Too bad they couldn’t implement a mind-blowing sex class at the fitness center. Would be one hell of a workout, and she’d bet the class would be booked full every week.
Then again, the two other men she’d been with had not been nearly as skilled as Lucas. Since there would be no “Sex with Lucas Dempsey” class offered, she scrubbed the whole idea.
“Last screw!” Randy yelled, which for a second made Sid think he could read her thoughts and was making a prediction. Then the full weight of the plywood pressed against her shoulder and she realized the statement was a warning, not a prediction.
She stepped back to balance the board and keep it from slamming through the plate-glass window it had been protecting. “Grab your side, smart ass, or you’re going to lose the window after all.”
The board shifted away from her, making it possible for Sid to see her brother. He held the board with one hand, a shit-eating grin on his face. “Too heavy for the little girl?”
Sid dropped her end, forcing Randy to use two hands. “I didn’t have to come over here and help you. There are a lot of other people on this island who would appreciate another set of hands.”
As she lifted her end again, Sid wondered for the umpteenth time if she could make it to the restaurant before the work was done. Stupid pride had kept her from following Lucas over there. She’d wanted to stay with him all day, but gluing herself to his ass like some desperate psycho was not the way to show she could maintain the casual agreement.
“Other people with the name Dempsey?” Randy asked.
Sid stopped, driving the edge of the plywood into her shin. “Shit,” she growled. “If you’re trying to shove this thing down my throat, you’re doing a damn good job.”
Randy shrugged. “I’m not the one who stopped. And you’re ignoring my question.”
“Yes,” she conceded. “I’ve been helping out the Dempsey family, and I’m sure they would appreciate another hand at the restaurant to get things back in order.”
A deep chuckle floated from across the board. “I wasn’t talking about the whole family.”
“You’re about as subtle as a freight train, muscle head. If you have something to say, just say it.” She hoped he couldn’t see the blush she felt crawling up her neck.
“Drove by your house early this morning to make sure you were okay. BMW was in the driveway.”
Well hell.
“Lucas helped me get the boards on the house, and we got caught in the storm.” Her voice sounded confident. Matter of fact. She hoped. “He couldn’t exactly drive home in the middle of a hurricane.”
“None of my business who you spend the night with,” her brother said. “But—”
“No buts, Randy. You’re right. It’s none of your business.”
Sid backed into the storage room at the rear of the fitness center and lowered her end of the plywood to the floor. Randy did the same, then leaned an elbow on the top of the board. “He’s only here for the summer, Sidney. You think it’s a good idea to get involved?”
Her arms hurt, her legs hurt, and if this conversation kept up, her head would hurt next. Tucking a wayward strand behind her ear, she met Randy’s level gaze, spotting concern more than a nosy interest. “We’re not getting involved. It’s just a … thing. For the summer.”
“A thing?”
“Yeah. A thing. Casual.” She was starting to hate that word.
His lips quirked as he shook his head. “Since when do you do casual? Doesn’t seem like your style.”
“Not sure I have a style when it comes to this sort of thing.” This sort of thing being pretending she wasn’t half in love with the man sharing her bed. The consequences would suck eventually, but she’d deal when the time came. “Just trust me, okay?”
After a long pause, Randy nodded. “Your life, sis. But let me know if I need to kick his ass and it’s done.”
She rolled her eyes. “You’ve never even been in a fight, Randy. Even the drunkest idiot has enough sense not to take you on.” Following him out of the building, she caught up and walked beside him.
“Shows what you know.” He ruffled her hair. “Lucas breaks your heart and he’ll have me to deal with. Whether you like it or not.”
“You’re full of bullshit today.” Sid laughed, knowing Randy wouldn’t squash a bug, never mind kick her lover’s ass.
Her lover. Weird.
“Why don’t you worry about your own love life?” she asked. “When was the last time you had a little overnight company?”
“Nice try, chica. A gentleman does not kiss and tell.”
Sid laughed. “If you did any kissing, the gossip lines on this island would tell long before you had the chance. You’re not getting any younger, you know.”
Her brother’s last relationship had been at least six years ago. Hard to forget the crazy bitch who’d tried to run him over with her riding lawn mower. He’d understandably been a confirmed bachelor ever since. A fact that drove the female population of Anchor Island damn near batty.
When he’d opened the fitness center eight years before, his personal training services had been in high demand, with clients often suggesting he do personal home visits. When a client chased him into the men’s locker room wearing nothing but a towel and a smile, he finally turned the female clientele over to another trainer. A female one.
A collective estrogen-laced sigh of disappointment had echoed island-wide.
“I’m waiting for Miss Right,” Randy said, holding the fitness center door open for her to pass through.
“Do you think she’s just going to burst through this door?” Sid asked, stopping at the front counter.
A mischievous smile split his tanned face. “You never know.”
“Is Sid in here?” Will bellowed as she flew through the entrance as if on cue. Upon seeing Randy, she stepped back, causing the door to hit her in the ass as it closed, sending her sprawling forward again. Will never seemed to be comfortable around Sid’s brother. When pressed, she’d once tossed off a comment about a bad experience with some other muscle-bound guy.
“What’s wrong?” Sid asked, breaking the deer-in-the-headlights look Will was shooting at Randy. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah,” Will whispered, eyes darting back to Sid’s brother. If she’d been trying to smile his way, she failed miserably. Her lip curled in a bad Elvis impersonation. “I mean no. Can we go outside and talk?”
“Sure,” Sid answered.
“You guys stay up here,” Randy said, his voice gentle, as if trying not to spook Will further. “I’ll be in the office if you need me.”
Sid watched Will as her brother walked off. “If you’re trying to freak me out, it’s working. What the hell is wrong with you?”
“It’s the garage,” Will blurted.
“What about it? Is the thing on fire or something?” Her stomach turned queasy at the thought. If the garage burned down, her dream was over. At least as she imagined it. She should have checked the electrical system, but she knew Fisher had all the utilities turned off.
“It’s not on fire but there’s someone else interested in buying it.” Will pulled a mass of dark brown hair over her right shoulder. “I was helping the real estate office field calls from tourists canceling because of Ingrid, and took the call. Some woman up in Richmond wanted to speak directly to Fisher. Said she was calling on someone else’s behalf, and wouldn’t give me a name.”
Sid tried to process the influx of information. Someone else wanted her garage. Someone who didn’t live on Anchor. But …
“Who would want that old garage? And how would anyone in Richmond even know about it?” She paced the length of the counter. “This doesn’t make any sense.” Breathing became difficult so she bent over, rubbing her palms down her thighs.