Page 75 of Fight or Flight
CHAPTER XXV
TWO MONTHS LATER
A groan passes from my lips as I lift another wooden beam along with Tommy before passing it to the waiting arms above us.
Brody was adamant about finishing each ongoing project before the winter so he could then take some time off to be more at home with Jenny and the kids. So, for the last month, all we’ve been doing was taking double shifts and working on the rooftops.
When we’re back in the evening, all I want to do is throw myself face down on the bed and sleep, just like my annoying roommate does. What I do instead is log into my online classes and study until I pass out from exhaustion.
I still haven’t heard from Claire, and it’s starting to weigh on me, too, but it’s easier not to think about how much I miss her when I’m crushed by the amount of work I have.
Trying to keep the workflow going, Tommy and I bend to grab another beam when the voice of our new woodworker, Derek, sounds from above. “Yo! Who’s that chick?”
One of the helpers, Pete, walks to the hole in the wall that will soon become a window and whistles loudly.
Brody comes to see what’s the commotion about and steps next to him just as Tommy motions for me to continue. When we’re on the job, there’s nothing in this world that will distract my best friend.
“Holy shit! Look at those legs; I can already imagine them wrapped around my-” A slap echoes in the space, and we stop what we’re doing. Pete massages the back of his head and scowls at Brody. “Ow! What the hell, boss?”
“Aidan! You’re done for the day,” the man says suddenly, still looking at the helper with disapproval, and I drop the heavy piece of wood.
“What? I didn’t even fucking say anything,” I complain. “Why the fuck are you punishing me for?”
“Not punishing. Rewarding,” Brody says with a smirk before he limps away to throw over his shoulder, “Go outside.”
Okay? I don’t know what’s this about, but if the guys are considering pranking me again, then I’m going to beat their asses. Well, maybe not my boss’s, but the rest will surely regret fucking with me again.
I remove my gloves, throw them by the little bench where I left my jacket, and walk out of the building.
Cold wind hits me in the chest, and I shiver slightly. Just as predicted, there’s nothing out there, and I curse loudly, ready to come back, when the sweetest fucking voice stops me.
“Damn, you’re so hot when you’re angry.”
I almost break my neck with the speed my head whips to the side, and then watch with wide eyes as Claire steps from the shadows, big smile in place.
She’s wearing a cute pink hat and a black coat that ends right above a skirt that reaches her mid-thigh. Her legs are covered with black tights and look extra long because of the high-heeled boots she has on.
I was never a man who paid much attention to the way women dress, but damn, right now, Claire looks like straight from a magazine, and it turns my blood into fire.
Her face looks slightly fuller, and her cheeks start to redden under my stare.
“Aidan? Are you still in there?” She giggles and walks closer.
My hands start shaking, my body begging me to touch her, but I press my palms to my sides, unable to fathom that she’s really here, standing in front of me. My girl. Alive and healthy.
Her eyes go over my face slowly, and her smile turns soft like she understands that I need the moment to go over the onslaught of emotions.
“I missed you,” she says. “Did you miss me?”
Stiffly, my head moves up and down, but I’m still not talking. Claire takes another tentative step forward.
“Just kiss her already!” A voice calls from above us, and I realize we’ve got an audience. Yet, there’s nothing that could rip my eyes off the beautiful woman standing in front of me right now.
There could be an earthquake, and I wouldn’t even care.
“You heard the man. Just kiss me already,” Claire demands and something finally snaps in me.
I grab her by the hips and slam my lips to hers. She’s ready for it and returns the kiss with just as much passion and impatience.