Page 36 of Storm Warning
Okay, I might have noticed that.
Richy’s expression melts from anger to confusion. “Uh, well sorry, Rogers. Makes a lot more sense on why you are standing here now. Those won’t work unless we plan to send the nail through the damn drywall inside. They’re for a log home I’m working on. I’ve got to get a call in to my supplier and see why the fuck he sent them here. Clearly, someone’s a fucking idiot.”
Yeah, you.
He removes the helmet that barely fits his fat head and wipes sweat away with a handkerchief that he shoves into his back pocket. “Take your lunch early while I find the proper nails.”
We both watch in silence as he waddles toward his truck, groaning about how he wants someone’s ass on the line for this, and I can help but be grateful I’m no longer today’s target.
Judd breaks the silence between us. “Do I need to put you in timeout? I told you Richy was pissed off about something this morning.” He nudges my ribs with his elbow. “Look at me, saving the damsel in distress. Don’t ever say I didn’t do anything for you.”
“Wouldn’t dare.” I pause, turning to look at the house we’re almost finished with. “Wonder how the hell we ended up with those nails.” I turn toward him. “And how the fuckyou knew about them just in time to save my ass from being canned.”
“I was going to tell him that a lady called down at the office asking for him, but the boxes just happened to catch my eye. Good thing too, because I didn’t know if my other idea would even work.”
“I can’t imagine the type of woman calling on him.” I shudder at the thought. “Good God, the man smells like shit about five minutes after he leaves the comfort of that air-conditioned truck.”
“Speaking of women,” Judd nudges me again with his elbow. “I hear there’s one breaking up the bromance.”
“I told your mom to keep our shit on the down low… How long have ya known? And don’t worry, only your sister’s got to call me Daddy.” I wriggle my eyebrows.
“Ah, shut up, Rhett.” He laughs. “You know I mean Sawyer’s woman.”
He’s not wrong. We used to do everything together, but between Sawyer and Daisy spending most of their free time together, and my roping competitions, I haven’t seen him much other than at work and sometimes in the evenings. It’s not Daisy’s fault though, we’ve just got shit to do.
“The bromance ain’t fizzlin’ out. And if ya wanted to join all ya had to do was ask, buddy,” I chuckle. “Daisy knows I’m part of the deal.”
“I’m sure she does, though if I remember correctly, you seemed rather interested in that friend of hers.”
“How so?” I counter, pretending I have no idea what he’s talking about.
Have I really been that obvious?
“You practically pulled out a phonebook to look up her shop once I mentioned it, for starters.” His eyebrow quirks up, his head cocking to the side as if he’s signaling he made a solid point. “If my memory stands correct, I also think I saw youtossing a Southern Sip cup out the other day when you got out of your truck.”
“Well, I’ll be damned, folks. We’ve got Sherlock Holmes on the case. Ya join the FBI, or what has ya on the hunt? Did ya go through my underwear drawer too?” I give him a hard time, but I’m not sure if it’s because I feel caught or because I’m surprised at all he notices. Especially since I haven’t sneezed a word of it to Sawyer, since I, myself, don’t really know what Kaylee and I are,if anything.
“Yeah, I don’t think they make bio-hazard suits thick enough for me to venture intothatdrawer. I’d never recover if I saw your skid-mark whitey tighties. Nor do I want to.” Pretending to gag, he lets out a laugh. “You just never asked me about anyone before, so it stuck with me, I guess. And it’s pretty hard not to notice when you have a drink that isn’t out of the break room in your hand.”
“First off, I wear boxers, so that was probably your own drawer you’ve been gaukin’ at. And second, I don’t know whether I’m offended at how quick you’re gettin’ with these comebacks or proud because I’ve trained ya well.”
A shit-eating grin tugs on his lips right as my phone rings.
SAWYER: TELL JUDD RICHY IS SENDING EVERYONE HOME. HIS ENTIRE ORDER IS WRONG.
SAWYER: IM GONNA GO SEE DAISY
Putting my phone back into my pocket, I look back up at Judd. “Looks like this damsel’s gettin’ the rest of the day off.” He furrows his brow in question. “Sawyer just said Richy’s order is all wrong. I’d guess that the orders got completely switched.”
A sly look falls on his face. “Bet I know where you’re headed next.”
“Yeah, your mom’s. Ain’t no secret.” A satisfied grin finds itself on my lips as I retort.
Clapping his hand on my back, Judd releases a forced performative huff. “Do that later. How about we go to Southern Sip?”
The thought of coffee and, let’s face it, the excuse to see Kaylee does sound like a good idea. But agreeing so easily to his claim instead of making light of it isn’t my style. “Thought I was the one interested in the blonde?”
“Thanks for finally admitting it.”
