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“Anything for you, Peach. Happy birthday.”
I stand from my chair, disposing of my own empty beer bottle. “Need a ride?” I offer.
Theo seems to falter a little. His eyes slide up to me in a slow pull, narrowing when our gazes meet.
My insides pitch with warning.
But then I convince myself I’m imagining things because his subsequent smile is easy and light. Like nothing could possibly be wrong. “Nah, I’ll walk. Thanks, though. You still chaperoning Peach’s dance thingy next weekend?”
“It’s called prom.” She sighs.
I nod. “Yeah, I’ll be there.”
“Cool. Kip and I are on duty that night. Maybe we’ll stop by and make sure the princess isn’t getting herself into any trouble.” He looks pointedly at June, then winks.
She pales. “Absolutely not. That’s humiliating.”
“Why? One brother is going, why not two?”
His eyes glide back to me. Subtle, so subtle, but damn it, I swear there’s something there.
Brother.
Brother, brother, brother.
Theo looks back at June, his smile returning.
June crosses her arms, acting pouty. “Principal Seymour personally asked Brant to be there. It wasn’t my choice.”
It’s true. My old principal always had a soft spot for me ever since he found me crying in a bathroom stall one day after Wyatt and his mates tortured me on the playground.
Asshole.
Principal Seymour transferred over to our town’s high school when I was in sixth grade, so he was a part of my life for the majority of my education. He was well aware of my story and frequently checked in on me, making sure I was okay, while sneaking lollipops into my backpack in my younger years.
I’d accepted the invitation to chaperone June’s prom, and while I’m looking forward to seeing my old teachers and staff members, it wasn’t the main reason I’d jumped at the chance.
June has a date.
A kid named Ryker.
And I plan to keep a close eye on this kid named Ryker, because anyone who has a name like Ryker probably also has a motorcycle, bad intentions, illegal drugs, and an executive suite booked at the Sunnyside Inn under his mom and dad’s credit card.
Hell no.
Ryker can ride off into the sunset on his motorcycle all alone after the dance, while June comes home with me, safe and sound.
Theo stuffs his hands into his pockets with a sniff, shrugging. “We’ll see how the night goes. Promise we won’t embarrass you if we make a quick patrol.”
“You’d better not,” she says, her pout twisting into a farewell grin.
He smiles warmly, then gives me a short nod before heading back inside the house.
June turns to me as I’m watching Theo retreat, telling myself everything is fine. She gives my arm a little pinch. “Hey. There’s something else I want for my birthday this year.”
I blink. “What do you mean?”
“It’s something you might not like.”
