Page 121 of Structure of Love

Shrugging, Cooper and Erin returned to the table, but Logan caught my arm before I moved too far ahead.

“Hon, are things really all right?”

“They really are,” I said, reassuring him. “That’s about on par with how my interactions with him normally go, although usually I end up apologizing just to get them off my back. It’s why he’s so upset right now. The usual dynamic and pattern isn’t working, so he doesn’t know what to do next.”

“Ah-ha. Okay, I guess let it lie, but tell me if he or your mom tries something.”

I knew he’d be right at my side if I ever called him, and having his silent support meant the world. “I will. Now, back to dinner before it gets cold. If you’re comfortable with how to disperse the money, do you want to call your siblings tonight?”

Logan let me switch topics, and the rest of dinner went smoothly, but some part of me wondered if my father would finally see the light, too. Like my mother finally had.

Wondered, but didn’t hold my breath.

38

Logan

We had peace as September bled into October.

My parents didn’t start trouble, Gage’s parents didn’t start anything, and we were able to go about our lives. Finally,finallywe were able to start renovations on the new Blackbird.

Gage told me the plans had been approved by the city, meaning we had permits to start, and I was so eager I could barely contain myself. Maybe Gage sensed my excitement, since he offered to let me join the demolition crew.

Break things on purpose? Abso-fucking-lutely.

I wore my yardwork clothes to the new bar this morning: ratty jeans, tennis shoes that should have probably been tossed a year ago, and a shirt covered in different paint splotches. Gage showed up in something similar, so I knew I was on the right track.

Cohen waved as I crossed the parking lot. “Good morning. Couldn’t help but get your hands dirty, huh?”

“Honestly, yeah.” My admission made him chuckle. “Plus, I figured if I’m on-site and we find something surprising, we can discuss it right in the moment.”

“Works for me. Now come here, let me run you through a few safety rules.”

He did, and most of them came down toplease for the love of god use common sense. Made me wonder how many times common sense was not applied on the job. Too many was probably the answer.

We put on masks and helmets, armed ourselves with crowbars and sledgehammers, and waded in.

Cohen and Gage—and probably Asher, too—had placed blue X’s made with painter’s tape over everything we wanted to keep. There was some unique woodwork hidden behind the renovations that I didn’t want to let go of, as well as some amazing brick I didn’t want damaged.

The rest of their crew was welcoming, shaking hands, introducing themselves. I said hi and explained who I was, and they immediately started teasing Gage.

“Yo, Gage, if I’d known you liked bad boys this much, I coulda fucked you!” Charlie called out to him, winking at me to show he was teasing.

Gage was on the far end of the room but called back, “Like I want your crusty ass!”

Charlie cackled.

Yeah, Charlie and I could be friends if he could tease my boyfriend.

It would take more than a day to get all this stuff out—Cohen had scheduled three—but we made killer progress. Having two extra sets of hands on-site likely had something to do with the speed, as Cohen hadn’t counted on me or Gage being here. I was having so much fun breaking walls and hauling stuff around, it surprised me when lunchtime hit.

Gage gestured for me to sit on the back of his truck, which I did. It felt great out here, mid-sixties, which was perfect for my hot and sweaty self. Plus, with the light breeze, I could finallycool off. I settled, then Gage offered me a small cooler with aluminum foil things wrapped inside.

“Hoagies,” he explained while also passing me a water bottle. “I’ve got a club, roast beef, and salami.”

“Ooh, pass me the roast beef.” I took a bite and moaned. God, Gage could cook. Even a sandwich was somehow super tasty. I must learn his tasty sandwich trick. “So this is surprisingly fun.”

“Demo?”