Page 53 of Blue Jeans in Low Beams

“Dude, safe space,” I say, gesturing between the two of us. “You sure you don’t have feelings for her?”

The two have been besties since they were in the third grade and were cast as Peter Pan and Wendy in the school play. The whole town instantly fell for the idea of the two of them as a couple, even at nine years old, and the town gossips had a field day planning their eventual wedding. Being who Hux and Dolly are, they vowed then and there to only ever be friends, sticking it to the rumor mill.

“Fuck off,” he scoffs, giving me the finger. “I’m not a homewrecker.”

“Didn’t say you were.” I hold my hands up in surrender, trying not to piss him off even more. Thanks to being the head of lumber and paper, and the family lumberjack, Hux is easily the physically strongest of all of us. Last thing I need is him coming over this bar to try and kick my ass. “But, you’re acting more like jealous boyfriend than a bestie. Makes a person wonder.”

“Could say the same for you and Brenna.”

He fucking went there.

I glare at him. Because no, you could not say the same thing about me and Brenna. I am not acting like a jealous boyfriend. Just a regular one.

Because everything that happened between us the other night, everything we did—I did—is something a boyfriend does. None of that was planned. I had good intentions when Auggie said I could use the boat, planning a relaxing evening of us hanging out on the water, sitting back, watching the fireworks, and snacking. On food. Not me snacking on her. Which is exactly what I did.

But you know what they say about good intentions and exactly what road they pave.

Which, right about now, is exactly where I’m heading.

I’m supposed to be looking out for my best friend’s little sister. Making sure that no one messes with her or takes advantage. And what do I do? I spend the summer’s biggest holiday making out with her in Silver Lake, and then follow that up by coaxing not one, but two orgasms out of her. The second of which I used a method that apparently was another first for her.

I have no idea if Brenna is aware that she murmured that last part out loud as she was falling asleep in my arms. That secret is safe with me though. Just like all her others.

Being her vault, her safe space, makes my heart swell. I like it way more than I should. Almost as much as I like knowing that my tongue will be the one she compares all others to. That I hold the honor of being the first one to ever explore her like that. To experience the glorious taste of her. Something I won’t be forgetting any time soon. Or, well, ever.

I place my hands wide on the bar, leaning into them, trying to figure out a way to respond to Hux. I’m the king of smart-ass answers. There’s a reason Willa calls me a sass-hole. But right now, I got nothing.

“Say what about him and Brenna?” Gus asks, appearing next to Hux.

Where the hell did he come from? And how long has he been here?

“That some of his actions could make a person wonder what his actual feelings are there,” Hux answers.

“It’s Brenna. She’s a little sister,” I defend. The words are sour in my mouth, and not in a good way.

“Suuuuure.” Hux narrows his eyes at me, seeing right through my bullshit statement.

Gus sits down next to him, the two of them opposites in so many ways. Grumpy Gus, as Willa calls him, is sporting his normal, serious expression, looking like he’s ready to hold court at any moment, even in his jeans and button-down. The cleanest cut of all of us, his dark hair is a sharp contrast to his green eyes. Hux, on the other hand, is a classic middle child, with a permanent shit-eating grin, tattoos covering his arms and torso, a full beard, and ear gauges. The gauges are small, a condition of Miss Belle’s when he rebelled in high school by inserting them.

“Don’t make it into something it’s not,” I hiss.

“I’m not the one who took her out on the sex boat,” Hux retorts.

I huff, trying to hold in saying something I’ll regret. I am not going to dignify that with an answer.

“The boat live up to its reputation?” Gus teases.

I’m not going to dignify that with an answer either…

I give them both the bird, turning my attention back to the half-assembled beer taps. I need to get these cleaned up before we open. My brothers chuckle and then turn to look at each other. The two of them, along with Jace, are all currently roommates, living in an old house on the family estate. Which I know aids in their ability to silently communicate and gang up on me. Like they are about to.

My phone rattles across the bar with an incoming call. Saved by the bell. Buzz. I pick it up, thankful for the easy exit from this conversation. That is, until I look at the screen and see Brandt’s face.

My heart skips a beat, apprehension taking over. The exact opposite emotion of what one should be feeling when his best friend calls.

Unless he tongue fucked said best friend’s baby sister a few days ago. And liked it. Like I did.

“Hey man!” I answer, forcing myself to sound relaxed.