“Sure, let’s hear it, Squirt.” Beckett flinched. “Sorry, Liam. It’s gonna take time to break that habit.”
“It’s cool,Buttbreath.”
Coury laughed, and then laughed louder when Beckett glared at him. “I’m pretty sure Liam called you that whenyouwere ten.”
“I said I was sorry.” For once, Liam thought his brother actually was. “What’s your condition?”
“I don’t want to end up alone in a corner staring at a piss-ridden potted plant.” Liam stared at Beckett, then at Coury. “That’s my one condition. You guys can’t ditch me.”
* * *
Liam stood against the wall, nursing a lukewarm beer.
“If you don’t hold a red cup at a frat party, every second brother will stop to tell you where the keg is.” Coury smiled cheekily.
“I’m either never letting this cup go, or I’m ditching it the next time a hot brother walks past.”
Coury laughed and surveyed the room. “Like that guy?”
Like you.
Liam checked out the large, tattooed guy Coury gestured to and straightened. “Not my usual type, but whoa.”
Coury grimaced and shook his head. “You’re out of luck. The gorgeous woman in the gold dress is his girlfriend.”
Liam glanced at the admittedly pretty woman. Didn’t do anything for him, but she had that model-like glow and a warm smile.Was Coury’s ex as stunning? What kinds of women did he find attractive? What kinds of men?
Focus, Liam.
“Like I had any chance regardless.”
Coury gave him a cursory sweep that had every one of Liam’s nerve endings on fire.
“You look—”
“Hey, C-man,” Beckett called across the room, waving Coury to him. “Come ’ere.”
Noooo. Liam wanted to know how Coury thought he looked.
Coury glanced from Beckett to Liam; he must have caught the disappointment on Liam’s face because he hesitated.
Coury had been true to his word. He hadn’t left Liam for any extended period of time, and Liam swallowed his curiosity and smiled. “Go on. I’ll be fine.”
Coury left, and Liam resigned himself to an awkward half-hour alone. He startled two minutes later at Coury’s return.
Coury grinned. He looked like a college sports magazine had spat him out of its hot-casual-style pages. Shouldn’t be allowed. “Beckett wanted to know if we were free tomorrow for something.” He rolled his eyes. “We’re not. No way I’m playing football in my condition.”
“He can be a bit dense when he drinks. Was he trying to impress one of the ladies?”
“Nope. He’s hanging out with some guy near the keg. Shockingly, there are more single gay men here than single women.”
Liam laughed. “And you taunt me with one of the few straight ones?” He fake-sipped his beer—like he’d been doing all night.
Coury caught the move and shook his head. “Here.” He took the red cup and held out a water bottle he’d brought for himself. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed you pretending all evening. Even if I hadn’t, that beer has got to be warm as piss by now.”
“Eww. I could have lived without that analogy.”
“Sorry.” He tapped the cold bottle against Liam’s hand. “Take this and no one will bother you about needing another beer.”
