Page 35 of Structure of Love

“This smacks of a DIY job.” Cohen grumbled, taking pictures. “Great. Now I have to question even the things that look new.”

“Trust nothing in this house.” I glanced around and sighed. I had the feeling we’d be here a good three hours. “And is that anotched beam over there? Did they seriously cut into a support beam to make way for plumbing?”

“Sure looks like it.”

Cohen and I exchanged glances.

“What time’s your date?”

“Six.”

“I swear to you, you’ll make the date.”

I bumped knuckles with him. “I’m holding you to that.”

11

Gage

I was all freshly showered, dressed up, and had keys in hand when my phone rang in my pocket. Ever get this gut feeling that picking up the phone would be a really bad idea? That it would screw up your entire evening?

That feeling hit me like a deluge of sewer water right out of the gate.

Please don’t be Cooper, please don’t be Cooper, please don’t be Cooper…

I peeked at the screen like it would bite if I looked at it full on.

Cooper.

Of course it fucking was. Why wasn’t I surprised? Only his timing could be this atrocious.

I picked up then winced. Dammit, pure habit right there, picking up the call. How dare you betray me like this, fingers? Welp, I’d answered. I was screwed now, so I might as well see what the latest fuck up was. “What?”

He giggled like something was funny. “Dude, I’m sooooo high.”

“Stay high.”

“Uh, what?”

“Just stay high for the night, Cooper. Stay where you are. I’m not getting you—”

“You gotta. I’m at a public park, and apparently I’m being a nuisance. The fucking cop over here said if I don’t get someone to pick me up, I’m in jail!Ha, that’s funny. Why’s that funny?”

I could tell he was super high. Baked. Why was he getting high in a park, of all places? Also, I really wanted an option. Why couldn’t those exist in real life? I’d abuse that button so hard.

I could feel my date with Logan heading down the drain and I wanted to cry. “Which park?”

“Kellogg.”

At least he was close, since Kellogg was the central park in Plymouth. Still, even if I ran over there right now to get him, it would be at least fifteen minutes there, another five minutes to find parking, and then I’d have to make nice with the cop, and this whole thing would delay me at least an hour. Shit.

I hung up, seriously tempted to leave my brother’s ass there. Maybe a night in jail would be good for him. I could hear Logan’s voice in my ear, urging me to let Cooper crash and burn. I wanted to listen to his voice so badly. Although it would only delay the inevitable, as tomorrow I’d have to deal with Cooper and be screamed at by our mother. She’d be livid if I left her precious baby in jail.

My gut started churning, and I felt almost sick with anxiety. No part of me wanted to deal with Cooper. I just wanted to go on a date! I just wanted Logan! Why was this decision so fucking hard? Why, why, why,why?

No matter what I did, I couldn’t win.

I didn’t want to screw up this date. We were so new, if I canceled on Logan, I’d be sending him the wrong signals. I couldn’t risk this man. I just couldn’t.