Page 102 of Somewhere You Belong

I swear, sometimes I hate the fucking internet.

“Like how successful are we talking?” Grady asks as he leans back in his chair.

“Fucking millions.”

Both of their sets of eyes nearly pop out of their sockets. “Shit.”

“Yeah, so needless to say, she won’t be staying.”

Grady arches a brow at me. “But you want her to?”

I set the rag I was holding down on the bar. “Look, we don’t have to get all touchy feely during lunch, all right? I’m dealing with it.”

Parker scoffs. “Sure, whatever you say. Just make sure you get your head in the game for Saturday.”

Crossing my arms over my chest, I lean against the bar. “Don’t you worry about me. I’d worry more about Barb from your office slowing you down.”

“I’ve given her light roles to play this time. She might think she can still do the wheelbarrow race, but I think we all know that’s not true after she snapped her wrist last year.”

Saturday marks the first day of the Carrington Cove Games, and it’s probably the only thing that has given me even an ounce of distraction since Willow left. Although, she should be back before then, and I hope she makes it because I want her to be a part of my team.

My crew at Catch & Release is ready. We’ve been practicing for the wheelbarrow race, tug of war, and each year, there’s a surprisecompetition that no one knows details about until the day of. Each team faces off in a tournament-style competition, racking up points based on how they place.

My competitive spirit is alive and well, and I’m ready to bring home the Cove Cup.

Part of that wouldn’t be so you can impress Willow, would it?

What are we now? Sixteen? Trying to win over the girl with our athleticism?

Heck, at this point, it couldn’t hurt.

“Doesn’t matter. Penn and I are gonna wipe the floor with y’all.”

Speaking of the devil, Penn walks through the door with a bandana tied around his head, his shirt soaked in sweat, and his jeans and boots covered in dust. “You got another burger back there?”

“I can whip you up something really quick.” I move to fill a glass of water for him first, setting it in front of him.

“Thanks.” He heaves out a sigh before taking a seat on the stool next to Grady. “Jesus, what a job.”

Parker peaks his head around Grady so he can look at Penn. “Finish the floors?”

“Yes. Finally.” Penn grabs the water and drains the entire thing. “Now it’s just the roof and paint. I talked to Thompson Painting to help with that since if I did it by myself, it would take a week and I don’t have time for that. But are you still up for helping me with the roof?” he asks me.

“Yeah, I told you I would.”

“Good. Then we’re starting next week after the games are over.”

“That’s if neither of you gets hurt,” Grady interjects.

“Look who’s talking, old man.” Penn smirks back at him.

“I’m only one year older than you.”

“Yeah, but you’re all in your thirties, which means you could throw your back out just throwing away a piece of trash,” Parker says.

Grady flexes his giant arms, and out of all of us, he’s definitely the one packing the most muscle. “Not gonna happen.”

“Don’t get cocky, old friend. Haven’t you heard the saying, ‘the bigger they are, the harder they fall?’” Penn taps the bar with his finger.

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