Strung(22)

“Do you really think your brother would be that pissed if he found out you two hooked up? I mean, if it’s more than just a random hookup then I’m sure he’ll understand and be happy for you two.”

“It was only a random hookup.” I don’t bother looking at her as I reach for my towel and shake off the sand before drying off with it. “So, yes, he’d be livid. You know Micah’s reputation with women. He’s a man-whore. Everyone knows he never commits to being in a relationship. My brother warned him to stay away from me for that very reason and he went behind his back and slept with me anyway. We went behind his back and I feel like total shit for it. He’ll never trust him again if he finds out and he’ll probably kick my butt and send me home early.”

“Okay,” she says calmly. “Then don’t tell him and never let it happen again. You just admitted it was only a random hookup; just one ‘anything goes’ night. Problem solved.”

She has no idea how much harder that is than it sounds. “How the hell am I supposed to just forget that he was inside of me and act normal when we bump into each other around my brother? Have you seen Micah?”

I begin making my way up to my brother’s house and Jamie quickly grabs her towel to join me. “Good point. You’re fucked.”

I stop and give her an annoyed look. “You’re not making this any better, so thanks for that.”

“I’m sorry, but it’s true. The only option is to avoid him at all cost for the rest of the summer. You don’t want to end up being one of those girls that he’s been with who becomes obsessive and can’t stay away from him so he has to hide just to get them off his nuts. I’ve seen it and so has Alexander. It’s happened to pretty much every girl he’s touched.”

The thought of all the girls Micah has randomly hooked up with for one night of the hottest sex of their lives has me feeling uptight and jealous. This is not how I’m supposed to feel. “How am I supposed to manage that when he works and stays with my brother almost ninety percent of the time?”

Once we reach the back of my brother’s house we take a seat at the patio table and toss our wet towels down by our feet.

“I don’t know.” She shrugs. “Maybe find a different bar to write at and come stay with me on the nights he’s here. My place is small, but I don’t mind sharing it.”

“Thanks, but I can’t do that. That’ll only have my brother questioning my reasons for not staying with him or coming to Vortex anymore. It’ll all still come down to Micah in the end.”

“Shit. I didn’t think about that. You’ll just have to woman up and keep that shit deep down inside as if it never happened. You’re tough. I’m sure you can handle it.”

“I hope so.”

We’re both sitting here in silence, lost in thought, when I hear the patio door slide open behind me.

Nervousness and excitement course through me at the thought that it could be Micah. I’m going crazy inside to see his sexy smile, but at the same time I know what that sexy smile and dirty mouth does to me. That’s where the nervousness takes over.

Jamie looks up at the same time I turn around to see Parker step outside dressed in a pair of khaki shorts and a snug, white t-shirt.

He flashes us his charming smile, before closing the door shut behind him, giving us a nice view of his sculpted arms and back. “Hello, ladies. Mind if I join you?”

I don’t know if this is good or bad timing, but maybe . . . just maybe he’s the distraction I need right now, because I was so damn close to giving in and asking Jamie to come with me to Vortex.

“Parker, wow.” Jamie stands up and looks him over, before throwing her arms around him for a quick hug. “You’re looking . . . well, hot.”

Parker’s face turns red as he runs a hand through his hair. “Thanks, Jamie. It’s good to see you too,” he says with a small laugh. “You’re looking great, as always.”

“I know it,” she says, with a confident smile. “But thanks for noticing. I don’t know what’s going on here with you and my friend, but I’ll be in the pool listening while you talk.”

“Really?” I laugh as she gives me a questionable look, before diving into the pool.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to bother you here at your brother’s, but I haven’t seen you at the bar in a few days and wanted to ask you something. Alexander let me in.”

I motion to the chair Jamie was just sitting in. “No, you’re totally fine, Parker.” I smile as he takes a seat and the more I look at him, the more I realize just how handsome he really is. It’s easier to notice when Micah isn’t ten feet away giving me dirty looks.

But, I’m still not sure that’s enough to get Micah off my mind.

“I’ve been thinking a lot about our date a few days ago and . . .” he leans in closer, before he reaches out and brushes my hair behind my ear. “I don’t really feel like it was much of a date with your brother and Micah watching us like hawks. I was wondering if you’d come out with me to a party tonight so we can get to know each other without them making us both uncomfortable.”

I catch Jamie nodding from the corner of my eye and mouthing yes repeatedly, so I cover the side of my face until she’s out of view.

Some time away from my thoughts could be a good thing, but at the same time, going on another date has me feeling guilty for some odd reason. I don’t really get why. It’s not like Micah has been around, and it’s definitely not as if we’re going to end up being more than the one-night stand we had.

The only reason he was giving us dirty looks that night is because he’s become overprotective like my brother asked him to be whenever he isn’t around to watch me himself.

There’s no other explanation, because jealousy is the last thing Micah could’ve been feeling.

Micah Beck jealous.

I’m positive that day will never come.

I don’t even realize that I haven’t answered him until he says my name, distracting me from my thoughts.

“I’ll take a maybe if it’ll somehow lead to a yes.”

The hopeful smile he flashes me has the word leaving my mouth before I can really make a decision. “Okay.”

He bites his bottom lip in this sexy little way as he stands up and looks me over. “I promise you won’t be disappointed.”

I catch myself swallowing, because even I can’t deny that his little lip bite somewhat got to me. “When should I be ready?”

He pulls out his phone and takes a quick look at the time. “Can you be ready around seven? That’s about two hours.”

I nod and smile. “I can make that happen.”

“Perfect.” He leans in and places a kiss on my cheek, before wiping the wetness away with his thumb. It’s sweet but still sexy in the way he does it. “I’ll see you then.”

Jamie is wiggling her eyebrows at me as he waves to her and disappears back into the house.

She waits until he closes the door behind him before she jumps out of the pool and rushes over to grab her towel. “You went on a date with Parker and your brother didn’t flip out? Why didn’t you tell me this?”

“My brother is the one who set us up on a date. Weird, right?”

She shakes her head and laughs. “I don’t get your brother sometimes, but I totally get why he did it. It’s because he’s worried you’ll fall for Micah and get hurt. Why else would he be worried about hooking you up with some nice guy. He sees it too. He sees something happening between you two.”

“Yeah, and maybe he’s right by trying to give me a distraction. Maybe I’ll thank him for this later. I mean, Parker is cute and he’s sweet. The least I can do is give him a real date and see what happens from there, right?”

She nods, while running the towel through her hair. “As much as I’d love to see you and Micah together, and I mean together together, Parker might be the safe choice. You’re right. Micah is a man-whore and there’s no telling if you two will even hook up again. I say give Parker a fair chance. Forget about Micah for one night and have some fun. It’s not like he’s here trying to spend time with you or ask you out on dates.”

She’s right and I know it.

It sucks but it’s true.

“Well, I already agreed to go out with him tonight. I’ll give him a chance and take it from there.”

“And . . .”

“And what?”

“You’ll tell your good friend Jamie all the details, right?”

I roll my eyes and laugh right as Alexander pokes his head out the sliding door. “I’m heading to Vortex for the night. I trust Parker will be a gentleman, and if he’s not you better tell me.”

“I’m a big girl, Xan. I’ve already told you this.”

“Dammit, Tegan. Just let me do my damn job,” he says tensely.

“Fine. I’ll let you know.”

He nods. “Good. See you girls later.”

“Later,” Jamie says with a flirty smile. “I’ll be coming in for a few drinks later, so tell your boys to be ready to grab the beers in the way back.”

This has my brother smiling. “We’ll be ready for you. We always are.”