13
Lucas
Iwas still reeling over Grace telling me no. First off, I wasn't used to being told no. Second, I'd done things by the damn book. Taken charge. Showed initiative. Showed remorse, even though she told me I hadn't. She was full of it. I'd even packed champagne. Total chick magnet picnic.
My brother brushed past me. "I can see your wheels turning, Lucas. I can see you dissecting everything you think you did right to try to figure out why Grace rejected you. Again. The answer is...you're an asshole."
I tossed my coffee mug directly at Colin's head. "You're totally clueless. She can't stand you either."
Colin grinned. "I'm quite aware. Although I know what I did wrong and I do have plans to make amends to her. You, on the other hand, sit on your throne of lies and delusions and blame everything on her. You, my friend, are what the women in this town call a first rate prick."
I wish I had another mug to chuck at his head. "Since when did you become the woman whisperer?"
Colin flopped down in the chair across from me. "Since Grace called me out on my wicked ways." He sighed. "Such a woman."
Jealousy ripped through my heart, surprising the shit out of me. Why should I be jealous if my brother had a crush on that shrew?
"Have at it," I said, though the words tasted sour against my tongue.
"Maybe I will," Colin said. "Maybe I will."
There was a deadly pause before my brother added, "Or maybe you can get your shit together and finally give that woman the apology you've owed her for weeks now."
"I tried," I mumbled.
Colin snorted. "Sure you did."
I sat up straighter. "I did!"
"Let me guess." Colin held up a finger. "You smirked." He held up another finger. "Inferred that you were doing her a favor."
A third finger. "Asked her if a man could make a mistake." A fourth one. "Told her everyone deserves a second chance." And then a fifth. "Then packed a picnic basket and took her to the park?"
I stared at my brother. "Where's the tracking chip?" I asked flatly.
Colin's eyes widened. "You mean I got all of that right?" He chortled. "You truly are an asshole."
I put a hand over my eyes. "I'm not good at this," I admitted.
"Because things fall into your lap. We're rich. Handsome. Blessed with immortality and powers of glamour. All things many people care about. Money, power, magic." Colin shrugged. "And Grace doesn't give a shit about any of it."
I laughed, but it came out harsh. "Exactly. She looks at me like she stepped on a cow patty."
"You do not honor her."
"Her tongue is barbed like a dragon and her wit is darker than my coffee."
"So you value her intelligence."
"She outwits me at every turn." I dropped my hand and studied my brother who looked way too gleeful sitting across from me. "She notices things. I had something in my pocket I kept messing with and she called me out on it."
My brother frowned. "What was in your pocket?"
Shit. Abort. Abort!"Oh," I tried for nonchalance. "Nothing."
Colin's gaze sharpened. "Lucas."
"Something from the Comey's shop."
