Page 62 of Pain in the Axe
With a huff, she threw her hands up. “Goddamn you, August Hebert. Damn you straight to hell. How dare you show up to mybirthday party looking all mountain-man sexy, with thoughtful gifts and your stupid shoulders?”
Here we go. We’d moved on to the yelling portion of the evening. “Sorry.” I held back my laughter. “I didn’t realize my shoulders offended you.”
“Everything about you offends me,” she snarled. “Because you’re still you. An older, hotter version, but still the same Gus.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but she was still going, shredding the label off her water bottle as she ranted.
“And then you stay to clean up, acting all polite and helpful, making sure everyone gets a ride home. You even helped my sister.”
“I like Celine.”
She crossed her arms. “She’s too nice to you. You’d think she’d be on my side. We’re sisters.”
“I’m not sure this is a situation where sides have to be chosen.”
“You’re missing the point.” She pointed at me with her water bottle. “You’re supposed to be miserable, not cheerfully helping out at my damn birthday party.”
Ah. And here it is. What I’ve long suspected. “You wanted me to stay in town, didn’t you? Sounds like you wanted my shoulders around more, not less.”
She threw the empty water bottle at me, not even coming close to hitting me.
“Fuck,” she said. “I throw like a damn girl.” She snatched up a hunk of cheese left over from the fruit and cheese platter on the side table next to her and threw it. This time, her aim was dead on, and it smacked me square in the cheek.
I held my hands up in surrender. “No need for violence.”
Rapid fire, she launched a few more pieces of cheese and a strawberry at me.
It took everything I had to hold back my laughter.
She curled her lip and flung herself back in her chair. “When it comes to you, violence is the only answer. I could have sent you on your way across the country, but instead, my dumb ass keeps you here.” She put her face in her hands. “Fuck me. I made you sign a contract.”
“So then fire me.”
“I would,” she groaned, “but I know you won’t actually leave, and replacing you would be so much work.”
Why those words shot a thrill through me, I wasn’t sure. “Looks like you’re stuck with me.”
“Can’t you just be angry and bitter? Please?”
Part of me wished I could. Anger was a far simpler emotion than what had been swirling inside me lately. If I was angry, then the doubt and guilt and shame I’d been grappling with would disappear. I could retreat behind my walls and not go through the painful process of growing.
But it was too late to turn back now.
“Trust me, Dragonfly, it guts me that we couldn’t hold on to the company and the legacy of my ancestors. But you know what? If anyone was gonna buy it, I’m glad it was you.”
She growled—fucking growled—and side-eyed me, gripping the arms of her chair. “Don’t say shit like that.”
“I mean it. You’re amazing, and you have a hell of a team. When Owen told me I’d have to stay on as GM, I was sick. I thought it would be the worst year of my life.”
“And now you’re having fun,” she said, her tone full of disappointment.
“I wouldn’t say fun, but I’m learning, and the pressure is off. And seeing you all the time has been an unexpected bonus.”
She snorted and rolled her eyes.
“One toss of that hair and one whiff of your sweet but spicy scent, and my day is made. And God.” I clutched my heart.“When you shoot those eye daggers at me? I’ve never felt so alive.”
She turned slowly and stared at me, her skin glowing in the moonlight. God, she was magnificent.
