He lifts his chin and gives me a cocky smirk. “Thank you, darlin’.”
Rolling my eyes, I return my attention to the photo gallery. “These would be great promotion for the gym and Sully’s self-defense classes.”
“I keep telling him that. He doesn’t want to be a sell-out.”
My head’s spinning with ideas. And wondering if I could turn this into my Business Communications project that’s due at the end of the semester.
“What’s so exciting over here?” Sully asks, slipping an arm around my waist, effectively bumping his brother back a few steps.
“Jake was telling me about your modeling career.”
Sully shoots a dirty look at Jake. “Can’t you keep your mouth shut?”
“What? She found them on her own. Thought she might appreciate some context to all the shirtless photos.”
“Sully,” I say, resting my hand on his arm to draw his attention away from Jake. “These are great. I think you could do a lot with them to promote the gym.”
He’s shaking his head before I even finish the sentence. “Not you too.”
While his mouth is busy protesting, I swear I see a hint of interest glimmering in his deep brown eyes, so I decide to go in for the kill.
“You need more of a social media presence. These are definitely attention-grabbing.” I rub my hands together really warming up to the idea and all the possibilities. “We could do a series of short videos. Maybe once a week where you teach a quick self-defense move. Something to entice people to sign up for your classes. Or maybe—”
“Ease up there, Aubrey,” Sully says, touching his fingers to my lips.
Before he says anything, Jake pipes up. “You don’t want to whore out your man for new customers. I’d make a better face for the business anyway.”
“It’s not ‘whoring him out,’ it’s introducing him to potential customers,” I argue.
“But I’m the better-looking brother,” Jake insists.
“Debatable.” I add an eye roll which makes both brothers laugh.
Sully turns serious again and focuses his penetrating stare on me. “You’re excited about this idea, aren’t you?”
“I think it could be helpful.” I glance down, willing Jake to go away so I can talk to Sully in private.
“Give us a minute, Jake,” Sully says as if he’d read my mind.
“I have an ulterior motive,” I say once Jake’s out of hearing range.
Sully raises an eyebrow, inviting me to explain.
“I really do think it could benefit Strike Back. Plus, I’ve been struggling to come up with a project for my Business Communications class and this could be it.”
That must not be what Sully expected, because he stares at me for a few seconds without saying anything. “You feel that strongly about it? To risk your grade?”
“I don’t think it’s a risk at all.”
He nods slowly. “Okay. Whatever you need.”
“Yeah? You trust me?”
“Absolutely.”
I can’t help it, I’m so excited, I clap my hands and jump around in a little circle. “This is going to be great. I promise.”
“You got him to say yes?” Jake asks. Not waiting for my answer, he smacks Sully’s shoulder. “I’ve been nagging you to join the rest of the world in the twenty-first century forever. Suddenly a pretty girl asks and you’re all for it?”
“Looks like it,” Sully answers without taking his eyes off me.
I probably should’ve been more cautious when I told Aubrey I’d do whatever she needed to get her project off the ground. Because once I give her the green light, she’s relentless.
After I say yes, she’s on the phone with Trinity, securing a handful of photos to use on the website I’ve neglected for years. And by the time Aubrey leaves for her afternoon classes, she has an Instagram account with a week’s worth of scheduled posts ready to go.
By midweek, she has me agreeing to shoot five short video sessions to post to the YouTube account she apparently also set up at some point. I’m impressed and charmed by her enthusiasm. While I’ve been stuck figuring out the nitty-gritty details of running the business since the beginning, she has a really unique way of envisioning the bigger picture.
Jake seems equally bewitched. Probably because she talked him into doing his own series of videos.
“This is a lot more work than it seemed,” Jake grumbles as Aubrey directs him in the rearranging of equipment.
I have to smother my laughter. “But you’ve been asking me to do this for years,” I mock him with his own words and barely keep the grin off my face. “Welcome to the twenty-first century, little brother.”
“Yeah well, I follow lots of those fitness channels. Figured any idiot can post some clips and make some money. But more work than I realized goes into those little five or ten-minute segments.”
My brother can be a lot of things, pain in my ass, troublemaker, lady-charmer, but he’s not lazy. So his complaints only emphasize how much work Aubrey’s putting into this project.
A project to grow my business. Yes, she also secured her professor’s approval to use it for her project, but ultimately it will have long-term benefits for Strike Back. Which means a lot to me.
Watching the two of them bicker back and forth, but Jake ultimately doing whatever Aubrey asks him to do, is its own form of entertainment. For me anyway.
“Hey, come here,” I say when she sends Jake out on a break.
Her gaze darts around as she approaches. “Is this okay? I’m sorry I took over this room, but it has the best light—”
“Stop,” I say, cutting her off. “I wanted to say thank you.”
Pink spreads over her cheeks. “I haven’t really done anything yet.”
“You’ve done more in a couple days than I’ve managed to do in a few years. I’m blown away. And I really appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome.”
“You know, it’s occurred to me that I haven’t taken you out on a proper date.”
She raises an eyebrow. “The Castle doesn’t count as a date?”
“No.” I wrap my arms around her a little tighter. “You’re not going back there, are you?”
