Below Grade: Small Town Silver Fox Gay Romance (Reclaimed Hearts Book 2) by Elle Keaton

Author:Elle Keaton [Keaton, Elle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dirty Dog Press LLC
Published: 2023-05-30T16:00:00+00:00

“Excuse me, what?” Nick repeated, thinking he hadn’t heard correctly the first time.

Liam shook his head again, his expression regretful but resigned. “There’s water in the auto shop. Silas is staying on my couch until he can get it sorted out, and I think he’s allergic to cats, too. Maybe Magnus can put you up? Or, I dunno, Forrest?”

Nick knew he shouldn’t have mentioned the cat.

Liam’s cottage had one bedroom and what he jokingly called a bonus room. The bedroom was so small that Liam’s mattress touched three walls, and the bonus room was filled with his chainsaws and whatnot. Nick had figured he could crash on his couch. Or the floor.

But, dammit, the resort wasn’t the only property with damage. The chorus of chainsaws revving was almost a cacophony and had come at Nick from all directions as he’d walked to Liam’s house.

“Why can’t you stay at Purdy’s?” Liam wanted to know. “You already live there.”

Nick clenched his jaw and counted to thirty before answering.

“The other cabins are worse off than mine.”

“Not Purdy’s though, am I right?”

“No.” Nick forced the words out. “His place is fine.”

“So? Did he offer you a place to stay?”

Fucking Liam. Why was he Nick’s best friend anyway?

“He did offer, but I don’t want to stay there. Plus, his couch is really small.” That last part made him sound petty. It made him feel petty. Fuck.

“Dude.” Liam was shaking his head again. “I’m gonna say this in the nicest way possible, okay?”

A bit apprehensively, Nick nodded.

“Quit being an asshole.”

Nick opened his mouth to protest, but Liam held up his hand to stop him from speaking.

“Quit being that guy who won’t accept a glass of water if he’s thirsty. Let some people in, people other than me,” Liam clarified. “I know you don’t believe it, but there are good people in Cooper Springs. People who—if you’d just let them—want to be your friend.” Liam paused and one eye narrowed. “Okay, maybe not right away because you’re a prickly asshole, but eventually they’ll want to be your friend. And rescuing a kitten does give you points, but the cat probably has the same attitude as you do.”

“I think there’s more to that water metaphor you used,” Nick said bitterly. “A desert or something.” Completely ignoring the truths Liam was pointing out.

“It’s okay to accept help.”

“He didn’t offer help. He basically ordered me to accept it.”

Liam glanced up at the ceiling for a second and then back at Nick. “Purdy is offering. Probably because he feels bad about the tree and is nearly as shook up as you are. I’m pretty sure he’s glad you weren’t squished. Maybe quit focusing on negatives? I know it’s hard when life keeps knocking you down. Can you think of something that made you happy, see if you can expand it to the rest of your life? I know you, Nick. I know who you are under all this bitterness. What was the last thing that made you feel good?”

Trust Liam not to let Nick get away with being pissed off and mad—even though he had every right to be.

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