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Charlie had talked Dustin into heading into town for a drink at the Shotgun Wedding Bar and Grill. Charlie had already tossed back three shots of Jose, and didn’t seem to be slowing down.
Dustin wasn’t stupid; his brother didn’t just pop into town for no reason. “You going to tell me what this impromptu visit is all about?”
Charlie leveled him with blue eyes identical to his. “Sure, let’s trade stories. What is up with that stone-cold fox living in your pool house?”
Dustin nursed his beer, not wanting Charlie to get any ideas about Rylie. “Nothing. She was in a bad spot and I said she could rent the pool house until she found something else.”
“Yeah, but you don’t get involved with women and you definitely don’t let them stay with you.”
“She’s not staying with me. She’s in a separate living space.”
Charlie waved at the bartender, indicating he needed another round. “Fine, semantics. The point is, you’ve never even hung around a woman for more than a couple of days, but this one you’re playing the hero for.”
“She’s my coworker.”
Charlie snorted.
“Fine, she’s a friend. Or something close to it.”
“Now we’re getting somewhere.” Charlie took his shot, and hissed between his teeth. “I guess that means it’s my turn, huh? Well, I told my boss to shove it, right before I walked out the door and never went back.”
To say Dustin was shocked was an understatement. Charlie had gone to NYU and graduated with a master’s in architecture. He’d been working at a large firm for the last eighteen months, and as far as Dustin had known, Charlie was happy.
“Why?”
“Ah, that is a long story for another time. For now, all you need to know is I’m seeking a little help getting back on my feet, Brother. Got an extra room for me?”
“Sure. For a price,” Dustin said, grinning.
“I just told you I was unemployed.”
“I don’t need your money.”
Charlie watched him suspiciously before his brother’s eyes flared wide. “Hell no!”
“You don’t know what I’m going to ask for.”
“Yeah I do, and I’ll stay with Mom before I let you get your grubby hands on her!”
Dustin smiled, amused his brother still called his original ’68 Camaro SS a “she.” “Please? I’ll take good care of her.”
“You just stick with your modern candy ass cars and stay away from my baby.”
“Jesus, your baby? You have got to get laid, man,” Dustin said. His thoughts immediately strayed to Rylie and her date and he grimaced. Rylie wasn’t the type to bring a guy home on the first date, was she?
“That’s why we’re here. I’m on the prowl.”
Dustin gave Charlie a skeptical glance. “If you drink much more, you’re going to be on the floor.”
“Please, I am thirty-two. I can hold my”—he burped—“liquor.”
Charlie turned on the barstool and after several seconds, he elbowed Dustin in the side. “Dude, is there a reason why Asher Reid is staring at me like he’s trying to kill me with his mind?”
Dustin looked over his shoulder and saw Asher pounding back a beer, slamming the mug down on the table when he caught Dustin’s gaze.
“I think he wants you, Charlie.”
