The door swings open and I turn to find Teagan groaning and gasping at the mess I’ve made. “What the hell is wrong with you?” She gets straight to the task of cleaning it up and I hop over to join her. “Oh please, sit down, your royal highness. Leave the grunt work to peasants like me.” She scoops up the bits and pieces with her bare hands and I cringe, but she’s got the mess swept up in no time.
“You’re not a grunt worker.”
“That’s not what Dad implied when I told him I didn’t want to order you a hot Thai lunch. You actually said you’d be taking me somewhere. Remember?”
“I am.” I glance back to that file. “I was.” I cringe at how easily I’ve meandered to where I never wanted to be. After Emilia died, I swore on all that was holy I’d be there for Teagan. “Work just piled up on me unexpectedly.” I scratch the back of my neck as if the Flynn file managed to give me a heat rash.
“Look, I don’t know why you sent that beautiful globe crashing to the floor, and I don’t know what could possibly be more important than keeping your word to your baby sister, but you promised me a lunch date and I’m collecting.” She blinks those crystalline eyes up at me, and I can tell she’s only half-teasing. Teagan is a sweet, responsible girl. The last thing I want to teach her is that I’m a talker who never means what he says.
“I’ll make it up to you. Dinner instead? I should get a head start on that file if I’m going to be ready for that conference call in the morning.” I’ll have to make it a quick dinner. In and out. Hell, I might have to get it to go. There’s just no way I can get out of this day without disappointing my sister.
“Dinner?” She balks as if it were a four-letter word. “You know, I always knew that Dad was grooming you to be the next incarnation of himself, but I never thought you’d cave so easily. A wise person once told me that no matter what life presents you with, you have the power to pick and choose your own route on this journey.” She clicks her tongue as her eyes gloss over with tears. “It’s sad to see that Dad was right about molding you into his mini-me. And if you keep putting work over people, you’ll be just like him sooner than you think.” She takes off with the slam of the door.
“It’s called being an adult,” I shout after her.
“It’s called being an idiot,” she counters. “Take some control over your life. Now that is being an adult!”
I head back to my desk, my adrenaline pumping, my anxiety skyrocketing as I gaze out at the city melting below my feet.
Teagan is right. I’m well on my way to becoming the exact representation of my father. The Flynn case will be the final nail in the coffin. I’ll lose nights and weekends and eventually live at my desk, in the courtroom, as months drag on. A case like this will take many years to resolve, and I will have to sacrifice everything for it. I will end up gifting the Flynn Oil Company the best part of my late twenties and most likely straight through to my mid-thirties. My blood begins to boil at the thought. Lex would have long since moved on—happily might I add. What the hell was I going to do, anyway? Make Levi and Brody go away and fill their positions? Levi runs the bar right alongside Brody. There’s no need for me to stalk Lex each and every night. Brody will get to know her best, working on the schedule, working side-by-side, teaching her the ropes. Levi will be her fast friend, and once again I’ll be out in the cold, a voyeur into her world even while she works at the establishment I own. It is a shit ride.
I squeeze my eyes shut tight and try to make this newfound tension go away, but it only gets worse. That knot in my stomach intensifies as if someone just tossed a Molotov cocktail on top of it. This is not my life. This is not where I wanted to be. This isn’t where I want to go.
Teagan’s words come back to haunt me. Take control.
Shit. I’d love to. How in the hell am I supposed to do that? I’d need to evict Brody, evict Levi, evict myself from the shackles of the Flynn Oil case. It’s all too complicated, too set in stone to ever work out in my favor.
Unless…
I reach for my phone and scroll through the numbers until I hit Mack Danish, an old college buddy working with our accounting firm. What if Brody was too immersed in something else to take care of The Pelican like he should? I shoot him off a quick text, hardly able to control the smile from twitching on my lips. Then there is Levi. I think on this a moment before contacting my friends over at Orville Realty right here in the heart of downtown Jepson. I happen to know that’s who Levi and Low are using to help hunt down their new home. I give a chuckle as I text my buddy. And now all that is left is me.
