Page 3 of The Wrangler
A light knock at the door forces me to rise from the cocoon of the bed. Amy stands in the hallway.
“I forgot to tell you. The guys decided to grill tonight and there’ll be plenty if you’d like to join us.” The woman’s warm smile is so inviting but wasted on me.
“That’s so kind of you, but I think I’m going to test out that beautiful tub and get some rest. Traveling took it out of me.” And I don’t have an ounce of energy left to play pretend and smile for strangers.
“Of course, I completely understand. I’ll see you in the morning for breakfast.”
I close the door and turn around to lean on it before I slowly slide to the floor. Now it makes sense that my uncle insisted I use a fake name. One phone call and my dream month to write my novel has transformed from a dream into a sticky web of lies.
Two
ALEX
My phone chimes with a text.
Stone:Grills hot. Get your ass down here.
Fuck. I can’t avoid the new guest forever but no way am I going downstairs commando in gray sweats. Even after my tension-relieving session in the shower. One look at that sweet redhead’s peach of an ass packed into bluejeans and everyone will be aware of my situation. Hell, my damn cock is twitching from threat of seeing her. I’m so screwed.
I shove my pants down, frowning at the fucker who gets me in all kinds of trouble. After stepping into some boxer briefs, because every layer will help, I put on a clean pair of jeans. The hallway is clear when I step out. I pause at the Columbine door. Should I invite her to join us? There’ll be plenty.
“Yes, sir.” Her voice sounds submissive, slightly scared even. Does she have a boyfriend? “I’m on it. I can do this.” Huh? Maybe she’s talking to her agent about the book. If so, he must be pushing her pretty hard. I resist the urge to knock. She’ll be too vulnerable, and I’m already a mess over her. I leave her door and continue down the hall.
Amy is coming up the stairs. “Did you invite Sonja?”
“Oh, uh?” I glance back up the stairs.
“Men.” She shakes her head. “I’ll ask her.”
I nod and keep moving. I can already hear the guys out back. The back door must be open. I rush down the stairs ready for a beer and whatever Stone’s cooking tonight.
I hit the deck and take a deep breath. Spring in Colorado is a whole lot cooler than what I grew up with. Supposedly it will get warm this summer. I’m not sure these local folks understand what heat is.
“There he is.” Tyler, the man who moved us out her to protect his wife, Amy, hands me an open bottle of some microbrew. I know better than to ask. Questions lead to lectures on hops and barley and yeast and shit that don’t matter. Either the beer tastes good or it doesn’t. This one isn’t bad. I give him a smile and nod to let him know I approve of his choice.
I glance around. Eliot is sitting at the table alone nursing his beer. I take the chair across from him.
“How’s the construction coming?” he asks.
“Wait.” Stone interrupts my answer, dropping a plate of grilled brats on the table next to a bag of kaiser rolls.
Amy pops out the back door her arms stacked with side-dish containers and condiments. I jump up to help her but Tyler beats me to it. With a cheesy little bow, I wing out my arm. “May I escort you to your seat, ma’am?”
Amy snort laughs and takes my arm. Tyler rolls his eyes. Dishes are passed around the table, as we load our plates.
“Where’s Sonja?” I ask quietly.
“She wasn’t feeling up to it. Long travel day.” Amy settles into the chair I pull out as I breathe a sigh of relief. At least dinner will be stress-free.
“How’s the construction coming, Alex.” Tyler is spooning sauerkraut into his bun.
“Dude, you were just out there.” I give him shit because I know he’s got an ulterior motive for asking. The former G-man always has a hidden agenda. “We’re wrapping up the first two condos. The three by two bedroom ADAs should be ready for inspection in two weeks. The first standard three bedroom might be done at the same time. Or close enough for us to schedule a visit from the inspector.”
Eliot turns his eagle-eyed gaze to me. “Three by two’s ours?”
“Yep.” I nod. Unable to say more without choking up. I cover my emotion by taking a big bite of fancy hot dog.
“Good,” Stone breaks the tension of remorse. “Guess we should start thinking about the soft opening for the club. Friends and family.”
