Elias (New Adult Romance) (West Bend Saints Book 1) by Sabrina Paige Page B

completely.  It was everything else I didn't know how to handle - my family, my career- those were the big questions.  Those were the things I couldn't explain- didn't want to explain to a stranger.  How could I explain how fucked up it was, the fact that my mother was who she was, that I kept supporting her after everything she'd done to me, that she still did to me?  It was this weird, dysfunctional thing, my relationship with my family.
    It was embarrassing.
    I couldn't explain it to an outsider.
    He didn't ask me to elaborate.  "Are you starving?" he asked.  "I'm hungry."
    I was grateful he changed the subject.  "Absolutely."
     

    "You sure you want to eat outside?" June asked.  "I only have this small table out here, so you'll have to do some balancing with your plates, especially on these rocking chairs."
    "I think we're okay," I said.  "It's so beautiful out here.  I don't get the chance to do this kind of thing very often."  Sitting outside on the front porch like this, enjoying the crisp Colorado air, away from smog-infested Los Angeles, made me almost feel like a regular person.  June's border collie, Bailey, curled up a few feet away, basking in the sunlight.
    June looked back and forth from Elias to me.  "I hope you had a good night's sleep," she said, as she bent down to set a basket of muffins and a bowl of fruit on the small table between our chairs.  When she stood up, her expression looked innocent, but her eyes twinkled.
    "Great night's sleep," Elias said.  "Best night of sleep I've ever had, actually."
    Cade walked across the meadow between the houses, Stan perched on his hip.  He set him down, and Stan toddled around the front porch, exploring.  "Hey, babe."  Cade kissed June on the cheek.  "Good morning."
    "He's so cute," I said, as Stan put his little arms around Bailey and Bailey sighed.
    "Cute and a handful," Cade said.  "Since he started walking, he's on the move all the time.  Came by to see if you needed anything in town, babe."
    "I'll go inside and get my list for you," June said.  "Keep an eye on Stan for a minute?"
    "Did you need that rental?" Cade turned toward me.
    "I'll take her into town to get it."  Elias spoke quickly.  "If you want, I mean."
    I nodded.  "That would be nice."
    June walked out, and slid her arms around Cade.  He took the paper from her hand.  "I won't be home until lunch," he said.  "I've got a piece I'm working on for Randall Edwards, and then I'll grab the stuff you need from the store."
    June shook her head.  "I don't like that guy," she said.  "He's not good for this town."
    Cade shrugged.  "Can't choose your customers," he said.  He kissed her on the cheek, and then walked over to little Stan, kissing him on the forehead.  "See you later, buddy."
    June's expression was dark, as she watched Cade walked back to the house and get on his motorcycle.
    Elias had a funny look on his face.  "Trouble in West Bend?"  he asked.
    June didn't look at him when she answered.  She shook her head.  "Just small town politics," she said.  "It would probably seem silly to you, being from the big city and all.  Cade is doing a custom job for this guy, works with this company, wants to set up shop in West Bend."
    "Doesn't sound like you think that's a good idea," Elias said.  I wondered why he was interested in small town politics in a town he didn't seem to want to even be in again.  But I guess he was probably still tied to his hometown.  I didn't have the same interest in mine.  My hometown could burn, for all I cared.
    June exhaled.  "A lot of people are for it," she said.  "This company, it would mean jobs for a lot of people locally.  Some of the locals here are in favor of it.  I'm not a fan of it.  Don't like the idea of some company coming in here and drilling away at West Bend."
    "An oil company?"  I asked.  "Do they drill for oil in Colorado?"
    June shook her head.  "Minerals," she said.  "Mining.  A lot of people here are