Page 92 of Beat around the Bush
“Somethingelse or someone?” he asked.
I pinned him with a look. “Does it matter?”
He dropped his boot back to the ground. “I know the feeling, Len.”
And he was right. He did.
He’d been in a position before where someone wanted him to make a choice, and he chose the ranch. Not because he didn’t love her, though. It was just the healthier option.
He pulled his gloves off, stuffing them in his coat pockets. “There’s a way to divide your time between the two and still behappy, you know. You don’t have to put all of yourself into just one thing. Plus, you’ve got the upper hand here. She works with you.”
Air blew through my nose on a small chuckle. “Yeah, I guess I can work her and the store at the same time.”
He pulled back. “Okay. Did not need to know that, man. I know we’re brothers and all, but–”
I smacked him on the shoulder lightly. “I’m just kidding, Cal. Didn’t know you were such a prude.”
He set a hand over his heart, feigning hurt. “I amnota prude.”
“I’m pretty sure going this long without sex makes you a prude,” I pointed out.
He wiped his hands on his jeans, shaking his head at the ground. “This is why I don’t share about my sex life.”
“Why? ‘Cause there’s not one to share?”
He punched me in the shoulder, a bit harder than I had, but I probably deserved it.
My phone rang from my pocket, and I pulled a glove off, fishing my phone out.
“It’s the leasing company,” I told Cal.
“Take it. I have to go wrap up with Ben anyway. Beers later?”
I nodded. “Your place?”
“Yep. I’ll text you when I’m done with lessons,” he said before walking off in the direction of the barn.
Tapping the green circle, I brought the phone to my ear. “This is Lennon.”
“Lennon, this is Alfred. I was talking with my colleague here, and we’re open to negotiating for you to buy out your lease and purchase the property.”
I froze for a full five seconds, then checked the caller ID to make sure this wasn’t a prank call. Bringing the phone back to my ear, I cleared my throat and said, “That sounds great. Can you send me an email with the details?”
“Yep. I’ll send it over within the hour. Give me a call if you have any questions.”
“Thank you,” I said to him before we said our goodbyes.
I stared at the black screen on my phone for a minute, thinking it was too good to be true, and I hadn’t even seen the offer yet.
If this went through, the store would officially be mine. It wouldn’t just be my name on my employees’ paychecks anymore, but my name on the building, too. After all this time, they were finally willing to give in to my request of purchasing the property.
All I wanted to do right now was tell Oakley and celebrate the possibility of me owning the place.
“What’s got your face all shell-shocked?” a familiar deep voice asked from the right of me.
Turning to look at him, I smiled at Beckham. “I didn’t know you were here today.”
Beck shrugged. “I like surprises. Why’re you looking at your phone like that? Oakley sending you nudes?”
