Page 98 of Love Me Fierce

When we finally bring our working lunch to a close, I grab Everett’s coat and step outside for some fresh air. The drizzle has softened to a fine mist, with bright patches separating the thick clouds above, like the sun might melt them away. Wearing Everett’s coat, rich with his scent, reminds me how we parted this morning.

Does Everett know who wrote that awful word on my car?

Does he knowwhy?

I slip my phone from my coat pocket. He said he wanted to know when I was feeling unsafe. Does this qualify?

Even though I know he’s working, I dial his number.

It goes straight to voicemail. It’s not a surprise, but my already heavy heart sinks another notch.

“It’s Vivian,” I say after the tone. “Just making sure you still have time to help me later. I should be there by four thirty.”

Sepp offered to bring Matty to Ruby Gulch for me, but I‘m going to need one of his hugs after this day.

I hang up and turn to go back inside, but when I come around the corner, Doug is standing by his Lexus, typing a message into his phone.

“There you are,” he says, slipping his phone into his pocket and flashing me a grin. “Thanks again for having me today.”

I shade my eyes from the sun and try to smile. “You’re welcome. Thanks for making it special.” The minute the words leave my lips, I want to take them back. I didn’t mean “special” in the way he’s clearly interpreting. I meant ordering my favorite sandwich from such a fancy spot.

Doug’s eyes have softened, and he gives me a slow up-down scan. “Anytime,” he says.

Before I say anything else I don’t mean, I hurry back into the clinic.

When I getto my trailer after dropping Mateo at Ruby Gulch and picking up snacks we can munch while we work, Everett’s not here, but Sepp and Hudson are waiting. I tell myself Everett is just busy. He’ll come. When I check my phone, I see he’s replied to the voicemail I left him at lunchtime with a text.

I’ll be there as soon asI can

I give it a thumbs up and step into the rain, pulling the hood of Everett’s jacket over my head.

Hudson and Sepp could almost be twins with their fit, lean frames, sandy blonde hair, and easy smiles. Sepp’s eyes are a warm hazel-green while Hudson’s are a striking blue.

“Put us to work, boss,” Hudson says, rubbing his hands together.

“Let’s start in the kitchen,” I say, and dig out my keys.

With the three of us working and Sepp’s disco dance tunes filling the airwaves, we make steady progress reclaiming my kitchen. I nibble on cheese and crackers and the cashews I brought while I work so I don’t lose momentum. The three of us take turns keeping the laundry going, and by nightfall, we have Mateo’s room back in order. I do my best to sanitize every surface, but it’s impossible to erase the lingering sense of intrusion. I’ll just have to hope it fades with time.

The guys maneuver my couch through the doorway, allowing me to vacuum the rest of the floor. Hudson comes back in with carpentry tools to tackle the rip in the flooring. I start on the walls while Sepp starts ferrying the trash bags we’ve filled to the dumpster. The main room is looking ten times better when Sepp returns from outside and catches Hudson’s eye.

“Be right back,” Sepp says before they disappear.

I return to my bare pantry and scribble down my list of things I need to replace. Rice and flour and sugar and cereal. Snacks for lunches. Matty’s favorite cookies.

A roll-down door slamming shut outside draws me to the window. In the middle of the pavement is a white delivery truck. It rumbles to life and cruises to the exit. I crane my neck to the right, where Hudson and Sepp are shuffling something big and brown up my front steps.

“What on earth have you done?” I ask as Hudson backs into my trailer, carrying the end of a loveseat.

“You needed a couch,” Sepp says from the other end of the loveseat, grinning at me.

“Guys,” I warn. It’s polka-dotted with raindrops but otherwise it looks brand-new.

“Sepp did it,” Hudson says, his lips twitching with a playful grin as he shuffles backwards into the living room.

“Not just me,” Sepp says. He and Hudson set the loveseat where my old couch had been. “Do you like it?”

“You did not need to do this!” I cross my arms.

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