Chapter 15 #2
“Sure, you don’t. And don’t worry about it. Your secret is safe with me!” he yelled, and he was still laughing as I made my way down to my office.
My secret sure as shit wouldn’t be safe if he kept shouting like that.
Not that there even was a secret at this point.
My cell vibrated, and I looked down to see my sibling group text that was constant, and I’d missed a shit ton of messages while I’d been talking to Travis, so I took a minute to get caught up on the Reynolds family drama of the day.
Brinkley
When is everyone heading to the city for the wedding? Kaeran doesn’t want to go too early because you guys make him so damn nervous.
Kaeran was her boyfriend, and none of us were big fans of the guy.
Cage
That’s a stupid reason, which is very fitting for his stupid name.
I barked out a laugh because my brother was a grumpy dude, but no one made me laugh as much as Cage did.
Brinkley
Glass freaking houses. Your name is Cage. It’s hardly common.
Finn
I see we’re all cheery this morning. Tell KAREN to relax. His panties seem to be wound tight.
Cage
Brinkley
Why isn’t there a middle finger emoji?
Finn
There is. Update your phone.
Brinkley
Learn something new every day.
Georgia
Happy Monday, guys. I just got to class, but it hasn’t started yet. We get to paint some naked dude today, and I can’t think of a better way to start my day.
Finn
Atta girl. Way to live up your last few months of college. What I wouldn’t give to go back.
Cage
I see you’re taking your classes very seriously, Georgie. Life isn’t all paintings and penises, you know. And, Finn, you took six years to graduate, so stop whining.
Brinkley
I think Hugh’s next restaurant should be named Paintings and Penises. I’d totally go there.
Georgia
I see the moral police is out in force today. Thanks, big brother. Brinks, I am totally here for the restaurant name, but let’s lose the painting part. I like the idea of it just being called PENISES! And where is Hugh, anyway?
Finn
Probably having his gourmet breakfast served to him by Lila. The dude has found a way to get freaking meals included in her living in the casita. I don’t see Georgia doing this after she moves in.
Georgia
You’d be correct unless he wants ramen noodles or gummy bears for breakfast. Lila’s coming to the wedding as Hugh’s plus one, and I couldn’t be happier about it. Dikota also isn’t looking forward to coming or meeting you guys.
Cage
What is with all the weird spellings of names with the guys you two date? I mean, he must have received endless dick jokes his entire life. What were his parents thinking? And why the fuck isn’t he looking forward to meeting us?
Georgia
Gee. I wonder why?
Brinkley
I’m glad Lila’s coming as Hugh’s plus one so we won’t have to deal with him freaking out that some woman thinks he’s going to want to walk down the aisle. #commitmentphobe
You assholes don’t miss a beat. I’m sorry that I don’t jump into relationships as quickly as you two, Brinks and Georgie. I’d never date anyone who wasn’t excited to be around our family. We’re the fucking best. So, tell those dudes to fuck off.
Finn
Fuck, yeah. The voice of reason is here. Welcome, brother.
Cage
Agreed. What the fuck is their problem with us? I’m offended, but seeing as the last guy Georgie brought home was a vegan mute, DICKOSAURUS is an upgrade.
They purposely spelled their names wrong just to fuck with them. Because we were Reynolds, and that was just what we did.
Georgia
HE WAS MAKING A STATEMENT ABOUT THE WORLD BEING A SHITSHOW!
Finn
By not speaking? I don’t think people heard the message, Georgie. Glad you kicked that dude’s ass to the curb. I don’t trust a person who chooses not to speak.
Cage
Or eat a goddamn steak.
Or wears a pinky ring.
Georgia
Okay, okay, I get it. But Dikota is different, I promise. My nude just showed up, and oh my.
Brinkley
Stop being so judgy. I liked the vegan mute. What was his name?
Georgia
His name was Legend.
Yet he’s barely memorable? Tough name for a vegan mute. Don’t be staring at penises too long, Georgie. Diktok might get jealous.
Georgia
Brinkley
I have to get back to work. Thanks for the riveting conversation. And none of you answered my question. Love you.
I was still laughing. My siblings were the best people I knew. Even when they drove me crazy, I loved the hell out of them. Everyone finally responded to Brink’s question, and we were all heading to the hotel on Friday, which was close to Wolf’s parents’ home, where they were getting married.
Danielle and Kline were going to be in charge of Reynolds’, and my manager at the other bar, Marcy Stevens, would be overseeing things at Garrity’s and Burgers and Brews for me while I was gone. I wasn’t anxious about leaving because I wouldn’t miss this wedding for the world.
“Hey,” Lila said, standing in the doorway, holding a plate. “I missed you this morning and thought you might be hungry. I brought you some banana pancakes and bacon.”
My dick twitched at the sight of her in the white sundress with skinny straps on her tan shoulders. I could see myself pushing those straps down and kissing my way down her neck to her perfect tits that I ached to touch.
To taste.
Fuck me.
This was why I was staying away.
Every fucking time I saw her, this was what happened.
“That sounds great. Thank you.”
She stepped in and set the plate down, along with a napkin and some utensils before dropping to sit in the chair across from me. “Are you avoiding me?”
I could hear the hurt in her voice. I was avoiding her because we needed some distance. I was doing it for her.
For Travis.
I pulled the foil from the plate and looked up at her. “Yeah. I am.”
Her gaze narrowed. “Well, at least you’re honest.”
“You know I’ll never lie to you. And I’m doing it for you, so don’t look so hurt.”
She rolled her pretty eyes. “Don’t take the moral high road and then claim it’s for me.
You’re not doing it for me or for yourself.
You’re doing it for my brother, who isn’t involved at all.
” She pushed to her feet and moved to the doorway.
“You know what… I take that back. You’re doing it a little bit for yourself because I think you’re terrified of the way you feel, Bear.
I just never would have pegged you for a coward. I’ve got to get to work.”
Shots fired.
What the fuck was that about?
A coward? I’d been called a lot of things in my life.
A player. An asshole. Noncommittal. Cocky.
A coward? Never.
I was not afraid of Lila James.
I wasn’t afraid of anything.