“Oh, and completely and utterly emotionally shut down.” Marissa stood and patted her shoulder. “My advice is look but don’t touch because that hot guy will burn you bad.”
Todd used his T-shirt to wipe the sweat from his forehead. They were making great progress and that was the aim. Well, one of the aims. When he’d planned this out, he’d written a small list of objectives, because despite his laid-back appearance, Todd loved a plan.
The list had been: build a ramp, find a friend for Zach, make sure you don’t spend too much alone time with Sarah.
So far he was three for three. The ramp was underway. Check. Zach had hit it off with Lucy’s nephew Oliver, and it turned out not only was he in the Scouts but they would be in the same class at school. Check. And since the women had arrived he’d barely seen Sarah and her sexy, easy-access skirt at all. She’d been inside chatting to the other girls, and frankly that was good for both of them.
Mike sidled up to him. “So, Esme’s niece seems nice.”
“Yeah, seems like she’d been doing it tough.”
“Yes. And I couldn’t help but notice that she’s rather attractive.”
“I guess.”
“Dude, it’s not something to guess at, she is and I know you’ve noticed.”
“Okay, she is. I’m a man. I have a pulse.” He shrugged and bent to pick up some stray nails that had fallen on the grass.
“So, how have you been coping in such close quarters?”
“Mike, I’m a man, not an animal. I can control myself, and anyway, she’s not my type.”
“I see, you don’t go for attractive women anymore? Is that it?”
“Oh no, I do. I just like them unencumbered and preferably in another town.”
“That’s very romantic, bro.” Mike gave him a nudge.
“Not so long ago you understood my point of view entirely. Just cause you’re all loved up and settled down doesn’t mean that’s what I want, dude.”
“Okay. I know. I just thought it might be fun . . .”
“I don’t do fun with single moms.” He used air quotes around the word. “And you of all people know why. Now, how about we go grill some hot dogs?”
Todd didn’t need his brother’s shit. Hadn’t they lived through the same childhood where their mother’s next husband came before the kids? He was never going to be that guy. Never. He looked over at Livi who was coloring under a tree with Lucy’s nieces. Look at those kids for example. Their mother, Lucy’s sister, had left them to chase after some guy, and she hadn’t been back in months. He wasn’t going to be the guy that put some kids in that position. He wasn’t saying that’s who Sarah was, in fact he was pretty sure she was nothing like that, but if he stayed out of the equation there was no need to find out.
Kevin was manning the grill, and he leaned down and tossed Todd a beer from the cooler by the grill when he grabbed himself a soda.
“It’s a good thing that you’ve organized here,” Kevin said quietly. “It’ll make a big difference to them.”
“That’s the plan.”
“You’re a good man, Todd.” It meant so much coming from Kevin. Todd knew Kevin had been an alcoholic, but he also knew why. He’d lost his wife, ended up in debt, didn’t have a lot to live for, and life spiraled. Since he’d been sober, though, he’d worked hard and he was always there helping someone. He took the making amends thing very, very seriously.
“I don’t know about that, Kevin, but I can only try.”
“That’s all any of us can do.”
So Todd tried very hard not to wonder what it would be like to get his hands on those long legs of Sarah’s as she hobbled across the lawn on her crutches. She had a huge smile on her face and was laughing at something Marissa said. She was about the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Yep, this was very trying indeed. He took a slow chug of his beer and centered himself.
He wasn’t sure if being on the bench seat next to Sarah was better or worse than sitting across the table from her would have been. It was a tight squeeze, so she was pressed firmly against his side. Her arm moved and he felt it; her leg moved and he was aware. It was an exquisite form of torture. Every so often that waft of strawberries from the shampoo overrode the smell of hot dogs and potato salad.
He tried to focus on the conversation. Moose and Chloe were planning a trip to Moose’s Mexican resort. Lucy would be up to visit with Chase next weekend. Marissa and Mike had plans to start renovating the farmhouse they owned that had been her parents’.
