Can't Fight It (Fair Lakes 3)

“Babe, wh— Oh, hi.” Gabby offers her hand to Hollis. “I’m Gabby, Chase’s wife.”

“Hollis.”

Gabby’s mouth forms the perfect O. “You’re Hollis?”

“I am.” She turns to me and grins, then scrunches up her nose. “What on earth?” She moves toward me, and that’s when I remember that not only is my hand covered in my son's shit, but he’s covered as well.

“Right. I need to handle this.” I turn on my heel and rush toward the bathroom. Once Milo and I are behind the locked door, for good measure, I take a deep breath. “This isn’t what I was expecting, bud. We’re going to have to tell her to leave, right? She can’t live here with us. No way. Sleeping with our tenant is not a good idea. Daddy’s just going to have to tell her there was a mix-up, and she needs to find a new place. Yeah, that’s what I’ll do.”

I take my time getting my son cleaned up before wrapping him in one of his infant towels that I just folded and put away this morning. From the bathroom, I head down the hall to his room and quickly get him in a fresh diaper and clean clothes. He’s smiling up at me, happy as can be.

“Your belly feeling better?” I ask. He coos and kicks his legs, which is a good enough answer for me. “All right, bud, time to do this.” I lift him into my arms, and we head back toward the living room. I stop when I see Chase carrying two totes and Hollis behind him wheeling two suitcases.

“Thank you for your help, Chase.”

“No problem. My nephew has bad timing.”

“Maybe I should go see if he needs help,” Gabby speaks up.

“He can handle it.”

“All better,” I state and the three of them turn to look at me.

“Come here, you little stinker.” Gabby takes Milo from my arms and snuggles him close. “Aunt Gabby missed you.”

“This is the last of it,” Chase tells me.

“The room’s great. Thank you,” Hollis adds.

I open my mouth to tell her to leave, and nothing happens. It’s like I forgot how to speak. I try again and still nothing. What the hell is wrong with me? She has to go. I can’t live with her. Nope. I thought she was male. Someone I can have a few beers with, maybe watch the game. I can’t with her. What if I want to bring someone home? How awkward would that be having a female roommate? Even as my mind ticks off reasons, I can’t form the words. I can’t tell her to leave.

“So, Hollis. We were just about to order some pizza. You in?” Chase asks.

“I don’t want to impose.”

“Not at all. That will give us all a chance to get to know one another. Chase and I are here a lot, or Colt and Milo are at our place, so I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot of each other.”

“Sure. I’ll eat anything. Give me a few minutes to freshen up from the drive, and I’ll be right back.” I watch her as she disappears through the small hallway off the living room that leads to her room. I don’t take a full breath until I hear her bedroom door close.

I feel a hand on my shoulder, followed by a tight squeeze. “You all right, brother?” Chase laughs.

“Hollis. I thought she was a man.”

“Did you not look at her background check?”

“I did. It was clear. I didn’t read the gender section. I just wanted to make sure the guy wasn’t a criminal.”

“Woman,” he corrects me.

“Fuck me.”

His laughter rings in my ears. This should be interesting.Chapter 2HollisDeep breath.

And try not to stare at my new landlord’s ass.

That’s proving to be a much harder task the longer he’s in my presence. I’ve been around plenty of guys in my life, but none that make my heart hammer in my chest like a steel drum and tempts me to spill all of my secrets. Heaven knows that’s not happening. Not today. Not ever. My instant attraction to Colton Callahan is the exact reason why I should pack back up my measly belongings and head for another location.

Though, I’ve always heard about this town. Fair Lakes, in the heart of Missouri. With its humid summers and its blustery winters. My grandma grew up here, so I heard all about the small midwestern town that she called home for nearly two decades until she met my grandpa and moved with his military career. I’ve heard enough of her stories though. How this town was built around the large lakes. How everyone greets you when you pass on the sidewalk. How they host festivals in the town square. Of course, I’m certain the town has changed in the last five decades since she left.

I’m locked in my little studio apartment—in-law suite, I believe is what they call it—and trying to dig out a fresh sweatshirt to throw on. I could really use a shower, but my bath products are still packed away in one of my boxes, and that’s not something I want to tackle right now. My stomach growls, reminding me it’s been a while since I gave it food. That’s probably why I actually said yes to their pizza offer. It was my stomach talking and not logical sense. The logical part of my brain would have declined their offer for food and would already be through the first box of belongings. But here I am, washing my hands and getting ready to share a pizza with my landlord, his brother, and sister-in-law, and apparently, his baby boy.