Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 100608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
He flips me off, smirking. “It’s more than just drapes. It’s a whole concept. A feel. A vibe. I’m learning Zak is more than a dumb jock. He’s funny and smart. I want his apartment to reflect the guy hiding inside.”
“And what kind of guy is hiding? One you want to maybe date?”
His eyes roll and he lets out a huff. “I told you. Zak’s not my type.”
“Even if he turned out to like guys too? If he wanted to…you know, show you his carpet matches his drapes?”
“Dante!” he cries out. “Ew. No. Don’t talk sex shit to me. It’s disgusting hearing it from your older brother. You don’t have to freak out. I’m not going to let Zak fuck me. He’s just my friend. You’re free to date Jax. It won’t be weird because I don’t want Zak like that. I just like him.”
I try not to freeze at his words. “Date? Why would I want to date the straight sheriff?”
“Because you salivated over him all through dinner last night. You’re so obvious.”
“Just because I think the guy is hot doesn’t mean I want to date him.”
His brows furrow. “Why don’t you date anymore? Because of your ex? So you’re just a manwhore now?”
I try not to cringe at the mention of him.
“Hardly,” I scoff. “I’m continually cockblocked by your bratty ass. If I weren’t having to deal with all your shit, I could be out at the club right now picking up someone.”
“Fucking and dating are two different things,” he throws back. “Besides, I’m old enough to look after myself. Soon, I’ll be an adult and can do whatever I want.” He cocks his head to the side as though he’s peering inside my mind. “Nice dodge of my question, though. Why don’t you date anymore?”
Because dating leads to broken hearts.
Hooking up feels good for my dick and my ego. My heart remains intact.
“I just haven’t found a special someone.” And I’m not looking either.
“But if he came along, you’d date him?”
Considering the only guy I’m interested in at the moment is a closet gay, dating still seems out of the question.
“Of course,” I lie. I’m not going to feed my brother all the reasons I’m jaded so he can become jaded too. “Be careful with your new friend Zak. Sometimes friends hook up and it always ends badly.”
He nods as though he actually hears my advice for once. “You’ve done your big brother duties now. Might as well go to the club. I’ll keep my cockblocking powers subdued so you can get laid.”
I flip him off. “Don’t wait up, you little shit.”
“Tell the hot sheriff I said hi.”
“Actually, Shelly is going on a date with him.”
Confusion flickers in his gaze. “Why? He’s…”
“Straight,” I blurt out. “And she’s persistent.”
“Hmmm.”
“Don’t hmmm me, kid. Just accept it and leave it be.”
“Whatever,” he grumbles. “Old people are fucking weird.”
He has no idea.
Jaxson
I’m antsy as I wait for Shelly.
This is wrong. I may be secretly gay, but it’s still wrong to be entertaining this woman when all I want to do is get back to her brother. Even after I get this shit out of my system with Dante, I still wouldn’t feel right about dating Shelly.
Which is why I suggested the Boardwalk.
It’s cold, dreary, and doesn’t have too many places to sit and get comfortable.
“Jax!” Shelly calls out, waving to me. She’s bundled up and is wearing a stocking cap protecting her head and ears. “Your last-minute change in plans left me swapping out a gorgeous dress for this, I’ll have you know.”
Her hazel eyes twinkle, not seeming the least bit perturbed I changed our suggested dinner date from Martha Joy’s to the Boardwalk.
“Sorry,” I mutter out, guilt niggling at me. “I don’t have a ton of time and wanted to talk to you.”
Her forehead crinkles. “Sounds serious. Is this about my brother?”
“Uh,” I choke out, frozen stupid. “I, uh…”
“It’s okay, Dante told me.”
My gut twists painfully and bile rises up my throat.
“Callan is troubled. I’m sorry he fought with your brother,” she says, concern etched in her features. “He’s just going through a hard time.”
Relief floods through me and I sigh heavily.
She doesn’t know I’m gay. Dante didn’t tell her that. I’m relieved, though not surprised. I barely know the guy, but, from what I do know, I don’t think he’d out me like that.
“Oh, Callan’s a great kid. I think he and Zak really hit it off as friends. It was probably a good thing it happened in order to push them together into friendship.”
“Good. You scared me there for a minute.”
And you scared me, lady.
“Come on,” I grunt. “There’s a place near the end that has excellent lobster chowder. Probably the best in the state. And they have a little bar that’s protected from the wind where we can sit for a bit.”