Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23670 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 118(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23670 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 118(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
“Helpful?” Lane scoffs. “You’re more than helpful, Liv. You’re the only reason people know about us. Your social media skill is freaky good. It’s because of you we get most of these orders.”
I want to point out that without her work, there would be nothing for me to post. I do have fun with it, though, and I enjoy crafting my own pieces and designing them up. Lane keeps to only woodworking and creates every piece of furniture she can think of. I like being creative with them and adding my own small touches. I’ll spend more time painting a piece than crafting it.
Julius gravitates toward my items. He’s bought more than a few, which I’m not sure what to make of. I picture his cabin in shades of browns, grays, and blacks. My stuff would stand out strangely against the interior of his home that I’ve envisioned. At first I assumed he would favor Lane’s items more, but every time he proves me wrong.
I adore my sister, but people usually tend to favor her in general. She’s got it together, whereas I’m a hot mess. Maybe that’s why I’m on the verge of stalking Julius. There’s not much dirt to be found on my lumberjack, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to stop searching.
I’m thinking Julius could benefit from a little chaos in his overly organized life.
Chapter Two
JULIUS
“I thought I told you to cut the power.” I place my tools down and walk over to the main breaker.
“I did.” Troy looks up from his phone and then back at me. “Oh, you mean that one?”
I press my lips together in a tight line and remind myself that Troy isn’t trying to kill me. He’s just a fucking idiot. After I flip the correct breaker off, I go back to the wires and unhook the water heater.
When my grandma asked me to move to Cottonwood, I was hesitant, and now I remember why. It’s because she thought I’d be a good influence on my cousin Troy. Turns out, no amount of good influence is going to get that little shit to look up from his phone.
After my mom passed away two years ago, my grandma started asking me to move closer to her. My mom had a brother that stayed here after high school, and his son Troy is a constant pain in my ass. I should have known my mom stayed away from this town her whole life for a reason.
I’d had a successful business as an electrician back in Springfield but was feeling like it was time for a change. I should have gotten a dog or something. I’m used to working by myself and not really talking to people. Other than asking people what they want done, I do my thing and stay quiet. Maybe that’s part of the reason my nerves are shot at the end of every day. Troy’s phone fills the silence with bursts of loud music on the videos he watches.
There used to be a rhythm to what I do, but now I’m all thumbs, and it’s pissing me off. I’m a simple man that doesn’t need much, but clearly asking for him to put his goddamn phone down is where the line is drawn.
“Hand me the needle nose pliers,” I say while holding the wires in one hand and reaching out with the other.
“Hmm?” Troy once again doesn’t look up from his phone.
An annoyed huff leaves me as I stop what I’m doing and go to the toolbox to get what I need. If he wasn’t scrolling through videos, I could almost pretend he wasn’t here.
“Hell yeah, Liv has a new TikTok.” He hums appreciatively. “Her tits are so fucking hot.”
Anger burns through me, and I can feel my neck heat. “Watch your fucking mouth.”
Troy’s head snaps up, and I’ve finally got his attention. “Whoa, she’s the one putting them out there.”
He turns the phone around so I can look at the video, and sure enough, the cute little lady at the furniture store is showing off one of her sister's newest pieces. She’s changed her hair to pink this time, and it looks so damn sweet. It suits her. She’s wearing a pair of faded jeans and a vintage T-shirt. The shirt's not even a V-neck or cut low; it’s fitted to her curves. Of course, her tits are fucking hot, but he’s talking like she’s naked.
“You need to learn to control yourself,” I warn. My glare makes him swallow hard.
“Sorry, didn’t know you had a thing for her.” He goes back to scrolling on this phone. “Jeez, it’s not like she puts out, anyway.”
“What the fuck did you say?” I toss the pliers in the toolbox and take a step toward him.
“Easy,” he pleads while holding his hands in front of him. “Everyone knows her and her sister are prudes. They were always too good for any of the guys in high school.”