34. Lachlan
Icould go out. It is a nice day, and I don’t enjoy being a couch potato for too long. I get antsy. But knowing June is coming over for lunch—and Ryan would like nothing more than to get rid of Jake and me—is motivation enough for me to stay.
He’s been busy in the kitchen since he got home, and the smell is already making my mouth water. If he didn’t make enough food for everyone, I’ll be seriously pissed off.
I get up from the couch to grab a piece of fruit, because my stomach is grumbling and who knows when lunch will be ready.
Ryan glares at me. “Where do you think you’re going? You know the kitchen is off-limits when I’m cooking.”
“I’m only grabbing a piece of watermelon from the fridge. Stop being so bloody anal.”
Jake finally joins us in the kitchen after being holed up in his room this entire time. His bruise is still dark, but the swelling has gone down.
“Good morning,” he says in a rough voice.
“Morning?” I arch a brow. “It’s almost noon.”
“Technically, it’s still morning.” He grabs a glass of water and drains it in large gulps.
Ryan turns around and tries to get to the fridge, but we’re blocking his way. “Can you please get the fuck out of my kitchen?”
Jake’s brows rise. “What’s wrong with you?”
“He’s angry ‘cause June is coming for lunch, and he doesn’t want us here.”
Ryan scowls. “That’s not it. I already told you I don’t care.”
Jake leans against the counter, crossing his arms. “Who was the woman with you last night?”
Ryan’s expression turns as cold as ice. “I don’t want to talk about her.”
Jake looks at me with a question in his eyes. I reply, “Two words—family drama.”
“Ah. So that was Mackenzie.”
Ryan turns his attention back to the stove, and grits out, “I said I don’t wanna talk about her.”
“Fine. What time is June coming over?”
“When lunch is ready. She told me she has a busy day.”
Jake frowns. “When did you speak to her?”
“This morning. I gave her a lift to the garage.”
“Oh, so she got her car back, then.”
Someone’s phone rings. It’s not mine, and since Jake doesn’t budge, it’s probably not his either. Ryan pats his pockets, then searches for his phone in the vicinity. I spot the device before he does. It’s about to vibrate itself off the counter.
I grab it before it takes a nosedive to the floor, and see June’s name on the screen.
Instead of handing the phone over to Ryan, I answer it. “Hello, lass. We were just talking about you.” I smile, loving Ryan’s what-the-fuck expression.
“Hey, Lachy. I was calling to ask what time I should come over.”
“Are you done with your chores?”
“Well, not all of them, but I could use a break. I just came back from walking Winston, and Admiral hasn’t stopped talking since then.”
I chuckle. “Really? What is he saying?”
Ryan stops in front of me with his hand outstretched. “Hello! Can I have my phone now? She called me.”
I bat his hand away. “Bugger off.”
“I had Friends on earlier, and now he keeps saying ‘How you doin’?’ It’s driving me crazy.”
I throw my head back and laugh.
Ryan uses my moment of distraction to snatch the phone from my hand and put it on speaker. “Hey, Peaches. What did you tell Lachy that was so funny?”
“Admiral thinks he’s Joey from Friends.”
He snorts. “What?”
“I’ll tell you in person. Can I come up now?”
“Of course. The food is almost ready.”
“Okay. See you in a minute.”
Ryan ends the call and shoves his phone into his pocket while glaring at me. “Don’t answer my phone again.”
I smirk. “You’re only pissed cause it was June.”
He narrows his eyes and clenches his jaw. I expect a retort, but he simply turns around and checks on the food.
A moment later, there’s a knock on the door. Jake is closest to it and does the honors of opening it. “Hello, beautiful.” He leans down and kisses June on the cheek.
“Hi,” she replies shyly, and when she steps forward, I see the delicious blush on her cheeks. Damn it. Now I’m hungry for her, not food.
Unable to restrain myself, I walk over and pull her into a bear hug. “Hey, lass.”
She laughs, hugging me back. “Hi, Lachy.”
“Would you give Peaches room to breathe? Jesus,” Ryan complains from the kitchen.
I step to the side but keep my arm around June’s waist. “Stop being so grumpy. That’s my thing.”
“You aren’t grumpy,” June tells me.
Jake laughs, shaking his head. “Oh, you haven’t seen Lachy’s dark side.”
I lean closer, and whisper in her ear, “Don’t worry, lass. You’ll never see it.”
Before she can reply, Ryan clears his throat. “I want to know about Admiral.”
June steps away from me and heads to the kitchen. I don’t want to be a jerk, but my eyes have a will of their own, and they travel south. She’s wearing jeans that hug her fine curves perfectly, and a simple loose-fit T-shirt. She could be wearing a potato sack and she’d be stunning.
“He kept saying “How you doin’?” It was funny at first, but it got old fast. I hope he stops doing that.”
“It could be worse,” Jake pipes up.
June turns. “Worse how?”
“He could be saying ‘pivot’ nonstop.”
“Pivot! Pivot! Peevet!” Ryan yells, then shakes his head laughing. “Gotta love that bird.”
“I’m glad you think so, because if he keeps this up, he’ll be staying in your room,” June tells him.
I wait for Ryan to follow with I’d rather you stay in my room. June totally teed that up for him. I can see in his eyes that the reply is on the tip of his tongue. But instead, he says, “No problem.”
I narrow my eyes. Ryan isn’t acting like himself. But I only waste a couple beats watching him before I turn my attention to June. “What are you doing after lunch?”
“I have to finish prepping my class schedule for the week and sort through all my boxes. What about you guys?”
“Nothing planned. Maybe I’ll do some sketching or read a bit,” I say.
Jake’s expression is shut off again, and he doesn’t answer June. What’s gotten into him now?
“No plans for me. Just rest.” Ryan replies. “I hope you’re hungry. Lunch is ready.”
She smiles brightly at him. “I am. What did you make?”
“Something simple. I hope you like red meat.”
She rests her hands on her hips, and that sassy pose does my head in. “What kind of question is that? I’m from Texas. Of course I like red meat.”
Ryan says something, but it’s like background noise. I’m hyper-focused on June, and nothing else matters.