He nods.
“I think you should be proud of her.”
Owen turns to look at me. “For riding a skateboard along a ledge with a drop-off to cement when she has no skateboarding experience?”
“No,” I say, playfully swatting at his upper arm. “For being independent.”
He studies me like he can see right into me, trying to figure out just what I’m thinking.
“Listen. I am well-versed in Protective Older Brother. I’ve got five of them.”
Owen’s eyebrows rise. “Five?”
“Yep. And all are overachievers who see protectiveness as the most important skill to develop. And let me tell you: having a protective older brother is the greatest thing in the world.” I pause a moment. “It also makes it incredibly difficult to be independent, since they’re always willing to step in and solve any problem you have.”
Owen looks down, thoughtful.
“Yes, she is injured, and she will need help. I think she gets that. But she didn’t call you the moment it happened, begging for help. She’s working it out on her own. Figuring out how to best deal with the consequences of her actions. Instead of looking at it as her making choices that are going to lead her down a path to… I don’t know, living in a ditch or whatever your worst case scenario is, you could always view it as her taking an opportunity to exercise some independence. Be impressed. Cheer her on. Heck, I’m impressed. If I were her, I might’ve called you from the ground where I landed.”
He’s just looking at me, and I don’t know what to do. It’s an uncomfortable feeling, having someone see me so thoroughly.
After a long pause, he says, “Thank you. I hadn’t thought of it that way. It feels good.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
Now he’s giving me a look, and I’m sure I’m giving him a look, and it feels like the very opposite of avoiding him at all costs. Although at this exact moment, I’m not so sure I’m as willing to commit to that plan.
Well, at least until my next embarrassing lack-of-a-wall moment. I work to clear my mind of the haze it’s in from being right next to Owen as he’s being all protective, brotherly,anddomestic. Then, I clear my throat and make myself stand. “Okay, well, I’ll let you get back to…” I gesture at the basket of clothes on his other side and the folded clothes on his coffee table, “laundry, and pretending not to worry.”
“And I’ll let you get back to… pretending that I don’t exist.”
So, he noticed that, huh? I force a grin. “Exactly. Just as soon as I tape back up my side of the door.”
CHAPTER 6
NOT FLIRTING, JUST NEIGHBOR-ING
OWEN
We got the remaining theater seats removed last week, which has made The Shadowridge feel pretty cavernous and echoey. Today, we’re making enough dust that it’s a little less so. But only a little. We’re also making plenty of noise. I’ve got some guys removing some damaged plaster so they can begin the rewiring, and I’m up on some scaffolding, cataloguing and carefully removing the decorative features on the front of the balcony boxes so when we restore them, they’ll look exactly as they did originally.
Normally, on a day like today, my thoughts go something like this: thinking deeply about what I’m currently doing and the best way to do it. Thinking about what everyone else is doing. Thinking about what the next steps are and who I’m going to put onwhat jobs. Shifting my position to help my hurt knee. Thinking further down the schedule, about what building materials I need to order next. Thinking about how to deal with an upcoming area that’s going to be tricky. Repeat.
Today, though? My thoughts are more like this: scoring the caulk and paint seal along the edge of some trim. Thinking about Charlie. Inserting the trim removal tool and carefully prying it loose. Thinking about Charlie. Glancing down at my guys removing plaster to see how things are going for them. Thinking about Charlie. Starting to ponder what the next steps are, but getting distracted by thoughts of Charlie.
Why? I don’t know. I decided long before I came to Cipher Springs that I wasn’t going to get involved with anyone while I was on a job. Not three days ago, I reminded myself that I’m in no shape for a relationship, and that based on what I’d heard from Charlie when she was with her friends, she doesn’t want a relationship, either. I’d decided that we could be friendly but not flirty.
“Owen!”
I quickly shift where I’m standing on the scaffolding to glance down at Grady, who’s looking up at me like maybe he’s been trying to get my attention for a bit. “What?”
“You’ve been awfully quiet today, boss. Thinking about blueprints or brunettes?”
I chuckle and admit, “A little of both. Whatcha got?”
“We’ve got wires runnin’ right where the old duct was. Want me to reroute, or have you got a plan for that?”
