“No, I didn’t lose my touch, asshole. Some girl was having trouble with this guy at the bar tonight, and I stepped in to help. After I threatened the shithead, I wasn’t in the mood anymore, so I just went home.”
“What do you mean she was having trouble? Is she okay?” Jake instantly goes on alert, just like I did. After what happened to our sister, Sav, a long time ago, all four of us don’t tolerate guys like that and always go out of our way if we ever see a girl being treated a certain way.
“She’s okay. He wasn’t leaving her alone after she told him no several times and followed her to her car after she left the bar. I don’t think he’ll be reaching out to her again anytime soon. I made it perfectly clear what would happen if he did.”
“Good. I’m glad you were there. Sounds like you were in the right place at the right time. No telling what would have happened in that parking lot if you hadn’t been there.”
“I said the same thing to her. To prove my point, I grabbed her wrist with the mace and caged her in so she couldn’t move to show her how easy it would have been. I thought she would be helpless, but she proved me wrong.” I give a small laugh.
“Oh shit, what did she do?”
“She bit my lip and kneed me in the balls. I basically dropped like a rag doll,” I laugh. “As I was trying to catch my breath and what was left of my manhood, she got in herMustang and sped out of the parking lot, leaving me in her dust.”
“She bit your lip? What the hell kind of move was that?” He laughs over the phone.
“To be fair, I guess I got carried away in the moment and pressed my lips to hers.”
“You kissed her? Oh, this keeps getting better and better. What did she look like? Was she hot? She was, wasn’t she.” I hear the amusement in his voice as he chuckles softly.
“It doesn’t matter. I won’t be seeing her again. I just want to forget the whole thing ever happened.”
“That means she was hot,andshe’s a badass. Man, send her my way if you ever see her again.”
The thought of my brother with her sends jealousy shooting through my veins. “Not a chance in fucking hell.”
“So there it is.” He laughs.
“What?” I all but growl over the phone.
“You like her.”
“I met her for like two seconds. What the hell are you talking about?”
“Why didn’t you bring her back to your place when you had the chance, then?”
“I…” Why didn’t I just bring her back for a quick fuck? The way her body responded to me at the bar, I know I could have easily talked her into it. “I guess I just knew she would be too much trouble, and I don’t have time for that.”
“Or you knew there was a possibility of catching feelings, and it wouldn’t be as easy as a one-night fling.”
“You know I don’t have any room for another person in my life. I’m good with the way things are. I have bigger responsibilities to worry about. You know that.”
“Yeah, I know.” I hear him sigh. “You’re still allowed tohave fun, though, and at least try to find happiness with someone. Not everyone is like Addison.”
I cringe when I hear her name. Even though it’s been five years, I still remember the day she walked out and left us both behind. I didn’t care that she didn’t want me anymore. Did it hurt? Yeah, it hurt like hell, but I knew deep down that she had changed. Her career was more important to her, and I could tell before we even got the news that we weren’t going to last. But she also left him, and I will never understand or forgive her for not wanting to be a part of his life. Just him being in mine makes me a better person.
“Anyone can leave,” I say quietly. “How was he tonight? Did he give you any trouble?”
“No, of course not. He’s the best. You know how much we all love him. He did kick Miles’s ass in Go Fish, though, and I had to listen to him complain about it for the rest of the night.”
I laugh at how competitive those two are about their Go Fish game. Miles is our younger brother. It sometimes feels like we have two kids running around the house.
“Good for Max. I bet he was thrilled to keep the trophy this time.” As a joke, Jake had a little trophy made with a fish on it. On the little plaque, it saysThe Montgomery Go Fish Champion. Whoever wins gets to keep the trophy until they lose. I smile when I picture that trophy sitting on his nightstand while he sleeps tonight.
“Thrilled is an understatement. He made us stick it next to the tub while he took his bath.” Jake laughs, and I can feel the pride coming through his voice.
“Thanks for watching him tonight. I’ll be by first thing in the morning to get him.”
“You know you don’t have to thank us. We’re family and love him like he was our own.”
