Page 25 of Worthy (Adrenalin #1)
M addox got the job with the county. No surprise really, because he’s brilliant, and just as he predicted it does include some work on energy resources. That eases some of the guilt that sometimes crops up about everything he sacrificed to be with me, but since he lights up like the sun when he talks about work, I know he doesn’t think he’s sacrificed anything.
Plus, alternative energy is becoming a popular business, and sometimes his family’s investment firm gets approached to back these new technologies. They always ask for his input, which keeps him on the cutting edge of what’s going on. It’s even brought him closer to his own family despite the physical distance between them.
Watching Madd go after his dreams here in Katah Vista has inspired me to focus on what I love, too. And that–unfortunately–isn’t construction. Not managing it anyway.
After trying to get involved in the operations of the company, I confirmed what I’d always suspected, I’m not really a desk guy. A long talk with my dad later, we came up with a future plan that doesn’t involve me doing the paperwork. When he’s ready to retire we’ll either outsource things like payroll and accounting or bring in an office manager.
This way, I can concentrate on building–the part I enjoy–and not be forced to do the parts I despise. It also gives me the freedom to continue welding. Thank fuck.
Especially since Rick wasn’t just fishing for confirmation of my feelings for Maddox when he was talking to me about my work. He commissioned a piece for above the fireplace, and he recommended me to several friends and clients looking for unique pieces. Now, I have a little side hustle making metal art. I’ve been able to experiment in the studio, and it brings in enough extra cash that I was able to buy Maddox the perfect ring.
Deacon worries this is happening too fast, first moving Maddox in with me and then getting engaged a few months later, but the month I spent without him was the worst in my life, and I wasn’t going to go through that again. I know now that keeping my feelings to myself can have dire consequences, and I’m not going to make the same mistake twice.
Now, in just a few short minutes, he’ll be my husband.
And I cannot fucking wait.
There are still days when I wonder what I did to deserve him. I’ve stopped admitting that to him, because he thinks I’m putting myself down, but I’m not. Not anymore.
I remember what he said about all the good things he sees in me, and when I stopped beating myself up for wanting to have fun, I realized he was right. As a neighbor, as a friend, as his future husband, I do have good qualities. I’m honest and responsible. I’m supportive. And I definitely care deeply about the people around me. He helped me understand that.
So, when I wonder what I did to deserve him, it’s not about putting myself down or questioning what he sees in me, it’s about the fact I got lucky enough to find the person who helped me see those things in myself, too. Maddox is the person who makes me whole. I know how special he is, and I’m grateful for him every day.
I follow the minister to the arbor at the rim of the scenic overlook with the Katah Vista mountains as a backdrop. I offered to get married wherever Maddox wanted, thinking he’d pick his oceanside hometown, but he said he wanted the ceremony in the spot where we’re going to build our life together, so he could see it every day.
My man’s a fucking romantic under that sexy masculine body.
The guys follow me to the front of the crowd, first Deacon as my best man, followed by Beckett and Finn. When the music starts, Madd’s hometown friend Jason walks down the aisle first, then his sister followed by Ally, and my palms grow sweaty knowing it won’t be long before I see my man.
Once Maddox starts down the aisle with his dad, I forget how to breathe.
He’s fucking stunning. He’s wearing a gray suit the exact color of his eyes, with a white shirt open at the collar, showing off a hint of beautiful skin. Tan skin that looks like it’s been kissed by the sun.
It’s my wedding day, sue me for being poetic and shit.
His shoulder length waves are fluttering in the breeze, making it impossible to hide that gorgeous chiseled jaw of his, and the full lips fighting to tick up into a dazzling smile. It’s part coy, part excitement, and a promise of mischief to come later.
God, I love this man.
Maddox and his father reach the arbor, and his dad shakes my hand and gives me a hug before placing Madd’s hand in mine. I’m vaguely aware of both our mothers smiling through their tears as I link our fingers together, and because I’m so overwhelmed, I do the only thing that’s ever come naturally when it comes to Maddox. I kiss the fuck out of him, feeling him smile against my lips .
″Ahem,” the minister clears his throat. “You’re skipping ahead, son.”
″Sorry.” I shrug as the guests try to stifle their laughter. “I’m really anxious to start calling him my husband.”
