He took a healthy gulp, but didn’t say a word.
Simon must have noticed something was up. He moved to George’s side and put his arm over his shoulder. “How’s it goin’, little brother?”
George drank half his beer and nodded. “Excellent.”
“Are you two really brothers?” Jackie asked, sidling between Simon and George.
“Yeah, George is the smart one in the family,” Simon bragged.
“Oh, yeah? What’s your area of expertise? I mean, are you into finance or are you an athlete like Simon?” She slid her hand along George’s arm and fluttered her eyelashes. No joke.
“I’m a scientist,” he replied robotically. “An aerospace engineer, to be precise.”
“Oh, my gosh. That’s cool. Are you the guys who build airplanes or rocket ships?”
“Technically, both.”
“Wow,” Jackie gushed. “I can’t imagine how incredible it must be to build a real spaceship or hang out with astronauts or…”
I tuned them out. I had to. It was that or punch a hole in the wall.
My ex-girlfriend was flirting with my secret male lover.
George didn’t look like he quite knew what to do about it. And neither did I.
They didn’t give out handbooks for dealing with a wicked case of world’s colliding. I was hopelessly out of my element and there was no one to call for a lifeline. So, I assembled my features into something I hoped looked neutral, then crossed my arms and dug my fingernails into my biceps.
Holy fuck. Was I actually jealous?
“Hey, Toph and I are gonna go. Do you mind taking George home?” Simon asked, bumping my arm.
“Yeah, sure,” I replied tightly.
Simon followed my gaze and chuckled. “Women love George.”
“Huh?”
“You heard me. My little brother is a chick magnet. A guy magnet too. Must be the brainiac thing. It’s worse when he wears a cape. Tall, dark, and different.” Si must have noticed something in my expression. “You literally just told me you were over her.”
“I am,” I snapped, fixating on the flat-screen over the bar.
“Hmm. Well, don’t worry about it. He doesn’t look interested,” Simon continued conversationally. “Go swoop in and talk to her. I’ll ask Kenny to take George home if you’re on the prowl.”
“That’s not necessary.”
Simon narrowed his eyes then shrugged. “If you say so. Toph went to grab George’s bag. Thanks, man. And hey…don’t get your boxers in a twist. There’re plenty of fish in the sea.”
I snorted derisively and flipped him off ’cause he expected me to. But inside, I was a mess.
My skin itched and my jaw ached from grinding my teeth. I could tell George was out of sorts too. But I wasn’t sure how to gracefully make an exit with him while surrounded by a bunch of friends—and an ex—who had no idea he was important to me. Extra important.
The second George finished his beer, I made my move.
I clapped his shoulder and angled my head meaningfully. “Come on, I’ll take you home.”
“You’re leaving, Georgie?” Jackie pouted.
Georgie?
“I am.” He hiked the computer bag Topher had delivered to him higher on his shoulder before politely offering his hand. “It was nice to meet you.”
“Goodnight, Jackie,” I grumbled, pulling out a few twenties and stuffing them into Kenny’s hand. “Let’s go, G.”
We hiked a block to my truck in silence. I didn’t know what he was thinking, but my head was all over the place.
“I’m going to borrow Mom’s car while my parents are away. Will you take me to their house, please?” he asked, fastening his seat belt.
“Sure.”
“Are you mad?”
“No, why would I be?”
“No reason.” George was quiet for a couple of blocks, but I thought I caught him hiding a self-satisfied smile when I glanced sideways. “Were you…jealous?”
I parked my truck in front of his parents’ house and killed the engine before glaring at him. “Me? Jealous?”
George pursed his lips in amusement. “Silly question. Sorry. I didn’t mean to crash your party tonight. When Topher showed up to give me a ride instead of Asher, I knew something might go sideways. I’m not very good at, um…adjusting to changes.”
I furrowed my brow, unsure where he was going with this. “Nothing has changed, G.”
“I mean…any kind of change. If they change the aisles at the grocery store, I’m a mess for weeks. If they kill a character off my favorite show, I may need a day off to mourn. Not kidding. I’ve been told I have a processing disorder.…I’m a little too sensitive to strange things, like crowds…and girls who used to date you.” He waited a beat and added, “But she was very friendly.”
“Yeah, I noticed.”
“I wasn’t flirting though.”
“I know, G. It was just a weird night.”
He nodded. “Yes, but I want you to know that I would never knowingly cause a disturbance in the force.”
I quirked a brow. “Are you quoting Star Wars?”
“Yes. Am I making things better or worse?”
I laughed outright. “Better. I think.”
“Good.” The corner of his mouth lifted in a sweet, lopsided half smile. “My mom told me she made cookies. Want one?”