Page 40 of Found By You

After we found her a heavy coat that can last a Montana winter, I dropped her off at the motel to rest. I wanted to invite her tonight—I’d thought about it all day—but that little voice in my head just kept screaming; no strings attached.

What if I want those strings?

I’m getting the sense she’s trying to keep me at arm’s length. And I hate it. It grates under my skin like a knife. I’ve told her countless times to call me with anything she needs, and she’s still not listening. What do I have to do for her to let me take care of her?

I shouldn’t care this much. We’ve known each other for barely three days, she’s pregnant with another man’s baby, we hooked up once… Yet, here I am, missing her the second I dropped her off.

“Yeah.”

“Tell her I talked to Peggy, and we’re definitely looking for more help at the coffee shop,” Cassidy says, adding, “It’d only be part-time until the second location opens in a few months, but it’s something. Alison also called around about yoga classes. They don’t offer them at Rick’s Gym, but they were really interested in starting something like that.”

My brow furrows. “Did she ask you to look into that for her?”

“No, but—”

“Then back off,” I deadpan. I want her to stay on her own accord, not because other people are pushing for it. I want her to want to stay. With me.

Butch scowls. “What the hell is your deal, man? I thought you liked this chick.”

“Isn’t she pregnant?” Levi burps out.

The room goes silent as every pair of Montgomery eyes lands on me.

“Who’s pregnant?” Lily, my sister, is the first to ask. Unlike the rest of the Montgomery men with dark hair and eyes, Lily is a blonde-haired, blue-eyed, ex-model. Similar to Levi, she enjoys watching her brothers squirm in the hot seat.

“Why didn’t you invite her tonight?” Rhett asks, shoveling in a forkful of pasta. “Ma always makes too much.”

“Who are we talkin’ ‘bout?” my father asks, taking a swig of his beer.

“No one, Pop,” I say sternly, my gaze sliding around the table in warning.

Butch glares at me, crossing his arms over his chest. That son of a— “Maci Baker,” he starts. My fist tightens around my fork in hand. “Duke helped her out a few nights ago. She was just passing through, and got stranded. Now she’s thinking about staying if she can find a job.”

“Well, that’s nice of you, dear,” my mother says kindly.

“So, what’s her story?” Lily asks curiously, handing Parker his drink. “She was just passing through? To where?”

“Her story is wild, Lily,” Cassidy beams, catching everyone’s attention.

“Yeah, and it’s her story to tell,” I grind out. I doubt Maci would like the idea of everyone in town knowing her business. I sure as hell don’t. And between Lily, Cassidy, Levi, and my mother—everyone will. “Maybe you should leave it at that.”

Cassidy frowns, shoulders dropping. Butch’s jaw clenches as he pushes back in his chair to stand. “You got a fuckin’ problem, Duke, speak up.”

I toss my fork down with a clang and stand to counter his posture. “Yeah, I fuckin’ do. Keep your fiancée out of my goddamn business.”

“Duke, I wasn’t trying to—” Cassidy tries to say, but is cut off by my growling brother stalking around the table to meet me.

Bring it on, asshole. I’ve been itching to clear this heat with him. It’s about time we settled it like how we used to when we were younger. Levi and Rhett jump up, picking a brother and attempting to hold us back from throwing down right here in the dining room.

“Enough,” Ma snaps. “Sit your asses down now, both of you.”

Doing as we’re told, we sit. Glaring at one another like we’re feuding in middle school over who gets to be team captain in gym class. Just one good hit to his smug face would set my nerves to rest.

“I’m sorry,” Cass says quietly. “I wasn’t trying to cause any problems between you and Maci.”

“Oh my god, are you dating someone?” Lily blurts, loud and shocked.

I grit my teeth. I’m done.

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