by Green, Megan
Benton nods. “Not a lot, but enough. It’s not a place a girl like you belongs.”
“I can’t stay with you?” she asks, and it hits me square in the gut. Even after the night we shared, she’s still hesitant to stay here with me?
My brother shakes his head. “No way. My place is a disaster right now. It’s probably not even safe for me to be staying there.”
She scoffs. “Oh, please, Benton. It’s not like I haven’t been around a construction zone.”
“That may be true, but there’s a difference between a job site that is up to code and having to sleep under a roof that may cave in at any moment.”
I know it’s an exaggeration on his part. Benton’s place needs a ton of work, but it’s structurally sound. Which makes me curious as to why he’s so adamant she can’t stay with him. What is he hiding?
“You’ll help me find a place of my own as soon as possible?”
Again, with the gut punch. It’s not like I want her to move in here permanently. That would just be crazy. But come on. Does she have to seem so eager to leave?
“You bet. As soon as something comes up, I’ll be here helping you pack. But for now…Will you please just stay here?” Benton looks up to me for validation.
I clear my throat. “You’re welcome here as long as you need, Monroe.”
Her eyes flash to mine, an unreadable expression hidden deep within them. Benton must miss it though, because in the next second, he’s up, clapping his hands together.
“Well, I suppose I should be going. I need to get out to the site and make sure those assholes aren’t slacking off.”
Monroe shoots up off the bed. “Give me ten minutes and I’ll be ready to go.”
I take a step forward. “Are you sure you’re ready for that? It’s not a big deal if you want to take another day to recoup.” I give her a pleading look, hoping it conveys just how much I want her to stay so we can talk.
Her eyes scan mine, understanding dawning in them as they look me over. She thinks for just a moment before grabbing one of the trash bags and turning and heading toward the attached bathroom.
“I’m fine. Ten minutes, Benton.”
The door slams shut behind her as I hear the water of the shower turn on.
She showers quickly, stepping out not even five minutes later, hair damp and clad in comfortable clothes. She’s washed away all traces of her sickness. All traces of last night.
All traces of me.
With one last lingering look, she gives me an apologetic smile as she follows my brother out of my bedroom.
Leaving me to wonder what in the fuck just happened.
Chapter Fifteen
Monroe
How could I let things get so far off track? As much as I want to blame the cold meds, I know they aren’t to blame. At least not fully. The minute Ben walked in and gave me an out, I had to take it. My future flashed before my eyes and I started getting comfortable. The moment I get comfortable is when I lose the people around me.
My entire body shudders as tears that I refuse to cry build up. I know I need to deal with my past issues, but today is not that day. Instead, I lean my head against the window and watch as the scenery passes us by. I didn’t realize Barrett lived so far outside of town. Then again, I wasn’t exactly conscious when he drove me to his house. Hopefully it’ll be easy to find it later on after work when I have to pick up all of my stuff. I might have agreed to stay at Barrett’s house, but there’s no way I’m actually going to do that.
“So, what’s going on between you and my brother?”
It’s a simple harmless question, but it doesn’t prevent my entire body from stiffening. The first time between Barrett and I was a fluke and it should have stopped there. What happened between us last night, and this morning, should have never happened. But even as I think it, my traitorous body craves more of every delicious thing he did to me. Nobody has ever worshipped me so thoroughly before.
I continue watching the trees pass us by as I ask, “What are you talking about?”
“Don’t play dumb with me, Monroe.” Benton drums his hands against the steering wheel and adds, “There’s something there.”
“You mean besides the fact that he’s a major asshole and drives me crazy?”
“You know what they say, there’s a fine line between love and hate. I’m pretty sure the two of you are skirting that line.”
He did not just say that. I might enjoy the things Barrett can do with his tongue or the feeling of his cock filling me up, but love? That’s not something that would ever happen between the two of us. We’re just two people who argue with each other about everything and love to fuck the anger out of our system. Nothing wrong with that, but there’s definitely no love involved either.
“Oh my gosh. I’m so not in love with Barrett. We barely even know each other.”
Ben offers me a knowing smile and adds, “I didn’t say you were, but it wouldn’t surprise me if you ended up there eventually. I couldn’t imagine two people more perfect for each other.”
“Are you on something this morning? Because if you are, you have to tell me what you took and share the wealth.”
“I don’t experiment with drugs and you know that.”
I didn’t think he’d actually take me seriously on that comment. I decide to keep the conversation more lighthearted and hopefully distract him from his comments about Barrett and me. “Is this about the business? I know it’s hurting a little bit, but that doesn’t mean you need to turn to a life of crime. I think you should quit while you’re ahead. Being a pimp doesn’t suit you.”
“Ha ha, very funny. I’m being serious, but if you want to make it all about jokes, we’ll talk about it another time. But, trust me when I say this conversation is going to come up again.”
Yeah, because that’s going to happen. I plan to avoid it like the plague.
We pull into the parking lot at City Hall and it reminds me of one specific thing. “Hey, Ben?”
