake where the water was this bright turquoise blue when the sun shined down on it. Those eyes always took me to a peaceful place. “I’m so glad you’re helping me with this.”

“Yeah, me, too. Now let’s get this beast of a counter finished.”

“Okay. I need to go put these flowers in some water, and I’ll be right back to help.” She grabbed her bouquet off the table, along with her single dandelion, and made her way next door to Magnolia Beans.

I got back to work, because making her dreams come true was just as good as making my own dreams come true.

Maybe even better.

The rest of the day went by in a blur. I’d jumped into my truck to head home for a quick shower before I met the guys for a bite at Whiskey Falls. Once I pulled up in my driveway, I made my way to the front door. Spring was in full bloom, and I welcomed the warm weather. When I walked toward the front door, I chuckled when I saw something taped there. It was a dandelion at the end stages of its life, and what Saylor called a fluffball because the golden petals were gone, and it was all white. I peeled it off the door along with the little note that read: Thanks for helping to make my dreams come true. Now it’s your turn to make a wish. Xo S.

I stared down at it for a moment, but I didn’t have a wish, per se.

Life was good. I was happy.

Happy enough, at least.

I’d use my wishes for the people that I loved. I’d always wished for River to be happy, and for the first time in our lives, I felt like my brother was genuinely happy.

That made me happy.

And seeing Saylor get what she always wanted.

That made me happy.

Romeo winning his fight and his girl.

That made me happy.

Beefcake was giving baseball a shot, and our little man was the happiest kid I’d ever met.

That made me fucking happy.

Nash and Hayes were happy enough, so my crew was good, and that was enough for me. My grandmother was in a nice place over at Magnolia Haven, and I couldn’t ask for more.

But I squeezed my eyes closed and made a wish, just like I always did.

Let the people I love the most have everything their hearts desire.

It’s what I always wished for.

I blew hard and watched as the white fluffballs moved around me. I sent Saylor a quick text and a screenshot of the petal-less stem.

It’s what I’d always called her in private, when no one was around. In the dark, when I’d held her in my arms, when we were just teenagers. None of the guys knew about it, or they would have given me shit. They would have thought something was going on between us, but it wasn’t like that.

I showered quickly and made my way to Whiskey Falls to meet the guys.

We ordered food, and Lionel, Ruby’s father and the owner of this fine establishment, came over and chatted with us for a bit before he got called away by someone in the kitchen.

“I stopped by the bookstore on my way here and peeked in the windows. It looks like you got a lot done for the first day,” Hayes said.

“Yeah, we want to get her up and going as quickly as we can so she can start making money.” Nash popped a tater tot into his mouth before flicking his thumb in my direction. “And this guy likes to build, so he put in a long day.”

“It’s going to look good. We’ll get it done as quickly as possible. Couple of weeks should be plenty of time.” I took a long pull from my beer. “Did you know Saylor was going out with that coach dude, Jeremy?”

“Jalen? The guy who’s working at Romeo’s gym?” Hayes asked.

“Jalen’s a good guy. You don’t have anything to worry about.” Romeo shot me a confused look, probably wondering why I was bringing it up in front of Hayes. Saylor was a grown woman, and she didn’t like her brother being in her business. We all knew that. They’d had many arguments in front of us about it.

“I don’t like him.” I shrugged, and River raised a brow, most likely also wondering why I was doing this. But we were straight shooters, and I wouldn’t hold back. These were my brothers.

Nash smirked because he enjoyed it when I did this kind of shit.

“You don’t even know him. He had great references, and he’s a good guy. What is your issue with him?” Romeo crossed his arms over his chest and stared at me.

“First off, his shorts are too fucking short. He calls me mate. His hair is too shiny. Shall I go on?”

River barked out a laugh. “He called me mate, too. Is he Australian?”

“No. He’s from Jersey,” I hissed.

“Who gives a shit? Mate is a universal term. And his shorts are fine. That’s what dudes are wearing these days in the gym. As for his hair, I think your hair is just as shiny,” Romeo said over his laughter.

“I get it. He’s new in town, and you’re looking out for Saylor. It’s what we do. But if Romeo thinks he’s a good dude, I think we can trust that,” Nash said, reaching for his steak sandwich. “It’s a date. She’s not marrying the dude.”

Is everyone losing their fucking minds?

We knew nothing about this guy.

“I appreciate you looking out for her. She didn’t mention anything to me about going out with him, but I know she doesn’t want me getting involved in her business. I’m trying to back off.” Hayes took a long pull from his beer and then turned his attention to Romeo. “You think he’s fine?”

“Yes. And they went to dinner one time. I don’t think there’s anything to worry about.” Romeo shrugged like it was no big deal.

“Actually, they are on date number two tonight. Movie night. So I’ll be watching that dude like a fucking hawk,” I said, not hiding my irritation.

River’s gaze met mine, and it spoke volumes without saying a word.

What the fuck is going on with you?

Ride or die, brother.

This is what we do.