“Why am I not surprised?”
With a smirk he picked up a couple remotes, his face turning serious. “This one controls the TV”—he held out the one in his right hand, giving me a good look at the remote before lifting the one in his left hand—“and this one is for the surround sound. Don’t touch this one. Ever. If you need to enhance your audio experience, ask, and I’ll help.”
I rolled my eyes as he set down the remotes. “No worries there. But since we’re laying down some roomie rules, I have a few of my own.”
“I would expect nothing less from you.”
“One—” I held up my index finger.
“Shit, I didn’t realize this was going to be a numbered list.” He took a seat on the couch, propping his feet up on the coffee table in front of him, hands linked behind his head. “Shoot, city. I’ll let you know if I agree to them or not.”
“Toilet seat stays down. Two, you need to keep shared areas clean and sanitary. I’m not here to be your live-in maid. Three, stay out of my stuff. And four, no bringing home fuck buddies while I’m here.”
“I can agree to all of those but the last one. A man has needs, city, and this is still my house, so unless you plan to satisfy those needs while you’re here, then I’m gonna have to veto number four.”
“I’m sure you can manage to keep it in your pants for a couple weeks.”
“There’s no taming this wild stallion.” He signaled to his cock.
I was in no mood to argue with the man, nor talk about his penis. I’d had about all I could handle for one day. I sighed, dropping my shoulders. “Fine. But then I expect advance notice so I can figure out another place to stay. I don’t need to listen to you get your rocks off in the room next door.”
“You got it, city.” He smirked.
“Which room is mine? I need a shower.”
“The room on the right, unless you change your mind about filling the fuck-buddy role.”
“Dream on, country,” I hollered, making my way down the hall, his laughter following behind me.
Wrapping my wet hair in a towel, I twisted and piled it on top of my head after slipping on my robe. The hot shower was just what I needed after my first day working at the store. I hadn’t expected to be so busy, nor to feel tense the rest of the day after my run-in with Billy.
I opened the bathroom door, steam billowing out around me. Stepping into the hall, I heard a knock at the front door. I ignored it, continuing my trek to my room, figuring whomever the visitor was, they weren’t here for me.
After a couple more knocks and no sign of Wes, I sighed, turning around to answer it. I knotted the belt at my waist tighter, making sure I wasn’t going to give the person on the other side of the door a peep show.
Opening the door, I froze, my heart thumping erratically in my chest as I watched Billy’s eyes go from confusion, to surprise, to fury as he took in my lack of clothing and freshly showered complexion.
“I assume you’re looking for Wes.”
Lifting his ball cap, he carved a hand through his short hair before placing it back on his head. “What are you doing here, Hannah?” The low question rolled from his lips like an accusation.
“I don’t think that’s any of your business,” I responded, crossing my arms. I knew it was shitty of me to mess with his mind, to allow him to believe there was something going on between me and Wes. But at the moment, I didn’t give a damn. He had some nerve, passing judgement on me when he was nothing more than a player.
That gaze of his narrowed, his jaw tightened, muscles flexing beneath his shirt as he clenched his fists at his sides. “Tell Monroe I’m looking for him.”
“Is there a reason?”
“Now...more than one. Just let him know I stopped by.”
I nodded, our eyes challenging each other, the palpable tension nearly suffocating. I moved to close the door and his hand shot out, gripping the edge, halting it.
“We still need to talk, Hannah. There’s something I need you to know about—"
“I already know, Billy. And I get it. It was one wonderful night, followed by a morning of regrets. No reason to live in the past when you have your future ahead of you…she seems great, by the way. A real go-getter.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about, Hannah. This isn’t over,” he rasped, hitting me with another heart-crippling stare.
I swallowed the lump in my throat, doing my best to hide the shakiness in my voice. “It was well over before it even started.”
“Hannah—” he grated.
“I’ll make sure Wes gets the message.” I pushed on the door, praying he didn’t put up any more of a fight because the fight within me was rapidly dying.
The ferocious fire I’d been holding onto was being extinguished with every look he gave me—the same look I’d convinced myself in the past meant more than it did. I was moments from breaking down in a full-blown sob, wishing things had played out differently between us. Wishing I hadn’t let this man bury himself so deep into my soul. It was one night. One fucking incredible night. And in a blink of an eye it turned into my worst nightmare.
He hesitated before releasing the door, taking a step back with a bitter half-smile. “You do that.” Turning his back to me, he wasted no time leaving me behind.
I closed the door. Pressing my back against it, my head banged with a thud as I closed my eyes.
“Who was that?”
I flicked my eyes open, staring at Wes, who’d just come through the back door off the kitchen.
“Where the hell were you?”
“I ran over to help Grams put some boxes in her attic… What’s your deal? Figured you’d like the chance to settle in and do your thing without me here.”
“Well next time let me know if you’re going to be out.”
“Sure thing, mom.” His voice dripped with sarcasm as he turned his back to me, walking to the fridge. “So, who was at the door?” he asked over his shoulder, swinging open the fridge to pull out a can of beer.
“Billy.”
“Oh, shit”—he stood upright—“I totally forgot I told him to stop by so I could give him his check for the week.”
“His check?”
“Yeah, his paycheck.”
“He’s the new hired hand?”
“You’re a quick one, city.” He popped the top open, taking a sip as he casually leaned his backside against the counter. “We hired him on a few months ago, since he’d been working for Lottie’s mom. It only made sense, with us being shorthanded for harvest and Lottie and Tucker moving into her place. He helps out with both farms.”
“And you didn’t think you should tell me this bit of information?”
He shrugged. “Why would I?”
My mouth falling open, I stared at him. The man was mentally challenged. It was the only explanation. How were he and Tucker even related?
His eyes slowly widened. “Oh, damn, city. Shit. My bad…how’d it go? Did you finally explain to him that it wasn’t him you loved, just his dick?”
“I can’t even deal with you right now.” I threw up my hands, turning on my heels.