Chapter 15 #3
Liam scoffs, running a hand over the side of his head before brushing his hands down the front of his shirt. “And look like a hairless chihuahua like you when you first started? Hell no. I’m good.”
Luke barks deeply a couple times. It sounds far more like a rottweiler than a chihuahua, and gains a giggle from Hailey as her arms wrap around her man.
“Seriously, though? This was Nate’s idea?” Quinn asks, narrowing her eyes at the two of us before zeroing in on Liam. “He picked you for this job? When he could have picked Brody?”
“What makes you think I’m not the right guy for the job?” Liam frowns, crossing his arms over his chest.
Quinn points at his crotch. That’s it. She just points and blinks.
Inhaling deeply, he lets it out in a loud huff of exasperation. “I can control my dick.”
Everyone bursts into laughter. Even Brody turns his head and chuckles outwardly.
Given Liam’s reputation he definitely deserves the ribbing, but with his arms crossed over his chest and the way he won’t meet anyone’s eyes, I have the sense that, for maybe the first time ever, Liam is embarrassed to be known for the way he acts.
“Everyone settle down,” I say, gesturing with my hands to calm down before I grab onto one of his bulky biceps. “I trust Liam, and that includes his dick.”
It was on the tip of my tongue to tell them that nothing was going to happen with Liam’s cock, but that would be a flat out lie, and I’d rather keep those to a minimum.
“He and I thank you for that,” Liam says appreciatively, unfolding his arms. I can feel the tension start to melt from him.
“Okay, wait, wait,” Quinn says waving a hand in the air, sobering at the sudden thought that’s occurred to her. “You’re telling me that you’re going to go to a wedding in Vegas where you’re surrounded by hot women, and you’re going to go back to your room without one?”
It pulls everyone back into the conversation, curiosity piqued.
“You guys act like I need to fuck someone every night,” Liam says with a shake of his head.
In all honesty, it has been every night this week…
“We know you don’t,” Hailey pipes up. “But all we’ve heard for weeks is how you want to gamble, drink, and fuck this whole trip.”
Liam nods affirmatively. “And I did. All week. But now it’s the weekend and it’s Nate’s time. He needs me.”
“And let’s be honest,” I say, pressing a hand to my chest before I point at Brody. “Brody and me? Can you imagine him trying to pretend to be my date? No offense, Brods, but it doesn’t work. No one would believe it.”
Quinn’s head is turning back and forth between us. “Yeah, this isn’t a slight on you, Jor, but that would be a living hell for the Brodster.”
That makes us all laugh, minus Brody, who just smiles. I definitely don’t take offense to it. In the years since his wife died, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen Brody touch a woman. Hell, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen him look at one. Not with anything but boredom at least.
Except right now. He’s looking at me with interest. Studying me like he’s seeing something I don’t, and he’s trying to analyze it.
It makes me shift uncomfortably next to Liam who takes it as a cue to put his arm back around my shoulders.
It’s as natural as breathing. Like he didn’t even have to think about it before doing it.
“Can we go inside now? I’m starving,” Luke says, taking Hailey’s hand. He doesn’t wait for a response before he drags her toward the restaurant, much like he dragged me out.
Everyone else turns to go inside, but before I can take a couple of steps with Liam, a hand touches my arm, causing me to look over my shoulder. It’s Brody, giving me a slight nod to the side, asking me to hold back without words.
While my stomach does a nervous flip, I wave Liam and Quinn on. “Be right there.”
Liam gives me a look before glancing at Brody, but whatever he sees in his other best friend’s expression has him nodding before disappearing with Quinn back into the restaurant.
When it’s just the two of us, Brody’s arms fold over his chest. I thought Nate had the look of disappointment down to a T, but Brody does it tenfold. While he already towers over me, he makes me want to shrink even further until I melt into the ground and disappear.
I would hate to be a patient of his that isn’t cooperating. I can imagine all he needs to do is give one quick look at a person to have them complying. That’s probably a good thing for his brothers, but when it’s you he’s looking at, it’s intimidating.
“What’s up, Brods?” I finally ask, unable to stand the silence any longer.
He doesn’t answer me right away. He just stares, searching my face for an answer to a question he hasn’t asked. If I didn’t know him to be a gentle giant, I would be terrified right now.
Finally he opens his mouth to answer me, his deep voice low, especially with the din from the restaurant and hotel. “You know I’ve lost one family.”
My eyes widen in surprise, not understanding where he’s going with this. My thoughts go to Heather, his wife, and I nod. “Of course.”
With a nod of his own, he looks over my head and into the restaurant for a moment before his attention comes back to me. “Please don’t be the reason I lose another.”