“No kidding,” I murmured, suddenly considering the possibilities. Working closely with Tiller and Mikey here in Aster Valley was a completely different concept of my own future than I’d ever imagined. I’d planned on working construction in Houston my entire life. When it came to picturing myself with a long-term partner, I didn’t even do much of that. I had a history of failing at relationships, in part because I’d ditched so many boyfriends or potential boyfriends to go rescue my mom and sisters from some kind of trouble or another but also because running a business like mine required working hellishly long hours and rarely taking time off. Somewhere along the line, I’d finally recognized I didn’t have enough personal or emotional resources to meet the needs of a boyfriend in addition to my family and my career.
Hence the physical hookups only. As soon as things tried progressing into emotional or even much of a time commitment, I had to gently exit the scene in order to keep my sanity.
Tiller, Mikey, and I spent a long time at the dinner table brainstorming ideas for the ski resort and wondering how it would impact the town of Aster Valley.
“Is there a city planning council or something that might want to weigh in on this?” I asked.
Tiller nodded. “I’ve already met with the Aster Valley mayor, who pointed me to the county council. Technically, the mountain falls outside of the city of Aster Valley, which is actually very small. It’s pretty much just the downtown area. So the Rockley County folk are the ones I need to deal with. Unfortunately, they’re a little bit more…” He struggled to find the right word.
Mikey didn’t struggle. “Assholish. They have strong opinions about absolutely everything. The good news is, they’re on board with opening the resort back up. The bad news is, they want to have a say in every little aspect of it.”
“They’re going to be disappointed,” I said, stretching my hands up and over my head. “Every city planning group I’ve ever encountered is hindered by existing zoning rules and standards. And if this resort already existed, most of what you need has an already approved precedent.”
Tiller grinned. “Yep. And I’ve already brought my friend Julian up here to sit in on the meetings.”
I barked out a laugh. Julian was one of Tiller’s childhood friends from Denver. He was smart, gay, and gorgeous. And an absolute shark of a corporate attorney. He was the kind of man who would have enjoyed preparing for a meeting with the Rockley County Council by memorizing every shred of county real estate development law, history, and the major players involved. He’d come to Houston several times over the years to visit with Tiller, so I’d gotten a chance to get to know him a little.
Mikey’s smug grin revealed just how much fun Julian had probably had protecting Mikey and Tiller’s development rights in those initial meetings. The project would run much more smoothly with someone like that on board.
We finished up the evening going back over the list of the renovations needed at the chalets.
“But we’ll have to find a crew to do the work,” I added. “I’m going to be busy fixing a few things at Truman’s house tomorrow and then stay for dinner.”
My friends were oddly silent for a few beats while they stared at me.
I tried not to squirm in my seat.
Mikey hesitated before speaking. “I know I teased you about this earlier, but…” He glanced at Tiller like he needed help articulating his thoughts.
Tiller nodded. “I think Mikey’s worried that you’re going to hurt Truman. If you’re only in town for a little while…”
The warning got my hackles up because they were right to be concerned. My pursuit of Truman was selfish.
“I’m just helping him repair his gate,” I said a little too gruffly.
They exchanged another one of those damned looks.
“Stop that,” I said. “I get what you’re saying, but Truman is an adult, alright? Everyone acts like he’s a kid who needs to be treated with delicacy. Give him some credit.”
Tiller’s brows furrowed. “Isn’t he dating the librarian?”
I shook my head. “He said he was single.”
Mikey continued to study me like I was a problem that needed solving. It reminded me of the methodical way he approached many of my challenges over the years. We’d been friends for a long time. When I’d had to get a job before it was even legal for me to do so, Mikey had gone through all of my options on how to get around the age requirements. When I’d gotten arrested for assault after finding my underage sister, Sophie, drunk and being manhandled toward a back room by a couple of assholes at a frat party, Mikey had miraculously convinced his parents to help pay my legal bills.
I trusted him.
And if he told me to stay away from Truman for Truman’s own good, I’d do it.
“Maybe he just wants to get his cherry popped,” Mikey mused.
Had I been drinking anything in the moment, I would have spit it across the table. I opened my mouth to ask if he was for real, or, more importantly, if he actually had information about Truman’s virgin status, but I closed it again with a snap of teeth.
I wasn’t going to discuss Truman’s personal, intimate business at my friends’ dinner table.
“Sam’s going to crush him like a bug,” Tiller murmured into his water glass before taking a sip. I glared at him.
“I’m surprised he picked you, of all people,” Mikey continued. I bristled.
“What’s wrong with me?”
He rolled his eyes and flapped his hand dismissively. “Calm your tits. I just mean, he’s very intimidated by big muscular guys. The first time he saw Tiller, he edged away from him.”
Tiller snapped his head around. “No he didn’t.”
“He did, babe. He was nervous around you. And not because you’re a hot dish.”
“Maybe it’s because I’m a famous ballplayer,” Tiller suggested before adding, “A celebrity.”
Mikey gave him an exaggerated nod. “Absolutely. Because Truman Sweet lives, eats, and breathes professional football. He probably knew exactly who you were when you walked in and could regurgitate all your stats. RBI’s, free-throw percentages, handicap, and whatnot. The man most likely has a poster of you on his—”
Tiller clapped a hand over Mikey’s mouth. It drove him crazy when Mikey pretended not to understand football. “Fine. Point taken.”
Mikey reached for Tiller’s wrist to pull his hand away but not before kissing his palm gently. “I’ve noticed it a ton of other times. In fact, the first time he saw Sam at the diner, he went pale and bolted.”
My stomach dropped. “You’re kidding?”
“No. But he doesn’t seem to feel that way anymore at all. At least, from what you describe.”
I thought back to having surprised Truman in his garden earlier. He hadn’t seemed scared because of me; he’d simply been startled that anyone had arrived without his notice. But then again… he had scooted away from me in the kitchen.
“Maybe you’re right,” I said, suddenly depressed about the idea of intimidating the sweet man. I hoped I hadn’t truly upset him. “I’ll have to pay better attention to make sure I’m not freaking him out, I guess.”