“I have the feeling Griff won’t extend another offer any time soon. He’s too afraid of you.”
“What makes you say that?”
She ducks her head and laughs softly. “He came to visit me at the coffee shop the day after. Said it was out of respect for you, but I know fear when I see it.”
She’s teasing, but I’m too concerned about why Griff’s visiting her at her other job to laugh. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Honestly? I haven’t thought about it since.” She pokes me in the stomach. “I seem to forget about everyone else when I’m around you.”
I wrap my hand around hers, lifting it to my mouth to kiss her fingertips. “I can work with that.”
“Figured.” She tips her head back. “So when and where for this date?”
“This—oh, shit. I have Madison this weekend.” I’ve never forgotten one of my daughter’s visits before and I can’t say I’m feeling too good about that right now.
“Okay,” Aubrey says without hesitation. “Next weekend.” She reaches up and kisses my cheek.
“Break it up!” Jake hollers. “Let’s finish this, Aubrey,” he says.
She glances over at him and collapses into a fit of giggles. “Did you oil yourself up?”
“No,” he answers evenly. “It’s sweat. I banged out some push-ups in the parking lot.”
She shakes her head and points to the tripod holding her camera. “You’re supposed to save it for the camera.”
“Putting on a shirt wouldn’t hurt either,” I mention.
I should’ve kept my mouth shut because Jake uses it as an opportunity to show off even more. “Bro, we know you got the genes. If you work a little harder, you can look as good as your little brother.”
Unimpressed, Aubrey ro
lls her eyes. “Less yapping, more working,” she scolds.
Convinced she can handle him, I excuse myself to make a phone call.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
The week seems to be ending a whole lot better than it began. I’ve made significant progress growing Strike Back’s online presence. Jake started teasingly calling me the gym’s Social Media Manager, which I have to admit I secretly love. I’m not positive I’ve earned the title yet, but I plan to.
“Can we talk?” Sully asks, shutting his office door behind him.
“Sure.” I’ve been trying to keep things professional between us at work, but I wouldn’t mind if he swept everything off his desk and threw me on top of it for an afternoon quickie.
He runs his knuckles over his chest for a few seconds. I’ve never really seen Sully nervous before. Oh, God, have I made too many changes? Stuck my nose too far in his business? Is he firing me? Or worse, breaking up with me?
“You already know Maddy’s coming to visit this weekend.” He glances at the clock. “I actually have to leave in a few minutes to pick her up from the airport.”
“Okay.”
He finally meets my eyes. “I feel like such an asshole even saying this, but, I’ve never introduced Madison to a girlfriend before. And I’m not ready to—”
“Sully,” I say, taking a step closer. “I totally understand.”
His eyes widen and his hands land on my hips, pulling me in closer. “You’re not mad?”
“Not at all. I figured you’d be busy this weekend.”
“I’ll still be here Sunday morning for class. My mom takes Madison to church.”
“So, I’ll see you then and you can tell me all about your weekend on Monday.”
He seems so relieved, he blows out a long breath and kisses my cheek.
Honestly, I’m relieved too. Meeting his daughter seems like a huge step I’m not ready for yet. What if she hates me?
“Thank you so much.” His voice nothing more than a low hum. He wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me closer.
Not only do I respect him even more for being so protective of his daughter, it absolutely melts my heart.
“Are you excited?”
The corners of his mouth lift. “Always.” He lets out a heavy sigh. “I have so much to do around here, but every time she visits, I feel like there’s so much I want to cram into such a short amount of time.”
“I can understand that.”
“Jake’s a big help, but he likes to see her too, you know?”
“Sure.” I squeeze him a little tighter and tip my head back, resting my chin on his chest. “I’ll do what I can to keep things running smoothly for you.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that.”
I pull back and poke him in the chest with my pinky finger. “Although, I don’t provide the same visual eye-candy for the ladies that you do.”
He snorts and grabs my hand, kissing the backs of my fingers. “You’re the only one I want to gobble me up.”
We both snicker at the silly comeback.
“Are you planning to tell Madison her dad’s a big Instagram star?”
“Hell no. She’ll probably die of embarrassment.” He squints at me. “I take it the clips are doing their job?”
“Big time.”
He shakes his head as if he’s embarrassed. Another thing I love about Sully. He’s extremely humble. Exactly the opposite of his brother.
He glances at the clock and groans. “I really do have to go.”
“Okay.” I attempt to pull away, but he hums in disapproval and tightens his arms around me.
Slowly, he leans down and presses his lips to mine for a slow, lingering goodbye kiss.
Jake sticks around, so I don’t expect Sully to return tonight.
“He told you about Maddy?” Jake asks when there’s a lull in the gym.
“We talked about her.”
“You’re cool with it?” he asks.
“Cool with what?”
He shrugs. “Him having a kid.”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“I don’t know. A lot of girls can’t stand competing for attention. Don’t want the reminder he was ever involved with anyone else.”
“He’s almost thirty. I assume he’s had other girlfriends by now.”
He snorts then turns serious. “Lauren was his first serious girlfriend. They dated all through high school. He was crushed when her family up and moved to Florida his senior year.”
