Page 64 of South of The Skyway

“I told him I just want to be friends with benefits.”

“But you really want him.” There was no trace of question in her tone.

“It would never work. Benefits is the best-case scenario.”

“So go cash that in, you dummy. If you still feel like making googly eyes, you can talk to him later.”

“He’s an hour away.”

“Stop making excuses and go do something that brings you joy. Preferably start with Rhyett. Then move on to telling him how you feel.”

I looked up to the ceiling, like a greater power could bail me out, but laughed despite myself.

“Stop rolling your eyes at me.”

“I am not rolling my eyes.”

“She is too!” Holland tattled as she came out with her purse strap around her shoulder.

“Go get your man, or I’m coming in to work tomorrow.”

“Oh please,” I scoffed, tossing the dirty rag into the bleach bucket. “You are not. You need to heal.”

“I do. Which means you’d be a real asshole if you make me peel myself off this bed and away from myA Court Of Mist And Furyre-read.”

I smiled, intending to come back with something jaunty but failing to form the words. Noel filled in the gaps when the beat between us took a second longer than warranted.

“You do deserve to feel good. You are too good for him, not the other way around. And that man is fucking crazy about you. I’ve seen it myself. Go get him, Brex.”

Not expectingthe nerves to turn to ice in my belly, I made my way to the address he’d sent me, anxiety building rather than dispersing. When I crawled down the little dirt road, rounding the corner to reveal one hell of a house being erected and the cutest damn fifth wheel you’ve ever seen, complete with lights, tiki torches, and two patio chairs perched below the awning, my breath stalled out entirely.

Rhyett Rhodes stood, bare to his waist, skin glistening with a day’s hard work. A white shirt lay over one of the patio chairs, and black work gloves peeked out of his back pocket. Every inch of glorious muscle was on display, rippling as he straightened to flash me that bright grin and hook his shovel over his shoulders, resting his hands to either side. My mouth popped open when I stepped out of my jeep. I wanted to trace the v of his abs with my tongue.

“My Sweet Lord” by George Harrison was playing over his speakers, that bright grin turning knowingly.

“Well,” he drawled happily. I heard Royal’s tags clink together as she jumped out of the Jeep behind me. But my eyes dropped to Rhyett’s stack of obliques, tracking the sweat trailing down them. “If you’re not just full of surprises.”

TWENTY-EIGHT

RHYETT

“Brexley Snows, as I live and breathe.” I greeted her with wide open arms, not that I could in good conscience hug her as filthy as I was, coated in sweat and grime.

The woman’s grin was infectious, but I didn’t miss the nerves in her eyes.

“You all good, Ace?”

She nodded, timidly walking in my direction as Royal bounded on by, bypassing her and barking to a sandy halt by my feet. She immediately demanded pets with a wet nose pressed into my palm. Brexley’s amused eyes tracked the interaction as she shook her head.

“Traitor,” she muttered as Royal’s tongue lolled out contentedly. The desire to go to her was so demanding, that it took all my focus to hold my position by the pup’s side.

“All good, Brex? Nothing new with Noel, I trust.”

“All good, just, you know, in your neck of the woods. So, thought I’d swing by to say hello. I was worried you were just up here all alone.”

A chorus of crickets kicked up somewhere in the distance, and I became painfully aware I was standing here stinking to high heaven. Hands aching. Muscles throbbing. But all I wanted to do was scoop her up and kiss her breathless. Brexley tucked her fingers in her pockets, hooking her thumbs around the outside. I hadn’t actually realized how dark it had gotten until her headlights cut across the lawn.

Mirroring her position, I stuffed my hands in my pockets, wincing internally at the sting of fresh blisters. “Well, I’m touched. My neck of the woods, huh?”

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