Page 49 of My Three Hometown Hard Hats

Her fingers trail over my neck and up the back of my head as her legs fall from around me back to the bed. I kiss her one more time before pulling back, even though it’s the last thing I want to do.

I discard the condom in the bathroom. Hadley slips in behind me, so I give her some privacy while I put my sweats back on.

I’d rather sleep naked next to her, but with Evelyn home, having some clothes on seems wise.

Hadley comes back out with my T-shirt on. She must have the same thought process as me because she grabs her panties from the floor and shimmies back into them.

Deciding to deal with the mess of sheets tomorrow, I grab just the comforter, pulling it over both of us as we crawl onto the bed.

She rests her head on the pillow firmly on her side of the bed.Yeah, right. Like I’m going to let her sleep all the way over there.

I hold my arm out. “Get over here.”

She nuzzles into my side. Her head fits perfectly against my chest with her leg slung over mine. My lips press against her temple. “Good night, Hadley.”

“Night, Austin.”

I lie there staring at the ceiling until her breathing evens out, and I know she’s asleep. I thought I might be freaking out right now, but I haven’t felt this at peace in a long, long time.

Breathing in the strawberry scent that must come from her shampoo, I let myself fall asleep, holding her in my arms like she’s my life raft in a sea of uncertainty.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Conrad

“Here you guys go,”our favorite barista, Emery, says, holding out coffees for Brooks and me to grab. “Hopefully this will help,” she adds, laughing.

I guess we look worse than I thought. I haven’t slept on the couches in the back room at the warehouse in a few years, since I got so mad at Brooks one night I couldn’t bear to be in the same house as him for a few hours.

Apparently, I’m too old for that now.

“My neck hurts,” Brooks groans, trying to give himself a massage as we move toward the door of Peak Brews.

“Let’s just hope it was worth it,” I grumble, taking a much-needed sip of my Americano.

“Oh, I think it was,” Brooks says. I turn to look at him, and he’s pointing at the glass door.

Through it, I can see Austin walking toward the coffee shop. A smile we only see when Evelyn is around is plastered on his face, but Evelyn is nowhere in sight.

He steps through the door, seeing us standing there. His smile falters.Shit.

He runs his hand down his face. “I thought I’d be able to get some coffee in me before I had to talk to you guys,” he grumbles. “Give me a minute.”

He moves to the counter, ordering what I’m assuming is a black coffee from Emery. Brooks and I find a table in the corner while he waits for his drink.

With it in hand, he makes his way toward us. He only gets one sip in before Brooks pounces.

“So?”

“So, what?” he grumbles with his usual grumpiness, but I can sense the air of calm around him this morning. It’s different.

“Austin, you’re killing me here,” my brother groans impatiently.

“I’ll try,” he says quietly.

“What do you mean?” I ask, trying not to let too much hope spark to life.

“I mean I’m willing to try… this.” His hand motions between the three of us. “And her.” His eyes soften when he mentions her.