His brows furrow and he pauses for a second. “You realize you just said that out loud, right?”
“Was I not supposed to?”
“Usually, I know you think it, but you never voice it.”
“New person, new rules.” I jab his hard, muscled side. “Pig.”
He laughs. “Well, shit. Looks like we got a new Rei-Rei in da house. You going to talk back to everything?”
“If you’re being a little shit, why shouldn’t I speak my mind?”
“Because you don’t?” He waves two fingers in front of my face. “You usually have a blank robotic thing going on here.”
“Why?”
“Don’t know. Don’t fucking care.” He lifts a shoulder. “Now, about that BJ you promised me…”
“In your dreams, dude.”
“Dude?” He stops, watching me closely.
Asher had a similar reaction when I called him that earlier.
“What’s wrong with that?” I ask, unsure what the hell their problem is.
“You don’t call me dude, Rei-Rei. Were you hit badly in the head?” He lifts a hand before I can form a response. “Don’t answer. I don’t care. I’m more interested in the BJ.”
“I told you it’s not happening, dude.”
“Fine.” He feigns a breath of resignation. “I’ll settle for a lap dance.”
“Hard pass.”
His shoulders shake with laughter that somehow seems genuine compared to all the fakery I’ve seen since this morning.
“What was my reply when you asked me for blowjobs before?” I ask.
“You agreed, of course.”
I narrow my eyes. For some reason, that doesn’t ring true. “Don’t lie to me.”
“You really agreed.” He squeezes my shoulder. “Didn’t mean you did, though.”
“Why the hell would I do that?”
He lifts a shoulder. “Beats me.”
“What does…” I clear my throat. “How does Asher react to that? You’re supposed to be his friend.”
“Come on, of course he knows they don’t happen. Otherwise, he would’ve been after my ass.”
“And he’s okay with the joking?”
“Meh. I thought so until he threatened me not to joke with you about BJs the other day.” Owen shakes his head. “Weird son of a bitch.”
Hmm. That’s interesting.
We continue walking for a while. Deep down, I’m thankful for his presence. I would’ve felt utterly out of my element if Owen weren’t by my side.