“Did James make you pay for that?” Bram asks.
He nods. “I guess the courtesy doesn’t extend to family. I don’t think the guy likes me much.”
“James doesn’t like any guy who’s bigger than him,” Bram points out.
“Except for Linden,” I say. “But that’s a twisted bromance right there.” I give Lachlan a grateful smile and move down so he can sit next to me again. “Well, thank you for the drink. You’re the one who was gracious with his time and my fumbling questions.”
He nods, pulling down the brim of his cap slightly, fidgeting. After a few beats he says, “You know, I’ve been meaning to ask you what kind of exercise you do.”
I tilt my head at him and he quickly continues, “You played really well on that field. I mean, you were tireless.”
“Oh,” I say, and exchange a look with Bram. “Thanks. I usually just go to the gym in the mornings but I take fencing lessons once a week.”
“Fencing?” he asks. “That’s….rare.”
I smile sweetly at him. “I’m a rare thing.” I don’t look at Bram, but I know he’s not looking too impressed at my flirting skills. I go on. “It helps me stay disciplined but lets me get my anger out at the same time.”
“You struggle with discipline?” he asks, and I can’t tell if he’s kidding or not.
“Isn’t that obvious?” I say, and find myself shifting closer to him.
He considers that, his eyes softening as he looks at me.
“Plus,” I add, “it gives me a booty. No flat ass for me.”
“Definitely not,” he says, and I can’t help but beam, my nerves tingling all over.
Bram clears his throat. Loudly. I narrow my eyes at him, annoyed that he’s interrupting whatever kind of banter Lachlan and I have going. Doesn’t he realize what a big deal this is? Bantering with Lachlan is like unlocking another level in the game. Plus he just complimented my damn ass.
But before we can get back to it, Linden comes into the Lion, strutting toward us with a big smile on his face.
“Hello, hello,” he says to us and plops down beside Bram.
“Oh great, the Scottish trifecta,” I say underneath my breath.
“You’ll be changing your tune in a minute, missy,” Linden says. “Because I’ve got some pretty fucking awesome news.”
The three of us stare at him expectantly. He licks his lips and smiles triumphantly. “One of my clients is a sponsor for the Outside Lands Festival. I guess he was feeling generous today because he gave me five VIP passes to the festival next weekend.”
“Nice perk,” Bram comments.
“Obviously I’m giving them to you,” Linden says.
“But there are six of us, including Steph and Nicola,” I say. “So we can’t all go.”
“It’s all right,” Lachlan says. “Count me out for the festival.”
I’m hit with disappointment. “Don’t be silly,” I tell him. “You’re the guest here, you’re definitely going. It’s a San Francisco institution. I’ll not go. I’m pretty sure Linden wasn’t inviting me anyway.”
And when I look at Linden and see the sheepish glint in his eyes, I know it’s the truth. When it comes to him making plans, sometimes he conveniently leaves me out of them until Steph gets angry. But I can’t say I don’t do the same either.
“Oh, for fucks sake,” Bram says. “I’ll buy my own damn VIP passes. There. Problem solved.”
Lachlan shakes his head. “Don’t worry about it, mate. I’m not a fan of music festivals anyway.”
“You don’t like music?” I ask.
He frowns. “I love music. People, not so much.”
I can’t help but smile. “Maybe we are more alike than I thought.”
I swear there’s a ghost of a smile on his lips.
“Ah, but the people who attend Outside Lands are scantily clad girls who drink shitloads of wine and dance in their bikinis to music that isn’t even playing yet,” Linden says. “Easy place for you to pick up a few girls, wouldn’t you say?”