Not in the mood for my brother’s wisecracks today, I reply, “I could ask you the same.”
He frowns and finally turns to look at me, which, when I really get a good look at him in return, he doesn’t look good.
“What’s going on, brother? And don’t give me shit. I know you and there’s something happening.” I let my words settle before adding, “You’re not getting enough sleep, and it’s not because of a woman.”
He stares at me while drinking from his beer before turning back to gazing at the mountains unseen.
“Fuck. This is for your ears only. You got me?” he states with a quick glance back to me.
What the hell, starting off the way he has makes my stomach spasm. Ruben never has problems at least he never has problems that he wants kept quiet.
“You got it.” I put the longneck to my mouth and drain the bottle while I wait for him to tell me what the hell is going on.
“It’s the club,” he sighs, “nothing financial. That’s secure. Keith walked up on a couple of guys trying to break into the club two nights ago. They ran when they spotted him running towards them, but last night some more windows were taken out.”
“Fuck-in-hell, again? Why your club? What the hell are they after in there?”
“Fuck if I know, but it’s pissing me off, and to top it all, one of the waitresses is giving me a hard time. She ignores what I ask her to do and does what the hell she ‘thinks’ I mean, spending most of the time bugging me. Why can’t they keep their mouths shut, smile wide and serve the customers, instead of bugging the shit outta me.”
Thinking about what he just said causes me to roar with laughter. Yes, he’s pissed because of the vandalism and attempted break in, but steam practically came out of his ears when talking about his waitress. I’d bet my last dollar her name is Rosie.
“What’s her name?” I keep the amusement out of my voice.
He takes his time in answering. “Why? What difference does knowing her name make?”
He looks everywhere, but me when he says it and I know I’m right even before the words come out. “Her name wouldn’t be Rosie, would it?” I chuckle at the look on his face. “You know what will get her out of your system?” Trying to keep my face straight while having this conversation is hell.
“Do I even want to know what you’re about to suggest?” Ruben glares at me while moving to sit on one of the chairs scattered around the porch.
Sitting opposite him, I grin and reply, “Well, I was thinking naked, rope and one or two of those toys you keep locked away.” Yeah, my brother loves nothing more than being in control.
He’s actually contemplating my suggestion – well that’s a first. Ruben loves his toys, but what guy doesn’t?
“So this is where you two disappeared to,” Michael grumbles as he walks through the door and slumps into a chair on the porch. He looks exhausted. “Christ…I don’t think I’ve ever been as stressed as I have since meeting Lily. She’s going to be the death of me.”
Ramon laughs as he comes through the door, followed by Lucien, George and my dad. He punches Michael’s shoulder as he teases, “She just might when you see what Carla’s bought her.”
Michael and I both look at Ramon waiting for him to enlighten us. What the hell has she gotten Lily? My mind is working overtime to try and come up with something that I can imagine Carla buying, but nothing naughty comes to mind.
Ramon snickers. “All I’m going to say is that its bright pink and Carla tried to hide it in the fruit bowl with the bananas when I caught her about to wrap it in the kitchen.” He now starts to laugh harder. “Oh God, it was the first damn thing I saw when walking into the kitchen…fluorescent, fucking pink.” He finishes shaking his head with a slight blush along his cheeks.
I wish he’d kept his mouth shut now while I try to count backwards in my head to get my wayward body part back under control at the thought of what Carla has obviously bought. I wonder if she likes to play and if she has any of her own toys.
“What has that grin on your face,” Lucien asks, kicking my foot from his position to the right of me. “Or should I ask who?”
“Thinking about something.” I glance at him and meet his knowing stare and just know he’s not going to let it go so I speak before he can start again, “So what about Sabrina? She’s pretty. Nice figure.”
Sitting straighter in his chair, Lucien glares at me like a fucking girl. “You stay away from her,” he warns. “She’s Lily’s friend, not someone you can screw and never see again.”