Page 24 of Truly (Peachwood Falls #2)

L uke

I print out the last two invoices and stick them in the pile on the corner of my desk.

They need envelopes and stamps because I can’t figure out how to bill customers electronically.

Most of them are older and wouldn’t know what to do with an e-invoice, anyway.

Although I’m out here for a distraction and have been for the past two hours, I don’t have the gumption to deal with the envelopes.

My heart fucking hurts.

I hate that she thinks I’d hurt her on purpose.

I can’t stand that she’s been through so much that her natural reaction is to assume the worst.

I wish to God that I wouldn’t have left that stadium without seeing her that night, but I promise the man upstairs that I won’t make the same mistake twice if he’ll help me show her how much I love her.

Who can I talk to about this? Gavin would look for a quick fix.

Mallet is still pissy about his divorce, so his advice would be questionable at best. I don’t have the energy for Kate the Romantic, and Chase …

Chase might actually be a good candidate.

He has a wife. Somehow. He’s usually a jerk, so he won’t suggest courses of action full of fluff.

He doesn’t give a shit about anyone’s feelings unless their names are Megan or Kennedy.

I find my phone under a paper plate and scroll to our family chat. A quick check of the time says it’s too late to text my siblings, but that’s what they get for having me as a brother.

Me: Anyone up?

Kate: Meeeee! What’s cookin’, good-lookin’?

Me: Are you drinking?

Kate: No, but I am delirious.

Gavin: Hi, Kate.

Kate: Not talking to you, Gav.

Gavin: It’s not my fault. I told you that.

Me: It’s absolutely his fault.

Gavin: EXCUSE ME?

I can’t help but smile.

Mallet: Is someone dead?

Kate: Not yet. I’m working on it. Wanna help?

Mallet: I have my own list of candidates. I’ll help you if you help me.

Kate: Deal.

Me: How’s training going, Mallet?

Mallet: Hard as fuck. What’s going on back there?

Gavin: Why are you being so nice, Mallet?

Gavin: Is this actually Mallet?

Gavin: I think someone stole his phone.

Kate: You’re pushing it, Gav.

I kick my boots up on my desk and lean back in my chair.

Me: I started this convo, and no one is talking to me.

Mallet: Typical middle child syndrome.

Kate: So why is everyone up this late? Is it a full moon or something?

Me: I’m looking at the sky right now, and it’s black. No moon. Is that a moon phase?

Gavin: This convo is getting boring.

Mallet: Why? Because something halfway intelligent was just brought up?

I snort.

Gavin: Tell your next opponent that I’ll tell him how to kick your ass for free.

Mallet: Better grow up, little boy, before you try to play with the men.

Kate: STOP. Hell. Why did God give me all brothers?

Me: Oh, like you’d survive with a sister.

Mallet: She has one. Gavin.

Gavin: Asshole.

I lean backward so I can see out the barn doors to check the house again. There are still no lights, no movement, just like it’s been all night.

My fingers itch to touch her, and my arms beg to hold her. But it’s late at night, and she’s had a long, emotionally draining day. She fired her father, for fuck’s sake, and then heard my bullshit.

Her words completely gutted me.

“There were so many days, weeks, and even months when I dissected everything about myself. I had a new experience and wanted to share it with you every day. And so many times, I was lonely and scared, holed up in a hotel room with no one to talk to. And I called you, and you didn’t answer.”

She’d been scared and lonely? Had no one to talk to? And I hadn’t been there?

It makes it even more fucking amazing that she walked in here almost two weeks ago like she owned the place. She should have hated me for thinking I abandoned her.

I hate myself.

Not only that but growing up with my dad led me to believe that I should trust her father. It never occurred to me that the man was a snake. How fucking wrong I was. No wonder she has trust issues. I need to do better. I have to . I have to take care of my girl.

Surely, she’ll see that side of things in the morning. Please, God .

“It’ll all be better in the morning,” I say. “I just need to give her some space.”

Me: I need some advice tomorrow.

Mallet: I’m busy.

I laugh.

Gavin: I’m GREAT at that. Call me.

Kate: If it has anything to do with a girl, call me.

Chase: I don’t know why you fuckers think it’s acceptable to blow up my phone at two in the morning, but you can fuck right off.

Me: I need advice tomorrow, Chase. Can I come over?

Chase: No.

Me: How does ten o’clock work?

Chase: I’m turning my phone off.

Kate: Night.

I stand and switch the light off on my desk.

Me: Going to bed, too.

Kate: Love you, Lukie.

Gav: Night.

Mallet: See ya.

I slip my phone into my pocket and head to the house.