I glance around the glass and stainless covered office, so slick and polished, so very metropolitan, so far away from everything The Sloppy Pelican embodies it’s almost a joke. Now what to do about my legal predicament. My heart thumps violently within my chest because a part of me already knows the answer.
I spike out of my seat and swipe the Flynn file along with my briefcase. I head straight into my father’s office and land the file over his desk with a thud.
“What’s this?” He does a double take while struggling to pry his eyes off his laptop. “You need a quick powwow from the old man to help strategize? I always knew you appreciated my wisdom.”
“Your wisdom, yes.” Not your work ethic. “But that’s not what I’m here for. I’m giving Flynn back to you.” I take a deep breath as I try to absorb the anger quickly morphing in my father’s eyes. “I’ll need a few months off. I’m taking a personal leave.”
His brows hike in amusement. “You take a few months off and you won’t have a firm to come back to.”
“That’s what I thought.” I take off for the door. “I’ll clean out my desk before the weekend.”
Teagan rushes over in horror, clearly apprised as to what just happened.
“Everything okay?” She staggers back as if I dealt her the blow instead of my father.
“Everything’s great. Grab your purse. I’m taking you to lunch.”
The air in Hollow Brook is always a little bit sweeter, far more fragrant and nourishing to the body than that of downtown Jepson, which says a lot, considering the fact I not only work in Jepson, I call it home as well.
Teagan practically skips out of the car as we head into The Sloppy Pelican.
“Wait!” she sings, positioning her phone to take a picture of the two of us with that giant inebriated looking pelican that sits on the roof. The entire facility inside and out is rife with character, and there’s not a single day I’ve been here that I haven’t seen someone posing for a picture with that overgrown bird. In truth, it’s that old miner charm that sold me on the place. Levi and Brody could have easily found someone else to provide the capital to get this place off the ground. But I wanted in. I wanted something that spoke to my heart and not just my bank account. And good thing, since The Sloppy Pelican is just now hitting its financial stride. We struggled hard and long this past year. About Christmastime, I thought for sure we’d close the doors before June, and yet here we are, mid-August and in the black—those are three little words every business owner longs to hear.
“Say cheese!” I do the obligatory bunny ears behind Teagan’s head, and she pretends to hate it. We head in as the heavenly scent of grilled burgers lights up my senses. “I know what I’m having.” And then I see her. Standing midway between the bar and me is Lex. Her attention is fully enveloped as she observes Low taking an order from a customer, but I’m not looking at Low or the women seated at the table. My full attention is set on that fiery redhead, those long stems she calls legs, that too short skirt and the heels she’s donned. Lex has always been a showstopper, a firecracker. The first time I laid eyes on her was at the Black Bear Saloon. Start of senior year, she took my breath away as soon as I saw her sitting in that dark booth with her laptop open. She wore tight jeans and an equally tight T-shirt that showcased her body, but it was that face, those eyes that captivated me. You could see the hurt layered beneath her beauty. That’s something that’s always struck me abou
t Lex. She wears her wounds like a badge of honor. It took a minute to build up my nerve to talk to her, and the first thing she did was tell me off—and rightly so. I was looking for a good time, something quick and dirty, even though deep down I knew she’d be the last to deliver. And then the unthinkable happened. She held a conversation with me. And after I tracked her down a second time—we were inseparable from there on out. Except of course, well, I’m not thinking about that right now.
“Dude.” Teagan slaps me across the cheek, and Lex looks over just in time to see the show. “Are you in a sugar coma or something? Should I start shoving a Hershey’s Bar down your pie trap? Or can we get a seat already?”
“Very funny.” I nod toward Lex and Low while leading my not-so sweet baby sis into a booth near the rear that affords me a view of the entire establishment.
Low zips over, sans Lex, and I can’t help but frown.
“Who is this little cutie?” Low sings with nefarious undertones. “Someone to impress the ex with?”
