Three sets of eyes drop to the floor around me.
“I suppose maybe it’s time to let you grow up.” Ally nibbles on her lip as she risks a glance around the circle.
“We might be a good resource. For advice and stuff.” Sloan mimics his sister’s expression and turns his gaze to Lennon, who closes his eyes as he seems to wrestle with what to do.
Finally, he exhales and looks at Beck. “Don’t let your mother find out. I’m the one she’ll blame if you end up with the wrong guy.”
Beck’s face seems to glow as Ally squeals next to him. “Ooh, where do we start? How about that guy over there?” She points to a clean-cut guy who’s decent looking though a little on the short side.
“Too short.” Beck wrinkles his nose.
“He’s probably like, five-ten. You’re around five-six,” Sloan points out.
“Okay, he’s too… nice-looking,” Beck offers a new objection.
“What’s wrong with nice?” Lennon balks.
“Would you date him?” Beck fires back.
“I’m spoken for.” Lennon smirks.
“Fine. Would you date him?” Beck turns to me.
I’m wholly unprepared for the question, and given that my sights appear to have locked on someone already, I can’t honestly say I would. That has nothing to do with this man, but my pause is all the answer Beck needs.
“Exactly,” he declares. “Next.”
“That one.” Sloan points to a less clean-cut guy with hair hanging past his shoulders.
“His hair is as long as Ally’s,” Beck objects.
“So? I bet it’d look hot pulled back.” Ally licks her lips.
“I’m not going out with anyone who might overwhelm my shower with hair products, thank you. Next.”
We take turns making suggestions, only to have Beck shoot down each of them for one reason or another. I don’t know if he’s extraordinarily picky, or still a bit shocked at this new development and unsure how to respond. Either way, I haven’t laughed like this in ages.
“Oh my God, this might actually be worse than having you guys baby me. How are you so bad at this when you all scored hotties?” Beck pouts. “Pick someone good.”
“How about that one?” I point to a tall, dark-haired man across the room. With his back turned I’ve no idea what he looks like, but Beck has objected based on less. Besides, he’s tall with short hair.
As if he senses he’s the topic of our conversation, the man turns in our direction, and there’s a chorus of firm, “No’s.”
It takes me a moment to realize I know him; Deacon from the bar a week or so back. Though, aside from Ryder’s warning, which I’m not sure was even valid, I don’t follow the objections.
“Why?” I ask.
“He’s… tooexperienced,” Sloan says.
“Not boyfriend material,” Ally adds.
“He’d take advantage of our boy,” Lennon finishes, and they all nod. Except Beck. He’s not saying anything at all, just sipping on his Cosmo with his eyes cast downward. Before I can dwell on that, Maddox and Kane join us, and the mission to find Beck a date is forgotten. So is the fact that Ryder is probably here somewhere, until I feel a slight tingle along my spine, and turn my head to find him staring at me.
Chapter twenty-one
Ryder
Itug at the collar that’s uncomfortably snug around my neck, trying to get some more air. I fucking hate suits.
