Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 79488 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79488 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
He looked tired tonight, even as he was laughing at something a guy said. Braxton wore rings on more than one finger, a chain bracelet, and a necklace I’d never seen him without. His hair was dark as coal, and though I was sure he would never admit the truth, it was clear he spent quite a bit of time styling it every day so it stuck up in front, just the right way to look sexy as fuck, like he’d run his hands through it one too many times.
As if he sensed me there, Braxton’s gaze shot in my direction, the smile sliding off his face, his strong, square jaw hardening.
I grinned.
His scowl deepened.
Fucking with him shouldn’t be this fun, but I had a feeling that as much as he fought it, he felt the same.
“What are you looking at, Langs?” Ford grabbed my shoulders and squeezed.
“Nothin’.”
“Wanna drink?”
“Nah, I’m good tonight.” Everyone headed for a table except Ford, and I pivoted and said, “I’ll help you get them.”
Ford talked random shit, and I listened as we waited what felt like for-fucking-ever for it to be our turn. While my boys knew I was bi, they wouldn’t get my attraction to Braxton. Hell, I didn’t even get it. We were complete opposites. He made it obvious he was allergic to jocks. I didn’t think he’d been to even one of the lacrosse games, and like…who didn’t go to those?
All those truths did, though, was get me more keyed up.
Finally, we made it to the counter, Braxton rolling his eyes when he saw me.
Ford muttered, “Christ, maybe you guys should hire some help in here.”
“Well, shit. Why didn’t we think of that?” Braxton replied. “You mean, when a business is short-staffed, they should look through applications, call people in for job interviews, then hire and train someone? Do you think that takes more than a day? Asking for my boss.”
I had to bite down on my cheeks so I didn’t laugh.
“You don’t have to be a dick,” Ford replied.
“But you make it so easy,” Braxton countered. “So what do you want to drink? As you see, we’re busy and short-staffed. Our busboy-slash-dishwasher no-showed, so the extra bartender is going back and forth.”
“So you’re hiring?” I asked, two sets of eyes bearing down on me in confusion.
“Why do you care?” they asked at the same time.
“Just curious. Is there something wrong with that?” And maybe my feelings were slightly hurt because even my friend seemed shocked at the thought of me being interested in a job. I could work. I wasn’t completely helpless.
“Figures,” Braxton replied.
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing. I don’t have time to play your game tonight, Lacrosse. What do you want?”
It was on the tip of my tongue to keep this going, to say something sarcastic, but he really did look tired, and they were busy. I wasn’t a total dick, so I just ordered two pitchers of beer.
Braxton didn’t make eye contact with me again, and before I knew it, Ford paid and we were walking away.
I was pretty sure I’d just found myself a job.
I had mixed feelings about that. The upsides were having my own cash coming in and more time for foreplay with Sunshine.
The downside…I’d have a job. But working at the bar would be better than some entry-level position in tech. I wanted to put off doing what I hated for as long as I could.
“Asshole Bartender really hates you,” Ford told me.
“Gee, thanks, man.” Being hated had never been so fun.
CHAPTER THREE
Braxton
“Well, if it isn’t my favorite person in the world.” I gave Grandma my best smile as I walked into her small apartment at the assisted-living facility.
“I taught you to kiss ass better than that.” She grinned, sitting in her rocking chair by the window. She was in a decent place—not the worst, but not the best. If she didn’t have Grandpa’s pension, it would be a whole lot shoddier. Hell, I hadn’t known if we’d be able to afford somewhere for her to go at all. Plus, this was Southern California, so everything cost both arms and both legs. Still, she was looking out at palm trees even if it wasn’t the beach, and the sun was always shining.
Grandma was the happiest person I’d ever known. She was good at looking at the bright side of things in a way I’d never been able to. I tried for her, but I was basically shit at it. “I’m shocked you think that’s all I have in me.” I kissed her cheek before sitting in the chair beside her. “You look lovely today. Is that a new muumuu you’re wearing?”
She swatted my arm with a chuckle. “You brat.”
“Your favorite brat ever.”
“My boy with the best head on his shoulders out of the three of you. You’ve always reminded me of your grandpa.” By all three of us she meant me, my dad, and Asher. Dad had always gotten in trouble, from a young age, and things got even less…lawful the older he got. Once he had kids, while most people wanted better for their offspring, he’d decided he wanted us to go into the family business with him, which was basically anything illegal. Grandma had done her best to keep us from doing that, but it hadn’t always worked, not even with me.