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Eleven.
Butch
“Remind me again whatyou need all this for?” Rhett asks for the third time since I showed up at the lumber yard where he and Levi run their construction company.
He’s either playing dumb or he still doesn’t believe me.
“I already told you,” I grunt, lifting the commercial-grade power washer onto the tailgate and pushing it into the bed of my truck. “You got an extra hose I can borrow with this?”
Rhett crosses his arms over his chest, eyeing me suspiciously. “If the Clarks needed roof repairs—why didn’t they just call and book a consult? Might’ve been a few weeks, but Levi or I could’ve squeezed them in.”
I huff and stomp over to the garden hose attached to the side of the outbuilding. I don’t get why he’s so butt-hurt over this. “She didn’t ask, I offered,” I say, unscrewing the hose and tossing it in the back. I didn’t see one at Cassidy’s, and wedidn’t find one when we cleaned out her father’s junk-filled shed yesterday.
Monday night after I left, we texted for a while, making plans for the week. I’d never stayed up later on a Monday than I did that night. On Tuesday, I picked her up after work and we went to Andy’s Hardware to get her a new showerhead and seals for the bathroom sink. We ended up grabbing takeout and went back to her place. I installed the new showerhead and had her sink fixed in record time just so I could spend my time focused on her—I couldn’t even tell you when I ended up leaving. Wednesday, we cleaned the shed out, and she cooked another amazing meal. And today, we’re supposed to do the gutters and siding.
It’s been nearly a full day since I’ve seen her, and I’m itching like a madman to get over there. She took the day off today for her brother’s birthday. Which means I didn’t get to see her at the coffee shop this morning, souring my mood for the rest of the day.
She was hesitant the last time we spoke about doing anything tonight, worried her brother might be home, but she hasn’t heard from him. And I haven’t heard from her since late last night.
All the more reason why I need to get my ass over there and be with her.
“Ahh, I get it now.” My brother grins. “Duke mentioned something about you and Cassidy starting a thing.”
I huff, annoyed that my damn brother couldn’t keep his mouth shut. “We’re not…” I trail off. Are we starting something? It sure feels like it. I haven’t stopped thinking about her for a second all day—all week, if I’m being honest here. I even ditched work early today to catch Rhett and pick up this thing.
“Sure you’re not,” Rhett muses. “Just didn’t think you’d be here on a Thursday after five borrowing a power washer is all.”
I ignore him, getting in my truck. “Thanks.”
“If you need help, holler,” he calls, laughter in his voice as I slam the door shut.
I head straight for Cassidy’s. My mind racing. Mostly over how we’ll be ending the night tonight. Not that I’m expecting anything from her, but…I won’t be leaving unless she outright tells me to.
The idea of spending the night with her has my cock stirring. I shift in my seat, wondering if she’ll let me take her out to dinner tonight.
And haveherfor dessert.
By the time I pull into the park, it’s a quarter to six. I’ve got maybe two hours of daylight left—if I’m lucky—to get this done. And as confident as I’ve been all day with my plan for the rest of the night, doubt creeps in as I approach her short drive.
My brow furrows. Her Jeep is parked in her usual spot, but there are four other vehicles in her yard blocking her in that I don’t recognize.
As I park off to the side, I kill the engine and wait. Her brother has to be home. It’s his birthday…but she didn’t text me not to come? She hasn’t said anything since last night. Should I go in or text her I’m here? Should we reschedule?
Fuck. This sucks.
I tap my thumb on the steering wheel, trying to figure out what the hell I want to do here when I hear yelling. I look around, unsure of where it came from. The trailers in here are so damn close together it could’ve been from any one of them. Loud, blaring music starts up, muffling the shouting.
It’s then, I realize, itiscoming from her place.
I get out a split second later, taking long strides up to the porch. The blasting rock music does nothing to cover Frankie’s high-pitched barking and a man shouting. When I hear Cassidyyelling in return, I slam a fist on the door. More like a pounding demand than a welcoming knock as my blood starts to boil.
If this asshole upset her again, I swear I’ll—
The door swings open and my chest cinches painfully. She looks…exhausted. Her eyes are puffy and bloodshot as fresh tears stream down her cheeks with Frankie trembling in her arms. He yips in my direction, trying to reach out and greet me.
Cassidy’s lower lip wobbles as she peers up at me. “Butch…”
The way she says my name is like a meat cleaver to the heart. This is the second time I’ve seen her cry now, but this feels different. I can’t handle seeing her this heartbroken and not do something about it.
