Chapter 2
TWO
RYKER
“What the hell was that?” I scoffed, my gaze chasing Casey fucking Carter, ASU’s queer golden boy, as he dove into his Uber. How had the guy blown in here, all fucking preppy with that perfect hair and mouth-watering body, and ended up coaching my baby bro?
With a shrug, Wes said, “He says I have talent, and he knows shit. With his help, I’ll make varsity next year.”
“But…he’s like a star athlete on one of the top college teams.” I breathed in deeply. Whatever, I just needed to fix his damn preppy college boy car and get on with my life.
Dylan strolled through the door from the shop floor. “I got the old alternator out. Where’s the new one?” His gaze darted from me to Wes and back again. “What did I miss?” The corner of his lip lifted. “Ryker? What’s up?”
With a scowl, I sank into the end of the couch and scrubbed my face. “Genius here talked Casey Carter into coaching him over the summer.” Why did it bother me so much?
“Damn, way to go, dude.” Dylan slapped Wes on the back. “Guess Ryker will see more of him then.” He wagged his brows.
“I told you to stop that shit, Dylan.” As my heart flickered, I shook my head. How the hell had he picked up my attraction to Casey so quickly? Because we’d known each other since preschool, that was why.
Stepping toward me, Dylan said, “You can’t hide the ol’ Ryker eye-fuck from me.” With a cackle, he said, “When’s the last time you got laid?”
“Gag, I’m out.” Grabbing his laptop, Wes stuffed it into his backpack, resting on the floor next to the desk. “I’ll see you at home, Ryker.” As he walked toward the front door, he said, “I promise I’ll study when I get there. You don’t have to hover over me.” With a scoff, he left.
“Well?” Dylan raised his brows. “Talk to me, bro.” He dropped in beside me.
“I can’t remember.” Slumping my shoulders, I rested my elbows on my thighs. How long had it been? It was before Mom went to jail. Before the trial even. I glanced through the glass door of the shop and into the sunny afternoon. “Maybe Lori?”
“Your ex?” His mouth fell open. “So, you haven’t hooked up with a guy for…what, at least three years?”
“Yeah, guess so.” Not that I hadn’t wanted to.
Hell, I’d found lots of guys attractive.
But I had shit to do, and getting involved wasn’t on my list of shit to do.
“It doesn’t matter. I have parts to order.
” The income from Casey’s job would help.
The shop made enough to sustain Wes and me, but it was time to expand the business so we could thrive.
And then maybe I could afford the full-year coaching Wes deserved.
Slapping my hands on my thighs, I stood.
“The alternator is still in the box on the parts shelf.”
“Sure, but what will you do with Casey? He’ll be right here in front of you, and I know I saw him eye-fuck you too.” He rose and sauntered through the door to the shop. “I mean, if I liked dudes and a guy like Casey Carter started coaching my brother? I’d tap that.”
“Of course you would.” I sighed. He couldn’t leave this alone. I knew him too well. “Go and install that alternator.” The quicker we got jobs done, the faster we were paid.
“Okay.” With a snicker, he was off.