Page 127 of Seven Year Itch
I release a laugh as chills run down my body. He’s right. I don’t want to know anything else. I don’t want to know what a damn fool he’s being or how his crazy friggin’ family just lets him waste his life away.
I look down at my cards, murmuring something under my breath, while Luke says, “Hey, Calder, want to grab me another beer?”
He stands to go get it, and I smack my cards back down on the table, stopping him in his tracks. “So you just want tonotmake money, then? Cool, Calder. Way to be a tough guy. Who likes doing something they love for money, anyways? I’ll get your tab on my website taken down right away. We wouldn’t want to not waste your potential, right?”
Silence descends, and I feel everyone’s eyes on me, but my brain is too fired-up to give a shit. I pick my cards back up and tap them on the table, my legs bouncing viciously as I look around at everyone awkwardly staring at their cards. “And it’s funny how all of you can get on board with helping him mess with me tonight, but you’re unwilling to help him where it actually matters.”
“What are you talking about?” Wyatt asks, his mouth puckering as he glowers over at me from his place beside Calder.
“You use him to do all the grunt work on your job sites because he doesn’t have a kid or he’s doing less of the business sidethat Luke manages, but the shit you have him doing could be easily subcontracted out. Hire a drywall guy. Hire a part-time employee. There are better things Calder can be doing with his limited free time.”
“Like what?” Luke asks, his eyes piercing into me.
“Have you ever been inside his shop?” I snap, knowing I’m completely crossing a family boundary here but unable to stop myself. “Have you seen what he’s capable of? What he makes with his bare hands? It’s beautiful and has your dad’s essence all over it. You all should be so proud of him and this talent he honors with your dad’s memory.”
I look up to see Calder’s eyes red-rimmed and burning a hole straight through me. And then I see that Johanna is tearing up too. And Max. And hell, I even got Wyatt and Luke. Dammit, this isn’t what I wanted to happen. I’m going way overboard here, but I can’t just stop caring about this infuriating man because he screws up.
I inhale a shaky breath and try to compose myself better. “I apologize if I’m speaking too personally about your dad. It’s not my place.”
“You go ahead and keep talking, hon,” Johanna says, her eyes fierce on mine. At least someone seems to be hearing me.
“I’m just trying to get you guys to realize that the furniture Calder builds is so incredibly special. It makes the crap out by Max and Cozy’s pool look cheap and basic.”
“Hey, I picked that out!” Cozy chirps, her voice thick with emotion.
“Well, it sucks compared to Calder’s work, and I have a feeling Steven would agree,” I reply with indignation over a man I am desperately trying not to care about. “How all of your houses aren’t filled with his furniture is beyond me. You guys treat this like it’s a hobby, and it’s not. It’s his passion. It’s his therapy. It’s his greatest life’s work and could be an extremely fulfilling career for him.” I turn and thrust a finger up at Calder who looks completelystunned. “Tell them about the high-end boutique in Denver that’s interested in featuring you.”
“It’s not that big a deal,” Calder replies, his eyes locked on mine with a look of longing that I feel squarely in my gut.
“It’s not that big a deal?” I volley back, my chair scraping on the floor as I stand up. “They want to feature his work in their showroom. It’s a really cool thing! God, Calder. This is so typical you. You just...” I let out a frustrated growl as I turn and walk toward the kitchen, desperate for some space.
“Talk to me outside for a moment?” Calder asks, moving toward me.
“I’m too mad to talk.” I pull away, holding my hands up.
“Walk your ass outside or I will carry you out. You know I’ve done it before.” He points to the door with a sharp commanding tone that makes my entire body flush with desire. I’m getting sex club flashbacks in front of his whole family, which is not good. Licking my lips, I make my way through the expansive sliding glass door that leads out to the deck overlooking the pool, grateful for the cool night air to help clear my head.
My heels clomp loudly as I pace and stew over all the stuff his whole family spewed at me about Calder’s past when they are missing the point. His future is so much bigger than this fight between me and him. Why don’t they see that?
“Can you stop pacing so we can talk?” Calder’s voice is stony serious, halting me in my tracks.
I turn and cross my arms over my chest, glaring at him before glancing at the giant windows that reveal the entire dining room like a living art tableau.
Everyone sees me glaring and turns away quickly, trying to make themselves look busy, like they’re actually playing cards and not just eavesdropping on our whole conversation.
“What are you trying to pull in there?” I snap, my tone acidic. “This is such an ambush.”
Calder’s eyes are downcast as he licks his lips and takes in a deepbreath. “I’m trying to prove to you that I’m trustworthy. I’m telling you my truths.”
“By telling me you shit your pants in seventh grade?”
He grimaces and grips the back of his neck. “Okay, I was going forfunny and relatableon that one... Maybe it didn’t land.”
“You need to take yourself more seriously, Calder,” I cry, my soul radiating this truth to help him see himself more clearly. “When are you going to see yourself as amazing as I do?”
He blinks rapidly as his lips part, his gaze growing tender in the soft light pouring on him from the house. “You think I’m amazing?”
“You know you’re amazing.”
