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“Big dick energy,” I chuckled. How did he not know this?
Shade’s full lips pursed, his eyes sliding from me to narrow on the other man. “So I get accused of being a serial killer, and he gets ‘big dick energy’ vibes.”
All my humor faded.Damnit, I offended him.Shade was being nice to Gracie, and I was making him admit to finding someone other than Trap attractive.
Just call me a homewrecker.
“I’m just…. Never mind.” I was just trying to find common ground with him, and now he wouldn’t want to be my friend or let his partner be mine either. “It was a dumb comment. You don’t have to worry about me ever coming between two people in a relationship. I know what it’s like to be cheated on.” I muttered that last part, hating that Gracie was still in the truck to hear it.
With an annoyed huff, Gracie pushed open the door and leapt out. Scrambling to release the seat belt, I froze when a hand engulfed mine.
“What about me?” he asked, dark eyes searching mine.
“You?” He nodded. “Do I think you’re a homewrecker?”
He shook his head. “Do you find me attractive?”
My heart raced as I held his intense stare. “Well, yeah.” It was easy to admit that knowing he didn’t feel the same about me. “Not that it matters, right?”
His brows shot up his forehead. After releasing the seat belt, I jumped out of the truck, the flat soles of my Converse smacking the dry ground. Gripping the edges of my jacket, I wrapped it tighter around my waist and stepped beside Gracie. The truck door slammed behind me, followed by Shade walking up to the vet and her boyfriend, cardboard box in hand.
“What do we have here?” Anne asked, though with the way her gaze flicked from me to the box, I wasn’t sure who she was talking about.
Instead of responding, Shade pushed the cardboard box into Anne’s chest, who took it with a small smile. Next, he turned to the tatted man and extended a hand, which the other man grasped. Low-spoken words were exchanged before all three turned their attention our way. It was second nature to step in front of Gracie, blocking their curious stares.
“Hey, I’m Anne,” she said while striding a few feet forward to pause in front of us. Adjusting the box with the crying kitten, she motioned inside the barn. “Until my official clinic is finished, I’ve been doing small-animal exams in the office. Want to come with me and watch?”
“I’m good—”
Gracie stepped around me, hand raised. “Yeah, I would.”
Anne’s flawless face lit up. “Well, come on, then. If it’s okay with your mom.” I worried at the corner of my lip as I eyed her boyfriend. Anne turned to follow my focus and offered me a tight smile. “He can stay out here if that makes you feel better. He’s harmless, but I understand having reservations about a strange man around her.”
My shoulders dropped, relief easing the tightness in my lungs. Not that I didn’t trust him because of the tattoos. I just didn’t want Gracie to be alone with a man I didn’t know.
Hell, I didn’t want her alone with her father.
Or his friends.
My friends.
I shook my head, dislodging that train of thought. Gracie hurried past me and followed Anne, who engaged Gracie in an easy conversation I hadn’t been able to manage for a while. It was difficult when all I got were one-word responses or just blank stares.
“You look like you could use a drink,” the boyfriend said, crossing both arms over his chest. “I’m Grayson, by the way.”
I offered him an unsure smile. “Georgia. Nice to meet you. And don’t take offense about that,” I said, waving in the direction the two women went. “I’m having a hard time trusting any man with her at this point without me around.”
Both men’s stares went absolutely glacial. I swallowed and retreated a step.
“Is he dead?” Grayson asked, voice now cold.
“Who?” I squeaked. This man was dangerous, but like Shade, I knew I wasn’t in danger. My hesitation for him being around Gracie came from the fucked-up shit Barrett and his friends had imprinted in my brain.
“The man who made you unsure of leaving her with anyone,” Shade answered, tone clipped.
I swallowed while darting quick glances between the two. Shoulders back, muscles tense, they looked ready to fight, to rip the head off…. Then it dawned on me. They were ready to battle for Gracie, for me.
“Nothing happened,” I blurted. “To her,” I added. Though my words didn’t change their stiff stances. “I got her out before anything could happen.” I bit my lip and tipped my face to the sky, inhaling deep. The fresh smells of the ranch settling me in a way I didn’t know I needed, I forced myself to trust Anne to keep Gracie safe. “You mentioned something about a drink?”
