“Hey, suit yourself, man,” I chuckled. “If you want to cut up all the veggies, have at it.”
I walked out of the kitchen with a smile on my face. I was going to be seeing Hailey later that evening, and I was very much looking forward to it. Knowing that both Quinn and Cason had struck out with her, I figured my chances were good, or better than theirs, at least. Not to toot my own horn, but I had a lot going for me that neither of them had.
It had been a long time since fresh meat moved into town, and after having dated almost every worthy girl in Black Oak, the idea of someone new was exciting. I felt like I was walking on sunshine and there was a definite spring in my step. I couldn't wait to get together with Hailey and close the deal that neither of my brothers were able to.
Cason walked through the front door as I walked out of the kitchen, and I couldn't help but smirk as we passed each other by.
“Struck out last night, huh?”
“Wouldn't you like it if I had?” he said, a salacious little grin on his face. “But I had her wrapped around my little finger.”
“And yet, you still managed to get home before the nightly news,” I said. “You either struck out, or you're faster than a jackrabbit, little brother.”
Cason rolled his eyes. “Just because you have problems with premature ejaculation doesn't mean we all do,” he said. “It's old age, not genetics, man.”
Quinn had stepped out the back to drop off the lemons and limes at the bar, a lopsided grin on his face. “That one must have burned, Ben,” he said.
“Nah, I just feel bad for Cason,” I said. “Because after tonight, the new girl in town will forget all about him. That is, if she's even thinking about him at all.”
“You sure your date is still on with her?” Cason asked.
“Why wouldn't it be?”
“Oh, I dunno,” he said. “Maybe because she's already in love with me.”
I couldn't help but notice that Quinn was quieter than normal, he was busy putting the lemons away and checking the liquor inventory, not even joining in our banter like he usually did. Cason must have noticed too.
“Why so quiet, Quinn? Shelly still on your mind or something?”
“Not at all,” he said matter-of-factly. “I'm just thinking about what a pair of douchebags you two are right now.”
His tone was sharp and abrupt. And the way he said it made me think it wasn't a joke.
“Hey now,” I leaned against the bar.
“What did we do to you? Besides steal your crush, I mean.”
Cason punched me in the arm. “You haven't done shit yet, Ben.”
“Watch and learn how it's done, boys,” I said.
Quinn just shook his head, clearly not amused by us.
“Seriously, man, what is it?” I said.
Quinn stopped what he was doing and looked up. “Look, it's just that – Hailey is obviously going through some shit,” he said. “You two are so focused on nailing her that you haven't even noticed. Have you even stopped to think about what she wants or how this shit is affecting her?”
I looked over at Cason who stared at me and shrugged. “What in the hell has gotten into our brother,” he said to me. “He sounds like a sensitive little bitch all of a sudden.”
“Who the fuck knows, man,” I said.
Quinn slammed the bottle of Jack Daniels he was holding onto the bar and, with his fists balled up at his sides, turned and walked away from us, slamming his way through the kitchen door and into the back of the restaurant.
“Jesus Christ,” Cason said. “Alright, I guess one of us is gonna need to talk to him. Wanna flip a coin?”
“Nah, I got this,” I said, making my way back to the kitchen.
I found Quinn in the back with a butcher's knife in hand, slicing up the ribs, ripping through the meat with fury. I had to wonder if he was picturing me or Cason as he hacked and slashed at the ribs.