Page 3 of Fortune’s Control (Fortune’s Creek #1)

My foot landed on a weed sprouting through the cracked sidewalk. I ground it under my shoe’s shallow heel and ignored the twinge in my left leg.

A tall figure waited under the Gator Tale’s awning. The setting sun hid his identity, but his stance was as familiar as my own.

Jack whistled as I crossed the street. “They’re already inside.

You’re late.” In the eight months since he left the Marines, Jack’s only change in uniform was subbing out old t-shirts to wear with his desert camo fatigues.

I couldn’t recall a man who took less care of his appearance than my oldest friend.

“I had something to do.” Behind me, Lilah still sat on her wooden bench. My guilt wanted to return and offer help one more time. She also refused multiple times, and I ought to respect that.

“What is it?”

The park bench obscured everything below her shoulders. “Nothing. Let’s go.” In ten minutes, I would check on her again.

Some might label The Gator Tale as a dive bar or neighborhood haunt, as the dated decor and worn leather seats gave that impression.

I slapped the wooden bar and nodded to Abe as we entered.

Abe had worked behind the counter since before I could legally drink, and I expected he’d still be there after I died.

We headed to the only occupied table, where I took a seat facing both the bar and the entrance. A year ago, the position never bothered me, but now, after the accident, I was paranoid about such things. “Have you ordered yet?”

Dean pointed toward the bar with his index finger. “First thing.”

Diane approached with a tray carrying four brown bottles. “What else for tonight?”

We ordered our usual wings while I picked the closest bottle and sipped. Cold beer and old friends meant there was no reason to check the label first, because it didn’t matter.

I took another sip and set the bottle back on the table, catching a trickle of sweat as it fell down the side.

Aiden gulped half of his bottle. “I have news.”

“She’s suing for full custody,” Jack guessed, causing Dean and me to choke back a laugh at Aiden’s scowl. “She has a boyfriend, and honor’s sake demands you meet him in the town square.” Jack’s dry humor would earn him a punch one day.

“My dumbass brother made a dumb decision,” Dean said. He leaned back, directing a smirk towards his brother. “It’s a lot of work.”

Aiden huffed. “Will you chuckle fucks shut up and let me explain?”

“Then tell us. What’s your news?” As much as I enjoyed heckling Aiden, curiosity won out.

“I bought the building next to the fire station,” Aiden said. The two brothers both worked as volunteer firefighters. “I plan to renovate both spaces, the larger one for me and the smaller one to rent out. I want extra room.”

“You want the space?” Jack didn’t believe him. “You’ll have a tenant.”

“So? ”

“You’ll have to maintain an actual business relationship with her.”

“Don’t assume my tenant will be a woman.”

Dean piped in. “No assumption required.”

Fraternal twins, the two brothers differed in both looks and personality. Dean’s reserve contrasted with Aiden’s more outgoing nature.

I butted in before their bickering could grow. “Congratulations, man. I hope it works out for you. Make sure you get permits before construction starts. Business licenses, too. And don’t overextend yourself. How many car jobs do you have now? Two, right?” My friends blinked at me. “What did I say?”

“Sure, Dad. Great advice, Dad.” Aiden’s amused smile said my suggestions didn’t bother him.

“That’s why I’m bringing it up. The place needs work, so I’m hiring you two for free.

I appreciate your willingness to provide me with an unlimited supply of no-cost labor.

We start Monday.” He pointed at his brother.

“Not you. You’re busy wrestling gators.”

Aside from his time as a volunteer firefighter, Dean worked as a game warden. “That’s not what I do.”

“Yes, it is. You fought a baby one for Mrs. Bueller last week,” I pointed out. Three sets of eyes blinked at me. “Am I doing it again?”

“Shane, you’re always doing it again,” Dean said, which was fair.

“I have a job,” Jack protested. “Sort of.” Jack’s father taught him construction work from an early age, long before his parents retired to a condo in South Florida.

After his enlistment, Jack took up short-term jobs, drifting from one quick project to another while reluctant to commit to anything more permanent.

I rubbed the soft skin of my left knee through the blue denim and down to the more rigid material below. Before I arrived, my leg had already protested its long day, and it would continue to do so until I returned home later tonight.

The front door opened, sending a light gust of air into the sports bar. I expected familiar faces, locals on a date, or friends meeting up after work. The antiquers preferred Gainesville for its more sophisticated options, leaving local restaurants for town residents, which suited us fine.

It was her. My beer lay on my lips, forgotten, while my leg ceased its evening ache.

She took in the Gator Tale , her gaze roving from the couples to the wall decor before settling on me.

I offered her a half-smile as something warm bloomed in me.

Our eyes held, and Lilah’s features relaxed. Her hazel brown hair’s curls haloed her face and loosened into thick waves down her back. The restaurant’s soft light brought out its natural shine. Dark eyes, pink cheeks, and a pointed chin combined to make a tempting package.

She offered a shy smile, seated herself in the bar, and checked to ensure I still watched her.

“Shane,” Jack said.

I first noticed Lilah as she walked past one of the tourist stores, heading towards Willard’s.

Her shoulders were pulled close, and she moved with a grim determination in her step.

Instinct told me to follow her, and I listened.

She rejected my offered help twice, and I let it be, as we were strangers, and it wasn’t my place to force my unwanted attention, no matter how intriguing I found her.

I raised a finger, catching Diane’s attention as she passed our table .

“You ready for another round?” she asked.

