Damaged and the Outlaw (Damaged #4)

“Fair enough,” I said, backing off now that Tawny looked ready to cry.

Judd stopped trying to murder me with his eyes and rested an arm on the back of the booth. He glanced at Tawny who seemed smaller than usual. When his gaze returned to me, I knew I was about to get mocked. I mentally prepared to give as well as I got.

“The chick last night marked you,” he said, gesturing to my throat. “Might be a stalker. You’ll want to prepare to wake up with your balls removed.”

“Raven might cut off my balls, but not because she’s a stalker. More like she’s just in a bad mood or gassy.”

Tawny looked at me then shook her head. “Oh, Vaughn. You’re fucked.”

“Actually, I was and quite well. In fact, I think she bruised my hip bones.”

Laughing, Tawny cuddled against Judd. “When’s the wedding.”

Once Judd started laughing, I flipped them off and looked at my menu.

“We’re fuck buddies. Nothing more.”

Judd nodded. “Makes sense. A man of your stupidity couldn’t handle a relationship. Best to keep your life simple.”

“She’s hot. That’s all I care about.”

“She is hot,” Tawny said, smiling easier now. “She could probably land a rich guy with those looks.”

“Did you just call me poor?”

“I only mean she could get someone better than a manwhore with commitment issues.”

“Fuck you,” I said and Judd looked ready to hit me. “I could commit if I wanted to. If I wasn’t expecting to die soon, I’d commit all over the fucking place.”

“You don’t even have a pet.”

“Who would take care of my pet when I died?”

“If it was a cat, we’d take it in.”

Judd frowned. “No more cats.”

“One more wouldn’t hurt. In fact, if we have a bunch of cats, people will stop asking when we’re having a kid.”

Judd’s frown disappeared. “Another cat wouldn’t be the end of the world.”

“Judd’s the one who can’t commit,” I muttered.

“He’s married and we have two cats. We’re plenty committed. You’re the one getting hickeys from a girl who likely will marry someone else in a few months.”

“Why a few months?”

“I don’t know. I just feel like she’ll be married in a few months. A rich guy.”

“Are you psychic now?”

“Yes, I’m going to open a shop and tell people their fortunes.”

Smiling, Judd kissed her forehead. “A businesswoman. That’s sexy.”

“Don’t even think about ditching me again so you two can fuck. You can hump each other later.”

“Oh, we will,” Tawny said, waving over the waitress. “I wonder who Raven is humping tonight?”

“I don’t care,” I lied. “Sloppy seconds don’t bother me.”

Judd grinned. “They must not bother Raven either if she fucked you.”

“How quickly the male slut turns judgmental? You’ve been monogamous for less than a year, so save the lectures.”

“Did I lecture him?” Judd asked Tawny who shook her head.

The idiots were ganging up on me. Typical. I was tempted to find a woman and become a couple, just so I could tag team against them. Realizing this was stupid, I sighed.

“I’d make a great husband and father. I have what it takes.”

Judd and Tawny frowned in unison then focused on the waitress. After we ordered, Judd tucked Tawny against him and she got melancholy again.

“So Farah’s knocked up, huh?” I said when they sat silently for too long. “I hope Cooper has a girl. Serves him right.”

“Serves him right for what?”

“I don’t know. I’m pissed because I could have sat and talked to myself without you two sitting there ignoring me. Plus, I wouldn’t be eating here and listening to losers on karaoke in the bar.”

Judd exhaled hard. “I feel like you’re looking for sympathy or a hug. I’m not giving you either.”

“I don’t feel sorry for you either,” Tawny said. “I can’t hug you anyway. Judd doesn’t like when I touch other men.”

Grinning, I remembered how Judd reacted to Mac who Tawny touched once. No doubt if Mac ever needed saving, Judd would allow him to die. He was still pissed having anyone near his woman. My grin faded when I realized how much I wanted to find a woman and go stupid for her.

“When this Devils’ thing is taken care of,” Tawny said after our steaks arrived, “what will you do? Like will you get a pet?”

Judd and I looked at one another and neither thought I’d be alive to get a pet when the Devils’ thing was done. Tawny was bummed already though, so I played along.

“I’ll get married and have a bunch of kids.”

“A bunch?” Judd asked, smirking. “What’s that? Like six?”

“Sure, why not? The world is an ugly place and I could make it better with my blond kids running around.”

“Why do you assume they’ll be blond?” Tawny asked and I spotted a smirk on her face.

“Because I’m blond. In my fantasy future, my kids will look like me.”