Maddox turns red, but his grin tells me he feels the same.
″I understand.” The minister smiles warmly. “Dearly beloved,” he bellows to the guests, and my future begins.
***
Sloan
I spot him slipping into the back row just before the procession starts, and instead of focusing on the wedding party, I focus on him. I moved in with my sister, Ally, about the same time he moved to town, though until last week I hadn’t seen him in person. This makes two Carter sightings in two weeks. What are the odds?
He’s mesmerizing in his charcoal suit and black tie. I’d say that’s because he’s the only guy here in a full suit, besides the grooms, but it’s more the way he fills out the suit that catches my eye. It’s clearly not something he bought off the rack, clinging to his frame in a way that accentuates his trim physique.
I’m not really the kind of guy who goes for suits. Fashion is my sister’s thing. And in my experience, most guys look uncomfortable in them, like they’re pretending to be an adult. Lumberjack is more my style, or it was before today, but then I saw how Carter fits in his.
He was wearing a suit the day I was summoned to his office to give him what turned out to be an awkward massage. Or rather, he was wearing suit pants , so I didn’t get the full effect. With the jacket and tie, he looks both graceful and powerful, and that hint of late-day stubble covering his strong jaw adds a bit of rustic appeal.
I sneak another peek at him just as Maddox passes my row. His expression is blank, his posture stiff, though his eyes look a little less serious today than they did in his office. In fact, they almost look warm, making me wonder what’s going through his mind.
There’s no denying Carter’s mystery is part of his appeal. Maddox seems to like him, but of all the people I know in town, he’s the only one to have any regular contact with him. No one knows why Carter picked this ski resort to purchase or what his plans are for it, except maybe Maddox, but he’s under contract and can’t share details of his work.
Similarly, no one knows anything personal about him. Like what are his hobbies? What foods does he like? I can’t imagine what a man like that would do for fun, or what he’d dare place in his mouth.
Part of me wonders, like most of the others in this town, if he’s single. No one has seen him with a girlfriend… or a boyfriend. And as far as the press knows, he’s not married. He so rarely leaves his office at the resort that sightings have become a bit of a game. A Katah Vista style ‘Where’s Waldo’ among the locals
The ceremony begins with a laugh—Cade jumps the gun and kisses his groom before the officiant tells him to—which seems fitting based on what I know of the guy. Before long, I’m wiping away tears as I watch them take their vows. If ever there was an underdog to root for, it’s Cade, the guy who once seemed allergic to relationships and felt like it made him unworthy to be in one. Fortunately, Maddox didn’t judge him based on his past, and now they’re the perfect couple.
Once the ceremony ends, people file out of their chairs and head toward the reception tent. I lose track of Carter in the crowd when I try to wipe away the evidence of my happy tears, but my curiosity has me casually meandering through the guests, turning my head from side to side in a lame attempt to catch another glimpse. After the massage debacle, this might be my last chance to see him in person, and I don’t want to miss it. Unfortunately, the man is elusive.
I’m about to give up my search when something pulls my eyes toward the gift table. I look up to find Carter staring in my direction, lips pressed in a firm line, offering no clue to what he’s thinking or feeling. Yet, the intensity in his gaze suggests there’s some deep thoughts behind the expressionless mask, and I have a sudden desire to discover every one of them.
Get it together, Sloane. This is still your boss.
Heart pounding, I hold my ground, willing myself not to blink. I don’t know what’s happening, what this little staring contest means, but I’m determined not to be as flustered as I was the other day. And what can I say? I’m desperate to commit this man to memory just in case I never see him again.
Even though I still don’t know what prompted that interesting episode in his office—and likely never will—I don’t have any illusions that his reaction was for me, despite him saying it’s never happened before. And I have to assume it won’t happen again, mainly because I doubt I’ll be invited back.
As the seconds tick by, we hold each other’s gaze, and my mind registers the need to move. I have to do something other than stand frozen in place. My head tilts up a fraction, the start of a subtle up-nod, just as he drops an envelope on the table and spins toward the exit.
Guess I should’ve kept playing statue.
Deflated, I head to the bar for a drink, telling myself this is probably for the best. After all, fantasizing about your boss can only lead to trouble, and in a town this small, trouble is the last thing I need.