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I turn around slowly, leaning against the counter. I look my brother over and I could almost feel sorry for him. Almost, but not quite. I do try to stifle the smile that wants to spread my lips. I take a drink of coffee instead, hiding my reaction behind my mug.
“I’m drinking coffee,” I finally respond and when I think I have myself under control enough I set the mug down on the counter and cross my arms at my chest. “You, apparently, have something on your mind, so just get it out. I want it said, so I can forget it. I got shit to do before I pick Tillie up at work and I’d rather not have your sour encroach on her sweet.”
I can tell my response just makes him worse. I don’t have a flying fuck to give. Whatever he says, won’t change shit. Tillie still belongs to me.
“She’s not like your whores in Dallas. You make her love you again and it will destroy her. She won’t survive you leaving her bed to jump into another one.”
“Fuck, Tucker. I know we don’t talk much, but you should know me well enough to know that’s not who I am.”
“I know exactly who you are.Mr. Break Your Headboard, isn’t that what they call you?”
My body jerks as if he hit me and I lock into place, solid mass unable to move. I do this because if I was to move right now, it would be to beat Tucker so that Mom wouldn’t even recognize him. I’m pissed at him, sure. That’s not what all my anger is about, however. That fucking nickname.
That. Fucking. Name.
I know the guys on the team are aware of it. Hell, even Coach is. Still, I didn’t know it was common knowledge to the point word would leak back to my brother—or any member of my family for that matter.
“Where did you hear that name?” I growl under my breath, narrowing my eyes on him.
“Your reputation is legendary. They talk about it on the local sports shows. They even interviewed some homeless guy with a pet chicken. He said he gave you that nickname himself. I’m not going to ask you why you take your pussy to a hotel that has homeless people out front. I’m just asking you to show that you still have a little of the values our parents raised us with andnottry to make Tillie one of your bitches. She’s been hurt enough.”
Fuck.
“Rooster isn’t homeless. He’s a coach. Well, of sorts.”
“That explains your team’s losing record last season,” Tucker responds.Asshole.
“If you’re done being a dick, I’m going to do some errands so I can pickmygirl up from work this evening. I actually have a life instead of tearing other people apart,” I mutter, turning to walk away and grabbing my coffee mug as I go.
“Leave her alone, Ryder. I’m warning you now, I won’t let you hurt her again.”
I stop immediately and spin around to face him. “Who the fuck do you think you are?”
“I’m the man that actually cares about Tillie,” he responds, standing up and walking over to me.
“It’s none of your business what Tillie and I do, we’re both adults, Tucker.”
“Tillie may be an adult, but she’s been sheltered. She couldn’t take you hurting her again.”
“I haven’t hurt Tillie, and I won’t. What we do together is none of your concern. In fact, nothing concerning Tillie is your concern. I’m her man and taking care of her ismyresponsibility.”
“You’re not a man. You wouldn’t know how to take care of Tillie if your life depended on it. You’re too worried about yourself.”
“I wouldn’t bet on that if I were you. I took care of her five—or six—times last night while you were home with your hand, brother.”
“You son of a bitch!” Tucker barks, losing complete control.
I brace myself for the fight that’s to come. I welcome it. If he doesn’t get that Tillie is off the market, I’ll beat the fact into him.
“What’s going on here?” Mom asks, coming into the kitchen.
My gaze drops down to Tucker’s hand. He flexes his fist as he tries to rein in the need to punch me. I wait. I don’t care if Mom is here, I’ll give him the first hit and then after that, all bets are off.
“Nothing, Mom,” he says, stepping back a twitch in his lower jaw as he tries to get control of his anger.
The urge to push him over the edge is so strong, I nearly do it. The only thing that stops me is that I already hate myself for responding to him earlier. I shouldn’t have told the asshole how many times I made Tillie come. That was mine and mine alone. I know Tillie would hate me forever if she knew what I did. That’s the last thing I want. I don’t want to give her a reason to push me away.
I clear my throat and step back myself. “It’s nothing, Mom. We were just catching up.”
