Page 18 of Forbidden Love

“Seriously, Gary. I’ve got this. Go see if Emily has our order ready while you grab a cup of coffee and a cookie or two.”

He sighed, clearly debating it, then finally relented. “Fine, but if anyone asks, I put up a hell of a fight before I let you do my job.”

Deb grinned. “Deal.”

As Gary walked off toward the front of the store, she got to work, hauling the lumber piece by piece to the edge of the trailer. The physical labor felt good. It gave her something to focus on besides the mess in her head. Hearing that Brock had fought the guys running their mouths about her and Emily had her spinning. Why had he done that?

It was nice that someone had stood up for her, but she didn’t care what people said.

Okay, that was a total lie.

The words had cut deep, reopening wounds she thought had scabbed over. But she told herself it was karma, a long-overdue reckoning for the damage she’d done. She had spent years spreading rumors, twisting truths, and tearing people down with her sharp tongue. And now? She was on the receiving end of it.

Fair was fair.

So no, she didn’t deserve Brock fighting for her. She didn’t deserve anyone standing up for her. This was the price she had to pay. Jumping from the back of the truck, she leaned against it using her gloved hand to wipe a tear that escaped angrily away.

“Fair is fair.” She whispered those words that she repeated every single time the tables turned back on her. With a heavy heart, she continued to unload the truck welcoming the burn in her arms, back, and legs hoping it would take her mind off the shitshow that was her life.

CHAPTER 9

Brock stepped out of the house at the sound of an approaching truck, his sharp gaze scanning the driveway as Hunter pulled up.

Tammy and Ben had left earlier with Leda to spend the day at Garrett’s, and that knowledge settled something in his chest. Tammy was making good friends here, finding her place among the pack, making it easier for him to think about moving on. Once he knew that she was safe, that her bastard of an ex was no longer a threat, there’d be nothing tying him here.

At least, that was what he kept telling himself.

The rumble of the truck engine faded as Hunter rolled down the window. “You got time to grab those shingles and take them to Deb’s?”

Brock’s jaw tightened before he could stop it. Deb. Of course, it had to be her.

He exhaled sharply, shoving aside the flicker of something he didn’t want to name. “Yeah, I got time.” Climbing into the truck, he glanced at Hunter, who was staring at him. “What?”

Hunter’s grin widened, damn near smug, and Brock had the sudden urge to wipe it off his face.

“How are you feeling this morning?” Hunter drawled, his tone dripping with amusement.

Brock narrowed his eyes. “Fine.”

“You sure about that?” Hunter teased.

Brock folded his arms, his patience already running thin. “You got something to say, Hunter?”

Hunter chuckled. “Dude, I always got something to say.”

“Then spit it the fuck out.” Brock wasn’t one for games. If Hunter had a point, he needed to get to it.

“You were mighty fired up last night.” Hunter started the truck, but his sharp gaze remained locked on Brock, watching him too damn closely.

“I was.” Brock agreed but offered nothing more.

Hunter smirked. “Deb’s a good-looking lady. And she’s... changed a lot.”

Brock exhaled harshly, rubbing his forehead. He knew what Hunter was hinting at and didn’t like it. “He was also talking about your Mate and my sister.” His voice came out hard, clipped.

Hunter’s expression sobered slightly, but that knowing smirk never entirely disappeared. “Yeah, he was. I made sure the bastard lost a tooth or two before Dell broke it up.” He tapped his fingers against the steering wheel. “But you sure as hell reacted a lot harder when Deb’s name came up.”

Brock turned his head sharply, pinning Hunter with a look that should’ve made the man shut the hell up. “Don’t push me, Hunter.”

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