Part of me finds it hilarious, but I also feel bad for him since I know the real reason he hates her being there. Though he won’t admit it.
“There’s no room for a third person, but she’s surely wedged her way in and stuffed all her shit in the empty space we did have. Brandon had to get rid of his college comforter and now sleeps with a duvet. A motherfuckin’ duvet—whatever the hell that is—but it sounds girly as fuck.” He grimaces, shaking his head.
“I’m sure it’s not that bad. It’s just going to take some getting used to is all. Plus, I have a feeling you’re being dramatic…considering,” I tell him as I walk into the kitchen and grab a bottle of water. “So Brandon’s taking the adjustment well?”
“He’s so pussy whipped. If she says jump, he asks how high. He’s wrapped around her ring finger, and she knows it,” he adds, crossing his arms over his chest, almost pouting about it.
“Sounds like you’re jealous.” I grin, purposely working him up. “You’d be surprised what a man will do for his woman, especially one as hot as her.”
He turns his head and glares at me. “You know what? I don’t wanna talk about it anymore. Or her. I’m already over it, and it’s barely been two weeks.” His lips move into a firm line, and I know he’s done talking about the whole situation. Though it’s always fun to see him get pissed.
“Fine,” I say, letting him sulk. My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I already know who it is before I even check.
Veronica: Hey, babe! I’m ready now so you can head over.
I glance at Hunter.
“Let me guess. She asked you to come over now, right?” He waits for my answer with a shit-eating grin across his face.
“How’d you know?” I ask, not immediately texting her back.
“Because she wants to jump your bones, and you’re just playing hard to get.” Hunter stands and walks to the kitchen. “Where’s the booze? I need something to help prevent any pain and suffering I’m going to experience at this wedding tonight.” He starts looking around my cabinets and the top of my fridge.
I shake my head at him but smile. “Hey. You owe me for helping you get out of that horrible date, so I don’t feel bad for you. Also—for the record—I’m not playing hard to get. I’m just not interested in her like that. We’re acquaintances. Old high school friends. We’ve had drinks and reminisced about our past over lunch a couple of times. That’s it. Nothing serious. As soon as she got the invite to the wedding, she messaged me to go with her, and I felt bad saying no since I knew she’d be going alone if I didn’t take her. Plus, it’s not like I had anyone to take either.”
That causes him to turn and laugh in my face before he pulls some tequila from the freezer, unscrews the top, and drinks straight from the bottle as if it’s nothing. Truthfully, I don’t even know how long that bottle’s been in there. Hunter’s five years younger than me and likes to have a good time, but sometimes his antics are a little too much. Or maybe I’m just getting old. Though I doubt twenty-eight is really considered old. Hunter just acts like he never left college and parties like he has nine lives.
“You mean handsy?” He snickers. “You’re gonna have to spell out that you’re not interested in her regardless of how damn nice you are. If you don’t, she’ll think there’s the potential of something happening between you two,” he tells me, then takes another drink. He places the bottle on the counter, though he doesn’t take his hand off it.
“Hunter, my younger brother, the dating expert.” I deadpan.
He takes another shot, then places the bottle back into the freezer. I look at my watch, then grab my keys. As if he reads my mind, he follows me through the house as I walk toward the door.
“You should learn to live a little,” Hunter tells me as we step outside. “Wake up in a woman’s bed whose name you don’t remember. Experience a few one-night stands. Vacation fling. Fuck in a bar bathroom. I could make you a sex bucket list if you want.” He chuckles as if he’s proud of the knowledge, but I know he’s not joking. Hunter probably has his own list he’s fucking his way through.
I glare at him. “That’s how you get jock rot.”
Hunter shrugs as we walk down the sidewalk toward the truck. “I’ve done pretty well so far and have had zero STDs so…” Hunter lingers as if he’s actually going to convince me.
Releasing a short breath through my nose, I turn and give him a look. “Wow, you’re so wise.”