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“RJ isn’t enough for you anymore?” I didn’t entirely succeed in keeping the sharp tone out of my voice, but maybe Shaw wouldn’t notice.
He snorted. “Riley is it for me, but you’re pretty salty for someone who’s not involved.”
I watched the trees ahead of us slowly creep closer, struggling to verbalize the maelstrom Chloe churned up inside me. Words didn’t do the chaos justice.
Shaw took my silence in stride, like he normally did, and kept talking as if I’d responded.
“I admit your poker face is better than mine, but I know you. Every time Chloe is around, you have this caveman protective thing happening.”
“She’s a magnet for trouble,” I muttered. “Am I supposed to let her struggle when I could help?”
He pointed at me. “Ah, but helping isn’t all you want.”
“No,” I finally ground out. Nothing drastic changed with the admission. Lightning didn’t suddenly strike me down for having dirty thoughts about my best friend’s sister, but another wall crumbled into sand.
I wanted Chloe, craved her. Not only her body—I wanted her smile and her laugh and her willingness to take chances no matter the consequences. If she were interested in a relationship, I’d be fucked because I wouldn’t be able to tell her no. I might still be fucked.
Shaw nodded as if I’d said all of that out loud. “That’s what I thought. Is D holding you back? Because even he knows Chloe will do whatever she damn well feels like.”
“I promised him I’d take care of her.”
“We all did, and in that capacity, I’d stop you cold if I thought you’d hurt her.” He shrugged. “You won’t. I’m more concerned about your feelings… and also your belongings. I don’t want to have to evacuate if she decides to light your shit up.”
I grunted out a laugh. This was why these guys were my family. Shaw didn’t pull punches, and he had a point. Iwouldn’thurt Chloe. She didn’t believe that yet, but maybe if I could convince her, she’d be willing to take a chance on me.
But I wouldn’t do shit until I talked to D. I wasn’t asking permission, but he deserved to know my intentions for his sister. An image of Chloe on her knees in front of me, dark hair wrapped around my fist, green eyes shining with mischief, nearly made me trip. I winced. Might want to keep the details to myself.
Since Shaw hadn’t shunned me for my admission, I might as well unburden myself all the way. “She doesn’t want anything serious.”
Shaw’s brows shot up. “And you do?”
I glared at his disbelieving tone. We all knew Mac had a new conquest every week, but I stayed away from the ball bunnies. Or I tried. Excluding last year’s video incident, I hadn’t brought a girl back to the apartment in months.
“I don’t do all the hookup bullshit.”
“I’m not suggesting marriage, man. There’s a whole lot of gray area between a hookup and an engagement. You could try exploring some of that with the girl you actually want to be with instead of shitty stand-ins.”
My gaze shot to his, and he smirked.
Shaw shook his head. “You thought I wouldn’t notice the last girl looked like Chloe?”
“You were busy getting all twisted up over RJ.”
“I was busy, not blind. Here’s what I think. Tell D you’re interested in her, tellheryou’re interested in her, let nature take its course. I’ll make sure the smoke detector has fresh batteries.”
I shoved him sideways, making him hop off the road where he had to narrowly avoid a bush. His idea wasn’t bad. This seemed like a face-to-face conversation, so I could talk to D at the alumni dinner. Bonus, waiting a little longer would give me time to decide Shaw was full of shit and change my mind.
He didn’t let a close encounter with the foliage slow him down. He caught up to me easily. What the hell? I could feel my breath sawing in and out of my lungs, despite all the running Coach made us do at practice. How much farther was the finish line?
Shaw didn’t seem winded at all, which made me want to toss him into another bush. “Okay, then, new topic. Do you know what’s going on with Mac?”
I frowned in his direction. “What do you mean?”
“He’s spending a lot of time in his room, but I never see him bring girls in anymore. And when was the last time he dragged us to a party?”
My unease deepened as I replayed the last few weeks in my mind. Admittedly, I’d been distracted by a certain new addition to our friend group, but Shaw was right. Mac had been with a girl the night I’d texted Chloe the first time.
Normally, the girls don’t stay the night, but I never heard her leave. I hadn’t noticed any other girls since then.