“Will you move out there?” Chloe asked.
Todd hoped not. Everyone was all happy families, and he suddenly felt like he was being left behind.
“Not for a while,” Marissa answered. “I like being downtown.”
He felt a bit better. He liked having his brother five minutes away. Okay, it was only an extra fifteen minutes out to the farm, but still. Once he moved out there, he’d probably eat breakfast there and not go to the diner with Todd. Would they start skipping poker night? They’d probably have kids. He liked kids, sure, but he wasn’t ready for all that change.
“So, when are you going, Todd?”
He was aware his brother must have asked him a question. “Sorry?”
“To the lake, when are you going up?”
“Not sure, the next few days I guess.” The truth was he’d be gone now if Sarah hadn’t had her little tumble and needed rescuing. He loved the solitude up there, and he could work uninterrupted. He knew some young guys who were always up for a beer or to go water-skiing, and it was a nice balance between work and play. He was at a crucial point on his next app design and he needed space around him to plan it clearly.
“You have another house?” Sarah was looking at him with wide eyes.
“It’s just a small cabin.” Only Marissa and Mike knew the truth. It wasn’t a one-room dump, but a beautiful old cabin on Squam Lake, the same lake where the movie On Golden Pond was filmed.
“So you have a house, a tree house, and cabin?”
“Well, the tree house is my office.”
“Dude, why did you build a tree house?” Moose asked, leaning back on the bench seat he shared with Chloe, his long arm stretched behind her. “I mean, it’s kind of an unusual thing to do.”
“Well, when I was a kid I always wanted one. Lots of people promised me they’d build me one and then they reneged. So, when I grew up, I built my own. It was to fulfil a dream and to prove to myself I didn’t need other people to get what I wanted.” He was aware that sounded kind of bitter, but that was the truth.
“It’s a really beautiful structure,” Kevin said. “I was lucky enough to work on the build. Really amazing.”
“I’d love to see inside one day,” Sarah said, nudging him with her elbow.
“Maybe when you can walk up all the stairs,” he said non-committedly.
“Is it guys only?” Chloe asked, picking up on his reluctance. “I wouldn’t mind a look.”
He hoped Marissa who had been up there many times kept her mouth shut about the fact she’d been up there a good many times.
He shook his head. “No, I just don’t really have visitors in general up there anymore.”
Anymore meaning now that I run an extremely profitable business where I design some of the world’s most popular apps and nobody in this town can know that.
“So, it’s not a boys only club house?” young Zach asked.
“‘Fraid not, buddy,” he said, getting up to clear the plates. “Just a boring old office.”
“Right, well, let’s get back to it,” said Kevin, and that was that. He was a man who could read an awkward moment at least.
Chapter 5
Then, the men were working and the women were sitting under a tree when Katie, the shy twelve-year-old, brought Sarah’s phone over.
“This was buzzing inside. I thought maybe it was important.”
Sarah looked at the number on the screen. Dermot. Dermot was an old friend from her college days. He
was a professional dancer currently playing a cat in a famous musical in Boston. Unlike Sarah who had managed to get herself pregnant before her career even began, Dermot was living his dream.
She read a message on the screen. I’m on my way. See you soon. Pulled a muscle can’t dance tonight.
He was coming here. Over the last few months he’d promised he’d visit once she was on the East coast, but she hadn’t expected it to be so soon. She felt a smile spread across her face.
“Good news?”
“Yes, a good friend of mine is on his way to visit.”
“His way?” asked Chloe.
“Yeah, he’s dancing in Boston, but they don’t have shows Sunday and Monday night, so he’ll be able to stay until Tuesday morning.”
This was perfect because it meant Dermot could look after her and Todd was off the hook and could return to his normal life.
She texted him back. ETA?
She realized the first message had come through hours ago.
Now.
And with that her friend came around the corner. He wore a man bun, some sort of tights, and a tank top, a scarf looped around his neck, and fluorescent sandals. He was carrying a man bag.
