“Who’s the guy?” Asher asked later when I’d just finished cleaning up the house and he woke up.
“What guy? I don’t see a guy.”
“You’re an idiot.”
“I’m rubber and you’re glue.”
“Wow…you really don’t want to answer that, do you? Is my little brother in love?”
“He’s nobody.” I watched as Asher pulled the milk out of the fridge and began drinking it from the container. “You’re so gross.”
“What? We’re family.”
We were, and as crazy as Asher made me, I loved him. But he did make me really fucking nuts. “Speaking of family, you should go see Grandma today. I’ll go with you.”
“I’ll text her.”
“Jesus Christ, Asher. Go fucking see her. Even if it’s just an hour. Hanging out and getting high can wait.” I shoved him.
“You act like you don’t get high too. Your boyfriend was drunk off his ass last night.”
I shook my head. I didn’t know why I tried. It wasn’t about the weed or anything else. Hell, nearly everyone I knew did it, but they visited their grandmas too. “That has absolutely nothing to do with what I’m saying. I get my shit done, and that’s what matters. We wouldn’t even have this house if it wasn’t for her.”
“She only lets us stay here because you’re her pride and joy. The only Walker man who isn’t a fuckup.”
“Grandpa wasn’t, and I’m just as much of a fuckup as you.” How could I not be with our dad as a role model?
“I’m not doing this with you today.” Asher pushed past me and went to his room.
My heart thudded. I ran a hand through my hair, tugged on it slightly. “Fuck.” I didn’t know why I let him get to me so much.
I messaged Manny, but he was with his girl at her place.
I still had to get my bike, so I showered, got dressed, and headed to Shenanigans. I told myself I wasn’t going inside, but I knew that was a lie, so I didn’t know why I tried to pretend otherwise.
How could I go to the bar and not take the opportunity to give Ty shit? I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t.
Ty had his back to me when I walked in. He was cleaning a table, his stupid rubber gloves on his hands, his tight little ass on display.
I sneaked up behind him, mouth close to his ear. “You missed a spot.”
“What did you say? You want me to sit on your face?”
“Yeah, because that’s what came out of my mouth.” Though I couldn’t say the thought wasn’t tempting. I was excellent at eating ass. “I just came to get my bike.”
“I missed you too.” Ty winked.
I was tired of letting him get the upper hand. He’d been on his game lately, and I was failing miserably. I wished I could have stuck a finger in his belt loop and pulled him forward, but he lived in athletic gear, so I grabbed his hip instead and sneaked my finger under his apron and shirt so I could dance it over the pointy bone there. “I’ve been thinking about you since you left. I’ve never had a boyfriend before.” Surprise flashed in his eyes, so I added, “Meet me in the stockroom. I’ll get on my knees for you again. It’ll hold me over until you show up at my place tonight.”
He was slightly breathless when he said, “I, um…didn’t know we had plans. The guys were pissed I bailed last night, so—”
I jerked back. “You’re ditching me for them?”
Concern creased his brow. “Huh?”
“I thought you liked me, baby. I thought we had something.” I could see when the light bulb went off in his head, the playfulness that curled his lips. “But I love you, pooky butt. I can’t be without you. If I can’t have you, no one can.”
“Ha-fucking-ha.” Ty flipped me off, and I bit the tip of his finger. “Ouch. And go away. I’m working. Also, what the hell is a pooky butt?”
“You…and I can’t be without you. Ty…you’re my world.”
“Security!” he called out.
Marshall was carrying a box from the back, and he shook his head, laughing at us. “When’s the wedding?”
“I told him no,” I replied.
I slipped out of Shenanigans, my mood lighter than it had been when I went inside. Ty was good at that. I should hate it more than I did.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Ty
I didn’t tell the guys I’d gone to meet Brax last night, and I couldn’t really say why. I’d never purposefully hidden who I’d had a hookup with just because I wanted to…protect it? Ding! Ding! Ding! Holy fuck. I wanted to protect whatever this thing with Brax was, even though I couldn’t even say it was a thing we’d do again. But I wanted to.
That was…confusing, to say the least.
When I’d gone home yesterday before work, they’d talked shit at me for leaving the party and asked me where I’d gone. I’d played it off as if it was some big secret when it shouldn’t have been. Oh, hey. I went to the hot bartender’s house, and he fucked my brains out. That wasn’t so hard, but then it would become a thing. They’d mention it at Shenanigans, and I wasn’t sure how Brax would react.