AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I thank him, leaving a good tip and even signing his ball cap. With my duffle hanging over my shoulder and my own hat tugged low, I move into the crowd of people walking by. I don’t exactly blend in given I’m so casually dressed, though I’m not so disheveled people stare.
At least I’ve got the cold on my side. I don’t mind it nearly as much as I made the driver believe. Cold means long sleeves. And that means being able to hide the tattoos.
If it was stupid hot and I had to go short sleeve, then there’d be no disguising who I am. Everyone knows the symbols and designs lining my arms.
Glancing over my shoulder, I make sure the driver has taken off. Once I make sure I don’t have a tail, I slip inside the tiny restaurant with the chili pepper sign out front. Tennyson said that was the only way to know where this place was since they liked things to be subtle.
The second I’m through the door, I’m wrapped in a tight hug. “So glad you’re here,” Tenn squeals.
I huff out a laugh as I try to break free of his grip. “Glad to be here. I’m starving. Please tell me this place is good.”
A woman appears from behind him. “Best authentic Mexican you’ll find this far north.”
Grinning at her confidence comes easy. It’s nice to have someone who isn’t trying to bullshit me. She’s just being honest in her opinion of this place.
“You work here?” I ask.
“More like owns the place, man. This is Antonia. She’s an angel.”
The stack of menus in her hands land against Tenn’s bicep. “Enough trying to butter me up. I’ve already booked you in the back where it’s private. Come on. I’ll bring Austen through when he gets here. He is coming, right?”
I follow the pair of them through the small area. I have to lift my bag a few times to get past people, all of whom ignore me. What a blessing for small favors.
“He’s still coming. His boss is coming in tomorrow, and his manager kind of lost it. My bro is running damage control. You might want to have something strong ready to pour though. I think he’ll break his no alcohol rule tonight.”
Antonia’s eyes rise. I mimic the gesture. It’s unheard of for Austen to break his no drinking rule. He took it up for soccer and hasn’t had a drop since he turned twenty-one, according to my knowledge.
“Wow,” she draws out after a long minute. “I’ll get him my best then. You two sit here. I’ll bring you some food soon.”
After dropping the menus, she leaves us alone. The table we’re at is tucked in a cove near the kitchen. No one outside of the waitstaff will see us. And since I intend to keep my hat on all night, I might get lucky, and people will ignore me.
I slip my coat off, then turn to Tenn. “What’s wrong with Austen that he needs liquor?”
He scrubs a hand over his smirk. “It’s pretty fucking hilarious if you ask me. He’s not all that happy about it though.”
“Still not telling me anything. What is it?”
Before Tenn can reply, I hear a familiar voice. “Please tell me Antonia has something stronger than water.”
“Called it!” Tennyson claps his hands together as he motions for his brother to sit down with us. “I’ve already got her making you something. She should be back — ah! There she is.”
“Here you go, dear. Drink slowly.” She doesn’t manage to get the words out in time before Austen slams the drink back.
Fucking fuck fucknuts!
I’m not prepared for this level of hotness. It’s a wildfire spreading through me and causing my cock to thicken before my brain can even remind us that we’re in public and with his brother.
Antonia gives me a wink before taking the glass and saying, “I’ll bring another.”
“Thank you,” Austen shouts behind her. Then he promptly drops his head to the table.
Tennyson smiles big as he covers his laugh. Too bad the big idiot can’t stop shaking with his amusement.
“I can feel you shaking the table, brother dear. How about you chill out?”
The grumbling man beside me is so different from the Austen I normally see. It’s making me question how well I think I know him.
Maybe he wouldn’t mind the whole fake dating idea?
