Page 69 of Take My Hand

“Ah, how’re things coming along?”

I make a so-so motion with my hand in the air between us while chewing a bite of my burger. “Some of them are easier than others. I just got a quote back for one of the projects and now I’m rethinking if it’s really worth it.”

“What’s the project?” he asks.

“Adding a bathtub to the upstairs primary bathroom. Thing only came with a shower.”

“How much did they quote you?”

I pull up the estimate on my phone and show him.

His eyes bulge. “Do you have pictures of the space?”

Flipping through my photos, I pull a few up for him, pointing out where I’d like it to go and then showing him where the contractor said they’d have to add in the additional plumbing.

“Did you sign a contract?” he asks as he studies the photos with a sharp eye.

“No.”

“Good. Don’t. I’ll take care of it. They’re ripping you off. Probably saw the value of your home or know who you are and thought you’d be a quick cash grab.”

“You don’t have to do that, sir?—”

“Roger,” he corrects me as he takes a sip of his beer. “And it’s no problem. You pay for the materials and I’ll cover the labor. It’s the least I can do for you.”

I cock my head to the side, trying to read why he would give me such a generous gift when he just met me. But he darts his eyes over to Carter and back to me in a silent answer.

He’d do it for his daughter.

Carter dips a fry in ketchup before taking a bite, focused on her food and tuned out of our conversation. She wiggles a bit as she eats and I can’t keep the smile off my face at watching her enjoy her dinner so much.

When I turn back to Roger to find him watching us both with a fondness and fatherly love, I know there’s nothing he wouldn’t do to see his daughter be happy.

I nod, letting him know there’s nothing I wouldn’t do either to keep that renewed light inside of her burning bright.

“Thank you, si—” I start to say but catch myself. “Roger. Thank you. Appreciate the help.”

“Hey, did I ever tell you that he tried to sand down a metal coffee table?” Carter pipes in, pointing a thumb in my direction. I shoot her an exasperated look, feeling my cheeks flame.

Roger lets out a loud laugh.

“Not in front of the construction guy, will you?” I groan, knowing I’m never going to live that down.

23

CARTER

Cameras flash and temporarily blind as we walk swiftly enough into the club so as to not get stopped by anyone, but slow enough for the photographers to get their photo. Hayden’s hand holds mine with a ferocious grip and he keeps me tucked close into his side the whole way.

Nikolai and Walker lead the charge, with Reid trailing behind me and Hayden. The five of us are going out tonight on Arun’s orders. Besides the occasional flinch from Hayden, the rest of the guys seem unfazed by the paparazzi. How long did it take them to build up the shell of indifference toward them? I can barely even see the path in front of me anymore, but they walk as smooth as can be.

The rumors about the band breaking up haven’t slowed down, and after Hayden skipped out on the interview in New Jersey a couple weeks ago, it was decided that the guys needed a group outing to show they are all still a united front.

So a joint birthday celebration out at one of LA’s most popular clubs was thrown together. Much to my annoyance, Hayden failed to tell me it was his birthday at the end of June. He seemed surprised when I called him out for not informing me, as he “didn’t think it was that big of a deal”. Safe to say, he now knows that that is information you tell your girlfriend.

So it’s a belated birthday night out for Hayden, and an early birthday night out for Nikolai, who also turns twenty-six next week. Arun made sure to tip off the paparazzi and made Walker, the most responsible one of the four, promise to get some videos and pictures inside to post to the band’s social media account.

Hayden was reluctant to bring me, and at first, my feelings were hurt by it. My mind skipped over all logic and jumped immediately to thinking that he wanted to hide me and our relationship because he wasn’t confident in us. That our little routine we’ve fallen into lately hasn’t meant the same to him.

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