Page 85 of Drilled

The atmosphere in the room suddenly grew tense and I didn’t have to look at the guys to feel their growing hostility towards Rose.

“Is there a problem here?” Bear’s heavy, flat but powerful voice cut through all the screaming. Rose stopped instantly, startled as she turned around to see the foreman walk across the threshold with the familiarity of someone who lived here. Sy and Dax huddled closer together as well, each taking up a protective stance beside me and closing rank.

Rose’s face blanched as she realized that there was nothing she could do to change the situation. She sputtered, tucking the paperwork into her bag. I took a single, staggered step towards her.

“I want to be clear,” I said, keeping my voice low. “We are done. You will never, ever have a say in my life again. You will never belittle me and my job and you will never say anything bad about my family again. Not Uncle Ricky, and not them.”

Her eyes darted around like a scared bird as she took in the three large, muscular men.

“This is the end of it. Now turn around and get the hell out of my house.”

34

Lane

Today marked the first day that this house truly felt like a home. Not just in atmosphere, but in an aesthetic that actually matched the warmth. The past few months had been a battlefield of loud, dusty renovation work, exposed studs, screeching saws and the constant threat of Sandy’s heavy thumping from the floor above.

But today, there was none of that. No drywall dust, no roaring equipment, and no angry banging from an HOA POS. The peace in the house was so thick, even despite the blues music blaring from the basement below where the guys were putting the “ultra final touches” on the master.

I smiled to myself, loading up the charcuterie board with the last of the celebratory spread I'd planned for today. I was evidently not the only perfectionist in this household. Bear refused to sign off on the job until they did whatever the hell they were still working on.

But I wasn't complaining. I did love to watch them work.

I walked down to the basement with the board in hand and took a moment to appreciate the view. Bear was wiping down the polished shower fixtures. Silas was running a smooth, final bead of white silicone caulk along the seam where the new tub met the green tile. And Dax was testing the dimmer switches.

But it wasn't just the gorgeous men occupying my bathroom. The room itself surpassed my expectations for what I wanted. The color palette I'd picked out was the perfect choice; deep green forest-tiled walls, crisp white porcelain fixtures and warm oak accents.

The replacement mirror served as the anchor point of the room, hanging over a double vanity where the matte-black metal sconce lights cast a warm, flattering glow against the wood.

It was perfect, and both a nod to the past while being firmly rooted in the future.

Bear was the first to notice me, and gave me a huge grin as I wiggled the board of snacks like it was a trophy. “I take it this is your way of trying to tell us we’re done?”

“It might be,” I said teasingly.

“Don’t even bother, Red. Bear refuses to give us a break until the bathroom is pristine. And I don’t know how much more pristine he wants this to get, so keep an eye on a potential labor lawsuit,” Dax said glibly.

“Shut it, Miller.” Bear stopped what he was doing and grabbed his work bag. “Don’t say I never did anything for you.”

He pulled out a bottle of champagne and Sy whistled. Dax’s eyes actually lit up and he clapped his hands once, then rubbed his palms together and started walking backwards. “I’ll get the glasses.”

As he passed by me, he gave me a quick wink.

I put the tray on the deep, wide ledge of the new bathtub, ensuring it kept food from the floor and chemicals or construction dust from the food. “This is a new business model you’re trying out, Bear?”

He chuckled. “Think of it as an exclusive client privilege.”

“Oh, so it’s package-based?”

“Yeah. And you’re the only one who's bought in,” he replied. He paused, setting the bottle down. “On a serious note, Lane, I wanted us to celebrate properly. Not just the renovation being finished but everything you were able to accomplish. I’m proud of you.”

A swell of emotion caught in my throat. Before I could respond though, Sy wiped his hands on his knees and stepped over his caulk gun to stand right in front of me. He held out his palm and I took him up on the offer. He pulled me up to my feet, then loped his massive arms around my waist, directing us into a leisurely sway against the sultry, slow-tempo music.

I let my body melt into his, enjoying the feeling of just being this close to him as we danced together across the new tiles. I’d never thought I’d be doing this, but these past few months had shown me multiple sides of myself I didn’t think existed anyway.

As Sy directed me into a slow turn, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I almost didn’t recognize who I saw. The woman who’d first walked into this house looked unsure of herself even though on the surface, she moved with purpose. But the person I saw now? She had purpose that extended beyond just her work.

I’d squared off with a criminal and beat a corrupt landlord at his own game. I stood up to my mother and kicked her out of my life for good. I fought for my home and actually won. And I’d found the kind of love that went beyond even my wildest dreams.