Page 31 of Naughty & Nice

He bends down to pick up the business card I’ve managed to drop amid my pity party. “How do you know James Truman?

“He’s the kind man I met at Bradley’s graduation party that I told you about. He just moved to Hilton Head and offered to let me come visit. The place sounds nice. He and his wife must’ve done well for themselves.”

“What do you mean?”

“She was a part-time professor, and he owned a landscaping business. They must have saved for years for him to retire in a beachfront home in Hilton Head.”

“Addy. This is James Truman. HeownsTruGreen lawn care.”

“What?”

“That guy’s a millionaire.”

I stare at Alden, blinking in utter amazement.How can this be possible?

“I can’t believe it. You’d never know it to meet him. He’s the most down-to-earth guy I’ve ever known. Well, besides you.” I giggle. It feels good to laugh. “We bonded over the fact neither of us attended college.”

“Well, I think it’s perfect that’s where you’re headed. Let James help you come up with a plan. If he could build TruGreen, I bet he could help you develop a business plan for your cake shop.”

Reaching for Alden again, I pull him in for another comforting, brotherly hug before making arrangements. I need to keep telling myself that this will pass. It’s the wake-up call I needed.

I can do better than Trevor Laurence.

CHAPTER24

Trevor

“Trevor Laurence,”my mother squeals. “Oh, my lands. Why didn’t you call? I would’ve put on a roast.”

“That’s why I didn’t call. You need to take it easy, Mom. Stop waiting on everyone hand and foot.”

“Oh, hogwash. Taking care of the people I care about gives me purpose.” She pauses to look at the bags I’ve left by the front door. “Now, not that I’m complaining… but how long do you plan on staying with all of those?”

“As long as you need me. Noah said you had a procedure scheduled. I want to be here.”

“Trevor. It’s just a biopsy. You didn’t need to miss work for that.”

“Nonsense. You’re my priority. This is where I need to be.”

“But, honey. That test isn’t scheduled for another week. What about the station? Isn’t that putting out the boys, covering so many of your shifts?”

Honestly, I hadn’t considered this. I let my rage at seeing Addison hanging out with my ex and the jockhole cloud my judgment. I assume the battalion chief will bring in someone from another station for the short term.But there’s no other station nearby.They’d have to get someone from another town. Or, as my mother had supposed, my new friends were giving up their days off on my behalf.Shit. How hadn’t I considered this?

I’m not someone to shirk my responsibilities. I was already on edge with Noah’s call about Mom needing a biopsy and my finals. Picturing Addison with Ashley and her fucktard boyfriend just threw me into a tailspin. My firefighter brothers have become fast friends. I don’t want to leave. Hell, if I keep the cut-and-run routine going every time a girl gets the best of me, I’ll have to move to the west coast to find a job.

“Trevor? What’s this really about?” Leave it to Mom to zone right in on me.

“I’ve got a big final coming up, and coming home will allow me to be here for you and focus on getting my Master’s degree without distractions.”

“Would this distraction have big boobs?”

“Mom! What the hell?”

“What? Every girl you brought home until Ashley had them.” She shrugs. “Well, I’m glad you’re here. Whatever the reason,” she reassures me with a side hug. “I’ll just get Noah to bring some beer over here and pry it out of you the old-fashioned way,” she mumbles as she walks toward the kitchen.

“Man, she’s beautiful. Different than Ashley. Dark hair and blue eyes. She’s self-assured but doesn’t act like her shit don’t stink. And the sex… holy shit, man. I’ve never had sex like that be-”

“Okay, okay. I get it,” Noah says. I immediately notice him grimace and follow his line of sight to my mother, who’s shaking her head.Holy shit. How am I this predictable?Pour enough liquor down my gullet when I’m upset, and I spill everything. “So get to the part about why you’re here, and she’s there.”

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