“Darling, you didn’t need to throw me a party,” he said, surveying the crowd over his glasses. God, he made her smile.
“As if,” she said, pushing herself up from the chair she was in.
“Look at you, you poor thing!” He pulled her in for a hug. “And hello, what a lot of man candy we have here today.”
He turned back to the men on the deck. All were shirtless, tanned, and buff. Yep, he was right, they were a sight for sore eyes.
“Everyone, this is Dermot, one of my oldest friends.”
“She doesn’t mean I’m old. I’m young and very virile,” he announced. “If anyone is asking.”
Mike and Kevin looked a little confused by him, but Moose and Todd crossed the lawn to shake his hand. “I see you lovely men are taking care of my damsel in distress.”
“I’m not a damsel in distress,” she protested, but Dermot waved her away.
“Of course you are. Men love that, don’t they, Moose. Love a good rescue.”
“Sometimes,” Moose conceded with a smile. “We’re building Livi a ramp.”
“Where is the precious girl?”
“Inside, getting her nails painted.” Katie was standing next to him, eyes agog as she spoke.
Dermot was not your typical small-town guy. He was fun, flamboyant, and fabulous. “I’m Dermot, and you are so gorgeous. What I could do with you,” he said, eyeing Katie who looked rather confused by the notion anyone would find her gorgeous. “Are you in charge of the nails? Because mine are chipped and a glass of wine and a manicure are exactly the antidote to a long drive.”
He showed her his chipped silver enamel.
Chloe handed him a drink, and he followed Katie inside.
“He’s a character,” Moose said. “I like him.”
Clearly the mountain man was comfortable in his sexuality.
“He’s staying?” Todd asked.
“Yeah, I didn’t know he was coming, but the good news is he’s here until Tuesday, by which time I should be mobile, so you’re off the hook.”
“Great,” he said. “Perfect.”
And then he turned and walked back to the deck. Except he didn’t look happy about the news. In fact, he looked mildly pissed off. She wasn’t exactly sure why. She would have thought this was like a get out of jail free card. Maybe he’d rearranged things for the next few days in order to help her and now that had been a waste of energy. Who knew?
A few minutes later, Dermot and all the kids came outside laughing. “That indoor campground is awesome, Todd. I might need to set one up in my living room.”
Todd smiled at him. “Dude, I have a tree house, so I get it.”
“Peter Pan syndrome, I just don’t know why more people don’t embrace it,” Dermot said. He was cradling Livi in his arms.
“Exactly, being a grown-up is seriously overrated.”
“I’m going to be a princess when I grow up,” Livi announced.
“I think you’re already one, honey,” Todd said, giving her a warm smile.
Okay, he wasn’t pissed in general, just at her. That was something.
Sarah took in the huge efforts the boys had made on her back porch. She could see that by sunset they’d be done. It was amazing. Livi wouldn’t be able to get herself in and out because the door still needed to be opened, but it did give her more freedom and mobility and it would save Sarah’s back. Those damn tears pricked her eyes again.
“It looks amazing,” from the chair beside her Sally commented.
“It sure does. I didn’t even know where to start with a project like that. Not the logistics, the money, any of it.”
“You’re in a whole new world with the disability. I work in the Mayor’s office downtown. I’m just a file clerk, but there is a Disability Officer or Inclusion might be the new title. I’d go talk to her about any grants available, but mainly just information overall. Her name is Meg, and she’s a lovely woman.”
“Okay, thanks.”
“And talk to the doc. What that man doesn’t know isn’t worth knowing.” Okay, so another vote for the doctor. She wanted to avoid doctors, and the truth was she didn’t know how she could afford them, but she knew she couldn’t neglect Livi’s needs. She’d just have to suck it up.
“Do you dance, too?” Marissa asked when Dermot joined the group.
“Yeah. I taught dance until recently,” Sarah said.
“What types?”
“All—classical, tap, modern, ballroom, even some for exercise like Zumba and pole dancing.”
