Page 34 of A Package Deal

Instead, I sat back and took a longneck bottle of beer out of the six-pack I’d bought after leaving Tequila Mockingbird. Extending the slight buzz sounded better than fighting. The sky out here was so different than in the city. I could see star formations through the tree limbs, ones I hadn’t been able to see since I was a kid. Crickets chirped and little rustles of lizards moving in the brush nearby felt like nature’s white noise. It was soothing on a day that had been anything but. I tilted my head back and drank it in. I hadn’t figured out what I wanted for the second half of my life, but being back home felt right.

A sound from my right had me tilting my head back up and opening my eyes. The world shifted a bit and I decided I’d had enough beer for the night. The floodlight on the side of the house activated and outlined a slight figure on the back porch.

“Watch out for nails,” I drawled.

Em stepped around the tools she’d left for tomorrow’s work and came closer. I groaned inwardly. Why did she have to walk around in her pajamas? There wasn’t anything inherently sexy about them. They were plain white cotton, for God’s sake, but the way they left her legs bare and her small breasts on display felt indecent. Her flip-flops made noise as she walked closer, jumping down from the foundation and coming over to the bench. She didn’t sit down, nor did she look me in the eye, choosing to hide behind a lock of hair that had partially fallen over her face.

She looked so goddamn uncomfortable, I had to intervene and help her out. “You know I used to put my work ahead of everything in life. I was the cliche guy who worked sunup to sundown, amassing bigger portfolios, closing deals on golf courses, and attending fancy fundraisers just to rub elbows with other businesspeople who might be useful to me later on.” I shook my head and laughed ruefully. “I was a complete dumbass. Definitely earned that nickname of Dick.”

Em huffed, fighting a smile.

I stared at the house I’d grown up in. “And then my dad got sick and none of that shit mattered.”

Em crossed her arms over her chest. “I know what you’re alluding to and it’s not a fair comparison. I work my ass off to put food on the table. I have another human being who relies on me. I’m not working my hands to the bone for stock portfolios and yachts and fancy dinners.”

I nodded, moving the six-pack to the ground in case she wanted to sit. “I understand. I do. I didn’t grow up wealthy. You saw those hideous countertops in the kitchen. I guess what I’m trying to say is that there has to be a balance. I’m still trying to find mine, so I don’t have any advice to give, other than to say I regret not spending more time with my father.”

She kicked at a rock with the toe of her flip-flop, her voice so soft and heartfelt it made me want to cry over missing him. “I’m sorry for your loss, Warrick.”

“If you’d hurt yourself, or God forbid, done worse today with that beam, I just think about Georgia. She needs to grow up with her mama, even if food is sometimes scarce or you can’t afford new clothes for her. I just don’t want to see you make the same mistake I did.”

I leaned forward with my elbows on my knees, picking at the label on the bottle of beer I held. I missed Dad every day, but especially when I found myself married to a woman who couldn’t stand me most days. Dad would have had advice. It would have been ridiculous and probably would have backfired, but he would have been there for me.

Em had a seat next to me, our legs just a few inches apart. “Thank you for helping me earlier today,” she said quietly.

“So I did help you?”

Her nose went in the air, but she nodded. I grinned, wondering how much that pained her to admit.

“You’re welcome.”

“I have a scar on my lip.”

I was familiar with the one she was talking about, not that I’d tell her I frequently studied her close enough to know.

“I got it from a two-by-four hitting me in the face when my ex didn’t brace the other side well enough.” She lifted her head, finally giving me her gaze. “Of all people, I should know when to ask for help where safety is concerned.”

And now I was pissed again. This time at her dumbass ex for being so careless as to hurt her. Lessons that left actual scars were unnecessary.

“I really can’t stand that guy,” I growled.

She laughed bitterly. “Believe me, I get it. Do you know he kept my mom’s gold cross necklace? He wouldn’t give it back to me. Said he didn’t have it, but I know just where I left it that night he kicked me out. Pissed me off even more after she died. What I wouldn’t give to have that around my neck when I start missing her.”

When she finished talking, her voice was thick with emotion. My hand itched to touch her, to offer some kind of support she desperately needed. But I had no right. It felt like we’d reached some tentative truce tonight and I didn’t want to jeopardize that by touching her inappropriately. We sat there for long moments, just soaking in the night, both of us lost in memories and grief. I had money, my brothers, and my mom, all of whom were an emotional safety net for me. Who did Em have? Her brothers who lived two hours away? Seemed like she needed someone watching out for her.

“I’m going to call around tomorrow and find more subcontractors,” I finally growled.

Em stiffened. “I don’t need you sticking your nose in my business.”

I stood up. “Oh, really? Seems like sticking my nose in saved your ass today.”

If Em could summon fire, I was certain she’d be breathing it right now. She hopped up too, hands on her slim hips. “One misjudgment doesn’t mean you get to tell me what to do with my own damn business.”

I leaned down, knowing I was using my height for intimidation and doing it anyway. “You are my damn business, wife.”

Her eyes narrowed to slits.

Right before she turned and stormed away without another word. I watched her enter the house, the silence returning. This time it wasn’t comforting.

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