Page 14 of Whiskey Reveals

Chapter 8

Fox groaned,but it had nothing to do with feeling good. He hadn’t been able to sleep the night before, and now he had dark circles under his eyes, and his body hurt because he’d worked out too hard. He would have liked to say that he’d worked out as much as he had because he wanted to get a bit stronger and bulk up to look like his brothers, but sadly, that wasn’t the case.

Instead, he’d done it because he was sexually frustrated thanks to a certain blonde who had not only pressed up against him just right that day at the gym but had also been haunting his dreams even when he was awake.

This whole just staying just friends thing with Melody wasn’t going to be easy, because all he wanted to do was pin her against the wall and have his way with her as she did the same with him.

He officially needed help.

He hadn’t texted Melody at all the day before because he’d been trying to keep it cool even if he had no idea what he was doing. And because of that, after work, he’d done double the workout like an idiot and had ignored Loch’s curious stares as sweat dripped into his eyes and his body shook with exertion.

He reasoned that if he could tire himself out, maybe he’d get rid of his hard-on and actually sleep.

It hadn’t worked. Not in the slightest. And after Loch had finally kicked him out of the gym, Fox had found himself at home, exhausted, horny, and still not able to sleep.

He couldn’t blame Melody for it, though. Not when he’d also been thinking about work and Ms. Pearl and all the other things he was juggling these days.

But today was his day off, and he wasn’t going to think about that. Not if he could help it. That meant that he would take it easy, get some work done around the house, set up his yard for the new season, and maybe do something crazy like read a book while drinking coffee.

Unheard of for him these days.

Before he could go about his day and try to relax before another long workweek and trying to figure out his relationship with Melody, he needed to take a shower. His phone buzzed right before he headed to the bathroom.

The screen showed Melody’s name, and he swallowed hard before casually answering. Or at least, what he thought was casual.

“Hey there.” He cleared his throat. Smooth, Fox. Smooth.

“Hey. So, uh, I know I should probably call the company involved, but I don’t know what to ask, and I hate sounding like a dumb blonde.”

Fox grinned, not able to help himself. “You’re going to have to back up a few steps. Which company? And how can I help?”

She laughed, and it went straight to his cock. Hell, he loved her laugh. “Sorry. Hi, Fox. How are you? I was in the middle of a thought when I called and, apparently, I finished my internal conversation with you instead of starting over.”

“I’m just waking up. I was lazy today. Sleeping in.”

“Oh! I didn’t wake you?”

He shook his head, then remembered she couldn’t see him. “No, I’ve been up, but I don’t have plans today other than being lazy if I feel like it. So, what’s going on, Melody?”

“Grandma Pearl wanted to watch a movie she recorded this morning, but I can’t get the box to work. Now, she’s off with her friends for their weekly brunch—I swear that woman has a more active social life than any teenager in Whiskey. Anyway, I’m trying to get it to work, but it keeps giving me an error message that makes no sense. I think something just needs to be rebooted, but this is a new system to me, and I could just really use any advice or help you can give me.”

“Everyone in town pretty much has the same box. I can probably help you fix it rather than trying to get someone on the phone. I’ll be over in a few to try and help out. Or at least help you growl at it while you fix it. That way, you’re not alone.” He snorted. “Technology rules our lives, and it sucks most of the time.”

“Totally. You don’t have to come over, but I’d appreciate it. The internet is working, same as the house phone, but the cable part isn’t. Hence my anger and confusion at the damn thing.”

“Give me ten minutes to hop in the shower, and I’ll be over.”

“Thanks,” she said softly. “Sorry you’re not going to have your lazy day.”

“Helping a pretty woman while not having to actually work? I can still have my lazy day.”

“Fox.”

“What?”

“Don’t call me pretty. We’re not doing the flirting thing, remember?”

He pinched the bridge of his nose. It wasn’t easy to remember that, but he would at least try. For her. “Got it. See you soon.”

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