“Okay then, I think we’re ready.” Trent pats his back pocket. He turns to Coy. “Jess notcoming?”
Coy’s eyebrows pull with his frown. “Nah, she’s feeling a little under theweather.”
She looked fine this morning.Those are the words that almost slip through my lips, but even I know that’s a terrible choice. He’s still staring me down like I took his luckydrumsticks.
I meet his stare and furrow my brow with concern. “Oh, no. She need anything? I can get it for her.” I’ll get her anything she wants orneeds.
“You could leave her alone,” he snaps, glances at Trent and Austin, and meets my stare again. “She needs torest.”
I nod and mash my lips together so I don’t reply. I don’t want to fight with anyone, let alone the drummer of our band, but I’mtempted.
“Then let’s stop chatting like a bunch of chicks and get the fuck in the car!” Austin slings his arm around Coy and pulls him toward the frontdoor.
Trent hangs back as the guys leave the room, their voices carrying down the hall. “Behave.” He points with hiswarning.
“I won’t do anything you wouldn’t do,” I smart with asmile.
I expect him to laugh, but instead he shakes his head and turns away. “That’s what I’m afraidof.”
He’s looking out for our band. Or at least that’s how I take his concern, and while I get it, he also pisses me off. He doesn’t see this isn’t a game to me. This isn’t even about Coy anymore. This is about how I’m falling for a woman I can’t really have but want anyway, consequences bedamned.
It’s a surefire way to cause more problems for Three Ugly Guys. For our tour. I’m fucked up for even considering making a move. Maybe I should heed Trent’s warning after all. As much as I want to rush upstairs and check on Jess, I won’t. I won’t drink up her presence as if I’m a man dying of thirst. I won’t touch her, even to brush the loose hairs from her face. And I won’t lean forward, slowly enough that she has space to run if she wants, until my lips brush against hers for a kiss I’ve been fantasizing about forweeks.
I won’t do any of thosethings.
Even though I want to, Iwon’t.
But if she comes downstairs to findme. . .
All is fair in love andwar.
My stomach rumbles with hunger and I scrounge in the fridge for something to reheat. Finding leftovers from the other night, I dump a generous serving of chicken, rice, and veggies on a plate and pop it in the microwave. Back at the refrigerator to return the containers, I catch sight of my favorite IPA on the top shelf. I really shouldn’t, I don’t need it, but hell, why not? I’ve worked hard this week. I deserve something mouthwatering after a day liketoday.
Sitting on a barstool, I dig into my food and stream an episode ofIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphiato watch on my phone. The show is full of ridiculous humor that has me laughing out loud in minutes. A few bites of food and a swallow of beer later, movement at the kitchen door catches me from the corner of my eye. I pause the show and let out a long whistle as Trent’s mom steps into the doorway. “Why Mrs. Donavan, you are absolutely stunning thisevening.”
“Oh, Sean.” She waves a hand and rolls her eyes. “Always such thecharmer.”
“Where are you off to? Girlsnight?”
“Oh, um.” She winces and digs around one of the drawers before retrieving her keys. She won’t meet my eyes and that’s when it hitsme.
“Mrs. Donavan!” My brows rise and I fight to hold back a chuckle. “Do you have a hotdate?”
“Sean Willis, don’t be absurd.” She rolls her eyes and finally meets my stare. Her hands go to her hips, but a sheepish smile curves the edges of her lips. “I don’t know if he’s hot. We haven’t met in personyet.”
“Damn, Mrs. D!” I shake my head and she laughs along with me. I met Trent my senior year of high school after my parents moved to Arizona for a job. In all that time, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Deb date. I have to give her props for getting in the game. She’s a catch and any guy would be lucky to have her, though I doubt there are many who deserve the honor. My brow crinkles with concern at the possibilities of dating sites gone wrong. “Wait. Do you even know this guy? Where are you meetinghim?”
Her lips pull up with an amused grin. “You’resweet.”
“I’m serious. You can’t trust anyone you’ve met on the internet.” I don’t find it funny that she’s taking this matter solightly.
“Don’t you worry about me; I’m fine. Besides, you weren’t even supposed to know about this. I was waiting until you all left, so maybe not tell Trent about it?” She winks and steeples her hands over herheart.
“Secrets from your son. Dates with men you’ve never met. What is happening here?” I shake my head, finding some humor after all. “Have we entered an alternateuniverse?”
“Oh, please. After all the shit you boys pulled over the years, I’m due a few adventures of my own.” She opens her clutch and pops her keysinside.
“Sorry.” I blow out a breath, regretting that I’ve given Deb a hard time. Really, she’s a saint for everything she’s done to support us over the years, let alone all the times we hung out at their apartment back in the day. “Yes, you are. But call me if you need anything, okay? I meanthat.”
