Page 9 of Treasured

Ethan and Hawke exchange a glance. "We were losing hope too. You know, after Marianne died and everything, we were at a loss. You just never know how things will turn out."

* * *

“That was real generous of them to offer us some extra work,” I say when Jake and I are in the truck heading home.

“Yeah, at least they’re having a good time. Raising a family and all. I’m happy for them. Really.”

“And maybe a little bit jealous?” I say.

“Hell yes I am. You know that. And don’t say you don’t want the same thing.”

“I do. I just don’t know if that’s going to happen for us.”

"I guess we're meant to work more so others can enjoy their families," Jake says. "Just doesn't seem right to me."

* * *

Jake

After dinner we open the door to the master bedroom. The house, like most houses in Eagle Canyon, has a particularly large master bedroom since it is meant to be shared by three people. Twin brothers, like me and Creed, and their fated mate.

Creed and I built the house assuming we'd find a wife. We each have our own rooms and when we get married, those will be filled with the children we want so badly.

Or at least that was the plan a few years ago.

Now it just all seems like a cruel reminder of our bachelorhood.

We both walk into the room and look around. It's like visiting a memorial. A memorial to our empty lives and shattered dreams.

"We could put a weight bench over there," Creed says, pointing to a wall on the other side of the bed. "And a treadmill over there by the TV."

"That could work," I say, half-heartedly.

"What about a mini-trampoline?" Creed says. "Those are supposed to be good for exercising and it might be fun."

He's trying, but we're both pretending.

"No," I finally say. I pull out my phone and start scrolling through my contacts. "We're not giving up without at least one more try." I push the call button and set up a date with Colleen Sullivan for tomorrow night. She’s made it clear she’s interested. It’s time we give her a chance.

She’s not Tracy. No one will replace Tracy, but we’ve got to try something.

* * *

Twenty-four hours later

Jake

"Holy shit, that was a disaster. I didn't think it was possible for a date to be any worse than our last one, but damn if we didn't manage to make utter fools of ourselves." Creed’s voice is full of self-loathing. I can’t blame him.

Creed goes to the fridge and pulls out a couple of beers. From the freezer, he retrieves two ice packs. He hands me an ice pack and a beer. We both snap the tops off the beers and slap the ice over our aching bodies. My right shoulder hurts like hell. The ice dulls the pain but it does nothing for my anger and humiliation.

"What were you thinking?" he finally says, holding the ice pack on his right eye and glaring at me with his left. His gaze contains such contempt, it’s like I can feel it jabbing me.

"What wasIthinking? What wereyouthinking?” I finish my beer and set the empty on the table. “We should have left as soon as those guys showed up and started hitting on our date.” I shift the ice pack from my right shoulder to my neck.

"I thought they were just being assholes. I didn’t think they’d actually fight us for her.” Creed finishes his beer too and takes the bottles to the recycling bin before leaning on the counter, still holding the ice pack to his eye.

"Who were those guys?” I ask. “They must have been from Hound Dog. Who do they think they are, coming here and trying to pick up our date?"

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