Page 15 of Lemon Crush

Growing up surrounded by women, I had the inside track on how they felt about that kind of bullshit behavior. But I was still aman, and something about August brought out a side of me I wasn’t proud of. The behavior made me feel like shit and she didn’t deserve it, but by the time I pulled my head out of my ass, the damage was done. She never gave me the chance to apologize, and I never pushed, because I didn’t blame her.

Then Sam went to Italy and everything really went to hell.

Not that long ago, after one too many beers, I’d decided I needed to accept that if August and I had ever had a chance, we’d well and truly missed it.

Yet here I was again, twisting myself into knots over the woman. Living proof that age really didn’t guarantee a damn thing.

“You turned Morgan down,” Kingston said, trying—and failing—to fight his smirk. “You turned me down, and both our offers were free of charge. Would I be wrong in thinking you’re going to be shelling out money to rent an apartment today, Wade?”

It wasn’t the worst idea. But I couldn’t consider it until I talked to her and found out where her head was at.

“We’ll see where the day takes me,” I said as I slapped the tow light on top of the car and pulled off my gloves.

Kingston guffawed. “That is the least Wade Hudson statement I’ve ever heard, and this might be the most impulsive thing you’ve ever done.”

Considering how I was feeling at the moment? It probably wouldn’t be the last.

4

AUGUST

I was sweepingthe courtyard and talking Lemons with my “hellhound” Merlin. He was currently giving me the time of day because I’d been sharing the plate of peanut butter crackers I’d set on the patio table with him whenever I took a break.

It was the only thing that got his attention lately. I could open a jar of peanut butter on Mars and the big grump would find a way to join me.

“What do you think, old man? You want to try to talk me out of entering this homage to the midlife crisis, or are you planning another full and exciting day of sitting on the couch and licking your balls?”

He didn’t reply. Not that I expected him to.

Merlin was not a helpful dog. Nor was he a cuddler. A good thing, since his head came about waist-high on me and I doubted he’d fit on my lap. Mom and I hadn’t been sure what breed he was when we picked him up at the state line without a collar or a chip four years ago. But that smoke-black geezer-with-a-silver-beard look had always screamed part Schnauzer to me. The rest was all mutant mutt mystery, but for some reason, Mom hadn’t wanted toleave him at the nearest rescue.“I haven’t had a dog since you girls were little. It might be nice.”

I barely remembered owning a dog before him, since we’d moved too much to make it feasible. And I wouldn’t say he was nice. He was the grouchy, growly roommate I’d inherited with her absence. An elderly diva with demon-foul breath who’d seen some shit and had a chip on his shoulder. And based on his expression, he’d rather be enjoying the last bit of his life anywhere but here.

Join the club, buddy.

My phone chimed and I made a face. I’d been getting texts all morning. It was either the dog sitter with her hundredth message on the current status of Morgan’s “kids,” Morgan herself asking about my car while in another country, or Hudson’s Garage finally updating me on Myrtle.

I’d been waiting on that last one since I got up today. So far, I hadn’t heard a word.

You could always call him.

I could. What I couldn’t do was make myself want my car back badly enough to contact him yet. I’d already picked up my groceries. I’d be fine for a week or so.

Happily, it was another text from Chick.

Chick: Morning update request. I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.

Me: 3 inquiries and a credit score to peruse. Haven’t looked yet, but they are there!

Chick: Wtf? Why haven’t you looked?!

Me: We didn’t agree to follow-up questions. Show me yours.

A moment later, I got picture of Chick looking mussed andrakish, with the biggest biceps I’d ever seen wrapped around his shoulders like a sweater.

Me: Glad the tux worked. Good job scaling that mountain!

Chick: It wasn’t the tux. It was my resume and oral skills ;) Look at those inquiries now, sunshine. We talked about this. This is a good sign that we’re going to be roommates soon!

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