Two very large paws were on my waist and the biggest set of dog eyes I’d ever seen were staring back at me.
“Gus!” I was frozen, even when Wyatt rushed to my aide and somehow removed the massive dog that had me pinned to my car. “No!”
He tugged the dog by his collar, leading him away from me. I didn't move, I couldn’t. I was still shocked at what had taken place. My once pale blue shirt now had two dirt marks smeared down it and there was a slobbery mess pooling in the center.
Could this entire situation get any worse?
Chapter Nine
Wyatt
* * *
I should have put Gus up, but I never expected Sadie to show up already. She was just giving the keys less than an hour ago. Truth was I was still shocked that she even took the rental knowing that it was me who was renting it.
After shoving Gus inside the back door, I made sure the door was latched and I hurried back to ensure Sadie was okay. Finding her still leaning back against her car I proceeded with caution, not sure if she’d lash out. I can’t say that I’d blame her if she did.
As if she needed any more reasons to hate me.
“I’m sorry.” I moved in closer. “Are you okay?”
“Do I look okay?” With wide eyes she looked over herself before lifting her gaze to meet mine. “Was that a dog, or a bear?”
I chuckled but when Sadie glared at me, I realized she wasn’t joking.
“That’s Gus, he’s a happy pup, he loves people.”
“Pup,” she said and laughed, only this time I didn’t bite. “Monster is more like it.”
I wanted to tell her he was harmless, but it wouldn’t help. Gus is a playful boy, but I’ll admit this first introduction to Sadie was anything but good.
I remained silent, afraid to speak.
“This was a mistake.” Her words were low, but clear. “I should have paid attention.”
“I should have made sure he was up, it’s my fault.”
“I’m not talking about this,” she said, waving her hand over the front of her, bringing attention to the mud smeared all over the front of her shirt. She finally moved away from her car. I noticed the way she looked back at the house, and then to her car. “I’m talking about the house, me, you. I never would have…” Letting out a slow deep breath, she lifted her gaze to meet mine once more.
“Never would have what?”
I waited for her to continue. After what felt like forever, I watched as she squared her shoulders and her chest rose and fell with one deep breath. “This is the only place I found that I truly loved.”
Sadie seemed torn, which confused me.
“The idea of living above or beneath someone else, hearing their entire conversation when all I really want to do is relax is the exact opposite of what I want in a home. And this place,” again she looked toward the cottage and its then that I understood what was happening.
“I work a lot,” she shifted her attention back to me. “With the shifts at the station and the heavy workload of everyone around town adding more projects they need help with, I’m barely around. The chances of us running into one another often are slim.”
Her throat bobbed as she swallowed hard.
“We can make this work, no need for unnecessary conversation.” Taking a step back, I held my hands at my sides. “Rent is due by the first of the month, you can put it in the mailbox near the front door. If you need anything at the house, just shoot me a text.” I held out my card. After she took it, I turned around and walked back toward my house.
When I found out Sadie was the one renting the cottage, I actually thought things could change. Maybe she’d let go of the shit of the past and we could start anew. I guess I was wrong.
It’d been almost a week since Sadie moved in. I’d managed to avoid any direct contact with her, coming and going as usual, but with caution.
I’d noticed she parked closer to the cottage, making the trip to the front door shorter.
I was half asleep on my couch when I heard the sounds of someone knocking on my backdoor. Sitting up, I waited to see if it would continue and when it did, I stood and walked through the kitchen toward the back of the house.
That’s when I noticed Beau standing at my back door.
“Are you gonna let me in or what? Is freezing nuts out here.”
Unlocking the handle and opening the door, I stepped aside so he could come inside. Within seconds he starting hassling Gus and the two of them where gone. On the floor rolling around like an idiot, Beau did all he could to get Gus riled up.
With Anna’s mom living in the attached apartment on their house, they had a built in babysitter. Putting Drew to bed then sneaking out for some adult time was easy.
“What are you doing?”
“Playing with Gus.” The two of them were growling and snarling.
“I mean what are you doing here? As in showing up at my house late at night?”
“Oh,” it took him a few minutes to finish his sentence. “Anna is out back with Sadie, apparently having a girls night, unpacking. She drug me along and told me to keep you company. I think she brought me along so she could drink and know I’d be here to drive her home.”
After grabbing two beers from the fridge, I walked back to the living room to find that Beau had finally gotten himself up off the floor and was now sitting on the couch.
We sat for a little while, neither talking as we watched the movie that was playing on the television.
“You two still pretending the other one don’t exist?”
“I ain’t pretending nothing, just staying out of her way.” Sadie had made it clear, she wanted me to remain distant, so I would give her that.
“Maybe if you just—,”
“Leave it alone, Beau.”
Mr. Fixit, or so he tried. The guy had always been like that, unable to sit back and let anyone be at war. Always trying to soothe over a situation, make everything right, and mend wounds. This wasn’t up to him to fix, hell I couldn’t fix it either.
Chapter Ten
Sadie
* * *
“Admit it.” Anna sloshed her wine from her cup and laughed as she leaned over the countertop to clean up her mess. Giggling the entire time, both of us feeling the effects of hours of drinking finally hitting us. “He’s handsome.”
“Does Beau know you think his best friend is good looking?” Resting my elbows on the marble, I used it to hold myself securely.
“Please,” she slurs, and again she practically dumps her drink and this time I take the glass from her hand. She pouted, but continued on rambling. “My man knows he’s all I need and want. There is no comparison, but Wyatt is a looker.” Her words slurred slightly which only made me laugh. Tonight had been so much fun, I needed to relax. I swear I’d been bound so tight since I had my first run in with Wyatt and it felt good to let it all go.
“So, he was an asshole when he was a kid. He stood back and said nothing when everyone made it a point to revisit your embarrassment over and over, but you have to cut the guy a break, Sadie. That was years ago, he’s changed. You can’t hate him forever for something he did when he was a kid. Believe me, that blew up in his face, big time.”