Page 34 of My Three Hometown Hard Hats
Out of the corner of my eye, I see a light on in Louise’s house, and a white puff of hair sticking out in the corner of a window.Lovely.
With one last look back at the guys, I move into the house. Knowing my mom went to bed hours ago, I quietly get ready for bed.
I slide Austin’s shirt off so I can remove my dress. I quickly put the flannel back on, deciding to wear only that over my panties to bed.
I slide beneath the sheets, resting my head on the pillow. My eyes stare unblinking at the ceiling as I try to process the day.
When we were exploring the festival earlier, it felt like we were a family. I guess the four of them are their own little family, but for those handful of hours, it felt like I was a part of it, too.
A part of my heart is already starting to fall for all three of these guys. I don’t think I’d be able to choose between them, and I really don’t want to.
I don’t know in what world I could possibly have all three of them, but in my heart, I know that’s what I want.How selfish would it be to ask that of them?
Conrad and Brooks seem like they might be on board with something like that, but Austin is resistant to letting anyone into his heart, let alone someone who would also be with the two men who are like brothers to him.
I get it. I really do. After everything he went through with his ex, I can’t fault him at all for being protective of his own heart and his daughter’s. If anything, it makes me even more attracted to the man.
There was a shift in him today after we talked at the park, but I don’t know if it’s enough.
I turn onto my side, snuggling into my pillow. Air huffs from my lungs as I contemplate all of the things I wish I could have, but know deep down I never will.
I bring the collar of the shirt up to my nose, inhaling Austin’s scent.I need to steal clothes from Brooks and Conrad, too.
For now, I soak in the peace the soft flannel brings me as I close my eyes and drift off to sleep.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Austin
Evelyn boundsout of the truck, running into Kingston Hardware as the twins and I follow behind her. Why all of us had to come along for this little supply mission, I have no idea.
That’s a lie. I’m pretty sure it has to do with a certain brunette who works at the animal shelter across the street from this very store.
When I said I was going to stop by and pick up our supply order after getting Evelyn from school, Conrad and Brooks both eagerly said they were tagging along.
The building has barely changed since I was a kid. It’s a barn that the Kingston family converted into a hardware store generations ago, and it’s currently run by this generation of Kingston brothers: Will, Owen, and Miles.
Stepping inside, I take in the wooden beams that crisscross overhead. Evelyn skips over to the front counter, which is lined with corrugated metal siding.
“Hey, kiddo,” Miles, the youngest of the brothers, smiles down at Evelyn.
Evelyn crosses her arms, glaring at him.Oh no. What’s going to come out of her mouth?
“Your team beat my softball team,” she says, gesturing back to the three of us, “a few weeks ago.”
He chuckles. “Yeah, we did, but they’ve beaten us plenty of times, too.”
She holds her fingers up to her eyes, then turns them toward him.Save me now.The feistiness on this one.
I step in behind her, resting my hands on her small shoulders. “Okay, firecracker. That’s enough of that. Do you want to go look in the greenhouse?”
She spins around so fast I think she’s going to have whiplash. “Yes!”
“Okay, go ahead, but be good. We’ll come get you when we’re done.”
She sprints to the corner of the store where it opens into the greenhouse.
“Sorry about her,” I tell Miles, shaking my head.