I swallow hard as I absorb that information. Sully hasn’t provided me with a lot of details and Lauren was obviously a big part of his life for a long time. “Is that how she ended up living down there?”
“Yup. Never told him she was pregnant when she moved. Didn’t tell him when Madison was born. She only bothered to let him know he had a daughter a few years later when she sued him for child support out of nowhere.”
My fingers trace over the achy spot blooming in my chest. “That’s awful.” Awful for Sully. And awful for Madison.
“Yeah, Sully lost his fuckin’ mind. Spent a fortune running back and forth to Florida to fight for custody and to be part of Madison’s life.”
“He mentioned some of that.”
“Knowing my brother, he probably didn’t want to bad mouth Lauren, even though she deserves it for what she did. That’s not the kind of guy he is.” At his sides, his hands squeeze into fists. “I want you to understand the situation. Sully isn’t some jackass deadbeat dad.”
“I’d never think that about him.”
Jake nods as if he’s satisfied I’ll treat his brother and niece right.
Maybe other girls would find Jake’s interrogation insulting, I’m touched by how deeply he cares for his family. Maybe on the outside, there doesn’t seem to be anything other than good looks, muscle, and flirty-arrogance, but there’s obviously much more lurking inside of Jake.
I’m not sure how to put that sentiment into words without sounding condescending. While I’m puzzling it out, the back door crashes open.
“Uncle Jake!” a girl shouts. In a blur of motion, she races across the room, launching herself at Jake so hard, he almost falls backward.
“Holy shit, kid.” He laughs and holds her at arm’s length. “Look how tall you’ve gotten.”
She pulls back and adopts a more casual pose. “I’m almost as tall as Mom now.”
I’m not sure what I expected Madison to look like. Sully said she was twelve, so this tall, willowy young woman isn’t what I pictured. Except for her light, aqua eyes, she strongly resembles Sully. Right down to her dark, wavy hair and lightly tanned skin. Only a bit of roundness in her baby face gives away that she’s not quite a teenager yet.
I glance at Sully who’s standing behind them and he flashes a quick, reassuring smile.
After some light teasing and mild rough-housing with her uncle, Madison’s gaze lands on me.
“Oh, hi.” She glances at her dad in a who’s-this-chick? way.
“Maddy, this is Aubrey,” Sully introduces.
My discomfort ratchets even higher. Am I supposed to shake her hand? My palms are sweaty. Damn. “Hi. How was your trip?”
Maddy shrugs and tosses her hair over her shoulder. “No biggie. I do it all the time.”
“Aubrey’s helping out here,” Sully explains.
“She’s managing the social media too,” Jake adds.
“Huh. About time,” she says, dismissing me and returning her attention to her father. “That reminds me, I need a digital detox this weekend.” She reaches into her pocket and pulls out her cell phone while Jake and I duck our heads and laugh.
“Is that right?” Sully says, holding his hand out for the phone. “Your mom know you plan to have your phone off?”
She shrugs. “Mom has your number.” She pats her backpack. “I finished most of my homework on the plane.”
“You want to use the office?” Sully asks.
“Can I use your tablet for one last thing?”<
br />
“Okay.” Before leading her into the office, he turns and raises an eyebrow—a subtle check-in. I wink in response which makes him laugh.
I return to my spot behind the desk and flip on the television.
“You okay?” Jake asks.
“I’m fine.” I nod toward the office. “She seems excited to be here.”
“Yeah. It’s always madness when she’s with him,” he says with an affectionate smile. “Sunday afternoons are rough, though. She used to try every trick to stay longer when she was little. Stomach aches, ear aches, tantrums, forgotten stuff at home.” He glances over his shoulder. “She doesn’t do that anymore, but he’s still torn up every time he drops her off at the airport.”
For a parent who actually cares about their child, I can’t even imagine how much that hurts. “It must feel like watching a piece of his heart fly away,” I whisper.
Jake cocks his head. “How poetic,” he says. Not in his usual teasing way.
Uncomfortable, I stand and jiggle my shoulders.
“Tight?” he asks.
“I guess. I’ve been on the computer a lot lately.” I give him a pointed look. “Managing the social media and all.”
He chuckles and motions me over to the wall. “Here, let me show you a few things you can do to prevent an RSI.” He gently pushes me until I’m leaning against the wall.
“Flat against the wall,” he encourages. His fingers lightly graze the top of my head and whisper over my shoulders. “Butt and heels against the wall too,” he directs without touching me in either spot.
“Good. Now raise your arms parallel to the floor. Bend your arms.” He positions me so my elbows are bent at a ninety-degree angle. “Keep the backs of your hands against the wall. Feel the stretch in the front of your shoulders and chest?”
“Yes.” Ow, this seems so simple, but it actually hurts a little.
“Breathe, Aubrey. Now, draw your elbows into your sides. Focus on squeezing your shoulder blades together.”
“How long?”
“Hold it for a couple seconds.”
By a couple, he means forever. Apparently I’m in poor shape. How embarrassing.
“Just means you spend lots of time working hard on the computer,” Jake says gently. No judgment in his tone at all.