“We’re not talking about me,” I said. “Bryce and Lindsey have been together since high school. I think it’s safe to say they’re in a place where kids aren’t a problem.”
“Kids aren’t the problem.” Bryce finished his beer. Rick poured him another. He had earned it. “I don’t know. It’s overwhelming. First all this wedding stuff. We’re never going to make the money back we put in. Now she wants the kids and the house and…she’s got all these plans.”
I still didn’t see the problem. “You scored the girl of your dreams. She’s excited about marrying you. She wants to spend her life with you. What the hell is wrong with that?”
“Are you serious?” Bryce laughed. “You’re the one talking me into this shit? Christ, I thought you’d tell me to run.”
“Don’t you love Lindsey?”
“Well, fuck, yeah. But—”
“Then shut your damn mouth. You got a beautiful woman who wants nothing more than to be with you. She wants to buy a perfect house and pop out some kids. So, drink your beer, go home, fuck your fiancé, and live out your goddamned fairy tale.”
I slammed my glass on the table. Jesus. Life wasn’t this complicated. Why did everyone make it harder than it was? He had a girl who wanted him. He was fucking lucky.
Rick followed me to the bar. Both Washington brothers were acting shitty.
“Since when did you become the relationship guru?” Rick didn’t open the bottle I offered.
“Since everyone keeps asking me my opinion.”
“Everyone?”
“Yeah. Apparently I’m some sort of sage now.” I arched an eyebrow. “Bet you wished you had listened about Jada when I told you she hit on me.”
Rick snorted. “I’m surprised you didn’t take her up on it like the other assholes who fucked my wife.”
“You really think I’d have done that to you?”
“I got no reason to doubt you when a girl is confused.”
“Jada wasn’t confused. She went grinding on any dick she could find.”
“I’m not talking about Jada.”
Who the hell were we talking about?
Christ. I knew where this was going, and I wasn’t discussing it with her best friend.
“Think carefully about what you’re going to say,” I said.
I figured a doctor would be smarter when confronting a man about his own business. Guessed not.
“I don’t want you hanging around Mandy,” Rick said. “You leave her alone.”
“Did you give Mandy this same talk?”
“Yeah, I did.”
“Well it didn’t work.”
Rick clenched his jaw. “She’s like a sister to me, and you’re like a second brother. But, if it comes down to it, she’s more vulnerable than you. I won’t let her get hurt.”
“Who said I’m going to hurt her?”
“You fucked her. You keep chasing her.”
“So?”
“You tell Bryce all those nice things—love the woman, get married, have the kids. That’s what Mandy wants too. If that’s not your game, then bow out before she gets hurt.”
“Mandy’s a big girl. She can handle herself.”
“She shouldn’t have to. You should know better than to prey on her.”
“Prey?”
“You’re not her type. She’s not your usual bimbo. Mandy deserves more than your selfish fucking.” Rick scowled. “Think beyond your cock for once. Ruin your own life, but don’t screw up hers.”
Rick returned to his brother, calling an Uber and forcing water down Bryce’s throat before he blacked out.
Think beyond my cock?
Right now I was thinking with my fists.
Fuck him.
If I wanted to chase Mandy, I’d do it. And I’d take her again and again because I knew what she liked and why she needed it more than some plan for the future.
Mandy shouldn’t have worried about relationships and commitments and marriages and all the shit that came with it. That girl was wound tighter now than the first time I fucked her, and the only way to calm her down was to fuck her into a puddle of pleasure.
Then fuck her some more.
And I’d be the one to do it.
I slammed the door to my office. So much for the party. Good thing I had work to do.
Beers tended to brew themselves once I had them in the storage tank, but I had yeast to grow, grains to mash, and orders to fill. The brewery was successful enough to employ two people plus my other bartender. They probably wanted to get paid this week.
Mandy had been right. I could have used an accountant. Maybe her dad didn’t pay her well and I could poach her for my business. Then I’d have her all to myself every day.