Page 3 of Open Road (Tattooed Hearts Duet 3)

Pushing open the doors,I shifted the box in my hands that Slade had wanted. He looked up at my entrance, nodding to a place I could put it.

“That the last one?”

“Yeah.” Exhaling, I wiped the sweat that had developed on my brow from all my trips. “What do you need me to do?”

Slade looked at me, his face blank. “I’m glad you’re here. I just wanted you to know that.”

It took me a second to realize he wasn’t joking. “I’m glad to be here, too. It’s nice spending time with you.”

He nodded, returning back to the table tray he was organizing. “Have you talked to Dad lately?”

“Yeah, he likes what you’ve done so far and wants to schedule a time to visit. He wants you to meet his new girlfriend. I think you’ll like her. She’s different from the others.”

He sighed, but nodded. “Fine. Can you put the last of these supplies in her suite? Then head back to the house. I need to take a shower and a nap. I’ll be glad when this is done, so I get some actual sleep. Keeping Lennox away has been hell.”

“Sure thing.” I smiled, wiping the counter down.

He walked around the desk, squeezing my shoulder on his way out. “It’s good to have you here, Brother. You ready for some ink yet?” He smiled at me, a twinkle in his eye.

I laughed, shaking my head. “No. It would have to be special to get me over my fear of needles. Even putting these in the cabinet makes me want to pass out.”

“It doesn’t even hurt. It’s all in your head.”

“Says the man with more tattoos than he has skin left for one.”

He shrugged. “Trust me. You’d be fine. I’ll just make Peach do it. You won’t say no to her.”

“You wouldn’t!” I gasped, clutching my chest as my heart started to race.

Slade grinned evilly before walking out, not dismissing my statement. Quickly, I organized the supplies and finished the hardware of all the drawers and cabinets. I was handier with a hammer than Slade, so I’d volunteered to finish the last touches before the reveal, wanting to add my own little surprise. It felt nice to be needed too, if I was honest. I was slowly finding my spot in my brother’s life again, and among the group. It was a sense of belonging and peace I’d craved for years, finally coming to fruition. And all because a girl named Lennox decided to love us both.

Placing the last candles, I queued up the music, leaving it ready to play for later. I made sure everything was perfect. Grinning, I couldn’t wait for her to see it. I knew Lennox would love it.

ChapterThree

SLADE

My knee bouncedas I sat next to Simon on the couch, ready to go. We’d only been at Peach’s parents' house for thirty minutes, but I was prepared to show Lennox the surprise already. We’d stopped by to distract her and give Thane time to finish up some of the last-minute details I’d needed his help with. It was nice having him here, but I didn’t want it to go to his head.

Despite our careful distractions, Lennox had still been giving me the side-eye all day, and I knew she was close to figuring out our secret. I hated keeping things from her, even if it was a surprise. It just didn't feel natural not to tell her every detail of my day now. I never wanted to go back to where lies were our norm.

“Slade, would you like another piece of pie?” Robin asked, pulling my attention back to the room.

“No, ma’am. That was delicious, but I’m stuffed.” I patted my stomach, smiling at Lennox’s mom. She’d always been nice to me, even when I hadn’t been the nicest to her daughter, and for that, I made sure to always show her respect.

“Well, you know where more is if you change your mind, sweetie.” She grinned kindly at me before she walked back into the kitchen. Simon elbowed me, leaning over to whisper.

“I think she’s trying to fatten you up.”

I raised an eyebrow, not getting his meaning. “And?”

“Southern woman’s way to a man’s heart. Maybe she thinks if you like her pie, you’ll want to be part of the family?”

I rolled my eyes, not buying it. It didn’t matter. Lennox was it for me, regardless if her mother made a killer apple pie. Her daughter happened to make the best peach, and it was my favorite.

“How much longer?” I whispered, shifting again. Simon checked his phone discreetly, not wanting to grab Lennox’s attention as she worked on a puzzle with Noah and her father at the table.

“He’s finished. Let’s pop over to my parents real quick, and then he should be here. I have one thing I want to grab.”

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