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“Okay. Let’s talk about you wanting to get the hell out of Dodge. What’s up with that? I had no idea you were looking to leave.”
“I don’t know.” He swivels his chair toward the bar and props his arms up on the sleek wood. “I didn’t really think about it until I walked out of your office. I hadn’t even considered it as an option, but now that I know it is, I want out.” He glances at me but I school my features, doing my best to appear impassive. No way do I want to see Mason move, but if that’s what he needs to be happy in life, I sure as hell wouldn’t stop him. “Doesn’t a small part of you want out too?”
I take a swig of my drink and the warm liquid slides down my throat, igniting a fiery burn that instantly soothes me. “I honestly don’t know. If you’d asked me five years ago, I would’ve jumped all over the idea. But now, I’m not so sure.”
“Is it because Laney is back?” He keeps his eyes locked on me as he asks the question.
“No,” I deny. “Not at all. She doesn’t factor into this at all.” Mason keeps staring at me, and suddenly I feel the need to defend myself. “She doesn’t. Not even a little bit. I wouldn’t think twice about leaving.”
“You’re a horrible fucking liar.”
“Whatever,” I scoff, signaling Tatum for another drink. “Laney has nothing to do with it.” At least, I don’t think she does, but no way am I telling Mason that. “I just think that one of us should stay here with Dad. He isn’t getting any younger, you know. If we both leave and hire management for Flame and Blue, then you know as well as I do that Dad would be here every day.”
Mason snorts with laughter. “That’s for sure. The old man would probably drive everyone insane, and he’d sure as hell have your cages ripped down before you passed the city limit sign.”
“So . . . Nashville. Are you going to start wearing cowboy hats and saying y’all?” I quip with my best Southern drawl.
“Of course I am. That’s my whole reason for going. Have you seen those girls in their short dresses and cowboy boots?”
“You’re twenty-seven, Mase. You do realize that one of these days you’re going to have to stop talking about all of these women and actually settle down with one.” To be honest, I’m not even sure what Mason does with his hordes of women. I’ve never seen him kiss one. Sure, I’ve seen him flirt and touch but never kiss, and I’ve never seen one at his house taking the walk of shame.
“Don’t worry about me, big brother. I’ll settle down when the time is right. For now, I think you need to be worrying about you.” He gives me a pointed look and waves his glass in my direction.
“Oh yeah? Why’s that?” He’s determined to have this talk, and I need to just let him so that he’ll get off my fucking back.
“Because there is a certain dark-haired pixie that you’ve been spending a lot of time with, and I completely disagree that she doesn’t factor into you wanting to stay here.”
“We haven’t been spending time together. We’ve only been alone once, which hardly constitutes us spending a lot of time with one another.”
“Technicalities,” he says, waving me off. “You’ve been coming to the kitchen a lot more than usual, and when you do come, the only person you talk to is Laney. And don’t think I haven’t noticed how much time you’ve been spending on the phone. Funny how those times just happen to be when Laney isn’t here. Coincidence? I think not.” He gives me a cocky smirk and takes another drink.
“Fine,” I concede. “We’ve been getting to know each other again, but that’s it. Just two old friends getting reacquainted.”
“Levi. I’m your brother. You think I don’t know you inside and out, and you think I can’t read you like a fucking book? Newsflash, I can!” I take a deep breath and close my eyes . . . this is the only way I can keep from my connecting my fist to his face.
“You’re a prick.”
“Yes”—he nods—“that may be true. But I’m your brother and I want you happy.”
“I am happy.”
“I know. But it’s only been since Laney has come home.” I thought I’d done a good job at feigning happiness over the years, but obviously I was wrong. “It’s cool, dude. Nothing to be ashamed of. The girl is a fucking dream, both inside and out, and no one would think twice about you giving her a second chance. Lord knows that’s what she wants. Plus,” he adds, sliding me a shot glass that mysteriously appeared, “you’re different around her.”
Damn it, Mason.
“Of course I’m different around her. I’m a fucking idiot around her! All this stupid shit starts floating around in my head, and I start acting like a pussy. Well, I’m not a pussy,” I declare, squaring my shoulders.
“Hell no, yo
u’re not.” Mason gives a firm shake of his head. “You are not a pussy.”
“I’m Levi Fucking Beckford,” I proclaim, lifting up the shot glass.
“That’s right.” Mason raises his shot glass and taps it to mine, but when I tip my glass back to swallow the clear liquid, he says, “You’re Levi Fucking Beckford, and you’re still in love with Laney Fucking Jacobs.”
Tequila spews from my mouth. Tatum glares at the mess in front of me while Mason rolls with laughter in his chair.
LEVI IS WAITING FOR me when Benny drops me off at the restaurant. I can tell the exact moment that he registers who is behind the wheel of my car because he stands a little bit taller and puffs out his chest, which totally cracks me up. Benny notices it too because he’s smiling like a fucking clown. “That boy would shit his pants if I hauled off and kissed you right now.” He puts the car in park and turns to me, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
