“What are you guys feeling tonight?”
Strolling through the aisles of our local grocery store, I look to the handsome men currently glaring at each other. It’s been seven days since their introduction. I would like to say they hit it off and have one epic bromance brewing, but that would be a complete and utter lie.
Cade and Theo butt heads at every corner. Theo wants ham, Cade prefers turkey. Theo wants to watch baseball, Cade wants to watch football. You get the idea. The worst part is Theo actually likes football and turkey, but he would rather crawl across hot coals before admitting he has anything in common with Cade. And they have plenty in common.
My poor home currently serves as a testosterone battlefield. The tension is so thick that I swear I can taste it. Theo has insisted that I’ve helped Cade enough and that he is good to go. He’s even offered an absurd amount of money to get him started on his way. He’s adamant that he doesn’t want Cade living with me once he returns to his team, which is in two days. Theo has been a handful, to say the least.
Cade has reacted far better than Theo but that’s not saying much. Typically, anyone behaves better than Theo. It’s just a fact. Subtle growls and several standoffs have been Cade’s only downfall. He’s acclimated well to living with me. At this point, it’s almost been a month. I can’t imagine him moving out. I keep finding excuses to both men about why it’s imperative for Cade to stay with me. Cade doesn’t argue much about it anymore, especially with Theo around.
Realizing neither have answered my earlier question I look over to see them chest to chest, fists clenched at their sides. Theo stands a few inches shorter than Cade but he couldn’t look hotter, all pissed off, flush against Cade’s chest. The asshole in Theo has always appealed to me. He doesn’t direct it at me much, but when he does we never end it on a bad note, if you know what I mean.
To each her own, right?
Currently, that asshole, with his ball cap turned backward, chest heaving, is creating an uncomfortable environment in my underwear. One that he will remedy as soon as I get him home.
“Theo!” I chastise. He doesn’t flinch, but I know the bastard hears me. “Cade!” I approach their unmoving forms, aggravated that they are causing a scene in the damn grocery store. I grab Theo’s arm and wrench him away from Cade. He lets me because he knows better.
“I asked you dickheads what you wanted. I’m not in the mood to keep repeating myself.” I let go of Theo once there’s space between them, then grab his face, forcing him to look at me. I arch a brow and wait for his answer.
He exhales and shakes free of my hand, licking his bottom lip with a seductive gleam in his eye. “I think I’m feeling a little blue, Dr. McCallister.” He palms his crotch, jostling it a bit. “What say you speed up this bullshit grocery outing so you can handle it.” He looks at Cade and winks before he says, “On your knees.”
Dear God.
A growl is the only sound Cade makes before he lunges at Theo.
“Stop it!” I glare at both men pushing against me like they would mow me down without a second thought. “Both of you, stop it!”
I push against Cade first, Theo chuckling as if he finds this charade funny.
“Just get burgers. No one gives a fuck.” Theo’s lip twitches at the corner as he glares down at me, his eyes humorless.
Don’t hit him. He needs to work. But damn if that asshole lip tip doesn’t send me right over the fucking edge. Ignoring his remark, I look at Cade, who still has his eyes locked on Theo.
What the fuck has them so revved up?
“Cade,” I repeat, trying to get his attention.
Finally, his gaze drifts to mine. His green eyes are tinged in red. Uh oh. Someone hasn’t been sleeping. Another thing I need to handle when I get home.
He clears his throat. “Burgers are fine.”
I look to the sky. Nope, no falling angels. I look behind me. No zombies, yet. Did they actually just agree and the world is not coming to an end?
One corner of my mouth twitches and I allow my lips to pull up into a full-blown grin.
Theo rolls his eyes. “Don’t start,” he scolds as he walks ahead.
Ha! They agreed! It’s a miracle. I glance over at Cade, who is staring at Theo’s back.
“What’s going on? Theo being an asshole?” I ask, genuinely concerned about their behavior.
Cade doesn’t answer me, which isn’t uncommon. I clutch his elbow, preventing his escape and he glares down at my hand. “Answer me,” I coax gently.
He shakes his head.
Uh-uh. Not today. Both my eyebrows shoot up in disbelief that he is being defiant.
He sighs. “We’re fine. Just setting boundaries.”
