Page 88 of Screwed
Beau frowned at him. “I still don’t get why you’re here. You never said anything about this when we were at the office this morning.”
Shit. Cash resumed painting, turning to the wall to hide his face, trying to calm the hot anger flaring inside him. “Yeah, I just decided to stop by on my way home. Thought I’d offer my help.”
Tension hummed around them in the small room that would be Callie’s new office.
“Your mama would be shocked seeing you like this,” Beau told her.
She looked down at her paint-smeared clothes, then smiled at him. “I know.”
Cash grinned.
Then Callie sighed. “I’m getting tired of talking about this. Now, either pick up a paintbrush and help, or you can just head on out. Tell Mama and Daddy I’ll try not to embarrass them.”
Cash took in her faint frown of annoyance. This sucked. He should not have to stand by and let her be put down by anyone, even Beau.
“I’m not exactly dressed for painting.”
“You’ve probably never picked up a paintbrush in your life,” Callie added.
Cash hid his wry smile. That was probably true.
“Of course I have.” Beau scowled. “But I’d sure rather pay someone to do it.”
“See, I’m being fiscally responsible.”
Beau stayed a few minutes longer, watching them work, then with a shake of his head, he said, “Well, I tried.”
After he’d gone, Callie said, “I guess I should have locked the door after Kristy left.”
Cash blew out a breath, some of the stiffness easing out of his muscles. “It’s okay, Callie.”
“I’m sorry. I hope he’s not pissed at you for helping me.”
Cash found that the prospect of that didn’t dismay him as much as it once would have. Or should have.
He remembered the words he’d mumbled to Callie that night at her place…that he wanted to keep her. He remembered telling her in Chris and Rachel’s bathroom that she was his.
He remembered his dad asking if he’d ever been in love.
Lately he’d been imagining a future with Callie. Because honestly? Imagining a futurewithouther was bleak, excruciating hell. It made him want to shout and rage and break things with his bare hands. But he shouldn’t be thinking about that. He was crazy and stupid to even entertain those kinds of ideas.
…
Monday morning, Cash and Beau met again about the Sutherland Industries refinery substation project to finalize the last details of their bid.
Cash sensed Beau’s tension. “I don’t like that arc flash analysis software,” Beau said.
“Why not?”
Beau shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“Well, that’s a good reason.” Cash paused. “What crawled up your ass?”
Beau ran a hand through his hair. “I’m frustrated about things with Callie.”
Cash’s insides froze. “What does that mean?”
“It means I want her back.”
