“For your mouth,” Parker answered. “Do you really think I go around whipping anything out?”
“Maybe you should. It might cut down on the douchebag attitude some.” Parker would have chased Liam and his shit-eating grin out the door, but he was just too tired.
He waited for the back door to slam before allowing himself to laugh quietly. Even with all the raging hormones and smart mouths, he still loved those two more than anything in this world.
Parker stood, dragging his tired body up the stairs to their apartment. He flopped down on his bed. Astrid’s perfume drifted up from his pillow. If he stayed here, there was no way that he would rest. He already had visions of her sexy body floating through his head keeping him awake at night. He didn’t need any added incentive.
Grabbing a blanket, he moved to the couch. Within minutes, he felt himself relax as he drifted off.
He had been at work for about an hour when Astrid came drifting in the door. Taking a seat at the bar across from him, she smiled. It made his heart rate speed up dramatically as all of his blood transitioned south.
“Hi, Parker.”
“Hey, Astrid,” he responded, trying not to sound growly. “What can I get you?”
“Coke, please. I’m early, but I’d hate for your brothers to get anxious waiting for me.” He took note of the fact that she didn’t even mention the thought of not showing up at all. Oddly enough, that fact moved her even higher up in the mental pedestal he had her firmly fixed atop.
Parker figured he should probably offer to text one of them to let them know she was here, but he just couldn’t bring himself to. Truth be told, he liked talking to her. It didn’t mean he had a “thing” for her as Liam had put it. Nope, that couldn’t be it at all. It just meant she was a nice change from the regular clientele he had.
And if the three men sitting next to her didn’t quit smirking at him, he would have to remind them it was healthier for them to mind their own business.
“What are you planning on doing while you wait to chauffeur their butts home?” he asked.
“Good question. I figured I’d eat at one of the other restaurants and then maybe hit up Target. Did you need anything while I’m there?” Parker laughed. Now she was offering to do his shopping. Damn, she was just so fucking adorable.
But he swore, if those old men didn’t stop grinning at them he was getting out his bat. They obviously had already heard about last night. He shouldn’t have to justify his actions to his dad’s old friends.
“No, I think I’m good. We’re closed on Mondays until football season, so I usually run errands then, pick up what we need for the week.” After what happened this morning, Parker could feel the ridiculousness of this conversation. They might as well be discussing the weather.
“Look, about this morning…” he said when she cut him off with a dismissive wave of her hand. Now the old men were pushing at each other like middle school boys with a secret. Ignoring them, he tried to focus on what Astrid had to say.
“I need to apologize. I was lying on my bed this afternoon and started replaying everything about last night. What I can remember anyway.” She laughed. “Driving your brothers to meet their friends cannot even begin to make up for the trouble I caused. What else can I do to make it up to you?”
Parker stood staring at her in silence as a million ideas sped through his mind. Most had to do with her under him, over him, or… he shook his head.
“Uhh… no, it’s… fine.” What was he trying to babble out for fuck’s sake? Reaching over he absently grabbed her glass to refill it.
Clearing his throat he tried again. “It’s not a big deal. Besides, you haven’t had to haul my brothers around half the night yet. I bet you won’t be so quick to offer after that.”
He threw a grin at her. For some reason, he seemed to have just two looks when it came to her. A stupid grin or a growly scowl. Her words, not his.
“Astrid!” Liam called from across the room as Parker’s brothers waved at her excitedly. Seeing them so excited to hang out with their friends made Parker ashamed that he didn’t take the time to drop them off himself. He needed to work harder at balancing raising them with working.
He ran his hand through his hair as he stared at Astrid’s ass as she bounced over to meet them. It’s not like he could help it, he was a guy with a ridiculous crush on one of his customers. She walked toward him, he watched her tits, she walked away, he watched her ass.
“Son, if you stare at her ass any harder you’ll set her skirt on fire.” Parker blew out a deep breath giving the three regulars sitting at the bar his best glare. He had known all three of the men since he could remember. They had continued to show up even after he had to take over for his dad.
“I’ll deal with you three later.” Ignoring them chuckling at him, he walked out from behind the bar, catching up to Astrid, Liam, and Ronan in the back hallway.
“Hold up,” he said, pulling out his wallet. “Here’s dinner and movie money. Astrid, give me your phone.” She handed her phone to him. He put his number in her contacts before texting himself a message. “If plans change or they cause you any problems, call me.”
“We won’t cause any problems,” Liam said, grabbing Astrid’s hand. He pulled her toward the door. Parker shook his head, watching as Astrid was dragged out the back door to the alley. He worried for her sanity since she had no idea what an evening with a group of fifteen-year-olds involved.
ChapterFour
The last Astridsaw of Parker, he was standing in the doorway to the back alley with his eyebrows drawn together in concern.
His brothers jumped into her car with grins covering their faces. She had made a good decision offering to take them. True, she didn’t really know anything about the Donnellys, but the three brothers had been nothing but nice to her.
