38. Gavin #2
“Bullshit.” Donovan jumped up and paced the trailer. “That’s not nearly enough. He hurt you.”
“And you guys did a stellar job of rectifying that wrong,” I said. “So thank you.”
“If I’d known that, I would’ve let Daire castrate him the way he wanted to.”
“What?”
“That fucking bastard. If he shows back up at Astor, I’ll kill him.”
“No, you won’t. It’s over. He’s not messing with me or anyone anymore. You all made your point more than well, and I appreciate it, but don’t go jump him in the hall.”
Donovan scoffed as he continued to pace. “Well, it won’t be in the hall. I heard he just transferred. Him and his dick followers.”
My mouth parted in surprise that was quickly followed by relief that I wouldn’t even have to look at Joey anymore. “Seriously?”
“Yep. I heard the dean personally kicked them out for not upholding Astor standards and had them escorted off campus. I would’ve liked to see that walk of shame.”
“Me too.”
Donovan stopped moving, his hazel eyes laced with regret. “I wish I’d known. I always thought you could talk to me. Tell me anything.”
I did. At least until that moment, but I had planned on carrying that with me to the grave. It was only by chance that Daire had even found out.
Still, if it’d been the other way around, I would be just as hurt as Donovan was, wouldn’t I?
“You’re right,” I said. “I should’ve said something, especially to you, and I’m sorry for that. And I’m sorry for being an asshole to you and Kelly. I mean, I actually like him for you.”
“Yeah?” Donovan sat back in his chair, facing me. “You do?”
“Of course I do. He thinks you hung the moon, he treats you right, and he’s easy on the eyes. What more could I want for you?”
He tried to hold back a smile and failed miserably. “Thanks, Gav. I appreciate that. And just so you know, that’s all I want for you too.”
“Yeah? Even if it’s with Daire?”
“Fucking Daire…” He tapped his lips, lost in thought. “Is this for real? Because all he asked me in the Sprinter—wait, no, told me was that he wanted to…you know.”
“Fuck me?”
“That. Yes. He didn’t say anything about dating.”
“Well, that just sort of happened. We haven’t really talked about it, so I was a little blown away he said that this morning.”
“And you…like him? Like that?”
The look of disbelief on his face had me chuckling. “You say that like it’s weird.”
“It is weird. No offense, but he can be a scary bastard at the best of times. Although…”
“Although what?”
“I mean…” He blew out a long breath. “I think he’s always had a thing for you. Or a soft spot, whatever.”
My eyes popped wide. “What? Why would you think that?”
“Because of the way he’s always gone uber protective when it comes to you. I always figured it was because you’re the youngest, but now… I don’t think that’s it.”
But…Daire was like that with all of us. He gave every one of the guys shit, but at the end of the day, if anyone messed with our group, they messed with him. Had it been different with me and I hadn’t seen it?
“And something else,” Donovan said. “You’re the only one who can get him to calm down when he’s fired up about something. Like you’re the only one he listens to.”
“Oh whatever?—”
“Remember when he was about to throw down with that jock the day everyone found out about Preston? You stopped him from doing that. And the time some asshole looked at you wrong at the club, and all you had to do was put your hand on his arm and he chilled the hell out? I could go on and on.”
“That’s crazy,” I said, waving a hand to brush him off.
“It’s true, though. I never thought about it before now, but maybe it’s been staring us in the face this whole time but we couldn’t see past his scowls.
” He tilted his head in thought. “Which would be a smart way to hide. If you just growl at everyone, no one would see or dare to ask what’s really behind that tough exterior. ”
Holy shit. My brother had nailed exactly what I was coming to know about Daire—that there was more to him than what he showed the world.
That there were so many hidden parts of him, things I wanted to know and hoped he’d open up about.
He already had, more than I ever expected, but Donovan was figuring that out without knowing any specifics.
“Wow. No wonder everyone comes to you for a Van talk. That’s impressive.”
He grinned, showing off his pearly whites. “Thank you, that’ll be two grand.”
I shook my head and sucked down some of my soda, wondering if what he’d said could possibly be true. Had Daire ever looked at me as anything more and I’d been oblivious the whole time?
“So, is this your way of telling me you approve of me and Daire?” I said.
“I mean, he wasn’t on my radar, but at least I know with him you’ll be safe.”
After everything I’d told him, I couldn’t blame him for that being at the top of his list. And he was right—with Daire, I’d never felt safer. Among other things I wasn’t about to tell my brother.
Donovan snapped his fingers. “Hey, Mom and Dad are coming home this week. You should do a dinner or something and bring Daire.”
“Has all the hairspray gone to your head? I can’t do that.”
“Why not? He said it earlier, you’re dating.”
“That doesn’t mean bring him to have dinner with our parents.”
“Are you embarrassed or something?”
I balked. “What? No.”
“If you don’t invite him, he might think you are.”
“If I don’t invite him, he’ll probably be grateful. You know he hates small talk and dressing up.”
“I’m just sayin’.” Donovan turned his chair around, meeting my eyes in the mirror, as several stylists and models made their way inside. “Can’t hurt to ask. I bet he says yes.”
“Oh, are we betting now? How about twenty bucks says he’ll tell me I’m insane and to go by myself.”
“Twenty? That won’t even buy my lunch. Two hundred says he’ll be putting a suit on and sitting his grumpy ass beside you with dear old Mom and Dad.”
“Fine, I’ll take that bet,” I said, getting to my feet. “And don’t think I won’t mention you called Mom ‘old.’”