Big Man's Contract

I take the key and decide to check if the door is ruined or if it’s just cosmetic damage. I use the key to unlock the door. It shuts and opens with ease. It’s just cosmetic, but I realize that the kind of repair it’s going to take will require tools and skills that I don’t have. I’m not exactly Bob the Builder. My only home improvement knowledge comes from YouTube tutorials that are made in fast forward and rarely come with commentary.

Madden sighs. I ignore him and start to make a list of all the things I’m going to have to do to make this place shine the way I remember when I was little. It’s a lot. More than I imagined it would be but I have a plan and plans give me confidence and determination. They give me a place to start when things start to feel overwhelming the way they are starting to right now.

It’s hot out. I’m starting to sweat, and these tight jeans hugging my skin are not helping matters.

“You’re wasting your time trying to fix this place up,” Madden says.

“If you’re going to bust my balls, please feel free to leave.”

I pull out the yellow pages from behind the bar. They are ancient, but since nothing in this town has changed much, I imagine the numbers haven’t either.

“You don’t get it yet,” he says.

I answer him with a grumble and circle some numbers. I check to see if there’s a ring tone from the bar phone on the back wall. There is. I then call each number. Each call goes unanswered. What the hell? It’s the middle of the work week. Why isn’t anyone answering their phones … unless they see the number to the bar on the caller ID and are choosing not to answer. But why? Could it have something to do with why the locksmith didn’t want to help me?

Maybe there’s something wrong with the landline. I try the same numbers with my cellphone. There are answers, but as soon as I tell them my name and why I’m calling, they immediately hang up. I stare at my phone screen, my mouth hanging open in frustration and confusion.

“What the hell is going on?” I ask Madden when I see his knowing look. “Why is everyone avoiding me? What happened?”

“You must have forgotten how long the memories of the people around here are. That’s what living in LA will do to you.”

“What do you mean?” I have no idea what he’s getting at.

“All those kids you used to pick on in high school are running this town now. Their parents are either retiring or managing from afar. Your reputation left you no allies here,” he says the last part a little smugly, which I find increasingly annoying and show him as much with my glare.

It doesn’t make sense. That was a long time ago. We were dumb kids in high school. I know I was a mean girl and a giant pain in the ass, but I don’t remember treating everyone like shit. But regardless, whatever their reasons, it’s clear that the townspeople are intentionally ignoring me.

“Don’t look so glum,” Madden says with a sneaky smile that makes me wary. “You still have one option.”

I watch him, trying to read his mind. Whatever he has going on in that beautiful head of his can’t be good for me. He leans over the bar, his face only inches from mine. I stare into his smoldering eyes, trying not to get lost in them. Now is not the time to be losing my head. I need to focus on what needs to be done so I can fix this place up.

Heat and smoke and sex radiate off of him. Since when has Madden Trek become so confident? It suits him well and I find myself buckling under the spell he has me under. He’s seriously nothing like the boy I remember.

“I’ll help you restore your dad’s legacy,” he says.

I raise an eyebrow, wondering why, if I was such a bully as a teen—bad enough for the whole town to hate me—would he agree to help me? I wait for the catch. Whatever it is I know I have to agree to it. People in this town won’t help me, but they’ll help him. Besides, he has all the muscle I’ll need for the job. He can do all the heavy lifting.

As if reading my mind, the muscles in his arms flex when he moves closer to me. He’s not doing it to show off, or to get my attention. He probably doesn’t realize he’s even doing it. That’s just what happens when his body moves. And he probably doesn’t even realize the effect he’s having on me, how turned on I am right now.