Page 59 of The Misfits of Copper County
“I mean, people would have to be crazy to think there could be anything between me and… andDelaney,” I scoffed.
Watt frowned. “Hey. I think Delaney’s great. He’s a little… intense, but he’s been a good friend to Jasper. You could do a fuck of a lot worse,” he said in a tone of mild reproach.
Was the man insane?
“Of course there’s nothing wrong with Delaney,” I said, staring at Watt. “I just meant he and I are totally different people. He’s a… a brainiac who travels constantly for work—like, apparently, he’s off to Costa Rica for some big story soon.” I rolled my eyes. “And he’s prickly.”
“Ah—” Watt began.
“And he quotes things,” I continued. “Every five minutes, he’s telling mestudies have shown, Brewer.” I snorted, imagining Delaney pushing up his glasses while he said it. “And he speaks, like, four languages—I’ve heard him on the phone. And… Jesus, did I mention the prickly thing? Because hereallyis. And not in a cute hedgehog way. In an ‘I will shank you with my spikes if I feel vulnerable’ way.”
Watt poked his tongue against the inside of his cheek. “Whereasyouare very easy to get to know and definitely don’t put up walls to deflect people.”
“I’m not—” I started to argue, then caught Watt’s amused expression and sighed. “Okay, yeah. It’s been pointed out to me recently that I might have a small problem with that. But that’s just another reason why there’s absolutely nothing between Delaney and me.”
“Because you’re both polar opposites and too much alike.” Watt nodded. “Got it.”
I blew out a breath. “I’m just saying, if you overhear anyone gossiping about me and Delaney, please set them right, okay? Last thing I need is Copper County thinking I sleep with my clients.”
Watt’s eyebrows shot up. “Clients, plural? Delaney’s one client.”
“One too many,” I insisted. “It’s calledprofessionalism.It’s called… keeping my promises.”
He ran a hand over his beard thoughtfully. “Damn. You must really like him, huh? A man only makes this many excuses when he’s in the throes of some powerful feelings. Trust me, I know.”
My hands stilled for a moment. I hadn’t allowed myself to think about me and Delaney in quite those terms. Attraction? Sure. Chemistry? Fuck, yes. But powerful feelings? That was ridiculous.
“No,” I lied. “We barely know each other. We had kind of a rocky start to his reno, but we’re finally getting along. So just… just leave it, okay?”
Watt held up his hands in a gesture of surrender, but there was a knowing look in his eyes I didn’t appreciate.
We worked in silence for a few more minutes until the snowblower was reassembled, looking no worse for its cardboard consumption.
“There. That should do it,” I said, brushing off my hands and standing up. “Just make sure Jasper knows to avoid the recycling.”
“I’ll make sure he knows.” Watt grinned. “Thanks, Brew. Seriously. I owe you.”
“Nah. No big,” I said, tucking my tools back in their bag.
We walked toward my truck in easy silence, and I climbed in. But just as I was about to shut the door, Watt grabbed the edge and held it open.
“You, ah…” He cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck uncertainly. “You know people around here like you, right?”
I gaped at him. “Huh?”
“Just… the stuff you said before.” Watt lifted a hand in the direction of the snowblower. “People don’t recommend you for renovations just because of your professionalism. They do it because you’re good at what you do and because you’re a nice guy who rescues snowblowers from soggy cereal boxes.”
“Oh-kay?” I frowned, not sure what he was getting at or why he was making both of us uncomfortable by starting us down this road at all. “Thanks?”
He blew out a breath. “What I’m trying to say is you’re allowed to have a life, Brew. You can be human. You can sleep with a client. You can be a little cocky, like Reed. Or see the entire world through the lens ofJohn Ruffian: Pretender, like Chris. You can wear a fucking cornucopia on your head, if that floats your boat.”
I snorted, thinking of Janice.
“Just… be you, Brewer. And fuck anyone who’s not cool with that.” Watt nodded to himself. “Okay?”
“Okay.” To my surprise, I found myself fighting a smile. “Thanks, Dad.”
Watt’s cheeks went nearly as red as mine, but he grinned. “Fuck off.”