“Hey what?”
“Where’s my car?”
“Shit. I’m sorry Monroe, I completely forgot about that. I can drop you off at The Park at the end of the day. I’d do it now, but I was already running behind, and I don’t want to push us back any further on this project.”
“Should I be concerned?”
“Don’t worry, it’s nothing like it was before. But with both you and Smith out yesterday not as much got done as I would have liked. We’ll be fine though. Since you got here, we’re actually ahead of schedule for once instead of floundering.”
“Well boss, we better get to work then.” I hop out of his truck and head toward the open doors. I’m pleasantly surprised that scrap materials haven’t built up in piles around the front like they were when I first got here. Maybe I’ve had an impact after all. This day better pass by quickly because the last thing I want is to feel any worse than I already do.
* * *
Heading into work today probably wasn’t the smartest decision I’ve ever made, but there was no way I was going to stick around and hang out with Barrett all day. We were starting to trip into familiarity territory and that’s not a place I want to go with him. Instead I locked myself in the mayor’s office at City Hall and spent the better part of the day laying the floor down. My hands and lower back are aching, but we’re that much closer to finishing up this job, and just in time for the major reveal to the entire town in a few months.
There’s going to be a parade and a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the whole shebang. Living in a small town is definitely weird, that’s for sure. We called it quits for the day about an hour ago and after Ben dropped me off at The Park to pick up my car, which hadn’t been touched thank god, I wasn’t really sure what to do with myself. The thought of driving back to Barrett’s house sounded just as fun as stabbing my eyes out with a rusty and dull butter knife. After mulling over my options for too long, I got in my car and drove here.
Almost as if on autopilot.
I walk into the bar and the night I was with Barrett for the first time comes flooding back to my brain. I was so unsure of myself and crossing off items on a self-proclaimed bucket list sounded like the best way to get a little control over my life. And yet here I am with less control than I had before and more uncertainty than I’d care to admit.
The bar stool squeaks against the hardwood as I pull it out and take a seat. This place looks exactly the same as before even down to the baseball game on the TV behind the bar. I don’t know a thing about sports, but I can appreciate the tight pants the players are wearing.
“Rum and Coke with a lime, right?”
Shaking my head and pulling myself away from my thoughts, I find that cute redhead from the first night smiling back at me from the other side of the bar. What was her name again? I’m not normally so bad at remembering things like names, but my head has been all over the place lately.
“I’m Scarlett, remember we met your first night in town?”
Thank goodness for small miracles. I smile up at her and reply, “Of course I remember you. And thank you, I think that’s exactly what I need right about now.”
Scarlett offers me a knowing smile like we both know I lied about remembering her, but she seems to let it slide. “I don’t mean to sound cliché since I’m a bartender and all, but seeing as it’s a Wednesday night and you’re the only person in here right now…want to talk about it?”
Is it empty? I swivel my head around and sure enough, there isn’t a single person in here save for the two of us. How did I not notice that when I walked in?
What the hell. What’s the worst thing that could happen? “Have you ever had a one-night stand before?”
She laughs as she drops the lime into my drink and places it down in front of me. “Who hasn’t? There have been plenty of them over the years that I’d like to erase from my memory, if I could, and replace them with some of the ones I’ve forgotten. Or at least have some better ones.” She turns around and points to the TV. “Like him, for example. What I wouldn’t do for a night in Brandon Jeffers bed. If the rumors are true, he’s an animal in the sack.”
Scarlett gets a far-off expression in her eyes that is one hundred percent lust driven. I’ve never been one to fantasize about celebrities, but to each their own, I guess. This conversation isn’t taking a helpful turn, so I steer her back to what’s important. “Okay, but did you ever have a one-night stand become something more?”
“What do you mean something more? Refill?” she asks while motioning to the glass in front of me.
I glance down and sure enough, I’ve already downed my first drink. How the hell did that happen? I nod my head as she gets to work on making me another and I add, “I probably shouldn’t have another after this. I just got over the flu.”
It doesn’t stop me from picking up the glass and taking another large drink. I motion for her to move closer and whisper, “This is just between you and me, but I had a one-night stand when I first got to town. Now this guy, with the help of his brother, has moved all of my stuff out of the motel room I was staying in and into his house. We slept together again last night after he forced me to sleep and take cold medicine. The sex was the best I’ve ever had, but he won’t leave me alone and he drives me insane. I seriously have no idea what to do. So instead of driving back to his house, I came here.”
Scarlett looks me up and down and puts both hands on her hips. “Let me get this straight. You’re shacking it up with Barrett Brooks and having mind-blowing sex. He nursed you back to health before giving you orgasms you can’t stop thinking of and he wants you to live with him. Is that the gist of it?”
Well, when she makes it sound like that…but no! It’s not like that at all.
“You don’t get it. He’s an asshole and I can’t stand him.”
She pulls her cellphone out of the front pocket of her apron. She’s focused on the phone in front of her but says to me, “If Barrett Brooks is interested in you, that’s not something you fight. He might have a harsh exterior, but he’s one of the good ones. Trust me, you’ll be thanking me later.”
