The woman gives me a flirtatious smile, batting her long lashes in what she likely believes is a seductive fashion. I would have agreed with her not long ago.
Not so much tonight.
“Hey.” Her voice is breathy and a little raspy. Just as sexy asher curvy frame and the slight gap between her front teeth. “Are you leaving already?”
Normally, this would be the moment all my plans for the evening change. Go from a quiet night alone to a loud night with company.
But I’m not as interested in entertaining as I used to be.
“I am.” I give her an easy smile, tipping my head toward where Walker and Trevor have paused. “Gotta make sure my brothers get home safe.”
It’s total bullshit. None of us has had enough alcohol to even be half a problem, but she doesn’t know that.
Her face falls, and I feel guilty. Bad for lying. Shitty that I can’t be for her what I’ve been for other women. It’s nothing personal. I’m sure she’s fucking great.
I’m just not… Feeling it.
“Well…” She seems to perk up a little. “Maybe next week?”
Shit.Maybe we need to find a new bar. Someplace no one knows me or my previouslyfriendlynature.
But then who would help take care of Melinda? Make sure she can give her son what he needs?
My worry for Melinda must be the reason for what comes out of my mouth next, because that’s the only fucking explanation for the bat shit crazy claim I make. “I’m not sure I’ll be here next week. It’s my girlfriend’s birthday.”
The words have barely cleared my lips before the weight of their ramifications slams into me. Word travels like fire on gasoline in this town. By morning, every woman within a fifty-mile radius will believe I’m no longer single.
And that probably includes my mother.
Which could actually be a good thing… if she wouldn’t want evidence to back up my claim. Even though I know a good portion of the female population in Willow Bend, I’m not sure I want to ask one of them for a favor. Especially a favor that would blur the lines I’ve worked so hard to create in my life.
Unsurprisingly, the woman doesn’t seem to believe my lie any more than my mother would. She angles a brow skeptically. “Youhave a girlfriend?”
I should take the words back. Brush the comment off as a simple joke. Find some other way to let this woman down easy.
But before I can figure out how to spin my words into something less messy, Trevor’s heavy arm drops around my shoulders. He gives the woman a grin as he fucks me over. “It’s hard to believe, I know.” My brother smashes his hand into the side of my face, pushing my head against his shoulder. “Baby boy had to start acting like a grown up and settle down sometime.”
I’m going to kick his ass. Right here in front of God and Melinda.
“Come on, loverboy.” Trevor uses his hold to drag me away from the woman and out the door.
Once we’re on the sidewalk outside, I shove him.
Hard.
“What the fuck?” I start to advance on him, but Walker steps between us, blocking my path.
My cousin has always been the cool head among us. The voice of reason.
The fucking pooper of parties.
“Don’t get pissed at him for backing up your bullshit.” Walker grabs the front of my shirt, fisting it tight as he pulls me toward the parking lot. “You’re the one out here making unhinged claims. Trevor was just helping you out.”
“My ass.” I jerk my head to look over my shoulder as Trevor trails behind us. “He was being a dick.”
Not shocking. Trevor is usually being a dick.
“Do you want to go home with that chick?” Trevor lifts hisbrows at me. “Because I can go back in there and tell her we both lied to her.”
