Page 86 of Knock Knock

Speaking of moms, I should go see her.

“I love you, Xav.”

“Love you too, Neegs.” He grinned. “You’ll never guess what I’ve got planned for our two months.”

I probably never would guess, but that’s what I loved about him. He was always exciting.

CHAPTER28

NATE

Xavi was beingan evasive bastard today. He’d left work early, rushing out the door before I could ask him what was up. Probably because he sucked at keeping secrets, and he’d needed to leave before he accidentally blurted the truth. Took my truck, too.

“You think he likes working here?” Devon asked me, closing out the old computer at the end of the day.

“I think it’s a job. Wasn’t his dream.” I shrugged. “Says he doesn’t have a work dream.” I looked at my brother. “Why?”

He lifted a shoulder. “Never seen him work late. He fucks around a lot. Leaves whenever he can and is always the one who volunteers to do the deliveries. Seems like he wants to get out of here a lot is all.”

“Are you shit-talking my baby?”

Devon laughed. Then groaned. “Fucking pet names. You sound like Madd. And no, I’m not shit-talking him. I hated my jobs before I got here, too. He should talk to Maddox about it.”

“About working for Garron Construction? Or Pete’s farm?”

Devon waved me off. “What’re we naming this place?”

“Big cocks ‘n docks.”

“No.”

“Dicks and dinghies?”

“No dicks in the name, asshole. Jesus, you turn gay and it’s all cock talk.”

I leaned against the counter and really thought about it. The shop was our dream. When we were teens, we’d think about life and what we wanted it to look like, and the shop became a fantasy. Hardly believed it was a reality now. Especially when it was just the dream of two poor Sawyer brothers.

“How about Sawyer Brothers? Take the name back from Dad.” I looked at Devon. “Unless you wanna call it Kanes’ bitches… ‘n boats.”

“Hard no. I’m no one’s bitch. Not even his. Won’t Xav want his name on there?”

I barked a laugh. “Xavi already calls himself an honorary Sawyer. He’d be flattered.”

Devon grinned. “Yet another reason he needs to go talk to Madd. You two need some separation. You can’t work together, live together, do everything together, and not lose your shit. Tension or no tension, every couple needs a degree or two of separation.”

Yeah, maybe.Why was Devon so mature lately? Throwing me right off.

“What’s Madd got to do with this?”

“Remember that bet we made at fight night? The one you’ve been meddling your way into? Tragically.”

“Yes.”

“Well… I dunno. Something is going on. I agreed to wait so we could tell you guys together, but… Maddox might have something Xavi would like more. Madd doesn’t think he loves it here. Stays for you and Karen.” He shoved a paper file against my chest. I put it away. “Don’t ask. We’ll tell you later. It’s a good thing, so don’t worry about it.” He looked at me. “Kinda like Sawyer Brothers. Nicefuck youto Dad, and kinda makes me feel like Karen, changing the Sawyer name.”

We both pointed middle fingers at the floor, hoping they reached all the way to Hell. “Sawyer Brothers.” I liked it. Fit. A pair of Sawyers had made it, and it might have been a bit cocky to put our name on the sign, but fuck it. Tons of businesses did that. Wewerecocky. “Alright, deal. Sawyer is a bad omen, so we better change that luck. If this shop goes under as soon as we get a sign, I’m pointing all the blame at you.”

“Whatever,” Devon snorted. “Karen! Wanna grab burgers on the way home?”

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