Can this guy do no wrong? First Ben, now Scarlett? Why is everyone pushing me toward him? “Yeah if you like him so much, why don’t you go home with him?”
“He doesn’t want me going home with him and I’m busy working on something with someone else.”
“Oh yeah and who is that?”
Scarlett shakes her head as she pops the phone back into her pocket and looks up at me, “I’ll tell you about it some other time when you’re not so plastered. Now go home with Barrett and let him take care of you.”
Go home with Barrett? What is she even talking about?
“I don’t need a man to take care of me. I’m an independent woman.”
“You’re not going to be so independent when you’re hugging the porcelain god later on.”
That doesn’t even make any sense. What is she talking about? Rolling my eyes, I stand up from the stool and my boot slides as it misses the floor entirely. Instead of face planting, a pair of strong hands steady me and I can’t help but lean into the mystery man.
“Thanks for calling me, Scar.”
That voice. I know that voice. I think I know that voice.
Oh well. I pick up my glass and take a heavy drink only to be met with a splash of ice to the face. Huh…when did I finish that? Guess I’ll need to order another one. I get ready to call my brand-new bestie to make me another when my senses are filled with a delicious smell. A combination of musk and citrus that has my nether regions all kinds of excited.
I look up to the stranger, tempted to ask him to join me in the bathroom, when I find none other than Barrett Brooks sitting next to me. That traitor. Scarlett winks at me and I say, “You called him? Consider your brand-new bestie status revoked.”
Barrett starts pulling me toward the door and I hate that I lean against him. Damn wobbling feet, why are you failing me?
“Have a great night, you two!” I hear her say before we end up outside on the sidewalk.
I try to wiggle out of Barrett’s tight hold, but he isn’t having any of it. All of the jostling and sudden movements have a familiar burn starting up and my tongue becomes saturated with my saliva.
“Oh no!” I get out before a stream of alcohol and bile works its way up my throat and onto Barrett. I haven’t eaten since the Ramen noodles early this morning and I probably shouldn’t have pounded those cocktails as fast as I did.
I start to laugh at the mess I’ve made of him when another wave of nausea comes over me. Shit, how do I keep getting myself into messes like this where I need Barrett to take care of me?
Chapter Sixteen
Barrett
Monroe stumbles at least three more times on our way out to my car, her legs giving out from under her every few steps. But at least she doesn’t puke on me again, so I guess we’ll call it a win.
After loading her into the passenger side of my car, I strip off the t-shirt I’d donned after work, jogging back toward the bar and shoving it in the trash. I step back inside and grab a small trashcan near the front door, holding it up so Scarlett can see that I’m borrowing it. She gives me a nod, and I shoot her a quick salute before hurrying back out to the car.
I plant the empty bin in Monroe’s lap as soon as I slide into the car. “If you have to puke again, please use that. I don’t need my car smelling like vomit for the next week.”
Monroe’s only answer is to lay her head back against the headrest, her eyes fluttering shut.
Why is it this woman is never conscious whenever she’s in my vehicle?
I set out toward my house, reaching out to turn down the radio so as not to risk waking her. After a few minutes of silence, when I’m convinced she’s passed out cold, she surprises me, her raspy voice echoing through the silent space of the car.
“It should be illegal for you to wear a shirt.”
My head jerks toward her, surprise filling me as I see her
staring at my bare chest instead of zonked like I’d thought. Her eyes are hooded, though whether from alcohol or lust, I’m not entirely sure.
Maybe both?
Unfortunately for me, I’m not the type of guy who’s going to take advantage of the situation, no matter how much she might be making it obvious that she wants me. Call me old fashioned, but I much prefer my women to be able to remember what I did to them the next morning.
“You’re drunk,” I say in response, turning my eyes back to the road. Monroe’s hand reaches over and traces the line of my bicep.
“You’re sexy.”
A loud laugh escapes my throat. “Okay, now I know you’re drunk. Pretty sure that’s the first time you’ve ever said anything even remotely nice to me.”
Her short nails continue their trek up and down my arm. “Why aren’t you wearing a shirt? Not that I’m complaining.”
I shoot her a bemused look. “Because someone puked all over me. Remember?”
She starts to giggle. “Oh yeah. I totally forgot about that. Sorry.”
I shrug. “It was an old shirt anyway.”
“I’ll pay you back.”
I almost make the mistake of asking her with what money, but I catch myself just before the words leave my lips. “Don’t worry about it,” I say instead.
“Why do you make me like this?” she asks, catching me completely off guard.
“Like what?”
She gestures down at herself. “Like this. Unable to control myself. Unable to act normal. You make me all...discombobulated.”
I laugh. “That’s a pretty big word for someone in your state.”
She gives me a sideways smile. “I give good word when I’m plastered.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to say I’m sure that’s not the only thing she’s good at when she’s drunk, but again...old fashioned.
“Why do you think I make you like this?” I ask, reverting back to the original topic.