Bad Boy Rebound(5)

Again, I was really impressed that someone so young had been so adventurous. “Where did you work?”

“I started working at Drake’s Concrete when I was sixteen. Tough work, and yet it set off the construction bug inside me. I love the idea of taking something old and making it beautiful again. Drake taught me that.”

My gaze shifted to his hands. He wore a black Tungsten ring on his right hand, but no ring on the left. I wondered if he was dating anyone. He had to be, right? I mean, he had to be the hottest ticket in town. He was too gorgeous to go under the radar.

I found it hard to believe he was single.

Not that he’d be interested in someone almost five years older than him.

“How does it feel to come back to a small town after having lived in a big city for so long?”

His gaze was intense as he watched me, making me shift on my feet. How much had Toby shared with him about Ross? Given they were best friends, I had to assume he knew a hell of a lot about my situation. In fact, he might know the whole story, which made me uneasy. I didn’t want anyone’s sympathy, and so far, I had received a lot of it, especially from my mom’s friends. I appreciated their concern, yet I just wanted to put the past behind me. Move on and enjoy what was next for me.

“It feels good to be home,” I said with a forced smile. “It really does. I wish I had made the move months before.”

The side of his mouth lifted in a smile, then he flashed me a grin I remembered well from my childhood. To my surprise, my heart gave a hard jolt.

I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had such a strong reaction to a man.

Except for my ex. That first moment when we’d locked eyes from across a crowded room.

“I’m glad you’re back, Mandy.”

The declaration surprised me, and even more amazing were the emotions that he evoked in me as he watched me through those magnificent green eyes that were framed by long, dark lashes.

I couldn’t get over that this was Brax Mitchell. Little Brax Mitchell! The boy who had bent the frame of my brand new bicycle when he’d jumped it over the Rittenburgh’s hedge just minutes after I’d received it as a birthday present.

“Hey, buddy, did you even recognize my big sister?” Toby asked as he came down the hallway, instantly pulling my attention away from my churning thoughts.

Brax’s gaze shifted over me in a way that made the hair on my arms stand on end. His lips curved and his brow lifted. “I still see the girl in the woman.” His tone was silky soft.

Oh Brax…the things I could do to you. What the hell was I thinking? I had only been single for three months. The last thing I wanted, or needed, was a man in my life. Plus, I was gun-shy about getting into another relationship. I had been one hundred percent faithful to Ross our entire relationship. One man is all I’d had my entire life. I’d been so focused on getting out of this town that I hadn’t gotten tied up with anyone and had left Maple Creek with my virginity.

Thank God for that. Most girls my age couldn’t count their lovers on one hand.

“Well, are you going to leave him standing on the front porch all day?” Toby asked, giving me a sideways glance before stepping aside so Brax could come in. “It’s not a bad little place, is it? Needs a bit of elbow grease, but I figure between the two of us, it will be as good as new before long.”

Brax’s brows furrowed as he crossed the threshold. “The two of us, huh? Don’t you have school coming up?”

“Yes, but from time to time I can pitch in…if the price is right.” He gave me a hopeful look.

“I can pay minimum wage,” I replied, knowing I needed to watch every penny.

“Perfect,” he said, wiping his hands on his jeans before he looked at Brax. “So…I’m having some issues with this toilet though. In fact, care to take a look? Damn thing is giving me a headache.”

“Dude, if you’re having troubles fixing a toilet, then what good are you going to be when it comes to a complete renovation?” Brax must have seen my expression because he put a reassuring hand on my shoulder and squeezed. “Don’t worry, Mandy, you’re in good hands.”





CHAPTER 3

Brax





My heart was racing like a runaway train. I had thought my crush on Mandy was a thing of the past, but one look in those gorgeous blue eyes and I realized I still had it bad for my best friend’s big sister.

And now she was home to stay—living just blocks away from me, and I was renovating her house, which meant weeks and weeks of being under the same roof.

For as long as I could recall, I’d had a thing for Amanda Hathaway. Though I’d only been eight years old the first time I saw her, I still remembered how I felt at that moment. I’d come home on the bus with Toby¸ and we had been sitting at the kitchen table eating a snack when she walked through the door. There had been a heart-stopping moment when our gazes locked. I’d never forget that stare or the way her lips curved into a soft smile as she said hi.