Page 14 of Until Bax

“The moving company signed off on you removing your items from the truck, but we can’t move it from where it’s parked, and we have to take photos of everything since there is another delivery in the back,” Cobi says, looking between Bax and me. “Did you get ahold of anyone?”

“My parents are on their way. I couldn’t get in touch with Liam, but I sent him a message.”

“Talon and Jax are coming,” Bax adds, and Cobi lifts his chin before looking at the back of the truck.

“We should open it up and see what we’re working with.”

I stand back while the two guys unlatch and lift the rolling door at the back of the semi and figure out how to use the lift. By the time they have that sorted, two trucks are pulling up, and just like Cobi, I recognize Jax and Talon immediately from when I would spend time at Bax’s parents’ house, and all his cousins and siblings would be there.

“Thanks for coming, man.” Bax gives his brother a one-armed hug and a slapping handshake to his cousin’s hand before motioning to me. “You remember Olivia, Liam’s little sister, right?” he asks Talon.

“Olivia?” He shakes his head with a smile as he meets my gaze. “Liam told me you moved back. How have you been?”

“Good.” I smile and shift on my feet. Having known him for years before I left home, it’s difficult to ignore the instinct to give him a hug. The reason I do is because after I hugged Bax at the bar days ago, I replayed that moment over and over in my head a million times and realized I shouldn’t have done that. He knew me when I was younger, and even though he and Liam have always been friends, we haven’t. If anything, he only tolerated me because I was his best friend’s little sister.

“Nice to meet you, Olivia.” Jax smiles at me before sending Bax a look I don’t understand.

“All right, guys, let’s get this done so we can get this truck moved,” the older gentleman I saw Cobi with when we came outside says as he walks up to join us.

“Olivia, this is Chief Marshall,” Cobi introduces before pulling out his phone and passing it to me. “You take pictures as we pull everything out.”

“I can help unload stuff,” I offer, the guilt compiling once again.

“You can, but you’re not going to,” Chief Marshall says with a kind smile that makes me feel slightly less insulted.

As the guys begin the process of unloading the boxes closest to the doors, my parents pull up, and my mom comes to stand with me while my dad jumps in to help. It’s a relief to hear the guys all joking and laughing as they work to remove everything that belongs to me from the back of the truck. I know they would much rather be spending their evening at home with their families than here doing this. Heck, I don’t even want to be here doing this.

After all the pictures are taken, we begin the process of moving everything into the house, with my mom and me helping to carry the smaller items and the guys taking care of the larger things. As I’m walking up the sidewalk with one of my lamps, my cell phone starts to ring, so I step to the side so I’m not blocking the path and take it out of the pocket of my shorts, seeing it’s Liam calling.

“Hey.”

“Sorry, kid. I just got your message,” he says, the background noise making it difficult to hear him. “I’m going to tell my date I’m cutting out early and will be on my way.”

“Don’t worry about it. We’re just about done. Mom and Dad and Bax’s brother and cousins are helping.”

“Are you sure? I can be there in thirty minutes.”

I look at the driveway. Except for my couch, a couple of odd pieces of furniture, and a few more boxes, almost everything is already inside.

“I’m sure.” The sound of the tow truck backing up catches my attention, and I watch Chief Marshall direct the driver where to stop in front of the semi.

“All right, but I’ll help you with whatever you need this weekend.”

“Thanks.”

“Are you sure you’re good?” he asks, sounding like he feels guilty.

“I’m sure. Enjoy your date.” I hang up with him after saying goodbye, then take the lamp inside.

When I get back outside, the tow truck and semi are gone, but Chief Marshall is still here. He calls me over to have me sign off on some paperwork and to let me know that the delivery company I used will be calling me. He also tells me that I should demand a full refund, which I just might do.

By the time I’m done speaking with him, the guys have taken everything into the house. When I step back into the foyer, Talon is coming up the hall with Cobi and Jax right behind him.

“Bax is setting up your bed, but he’s almost done, so we’re going to take off,” Talon tells me, stopping near the front door.

“Thanks again for coming to help. I owe you.”

“It’s all good,” he replies, Jax and Cobi saying something similar before they offer goodbyes to my mom, dad, and me, then head out the door.

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