Page 64 of Rival

Reaching up, I scratch at the back of my head, unsure of her tone. “Yeah, ‘spose I am. Wasn’t real smart. I should also say sorry for bein’ such a dick since you started workin’ for me, too. I’ll be honest, I only let you come on to piss off your daddy, but you’re a decent worker. Got no regrets now.”

“Now.”

That’s all she says and I’m trying to figure out what that fucking tone means. She’s not angry. I just saw her angry earlier with the damn monster kitten, and this isn’t anything like that.

Before I can try again, she literally deflates before me. “Do I still have a job with you? If you didn’t really need me, I don’t want to be in your way. I’d just need some time to figure out what to do with the babies.” She looks away and frees one hand from my shirt to pet Austin as if she’s going to miss him as well.

“Christ, girl. That’s not what I’m gettin’ at. I just said I don’t have regrets. I’m just sayin’, well,tryin’to say I’m sorry for bein’ a dick and fuckin’ you like that.”

With lips pressed together, she nods once and gives me a fake as fuck smile. “No worries. I won’t hold it against you.”

“Wait, I feel like—”

She cuts me off quickly. “Do you, umm, do you think we could go back? I’m actually anxious to make sure Billy is settling in. Is that okay? Since we weren’t coming out here to do any work.”

“Yeah, sure,” I murmur, helping her to turn around once more.I don’t feel good about this.

I swear I hear a sniffle as we head much faster back to the house. Trying to check on her without being obvious, I expected tears, but her eyes are dry. Unfortunately, thereisa spark missing. Like I’ve disappointed her more deeply than I meant to.

She looks like she’s feelin’ terribly alone.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Griffin

“Where the hell you goin’?”

Corbin has been helping me for the last three hours with this repair, keeping the counter lifted up so I can fit underneath, but he just started packing his shit as if I don’t have another few things to wrap up.

“Brother, you know I love ya, right?”

I clench my jaw. Instead of looking at him, I keep my eyes on my task in front of me. “Yeah, which means you shouldn’t be takin’ off on me. With all that love you got.”

“That! Right there!” he shouts, pointing toward me. “What the fuck is up your ass? You’ve been pissin’ and moanin’ for practically a week. Got your period or somethin’? ‘Cuz I gotta say, I love the women in my life, but when they’re pmsing, they’re just like you are right now. So, you know what I do when I’m sufferin’ the consequences of somethin’ that’s got fuck all to do with me? I leave.”

I want to ignore him and let him leave on principle so I can sit here and stew, but when he snorts out a humorless chuckle like I’ve just proved him right, I sit up straight. “Fuck! Goddamnit!”I shout, banging my head on a pipe before sliding out quickly. “Corb, just stay. I reallydoneed your help. I’ll stop bein’ pissy.”

He doesn’t believe me, but drops his shit and comes back over. “You say anythin’ other than please and thank you for the next forty-five minutes, I’m droppin’ this on your dick and leavin’ you to clean up your puke. Got me?”

“Got ya,” I mumble, then add, “Thankyou.”

It was sarcastic as fuck, but I catch the tick of a smile he does his best to fight off. We work quietly, the only time words are exchanged are requests to hand me something or shift something out of the way. I haven’t missed a please or thank you, not even one time.

Finally, he asks, “So, what is it?”

“What’s what?” I’m concentrating on a tricky part, so I’m only half listening.

“What’s got you in a shit mood?”

I pause, considering if I should say anything. It’s not like he has to knowwhoI’m talking about. “You gonna give me crap for talkin’ about my feelings?”

“Probably.”

I laugh, genuinely this time, and crawl out of the tiny space I’ve been tucked in for far too long. “Well, this is particularly soft, but I really could use some advice.”

Corbin lowers the counter, brushes his hands on his pants, and crosses his arms across his chest to wait me out. “Just get on with it.”

Bringing my knees up so I can rest my arms over them, I mess with my gloves and debate how to fill him in without meeting his eyes. I can’t see what he thinks as I struggle to get it out. Trying to come up with the best way to explain, Corbin interrupts my thoughts.