“Pole dancing?” Chloe’s eyes bugged.
“It’s really good exercise,” Sarah said. Well aware that in small towns it wasn’t exactly a popular choice.
“She’s being humble. She’s helped some of the country’s best burlesque dancers get their routines just right.” Dermot’s voice carried across the yard so that all the men stopped hammering and sawing on the word burlesque.
Great, just great. That wasn’t exactly the thing she wanted to be known for around the town.
“It’s just choreography like for any other dancing,” she demurred. “No different than modern dance.”
“Except sometimes the women are upside down and half naked,” Mike said.
“How would you know that, Mike?” asked Marissa. It was obvious to everyone else that she was teasing, but he tried to backpedal.
“So can you do that, you know, on the pole?” asked Chloe, still bug-eyed. They probably didn’t have a lot of burlesque in the community she grew up in.
“Sure. Not today.” She pointed to her ankle. “You can’t teach something you can’t do, and you certainly can’t devise a dance routine in this state.”
Todd tried very hard not to swallow his own tongue at the thought of Sarah upside down on a pole, dancing. It was an image that would haunt his imagination, he knew, for the rest of his life. And apparently, it was no big deal to her.
“Not that anybody cares, but I can do it, too,” Dermot shared with the group. That was another image that he wouldn’t shake either. “It’s very closely linked to acrobatics actually.”
“Can you juggle while you do it?” Moose entered the fray.
“I can’t.” Dermot cocked his thumb at Sarah. “But this one has mad skills.”
“I’d like to see that,” Moose muttered so only the men could hear him. Todd had to concede he would, too, but he didn’t want Moose or any other sonofabitch to.
“It’s not that big of a deal,” Sarah was saying. “I’ll show you girls one day.”
“Oh, cocktails and pole dancing. We had thought of starting a book club, but this is much more fun,” Marissa was saying.
“We might have to have the cocktails after, for safety’s sake,” Sarah suggested.
“Wait till Patty hears, she’ll f
lip.”
“Who is Patty, and why do I care?” Dermot asked.
“Town queen bee, and the bee can mean more than one thing,” Marissa shared.
Todd tried to go back to the wood work but instantly hammered his thumb.
“Having trouble focusing, son?” Kevin asked him.
“Can’t imagine what would be distracting him,” Mike said as he coughed out the words pole dancing.
He glared at his brother. But he just threw his head back and laughed. He would think it was funny. “Pity you don’t date local women, Todd. Big pity.”
Todd was already fantasizing about Sarah. There was already a very real attraction between them, a sizzle, Esme would have said. Damn Esme, this was all her fault. First of all, she died, and then she went and left her house to Sarah. She’d be laughing her ass off up in heaven, or maybe hell.
Yeah, there was a sizzle, real chemistry, and he was not going to give in to it, but knowing the woman had as her friend had said “mad skills” was not helping his resolve one little bit. He’d been pissed that Dermot had shown up and all of a sudden he was shoved aside. It was good that she had friends, but he was kind of just finding his groove with the kids, and the truth was he’d enjoyed Sarah’s company.
That was the problem, chemistry, good company, and now mad skills. No, Dermot was a blessing in a bun and silver nails. Todd could finish this job and head off to the cabin where he had a whole lake of cold water to cool him off and get the thought of Sarah and her many skills, not the least of one was maneuvering around a pole, out of his head.
He heard the women laugh and Lucy’s mother say after she’d told those women something in hushed tones.
“Really?”
“Just once,” she said. “So I knew how it was.”
He did not want to know what it was she’d done just once, but his imagination was racing off in all directions.
Get this job done and get the hell out, Todd. This is a dangerous combination for you, he told himself.
“Shall we order pizzas for dinner?” he heard Mike ask. Bastard. Todd caught his eye and he gave him a death stare. Yep, bastard all right. He was trying to torture him. After all he’d done for him.
Any Way You Build It: An Upper Crust Novel, Book 6 (Upper Crust Series) Page 6