“I’m not sure, man. It’s hard enough getting Halle to talk to me about it. She swears she’s okay, but every time I bring it up, she changes the subject. She turns it around, about how she isn’t going to turn to me if something’s bothering her. I fucked up in the past and she is being stubborn about letting me be there for her again.”
Wes’s eyebrows furrow as he leans forward, rubbing his thumb over his lips in thought.
“Honestly, we haven’t talked much this week.” He squints, as he runs his palms over his weary eyes. “Brannon and I have been so busy with the motocross event coming into town. I was contracted to do some work on a bike to help get it ready. I had to cancel on our plans on Wednesday because of it. She wasn’t happy with me about it. We just have both been so busy between Callum and Ellie’s wedding and things taking off at the shop.”
This is the first time I’ve ever heard of them having problems and I can sense it isn’t sitting right with Wes either.
“I was thinking about taking her out of town for the weekend now that things will start calming down a little.”
“You know, if you guys want to take off, I have no problem taking care of things for a bit. Hell, we all know I ain’t got nothin’ or no one waitin’ on me at home,” Brannon comments with a glint of humor.
“You sure about that?” Mason asks, laughing as he leans back against the back of the booth, shooting Brannon a look.
Yeah, we all saw how Brannon and Lissa were the night at Velvet in Chicago. As much as she can try to act like she’s not interested, I know full well it’s all a ploy. He loves getting under her skin and she loves throwing it right back at him.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Brannon gives him a side grin.
I laugh. That’s like saying Halle and I kept our hands to ourselves that night too.
Brea picks the perfect moment to step up to our table.
“Sorry, I’m the only one running the bar and taking lunch orders. Danny called in today. You guys ready to order?” Brea asks, taking her notepad out from the front of her apron.
“I forgive you.” Mason winks.
I lean back, feeling stuck in the middle of their sexual tension. I had enough of that rooming with him and living with them when I first moved back home before my house was ready. Hanging out with them when they were friends was great. Now they are in this new relationship and living together. It had reminded me all too much about what Halle and I used to have.
We spend the next hour talking with Wes about his weekend plans with Kinsley, while listening to Brannon’s endless questioning of Brea as he presses for news on when Lissa will be coming to town to visit.
I have a feeling she’ll be coming back to town very soon, if Brannon has anything to say about it.
After lunch wraps up, I decide to send a text to Halle. Knowing Kinsley will be taking off with Wes for the weekend, I hate the thought of Halle being alone at their place.
* * *
Graham: What do I have to do to see you tonight?
* * *
Climbing into my pickup, my phone dings with a response.
* * *
Halle: This sounds like it could be fun. I have a lot of ideas.
* * *
Graham: I sure do have my hands full with you, huh?
* * *
Halle: That’s why you have two hands. ;-)
* * *
Chuckling, my chest warms picturing the smile on Halle’s face as she typed out that response. This girl kills me.
* * *
Graham: Mm, that I do. Now I’m just thinking of all the things I can do with these hands.
* * *
Halle: Now this is what I’m talking about. Tell me more…
* * *
Graham: I want to know if any of your ideas include me re-learning all the ways your body can come alive under my touch.
* * *
The rumbling sound of an exhaust approaching draws my attention away from our conversation to my rearview mirror. As I glance up, I see Krate driving while rolling down his window.
Peering into the side mirror, our eyes lock on each other’s. My phone rings in my hand, as he speeds off down the road.
“You still over at Brodie’s?” Maverick asks, not even bothering with a greeting. He’s been tailing him.
“Yep, he just pulled up right behind me.”
“Motherfucker,” Maverick swears.
Holding the phone up to my ear, I peer over my shoulder seeing him hit the gas as he guns it toward the back of the parking lot taking a sharp turn toward the alley.
“I was able to place the GPS last night. I know he’s onto us, so I’ve eased up on him. At least until we can figure out what he and Hendrich are up to. Something’s going down and he’s trying to distract us with his bullshit.”
He’s right. He knows we’ve been watching him and he’s trying to draw us to steer our focus in a different direction, away from whatever is going on.
“Alright, keep me updated. I don’t trust this prick.”
My phone pings with another text from Halle. Knowing Krate has shit up his sleeve and Halle is about to be staying at her place alone, I need to figure out a way to convince her to stay with me this weekend.
If I tell her the truth, I’m not sure how she’ll take it. She may get pissed and likely tell me not to worry about it. The hell if I’ll listen to that bullshit. She’s my number one priority, her and my mom. I’m not about to let anything happen to either of them.
“I’m going to swing by Halle’s salon and see if I can convince her to stay with me this weekend. Wes and Kinsley are going to be heading out of town, and I just don’t feel good about her being alone.”
I know Maverick understands. I’m already out of the parking lot and down main street toward her salon when he replies.
“Good luck,” he mutters, knowing I’m going to have my hands full trying to convince her of that. We say our goodbyes and I let him know I’ll be in touch with him.
Pulling into the alley behind her salon, I cut the engine when I spot her car in the parking lot. I don’t see Kinsley’s Jeep, so I’m immediately on alert thinking about her being alone.
The doorbell rings as I enter, and my eyes immediately fall on Halle. It’s as if all my fears fall away when I see her beautiful smile lighting up her face.
There’s an older woman I don’t recognize sitting in front of her.
“Hey.” She grins at me in the mirror. “Wasn’t expecting you to show up. I’m almost done. If you want to take a seat at Kinsley’s station, I’ll be with you in a few.”
She shoots me a wink as she resumes what she was doing, running her fingers through the woman’s curled hair as she talks about some hair product she has in her other hand.
After the lady has paid and thanked Halle, she’s out the door, and Halle’s attention is turned back on me. Just where I want it.
“You didn’t respond back to me. I didn’t think it meant you were going to come waltzing through the door instead.”