And I don’t like it.
Not one bit.
Time to drink more tequila.
CHAPTER
THREE
Quinn
I can’t help but wonder what she’s thinking.
Charli is staring at me, this far-off look in her gorgeous blue eyes. They’re like waves on the ocean, a beautiful aqua hue that’s both soothing and hypnotic. But like those waves, they can’t always see what’s brewing within. What appears to be calm could also produce a hurricane, and if anything can describe Charli Miller, it’s something as unpredictable and destructive as a hurricane.
She lifts an eyebrow. “What are you looking at?”
I can’t help but smile. “I was about to ask you the same thing.”
Charli rolls her eyes and grabs her margarita, taking a greedy pull from the straw. “You look like you just fell out of bed. Did you even try to look presentable before coming out tonight?” she asks, just as testy as I’d expect her to be.
“So, you’re thinking about me in bed, huh?” I joke, moving my hand to a defensive position near my balls. When Charli’s near, I always have to be ready. Not that she punches me in thejunk often, but she’s more of a react first, ask questions later kind of woman.
Rolling her eyes dramatically, she barks out a loud, “You wish!”
Yes, yes, I do.
But I won’t say that out loud.
She turns her attention to Oaklee, who misses her shot. Cade makes a big production of telling her how close she was, how great she is, and how much he loves her. Usually, Camden and I would tease the shit out of him, but I can’t seem to bring myself to do it tonight. I’m not sure why, but seeing them together, all lovey-dovey, causes a heaviness in my gut.
It shouldn’t. I’m used to seeing it.
Not from my own parents. Them even being in the same room together would be a combination of laughable and explosive. Nothing positive would come from it, that’s for sure.
No, my only experience and knowledge of a solid, stable relationship comes from the Millers. Camden’s parents, Linda and Tyson, are the epitome of happily married. No, it’s not always sunshine and roses—I’ve seen them bicker from time to time—but they made a commitment and vowed to weather life’s storms together, and that’s what they’re doing.
Side by side.
I’m sure it’s not easy. No marriage or relationship is perfect, but they’ve shown me if you find someone who makes your life better, then you spend that life enriching theirs too. I’ve always secretly wanted what the Millers have. I’ve seen what not to do. I lived it within the walls of my own home. But I’ve also witnessed how it’s supposed to be when you love and marry someone.
Charli is focused, zeroed in hard on the balls left on the table. I can already tell which shot she’s thinking of taking, just by watching how she’s moving to position herself to the table.
“That’s not your shot,” I state.
She doesn’t acknowledge me at all, just lowers herself to the table and lines up her cue stick.
“You’re leaving yourself without a follow-up shot,Charlotte.”
I knew that would get a response. She hates it when we use her full first name.
Her eyes narrow into little slits and proverbial fire shoots from her ears. She takes three steps toward me and stabs her finger into my chest. “Knock it off.”
“You mean don’t call you Charlotte?” I ask sweetly.
“Yes,” she spits out with venom.
“Okay, Charlotte. My apologies.”
