After checking the time, he grabbed his shopping list, went back to his truck, and headed to the closest Home Depot. Thankfully, they opened early for contractors, so Reese went inside, retrieved the items he needed, had one of the employees help him cut down some of the boards to size because it was easier and because he had time to kill.
An hour after he’d entered the store, he was leaving, heading back to Brantley’s. Still no JJ, but he did notice there were lights on in Brantley’s house. Pretending not to be thinking about what Brantley was doing inside, he backed his truck closer to the barn and began unloading the materials.
It was on a return trip to his truck when he ran into Brantley.
“What’re you doin’?”
Reese considered ignoring the question but figured it was rude.
“Saw your design for stairs. Went and got the materials,” he said casually, as though it made perfect sense.
Thankfully, Brantley didn’t bombard him with questions, just set his coffee cup down and began helping to unload the material, dragging it into the barn.
“You got the equipment to build this?” Reese asked, hoping he sounded nonchalant. “Saws and shit?”
“Yeah. In the back storage room.”
Once they’d gotten everything inside, Reese poured another cup of coffee, then stood beside Brantley and stared at all the lumber he’d acquired.
“I could help you knock it out if you want.”
“Why?”
He glanced over at Brantley. “Why what?”
“Why do you wanna help?”
“Why not?”
That seemed to appease Brantley because he eventually nodded, although he didn’t glance over at him.
Reese wished like hell he’d make eye contact, but he wasn’t going to push it. This was good enough for him. The two of them working side by side. It would do.
For now.
They spent the entire morning working on the new staircase. Measuring, cutting, stacking.
It wasn’t until noon that he realized JJ hadn’t come in.
“She okay?” Reese asked, nodding to JJ’s empty desk as he grabbed a bottle of water.
Brantley looked over at her desk, his expression impassive. “She’s pissed at me.”
“Dante?”
“Yeah.”
Figured.
Sucked that Brantley had been the one to break the news to her, but Reese had expected no less. Wasn’t like Dante was going to tell her he’d been stepping out. Of course, that meant JJ was going to blame Brantley in some way. That was the way it worked, right? The messenger took the brunt of the anger.
“How much do I owe you for the material?” Brantley asked, getting to his feet and dusting his hands on his jeans.
“Nothin’,” he grumbled. “It’s my contribution to the business.”
He expected an argument, could even see the storm brewing in Brantley’s eyes, but it never came.
“I’m meetin’ with one of Lauren’s teachers,” Brantley explained, turning away from him. “I’ll grab lunch while I’m out.”
Because he could add nothing, Reese said nothing.
A few minutes later, he was alone in the barn.
After carrying his water to his desk, he flopped down, stared at the pile of wood that would eventually give them access to the loft. He had no idea what Brantley intended to do with the space, wasn’t sure it was even his place to ask.
Rather than worry about it, Reese grabbed his phone, pulled up JJ’s number, shot her a text.
You doing all right? Just checking in.
He didn’t expect a response, certainly not for her to call him rather than message him back.
“Hey,” he greeted. “You slackin’ off today?”
“Workin’ from home,” she said, her voice huskier than usual.
“Everything all right?”
“Actually, yes. Where’re you at?”
“HQ,” he said, using her term for the barn. “Helpin’ Brantley put in stairs. You should come by. Another set of hands’ll be good.”
“Stairs?”
“To the loft,” he explained.
“Oh. Sounds fun.”
It wasn’t, but Reese didn’t say as much. Truth was, he was spending time with Brantley, and right now, that was all that mattered. He knew once the project was complete, they’d go back to working solo until it was absolutely necessary. Hell, Reese wouldn’t be surprised if Brantley hired on a couple more people just so they didn’t have to work together ever again.
“Anyway,” he told JJ. “If you need to get outta the house, I’ll be here.”
“Where’s B?”
“He went to meet with one of Lauren’s teachers, then he’s grabbin’ lunch.”
A soft grunt was her only response.
“JJ?”
“Hmm?”
“Don’t be mad at him. You should’ve seen him on Saturday night. It took me and Trey to hold him back when he saw Dante. He’s got your back. Don’t think he doesn’t.”
“I know.” She cleared her throat. “You’re right. I know you are.”
“Dante’s not worth it. You deserve so much better than him.”
“I really do,” she agreed and he was almost positive he could hear the smile in her voice.
“Like I said, if you wanna swing by, I’ll be here.”
“’Kay. Talk to you later.”
Setting his phone on his desk, Reese leaned back in his chair and stared around.