“Bring it,” Aiden said. He picked up my bottle, swirling the contents. “Hell, you barely touched yours.”

A certain someone distracted me.

“I’ll take a fresh one. Also, see that lady at the bar? The one that just walked in.” There was no mistaking who I spoke of. She was the only patron at the bar. My three nosy friends craned their necks to get a better glimpse. “Whatever she orders, put it on my tab. I’ll cover for her.”

“You sure? She hasn’t ordered yet, Shane. You’ll end up with a mighty big bill if any friends show up,” Diane said.

I appreciated her concern, but knew no friends were coming. “I don’t care if she buys everyone a round.”

“You want me to let her know who it’s from?”

“No, she’ll know it was me, and thank you for helping.”

Beside me, Aiden whistled. “Looks like I’m not the only one scoring tonight.”

“Dean, do me a favor and punch your brother for me, will you?” I asked. Dean obliged. “Much appreciated.”

“Ow, what the hell, man? It was a compliment.” Despite the complaint, Aiden’s laughter joined ours.

Jack nudged my elbow. “Okay, are you going to tell us who that is?”

And give them an opening to keep bugging me? “Nope.”

*****

Diane set the check down, and my curiosity took over. Eating a Caesar salad and a diet soda took her two hours.

“It’s good to see you out here with us.” Dean leaned back in his chair, resting his head in both palms. “You’re in danger of turning into a hermit.”

My empty house was too big for only one person. Sophie rarely visited Fortune’s Creek and stayed in the garage apartment, far from me, when she did at all, and our parents would never come home again.

I scoffed at Dean’s statement. “Says the man who can’t stand people. Also, you see me all the time. Yesterday was baseball, and we went fishing last weekend. So lay off and go wrestle another gator.”

“Will you three stop saying that?”

Dean’s demand only brought on more jokes. We all knew he worked hard at his job, but the image was too damn perfect.

Lilah glanced at me and then at each of my tablemates. She leaned forward, and a foot touched the ground, wavering between approaching me or leaving the restaurant. Instead, she settled back into her chair, put her elbow on the table, and rested her forehead on her fingertips.

Jack shoved his hand in my face, snapping his fingers. “You’ll tell us who she is, or I’ll invite her over here.”

I believed him. Jack’s aimlessness was only for himself. Years of deciding what was best for the other reared up at inopportune times. “Accident or no, I can still kick your ass.”

Jack’s jaw tightened at my comment, but he didn’t push. “I wrestled.”

Aiden coughed. “Peaked in high school.” He coughed a second time. We all laughed, even Jack, but the distraction didn’t work. “Tell us who she is, or I’ll ask her out myself.”

Aiden’s dark hair and eyes attracted women everywhere he went. In high school, Sophie described him as a better awakening than the animated Robin Hood, whatever that meant. Her crush disappeared once Jack entered her life, which bugged me in an entirely different way.

“Don’t even think about it. Lilah is off limits.” I didn’t have the right, but the image of her dating Aiden left me swimming in jealousy. The three leaned in close, and I repeated my words back to myself.

“She has a name,” Dean said.

“And he likes her,” Jack added.

“Go ask her out.” Aiden slapped the table. “You two have done the googly eyes routine all night. Just get up there and ask.”

My last date was more than a year ago, before the accident. A jolt ran through my left leg and faded where my ankle once was. “There’s no routine. I did her a favor, that’s all.”

“A favor? The mystery grows,” Jack said. For a supposed best friend, he was proving himself inadequate for the job.

“You three are enjoying yourselves way too much.”

“Oh, this is fun, and we are enjoying it. But, also, it’s because we care.” Jack slapped his chest. “Down here. Deep.” He considered further. “Very deep. Close to my stomach.” He picked up another wing and started eating.

“She’s coming over,” Dean announced.

“Then can I count on you to shut up?” I needed at least one friend on my side, and the sourpuss in our group was my best shot.

“After a night of jokes about gator wrestling? Joke’s on you.

” He stood. “Hi, I’m Dean. I’m sullen and enjoy rudeness.

This is Jack, Shane’s next-door neighbor and oldest friend.

He’s also a lazy do-nothing.” He thumped his brother.

“This is my brother, Aiden. Don’t trust him with any secrets, or it will end badly. Don’t trust him with anything.”

Lilah bit her lip as her cheeks darkened from pale pink to scarlet. “It’s nice to meet you all. I’m Lilah, and it appears I interrupted your evening. Thank you for dinner, Shane, and earlier, too.”

“Earlier? Well, that’s interesting,” Aiden said, butting in. “Say, do you have plans later? Such as a date with a gentleman or gentlewoman?”

“Later tonight?” Lilah swallowed. She glanced at the floor and back at me. “No plans.” Her features tightened.

“Are you involved with anyone at all? Any long-term commitments or significant others?”

Her voice hitched. “Significant? Is this some sort of prank? Is there a camera filming me?” She searched the bar, confused.

I wanted to sink into the floor. “No prank. Unfortunately, my friends are mildly drunk and have the intellectual capacity of a half-grown walrus. You aren’t obligated to forgive them.”

“I’m about to do you a big favor.” Aiden winked at me. “How would you feel about getting married? Perhaps to my friend here, Shane the Shut-in. He’s boring as hell, but loyal. Like an old dog.”

“Get married? I…what…okay.” Lilah said the last word like she couldn’t decide whether it was a question or an agreement.