Page 83 of The Mechanics of Lust

“I’m having an off week.” I stared at the flames dancing in the firepit and followed the tendrils of smoke as they wove their way upward into the misty gloom. A few more hours and the damn cloud would engulf half the mountain again.

“Rubbish,” Charlie declared. “You forget, I know you too well. Something’s eating at your normally chilled, good old country soul. And if it has something to do with Holden, even better. He’s had his bossy boots on all muster, and I could do with the leverage.” A wicked smile crossed her lips. “Then again maybe it has nothing to do with our fair leader. So, tell me, what’s our handsome pilot done now?”

I shot her a startled glance, which only served to broaden her smile.

“What? You think I didn’t know?” She shook her head. “Tsk, tsk. It’s like you don’t even know me.”

I chanced a worried look at the others who were still busy inside the hut.

Charlie followed my gaze. “Don’t worry. I only picked up the vibe between the two of you that day at Cass River. You could hardly keep your eyes off each other, which was kind of a surprise since I thought you didn’t like him much, but hey, things change, right? Same thing at the cookout, and again at Roz’s restaurant. Put all of those together, along with the mauling your body’s been getting lately, and it was kind of obvious.”

I groaned. “It was just a bit of fun.” And if I lied about that one more time, I was pretty sure I’d be going straight to hell.

She frowned. “Was? You mean it’s over?”

I nodded and went back to studying the fire. “Yeah. We’ve both got a lot going on.”

“Mmm.” She sounded unconvinced. “Can I say something?”

I shot her a sideways glance. “Depends on what it is. If it’s about Luke being Gil’s ex, then don’t bother. I already know it was a stupid thing to do.”

Her gaze narrowed. “Why should I give a shit if he’s Gil’s ex?”

I looked up as Tom left the hut, balancing a pile of plates and knives and forks and putting them on the table. “Well, you have to admit, it’s prettyout there. Two sets of exes hooking up?”

Charlie shrugged. “Luke’s a good guy. You’re a good guy. Holden and Gil are good guys. You all seem to like each other and get on. Who gives a shit about what used to be? Unless one of you doesn’t like the idea?” She eyeballed me. “Is that what’s going on?”

“No.” I took another swallow of beer. “Gil and Holden don’t know. I thoughtnobodyknew.”

She huffed and nudged my shoulder with hers. “Yeah, well, sorry, not sorry. And I wouldn’t bank on keeping that secret too long. Gil’s a crafty fox. Not much slips past him.”

The memory of Gil trying to persuade me to give Luke a chance came to mind, and I lifted my beer to my lips. “Nah, I think I’m safe.”

A squeal broke the hushed quiet of the valley and Sam shot out of the hut with Holden in hot pursuit, a tea towel spinning in his hand. We laughed as Holden chased Sam around the back of the hut and the thwack of a strike was accompanied by a yowl from Sam and a hurried reappearance by Holden who disappeared back into the hut with Sam on his heels, baying for blood.

“My money’s on Sam,” Charlie declared.

I watched the two men circling the kitchen table and said, “I’ll take that bet.”

Charlie sank down in her chair, her eyes sparkling in the firelight. “So, is our friend any good in bed?”

I spluttered beer down the front of my sweatshirt and rocked forward on my chair. “Jesus, Charlie.” When I’d flicked the worst of it off, I settled back. “That’s none of your damn business.”

She shrugged disappointedly. “Well, I guess you can’t have everything.”

I shot her a look. “I never said that.”

Her eyes danced. “I knew it! Tall, gorgeous, and funny, he has to be a firecracker between the sheets, right?”

My blush must’ve been enough of an answer because she unexpectedly kissed me on the cheek. “Good for you, Zebedee. You deserve some fun.”

“What is it with people?” I grumbled. “If one more person says I deserve to have some fun or to be treated well or to get back on the horse, whatever the hell that means, I swear I’m gonna throttle them,” I grumbled. “I don’tneeda man to be okay or to be happy. I don’tneedmy arsehole father. I don’tneedanyone. What Ineedis to get my shit together. Ineedto get some money in the bank. Ineedto start planning my future. Ineeda life.”

“Wow.” Charlie stared at me, wide-eyed. “That clearly struck a chord. Of course, you don’tneeda man to be okay. I never said that. Our happiness doesn’t rely on some other person. But who says you can’t haveallof it or at least some of it?”

“Because that’s not how life works, Charlie. At least it’s not howmylife works. I didn’t get to keep theguy,andthe family,andthe farm,andwhat I thought was a lifetime home and a job. I lost pretty much all of it. What’s to stop that happening all over again?”

Her mouth dropped open. “Jesus, Zach. When did you become such a pessimist? Youcanplan a futureandhave a life at the same time. It’s called multi-tasking. Oh, but that’s right. You’re a man. I forgot. Multi-tasking is the work of the devil.”

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