“You get to be bossy when you’re the boss,” Clint answered back. “And the Daddy. And the big brother.”
Kent rolled his eyes. “He’s always been like this, sweetheart. For as long as I can remember. Whenever we’d play a game, he’d always have to be in charge.”
Charlie sighed. “But at least he doesn’t spank you when you don’t do what he wants.” She went red after saying that.
Kent just laughed. “He would’ve if he could have gotten away with it.”
Clint hugged her close, kissing the top of her head to try to ease her embarrassment. She was still getting used to this lifestyle. Her Little tended to be shy around other people, although she opened up more with Kent than most people.
He glanced at his phone. Where the fuck was Macca?
“Spill it,” Clint answered.
“It’s nothing.”
“Might not be able to spank you, but I can beat your ass in the boxing ring if that’s what it takes.”
“Like to see you try, big bro,” Kent snapped back, riding the edge of his temper. Then he noticed Charlie staring at him with wide, worried eyes. He sighed. “Sent Macca in to check on Abby. I’m waiting for him to call or text me.”
Clint frowned slightly. “Something wrong with Abby?”
Kent shrugged. “Not that I know of. Eden just asked me to check on her. She’s been trying to call her.”
“So, you sent Macca? Why didn’t you go?” Clint demanded.
“I’m busy.”
“Busy picking apart your sandwich?” Charlie asked.
He raised his eyebrows in surprise, then glanced down at his lunch which he had managed to tear into small pieces. What a mess. “Sorry, sweetheart.” He got up and dumped the food. “Guess I’m just not hungry.”
“Don’t you like Abby?” Charlie asked.
He turned with a small frown. “Why would you say that?”
Charlie shrugged, looking embarrassed. “Doesn’t matter.”
“Charlie,” Clint said in a soft rumble. She peeked up at his brother. “Something you know that we don’t?”
“Oh, it’s just...I shouldn’t say. It’s not fair to Abby.”
“What’s not?” Kent asked.
Charlie glanced at Clint then him. “I’ve just noticed the way she stares at you when we’re at the diner. She, well, I think she might have a small crush on you.”
A crush on him? He remembered the feel of her lips against his, tentative and warm. The way she’d let him lead, relaxing into the kiss.
“I kissed her,” he blurted out.
Shit.
Charlie’s face lit up. Clint just seemed thoughtful. Charlie clapped her hands together, bouncing up and down on the stool. “You did? That’s great! Abby is so lovely. She’s pretty shy but once you get to know her, she...” she trailed off, her face falling. “Why do you look like that?”
“I’d say because he regrets kissing her, that right?” Clint asked him point-blank.
“It wasn’t exactly the kiss I regret. But yeah, I suppose that’s partly it.” He took a deep breath. “She’s a Little.”
“I thought she was,” Charlie said excitedly. Then she bit her lip. “Oh, you don’t want a relationship with a Little.”