“It’s my sister.” I shake my head at Low, begging her not to go there. Teagan knew Lex. I’m shocked she didn’t spot her. “Teagan, this is Harlow.”
“But you can call me Low.” She’s quick to shake my sister’s hand. “Are you a Brigg’s Mustang like your brother?”
Teagan takes a full breath before answering. “Actually, I’m headed for Hollow Brook Community College. Just, you know, taking prerequisites.” My sister’s cheeks spike with color. “I’m hoping to transfer somewhere next year.”
What Teagan doesn’t want to say is that Emilia passed away right before SATs and she was in no shape to take them. Community college fit the bill for many reasons. And I for one am proud of Teagan for mustering the courage to march on with life. I can’t image having to study for exams or write endless papers while living through the nightmare we’re still in. I also think Emilia is the reason Teagan hasn’t bothered to get her driver’s license yet. I’ve asked her about it, and she cites it’s a millennial thing, but in truth I think it’s more of an Emilia thing. Emilia was the one teaching her to drive. And Teagan’s had no desire to do it since my sister passed away.
Low ticks her head toward the bar. “Lex is in the back.” She makes a face. “Baby steps, right?”
“What?” Teagan leans in with that curious gleam in her eye, but beneath it there’s a touch of rage. Teagan isn’t Lex’s biggest fan. “Did you say Lex? Is that who that girl was?”
“Yeah,” Low whispers as she leans in. “It’s your big bro’s ex-ho.” She gives a little wink. “No worries, though. That’s all ancient history.” She glares at me a moment. “Or is it?”
Teagan bounces in her seat, her face set in a newfound scowl. “Wait a minute! You mean Lex, Lex? As in psychotic Alexa Maxfield? What’s she doing here? Is she here because of you? No way—are you seeing her again?”
The ripe disgust on her face lets both Low and me in on the fact she’s staunchly opposed to the idea.
“Lex works here now.” I blink over at my sister. “We’re not together. She won’t even talk to me.”
Teagan locks those lavender eyes over mine, and we enter into a silent standoff for a moment. “Good. Keep it that way.”
“Okay!” Low offers a nervous giggle as she looks to the bar and motions Lex over. “That wasn’t weird at all. So this is the deal. I’d love to stay and babysit Lex all night, but I’ve only got about fifteen minutes before Levi picks me up. Our realtor is on fire, and we’ve got a dozen different places to see this evening. And besides, Lex sort of needs the practice.”
Lex makes her way over, shoulders back, head tipped to the sky, those gorgeous full pouty lips painted a caustic shade of pink that I’d love to lick right off. Lex is the only woman on the planet who has ever brought out the caveman in me. There has never been a moment we’ve been together that I haven’t wanted to toss her onto the nearest table and have my way with her.
“Oh my God.” Teagan looks visibly ill, and a horrible feeling comes over me. Teagan has never been one to hide her feelings. I’m not sure why I thought this might be a good idea. “It is you,” she flatlines, and Lex blinks back as if she were about to blow over.
“Low.” I rise out of my seat before sitting back down. “Teagan is about to celebrate her eighteenth birthday, right here in the banquet room with all her friends. Would you mind taking her back there and showing her the party package we’ve got?” Brody threw together a few meager hats and streamers. To be truthful, there is no party package, but I’m hoping Low will take the hint and spare Lex and me the embarrassment of having Teagan explode all over the ceiling.
“Sure thing,” she growls it out through clenched teeth as a reluctant Teagan follows her to the back.
Lex turns to leave as well, and I touch my hand over her elbow. “Lex, wait.”
She turns just enough to glare at my fingers still lingering over her bare skin, and I quickly retract. “I’m sorry. Would you mind taking a seat? Please?”
“Yes.” She starts to take off again.
“You didn’t take my order.” It comes out a little louder, a little more caustic than I intended it to. Her back is still to me, and I steal the opportunity to take in those long brown legs. Those divots behind her knees call to me, and I’m tempted to bury a kiss in each one.
