4. Jack

4

JACK

I lace up my boots, throw on a ball cap, and because of the morning chill, a denim coat, and head out the door for my hike. It’s the type of exertion I absolutely need to release all this tension in my body from running into Aaron yesterday at the diner. He was in my thoughts all day, and I even went to my brother’s bar on the off chance he showed up for dinner. Truth is, I’m a chickenshit but also stubborn and would prefer to accidentally run into him than seek him out.

I hop in my truck and drive to the hiking trail. It’s never busy this time of morning, so it’s hard not to notice a familiar car as I park and exit my vehicle.

Aaron rolls down the window. “Mind if I join you?”

“How did you know I’d be here?” I decide to leave the jacket in the car.

He winces. “Your sister mentioned you hike in the mornings and that I should have someone with me my first time out.”

God, June. What else had she told him?

“I’ll make sure to tell June not to discuss my personal business with strangers,” I tease, which he takes as an affirmative to climb out of his car. “What if you were a murderer?”

I head toward the trail, and he follows. “You’d already be dead and rotting in a motel room.”

“Bad planning because you would’ve left a paper trail. I thought serial killers were smarter and more calculated than that.”

“You’re right. Killing you out here works better.”

I shake my head and smirk. “She was right about having someone with you. People have gotten lost out here.” I won’t mention how one incident ended in tragedy.

“That’s what she said. Plus, the whole town curse.” He shoves a hand in his pocket as if searching for something, but I avert my gaze so he doesn’t think I’m groping him with my eyes.

“Christ, what didn’t she tell you?” I mutter as we round a curve.

“Let’s see…how old you are and why you keep yourself single.”

I scoff. “Does any of that matter? You still fucked me in a motel room.”

“And I’d do it again if you were interested.” He averts his eyes as if regretting admitting that aloud. But my dick sure pays attention. It’s gratifying to know he’s been thinking about me too.

“Let’s see how good of a hiking companion you are first.”

“Why? Is that one of your criteria?”

“I need to see how annoying you are, might push you off a cliff by the end.”

Uncannily, he loses his footing, and I reach out to grab his arm. “Careful. It would help if you had the right shoes.”

“I only brought these sneakers with me.”

I pretend to study his shoes and not his hairy legs and thighs that I didn’t get a chance to admire a couple months back. “They’re slippery on the bottom and don’t have much traction.”

He hitches a shoulder. “I’ll get better shoes for next time.”

“Next time? I’m going to guess you don’t trek around like this in the city, so hiking shoes would be an expense that might go to waste.”

He arches a brow. “If I like it well enough, I just might. Is there a store in town that sells them?”

“You can find them at Honeycomb General Store. My aunt Dina runs it.” She keeps them stocked for just these occasions.

“Cool, thanks.”

We fall silent for a few comfortable minutes as we traverse the rocky terrain.

“Damn, that view is pretty.” Aaron pauses a moment to take in the sky, still faintly painted in streaks of orange and pink from the sunrise.

“It is.” I try not to take it for granted, but lately, it feels like I’ve done just that with everything around here. Maybe I’m having a midlife crisis. Or maybe this place has soured to me since I lost some pretty important people in my life.

“You’re not even breaking a sweat,” Aaron pants as we climb higher. “You must be in good shape.”

“You tell me. You’ve obviously seen me.”

Christ, I’m flirting now?

“Eh, it was pretty dark that night,” he teases.

I playfully elbow him. “Jackass.”

When he grins, it does something to my stomach, and I fight to keep my lips from tilting upward.

He pauses and bends at the waist, catching his breath. “I work out, even have a gym membership, but somehow, this is harder.”

“Sort of like running on the treadmill versus outside.”

“Probably.” He side-eyes me. “So, you do this every morning?”

“I try to. Usually, I like to get started before sunrise. Watching the sun emerge from behind the mountain is breathtaking, but I was late today.”

“Yes, you were,” he quips, and that gives me pause.

“Exactly how long were you waiting for me?”

He turns an imaginary key against his lips. “I plead the fifth.”

“Had you told me?—”

“It’s fine. Maybe I can watch the sunrise with you tomorrow.”

My stomach performs that same divebomb action. “Are we trying to make this a regular routine?”

“I just… It’s nice to have someone to talk to.”

“And you certainly like to talk.”

“Hey!” He pushes me with a laugh, and I feel entranced by his smile.

We stop to rest near an outlook point and sip from our water bottles. At least he’d been smart enough to bring one.

“This is probably my favorite view,” I admit, unsure why. Maybe it is nice to have someone to talk to up here.

“I can see why.” He stares into the valley dotted with trees and wildflowers. “So now what?”

“We head back down.”

