Page 32 of Paths
For some reason, his threat doesn’t scare me as I’m accustomed to, and I’ve been threatened many times.
I look at him over my shoulder and grin as I roll the cart back. “No pain-no gain, big guy.”
Grady simply shakes his head, but with the smile on his face, I know for a fact there’s no reason for me to worry. Grady might’ve been grumpy and a little brooding in the beginning, but he’s turning out to be nothing but a big, fluffy, sweet marshmallow.
Chapter 9 – Figure Your Shit Out
Grady –
We’ve bowled, white-water rafted, and downhill skied. I even played doubles in tennis with Erma and we kicked Miss Lillian Rose and Betty’s asses. I thought I was gonna come out of my skin, because Maya wasn’t shitting me when she said Foxy liked to hula-hoop. Since there was no actual hula-hoop, Foxy could get really close to her. I never thought I’d feel the need to beat an elderly man to a pulp, but that’s how I felt today. He was going for the bump and grind with my new favorite physical therapist and it did not make me happy. All the while, Maya laughed and played along as I had to sit and watch her hips move in circles, side to side, and back and forth.
Who knew fake hula-hooping could be hot? I’ve never been so pissed and turned on at the same time.
I helped her clean up from Donuts and Dominoes and we got the video games put away in the TV room. I hugged and kissed every old lady on the cheek—I swear they were lining up for it. This morning has been interesting, that’s for sure.
Maya is putting away the last of the controllers. The residents just left us to go to lunch. Tomorrow is Saturday and I just found out she doesn’t work at the Ranch again until Monday, which is good. The winery is more secure. I got an email from Crew during downhill skiing with both Maya’s and MacLachlan’s backgrounds attached, with a message saying, “The woman sure isn’t boring. You’ll want to focus on his report. Don’t take your eyes off her.”
I haven’t had time to read the report, what with all the reindeer games, but that made my blood boil, wondering what it could be. Now I’m glad I listened to my gut and came with her this morning. Besides the guy being an asshole, I’d rather Maya tell me why she’s running than having to read it on her background. I know women. If she finds out later I knew more than she wanted me to, that’s a sure-fire way to piss her off. I can’t afford to do that yet.
I’m sure I’ll piss her off eventually. I am me after all—it’s inevitable. But this soon? No way.
“You sure are popular with the ladies.” I look up and Maya is walking to me with her bag, grinning. “You had them lining up for a piece of you.”
My mouth tips because really, all I want is Maya, but instead of saying that, I tell her the truth. “I’m good with women.”
She stops in her tracks, only making it halfway across the room to me. She puts a hand to her hip and a frown mars her pretty face. “What do you mean you’re good with women?”
“Settle down—don’t throw a salad at me,” I defend myself. “I meant I grew up surrounded by women. I’ve got four sisters. If a man doesn’t learn how to survive swimming in a pool of estrogen in that environment, he’d drown.”
“You have four sisters?” Her eyes get big.
“Yep.”
“Wow,” she shakes her head a bit. She moves again, passing me.
It takes two steps for me to catch up and tag her hand. She tries to pull away, but I hold tight.
“Grady, you need to stop this.”
I ignore her and look over her head as we walk past the cafeteria. I see a large table of my new friends and wave. “See you ladies Monday.”
A gaggle of goodbyes are squealed as we leave.
“You’re not coming back Monday,” Maya insists in a low voice, again trying to pull my hand from hers.
I don’t have the chance to argue with her, because the moment I turn my head as we hit the electric sliding front doors, I’m stopped mid-step. I pull Maya close, and this time she doesn’t fight it or pull away. She squeezes my hand as her free one comes up to my bicep to hold on. She nestles halfway in back of my arm, shielding herself from the men we practically walk into.
Today in the daylight, it’s easier to see his frustrated rage. Unlike last night when I surprised him, today there’s no surprise in his features. His glare, which was initially focused on Maya, moves slowly to me.
What a dumbass.
Unlike him, it’s easy for me to rid my face of emotion when needed. I’ve spent too many years dealing with scum of the earth much more intimidating than he is.
“Wes,” I greet him with a blank face, and almost want to laugh at the expression he makes, probably because I shortened his name. “I’m surprised you’re still wandering the countryside. You visiting a resident here?”
Weston’s jaw tenses and the older guy with him takes his side. He’s got to be in his fifties and has a paunch hanging over his belt. He’s not the threat he’s presenting himself to be. I can see the piece he’s got strapped under his jacket since he’s overweight and his clothes don’t fit.
I’d shake my head at him if I could. Carrying concealed isn’t worth it if it isn’t concealed. I should know. After what happened last night I’m carrying now, but unlike this jackwad, I’m actually concealed. Even with my bum shoulder, I could take them both down before he could reach for his weapon.
