Until Arden

Chapter 1

Dash

Tonightmarksoneyear since I held my mom’s hand as she slipped away, leaving my life changed forever. My biggest regret is that’s what it took to convince me to stop running from the sins of my past.

I’d insisted that I wanted to do nothing more than spend the evening alone in solitude. But conveniently, Talon’s wife and her sister decided to have a girls’ night with the kids, and Talon asked me to join him at a small local pub for drinks.

Talon Mayson is one of my oldest friends, and although I hadn’t spoken to him much after high school, when he and his brother Bax heard I was returning to town to spend time with my ailing mom, they offered me a job as a contractor with their construction company.

I hadn’t wanted to put down roots again. Especially not in this town, where I’m constantly reminded of my past mistakes, but I soon realized that spending time with my family and old friends outweighed the negatives. And to my surprise, the one person who had the most to hold against me, happily welcomed me back.

And it’s a good thing because she now runs Paddy’s Pints, the very pub we’re sitting in. She and her husband, Patrick, opened it about eight months ago to offer craft beer and a variety of hamburgers and other quick meals. It’s become quite popular around town for those looking for a quick drink or a casual meal. Janelle has always had a thing for beer, so it’s not surprising that she found someone who shares her interests. He does the brewing, and she manages the rest of the establishment.

My eyes drift across the restaurant, following a blonde server as she strides toward the empty bar with a stack of empty glasses. Her lavender shirt and jeans hug her generous curves, and her hips sway as she walks away. Her hair is pulled up into a messy bun, with a few stray tendrils falling around her face and neck.

Dammit. Focus, Dash.“So, what exactly are Mia and the kids doing that she couldn’t drag you along, too?”

“They’re going to some science exhibit at a museum and then stopping for pizza and arcade games. Mia’s parents went with them to help with the kids.”

“So they figured the science exhibit was too advanced for you, huh?” He will not admit to using the whole thing as an excuse to drag me out of the house, but that won’t stop me from pressing him on it. “Or was it that they just didn’t want one more oversized kid to look after?”

Talon clicks his tongue, then settles back in his seat with a smirk. “Speaking of oversized kids, have you found anyone willing to babysit you yet?”

I rub my hand over my beard and scowl. “Not all of us can rely on a tornado to connect us with the woman of our dreams.”

“Right, with you, it’ll probably require something far more extreme.”

“I’m good.” I huff. I’ve come to terms with being a long-term bachelor. Not that I haven’t tried, but I have a tendency to fuck things up, so I stick to situations where I'm certain I won't be the one hurting someone I care about.

I lift my bottle to my lips, then pause, glaring at Talon. “And don’t start droning on about all that ‘boom’ nonsense, or whatever your family calls it.”

“No one believes it until...”

I ignore the rest of his comment, once again, watching the blonde server, who is now leaning over to place a round of drinks on the bar. Something about her is captivating, but I let my eyes linger a moment too long, and Talon smacks the table between us.

“You were just trying to convince me you're not interested in dating, right?”

I shrug. “Doesn't mean I can't look.”

All right, so I'm lying, but only a little bit. I haven't dated anyone since moving back here, and maybe I haven't ruled out the possibility of finding someone. I just haven't met anyone I want to take that chance on who might be willing to overlook my sordid past.

“Keep telling yourself that,” he mutters.

I smile when I see Janelle approaching, and Talon peeks over his shoulder—probably expecting to see the blonde.

“Speak of the devil,” Talon says with a wry grin, lifting his glass in a mock toast toward her.

I discreetly flip him off by rubbing my middle finger against my temple.

Ignoring Talon, she asks, “Am I interrupting?”

“Please do,” I say. Yes, speaking of that whole fucking up every serious relationship thing, Janelle is at the top of that list. Before I left town four years ago, she and I had been engaged. But that entire relationship went down in flames when, to put it simply, I fucked up.

“You may not think that after I ask you a favor.”

I groan and lift my eyebrows.

“I wouldn’t bother you under normal circumstances, but my new server said her car started acting crazy on the way to work. And before you groan again, she’s new to town, a single mom, and struggling as it is, so if it’s an easy fix... I’ll make it up to you with a free round of drinks.”

“So, what I’m hearing is that you won’t make it up to him if it’s a major problem,” Talon says.

Always stirring up shit.

Janelle scoffs at him. “Don’t jinx it.” She looks back at me with that pleading gaze I know too well. “She’s an old friend from Cleveland, and she’s kinda going through a rough time. I’d feel better knowing she’ll be able to pick up her son and get home after work.”