Page 18 of The Wrangler
“He’s in the very best facility.” Tyler’s tone is matter of fact. Cade shrugs and nods.
“Sucks that it’s four hours away. I’d go see him everyday if I could.” Alex sounds so sincere. I glance at him. He’s staring into his beer, his shoulders slumped with the weight of friends’ burdens. “But the resort isn’t going to build itself.”
Stone crosses the patio with a plate full of steaming steaks. “We wouldn’t be where we are if you hadn’t stepped up, Alex, but you can’t work twenty-four seven.”
“I’m not. I haven’t slept at the site, even though I do lose some time in the commute.”
Stone narrows his gaze and makes a low sound of understanding or disbelief. “Pandora is doing a big event this weekend for the holiday. Two days. We’re going.”
No one responds immediately, too busy filling their plates. I can’t do what Stone’s demanding. If I go with them to Pandora, I’ll be torn between trying to catch Alex doing something bad and convincing him to do bad things to me. My uncle would be pissed. Say I’m wasting an opportunity. But he asked me to get information. I don’t have to drown in temptation to do that. I can stay here and work on my book.
After a few minutes of hands and utensils criss-crossing the table, everyone settles in for the feast. I take the first bite of steak and moan. Alex shudders and stiffens, his back ramrod straight. I moan again on purpose this time. “This is so good.”
Stone grins. “Glad you like it.”
“I can’t remember the last time I had a steak cooked on the grill. Too long.”
Alex gives me a curious look as if he’s requesting an explanation, but I ignore it. I can’t explain how once I stopped visiting family and was working and going to school, dreaming of being a model, my entire life unraveled. I still haven’t fully returned to normal. Maybe after I leave Colorado. Maybe never.
“When’s Reed coming out?” Tyler asks.
Who’s that? I glance around the table not sure who Tyler was addressing.
Eliot puts his fork down. “The original contract finished in December but the client insisted on a six-month extension to transition to a new security company. We couldn’t say no, but I did insist it was the last one. They like Reed, haven’t made any effort to find another bodyguard. But June is it. No more.”
“Can he fly out for the weekend?” Stone asks.
Eliot shakes his head. “Holiday and all that. Lots of activities.”
“He’s been flying back when he can,” Cade adds. “Hard to get all the way out to Alabaster when he’s only able to come for a couple days. But in August he’ll stay.”
“Last time I talked to him, he had all the properties rented and the property manager seems to be working out.” Eliot sounds as exhausted as Alex should be.
“Where is Reed living?” I ask as casually as I can.
“St. Louis.” Eliot answers.
Amy said they all met at a club in St. Louis, but I didn’t put it together at that moment. That’s where Alex was hiding before my uncle found him out here. I file away that detail. Use it to quiet my uncle the next time he calls.
“Not sure I should take off two days, really three with drive time.” Alex saws a bite of steak away from the slab. “The weather’s good this time of year.” Alex stuffs the bite into his mouth, staring at his plate. “Gotta have the apartment ready to go if Reed’s moving out. That cottage Tyler rented won’t hold all of you.” The last part is directed at Eliot.
“Thought you said the inspector has already been out?” Stone asks, but it’s not a question.
“It’s gotta be perfect for Blake when they move in. Still have some paint and finish work. Not to mention the fire door to install between the two units. Fire marshal insisted the door we had wasn’t good enough.”
“Gabe can take point with the subs if any of them are planning to work over the holiday.” The tone Stone uses tells me he doesn’t believe anyone will be working the long weekend.
Alex looks at me out of the corner of his eye. I tilt my head in an unasked question but he turns away. Why do I get the impression he’s still avoiding me? This is not the behavior of a predator. He opens doors, carries luggage, and is genuinely concerned about his friends. Hard-working. Responsible. Kind. He’s more like a hero in the romance novels I’ve been reading. Too similar to the character that has been forming in my head for my own book. I’m struggling to resolve that the book boyfriend sitting next to me is the monster of my cousin’s past, mostly because the more time I spend around him, the more attractive he becomes as a person. But I’ve been fooled before.
Nine
Alex
“Ready to work?”
SJ is leaning back in her chair, soft like a contented cat. Maybe that explains my urge to pet her, cuddle with her. She glances over, eyelids heavy—exactly how she’d look the next morning in my bed.Nope. I scoot my chair back irritated with my reaction to this woman Stone is sticking me with. Stone has the subtlety of a tank. “Daylight’s burning.”
My momma raised me right, so I pull out the chair and help SJ up. Her hand barely touches mine, but her long elegant fingers still shoot heat and possibility up my arm. I release her as soon as she’s standing. “Let’s get this done. I need some sleep.”
