“That guy,” Maddox laughs again at my reaction.
I stick my tongue out at him then answer the phone. “I’ll be in town for another couple of days. Have dinner with me.”
I blow out a breath at his request. Except it’s not really a request. Not a demand either, per se. I didn’t even say hello yet.
I hear Dane grumbling with Maddox about handing out my number to a guy. My brother would prefer if I never went near a guy. He may have only found me three years ago, but he acts like we’ve been together for years. Especially when it comes to guys. I think he’s trying to make up for lost time and he forgets that I’m twenty-two years old.
But I collect myself. Remember who I am. I kick ass and take names. Sometimes literally. I’m no shrinking violet and I’m not about to act like it now. Even if Zane Valen is asking me out. “I don’t know you,” I tell him.
“That’s the point of dinner. To get to know me. Besides, if you really want to be friends with my sister, then you get me.”
“That’s not what I hear,” I reply remembering what Maddox told me about Zane and Jax not liking the fact that Zoey spent time with him when she was in New York.
“It’s one dinner. Any place you choose,” he argues. “I promise I won’t bite unless you ask me to.”
My heart rachets up another notch at the remark laced with all sorts of innuendo. “Shouldn’t you be staying under the radar right now?”
“Let me worry about that,” he tells me.
“Alright. One dinner. I only have tomorrow night free though,” I relent. Although I really had no intention of refusing. I just didn’t want to make it too easy for him.
Dane glares at me while Maddox laughs.
“Send me your address,” Zane tells me. But that’s where I draw the line. I don’t want any guy I go out with for the first time knowing where I live. Even if that guy is Zane Valen. “No. We’ll meet there. I’ll text you the address.”
“Seven o’clock, darlin’. Don’t be late because I’m pretty sure I can find you,” he taunts in a thick southern drawl that makes me shiver.
When I end the call, Dane is as red I was. “Why are you going out with someone you just met?” he growls.
I laugh at his ridiculousness. “That’s how dating usually works, Dane.”
“You are not dating this tool.”
“How do you know if he’s a tool. You’ve never met him.”
“He plays ball for a living. Of course, he’s a fucking tool.” He looks to Maddox for backup.
Maddox runs a hand through his hair to the back of his neck where he lingers. He looks at Dane apologetically. “Sorry, man. Valen and I might not have always been on the best terms, but I’m not calling him a tool. He's a good guy. A little bit of an ego, but nothing you wouldn’t have in his place. He’s just really good at what he does.”
“I don’t want my little sister going out with some douche that can’t protect her,” Dane argues. “Doesn’t matter how big he is if he can’t protect her.”
“I can protect myself, asshole,” I growl.
“Zane can take care of himself,” Maddox assures. “He’s not just a pretty face. He’s a pretty face that will fuck your world, and please don’t get on his bad side. Or Jax. You don’t get it, man. They’re tied to some pretty – well, let’s just say you shouldn’t fuck with either of them if you like your teeth.”
“Great. So, he’s some dangerous, hot head,” Dane yells.
I throw my hands in the air in exasperation. “Which do you want? Because it sounds like it doesn’t matter.”
I don’t give him a chance to answer before I storm out of the shop in a huff.
“There is no way Danewill let you out of the house wearing that,” I tell my little sister with a hand covering my mouth to keep from laughing. She looks amazing but I know Dane will lose his shit if he sees her in the leather microskirt and sequined cowl neck tank.
“That’s why I’m going to stay with you,” she tells me, her wide brown eyes the exact color of mine shining.
“Oh no. Not happening. I am not getting him mad at me. Then we will both be dead.”
My little sister is asking for both of our demises. I fight with Dane enough over what I wear. He’s always got a scowl if I show up wearing anything other than oversized sweats. I definitely keep guys away from him. From Pete too. Dane was practically shooting lightning bolts from his eyes when he found out about me and Ryder. He chased Ryder for three blocks with a baseball bat.