“Excuse me?” She spins on her heels. The underbelly of her sole is a bright pink, and it reminds me of that secret place in her body that I was once privy to, so perfectly pink and all for me. Lex leans in with all of her formidable hatred exuding from those fiery lawn green eyes. “Did you have the nerve to speak to me?”
My mouth opens, and a thousand words beg to flood on out—I’m sorry being at the top of the list. But I know Lex. Show her your weakness and you are done. She will flush you down the toilet and never look back.
“I gave you this job.” My lips pulsate in and out of a smile. “I believe taking a customer’s order is your chief responsibility, Lexy.”
Lex takes a breath and holds it. Her face turns a curious shade of purple, and suddenly I wish I had never left the office this afternoon. I should have sunk myself in that Flynn file. I should have never expected some happily ever after to come from this cosmic reconnection that Lex and I seem to be having.
Low and Teagan pop back to the table, and the air seems to warm with their presence. The moment had passed. Lex is back to breathing again, and, ironically, it’s me who feels as if I’ve been sucker punched.
Low takes our orders while Lex looks on with a morbid boredom. No sooner do they take off for the kitchen than Teagan kicks me hard from under the table.
“Whatever the hell you have planned, you can forget it. Low told me all about how Lex hates your guts. This isn’t going anywhere. And the last thing I want to see is you moping around with a broken heart for another six years. Do everyone a big fat favor—forget her. If she was that brutal to you the first time, you should want nothing to do with her.”
Low shouts goodbye as she heads toward the door to meet up with Levi, and I offer a brief wave.
Brody speeds over from the back and lands next to Teagan, looking as if someone just threatened to stick a Roman candle up his boxers.
“Dude”—he rubs his eyes so hard I’m half-afraid he’s about to gouge them out—“I just got off the phone with Les—the accountant? He says I need to reconcile every single receipt we’ve produced for the last year. He says we’re inches from a big messy IRS audit. I’m going to have to comb through acres of spreadsheets just to make sure nothing stands out. There’s no way I’m going to have time to do all that and run the bar.”
“What about Levi?” I should probably feel worse for playing puppet master—for even suggesting Levi since I’ve ensured he won’t have a free moment before his wedding, but I don’t. Lex is here, and I’m about to move heaven and earth to make sure I can spend as much time with her as possible.
“Are you kidding?” Brody glances to Teagan with an apologetic nod before c
ontinuing. “He’s checked out until after the honeymoon. It’s you and me, and we both know that means it’s just me. Dude, I don’t think I can do this without hiring a manager until this bull blows over.”
“Don’t do that.” I put on my sincerest concerned face. Teagan can read me like a book, and I’m pretty sure I have a ten second window to say my peace before she blows my cover. “I’ll step in. I want to. This place is just as much mine as it is yours. You get creative with the numbers or whatever it is you need to do, and I’ll mop the floors, get the schedule done, and put in the orders—heck, I might even spit shine a toilet or two.”
“You’d do that?” Brody looks equal parts concerned and floored by my generosity.
“Hell yes. Consider it done.” A familiar looking face walks in and heads straight over to Lex—my brother, Shep. “In fact, I’ll start right now. Shep just walked in. I’ll have him drive Teagan back when we’re through here.”
“Sweet.” Brody offers up a knuckle bump before heading back to his office.
“My, my”—Teagan sings while nonchalantly inspecting Shep and Lex at the bar—“looks as if all the cards are falling into place for you. Levi’s so busy with his wedding, and poor Brody seems completely overwhelmed with a looming audit of apocalyptic proportions. Funny how you didn’t offer to sic the Collins’ accountants on this mess and clean it up in one fell swoop.” She picks at her chipped nail polish, pretending to be bored—a dangerous, dangerous thing when it comes to my sister. “So tell me, big bro—was Shep a part of the plan, too, or did his flirtatious moves just throw a wrench in your sexual scheme?”