“Oh, thank God.” He fist-pumps the air. “You don’t plan on killing me any more than you already have.”

I chuckle as we wait for another group of hikers to pass by us.

He’s less winded on the way down. “So what doesn’t your family own in this town?”

“What can I say? We like opening and running businesses. We learned from the best.”

“Your late grandparents?”

“Christ, June was busy.”

He chuckles. “Well, it’s not like pulling teeth to have a conversation with her.”

I feel a little miffed at the insinuation. “Always been this way, can’t help it.”

“Nah, it’s all cool. Just makes you tall, dark, and mysterious. And that’s mighty attractive for a…thirtysomething guy.”

“Add a seven and you’ve got me pegged,” I reply, warmth flooding my stomach. “And you?”

“One year shy of forty.”

I nod. “I would’ve guessed younger as well.”

He smiles at the compliment.

“Do you enjoy owning your business?”

I consider my photography and wonder where I’d be without it. “Most days, I suppose.”

“Yeah, I hear you. It’s hard work, but the payoff can be sweet.”

Is there a payoff for me? Besides keeping my parents’ memory alive?

“Would you ever consider selling it?” he blurts.

What is he getting at?

“Maybe, if someone in my family is interested. Or maybe Frank.”

“You been friends awhile?”

“Since we were kids. He loves working on cars.”

“Good thing he’s a mechanic, then.”

I honestly don’t know what I would’ve done if Frank hadn’t stepped in to help out after the accident. And he’s never left.

We fall silent as we walk single file through a thicket.

“I still can’t believe you’re the only gas station between Big Sur and San Simeon. And that you don’t jack up your prices.”

“I don’t price gouge. I wouldn’t do that.”

“But you could make a bundle by just inflating them a bit,” he points out.

“That’s not what we’re about.” I make a frustrated sound. “We believe in fairness, community, and having each other’s backs. Suppose I don’t expect someone like you to understand that.”

“Of course I do. Just because I live in a city—” He scoffs, seemingly offended. Good, so am I. “But you also gotta watch out for your best interests. Stake your claim and all that.”

He says the words, but they sound rehearsed, like even he doesn’t know if he truly believes them.

“I obviously have.” I wave a hand. “I happen to enjoy my corner of the world.”

“I can tell. It looks good on you.”

He’s back to flirting, but I’m still reeling from the abrupt change in topic to my business acumen. I tend to be suspicious, and something feels off.

I stop short. “Is that what this is about?”

“What?”

“All these questions and your so-called vacation?”

“No, I…well, sort of.” He looks away guiltily. “My partner and I invest in real estate opportunities.”

“I thought you said you were in sales.” Okay, that sounds stupid. But I hadn’t expected real estate. “Never mind. You know what I mean.”

“It sounds like I offended you. That wasn’t my intention.” He frowns, regret in his eyes. “I was only curious if you’d ever consider it.”

“Why not be upfront about it?” My legs push forward on the trail, and he follows. “Was that what the hookup was about too?”

“Hell no. I was only passing through.”

“And now?”

“The area interested me, so I decided to see what Aqua Vista is all about.”

“Did it interest your business partner too? Is that why he sent you?”

“God, you make it sound horrible.”

I suppose that’s why some people believe sales and acquisitions are cutthroat. Damn, when had I become someone like that?

“I don’t like to be played. I’d rather people be upfront in business too.”

“I am being upfront. Christ, I only just arrived yesterday.”

I ignore his excuses as questions jam my thoughts. “Why the service station?”

“Why not?”

“Is it so you can hike the prices and make a bundle off the backs of hardworking people?” Damn, I honestly didn’t realize how strongly I feel about all that. My dad really did have an influence on me. He was a fair and compassionate business owner and loved this town, wanted to help the people thrive. I mean, I always thought he hung the moon.

“Fuck, I wasn’t trying to—” He runs a hand roughly through his perfectly mussed dirty-blond hair. “That came out all wrong.”

Thankfully, we are back at the trail entrance.

“Or maybe it came out right,” I lob back, unsure why I feel so incensed. Maybe it’s because people are never quite what they seem. But I have no reason to be disappointed in Aaron. After all, I hardly know him.

“We purchase properties to make improvements. I can envision so much more for your station?—”

“So you can make a profit. Isn’t that what it comes down to?”

He starts pacing. “Can we start over? I won’t bring up this topic of conversation again. Promise.”

I stare hard at him, wondering if he’s bullshitting me. I can see the regret in his gaze, but I can’t be sure over what. He obviously came here with an ulterior motive and even ingratiated himself to my sister. “Sure, we can start over. I own a service station, and you’re a customer. Have a good day.”

He’s still standing by his car as I drive away.