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“Yes and no. We’re getting into the season— weddings, formals, proms. I’m actually late for class but wanted to handle this one order before leaving. I’m glad you’re here, though.”
“What’s up?”
“Ember would kill me if she knew I was even talking to you about this, but Alex and I agreed that it needed to be done.”
“What needed to be done?”
“What are your intentions with Ember?”
“No offense, but that’s between me and her. I haven’t known her long enough to have intentions.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. According to Ember, you met a while ago and you didn’t give her the time of day. Then you show up last week on an errand for your sister and end up asking her out, only to cancel on her. I was shocked as shit when I walked in yesterday and you were sitting at my kitchen table, looking at her sketches. So, yes, there are intentions, and I want to know what they are.” He crosses his arms over his chest and stares at me with no emotion. This isn’t the same guy I sat shooting the shit with yesterday.
He glares at me. There’s no doubt he can hold his own. We’re about the same height, but I have at least ten pound of muscle on him. It’s been a long time since someone has stood up to me like this.
“What are you really asking me? You think I have some kind of ulterior motive?”
“I don’t know you well enough to make a fucking judgment, but we need to get something straight up front. Ember has had a shitty lot in life, and no one looked out for her. That all changed when she was forced to become a woman faster than she should have been and hauled her ass up to Nashville. It’s taken five years for her to feel safe, comfortable, and finally at home. You can probably tell she’s shy, but there’s a whole lot more to her. So what I am really asking you is are you going to dick her around?”
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” I practically growl and cross my own arms, glaring at him.
“Not one bit. If you’re looking for a quick lay or casual hookup, it’s time to move along. I won’t allow for her to be wrapped up in that.”
“You’re really starting to piss me off. Who the hell do you think you are? I’ll repeat, what’s happening here is between her and me. Obviously, you are in her fucking business so you know this is new. Neither of us knows what’s going to happen next.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. Ember is one of the most important people in my life, and she has extreme self-esteem issues that stem from her past. You may not know where this is heading, but I bet you she has lain awake, calculating exactly when you’re going to send the next text canceling a date.”
“Jesus Christ, I’ve already apologized about that- three fucking times! What do you want me say? I like her, okay? I fucked around the last few months because I thought she was too sweet and innocent for a guy like me. I’ve seen dark- really dark. I buried six of my brothers and deal with the aftermath of that every single day. So yeah, we’ve known each other a while, but I tried to stay away. I decided I didn’t want to stay away anymore. It was time to make my move and get to know her.”
“Why?” he challenges me, which pisses me off more.
“Because she’s different. She’s beautiful, kind, and the whole sweet thing has started to grow on me. Because after I walked her to her car in December, the look on her face was the only thing I thought about for weeks. I can get laid anytime, Cruz. That’s never been a problem, but that’s not what I’m after with her.”
“Good.” As a smile breaks out on his face, my anger boils more.
“Good? What’s your deal?”
“My deal is that you needed to know where I’m coming from, and I needed to rile you to see if you were seeing her for the right reasons. You’re spot on about her innocence, but unfortunately, it hasn’t always been that way.”
“What the hell does that mean?”
“It’s her story to tell, but I’ll tell you a secret. Know why her nickname is ‘Little Star’?”
I raise an eyebrow, waiting for him to finish because I’m not in the mood to play guessing games.
“Because she has always been a shining star in a sky full of darkness. She’s had it rough,
Robbie, and finally, she’s shining bright. If you do anything to take that away, I’ll beat the shit out of you.”
“Is there something you should tell me? I get the feeling there’s something here I’m missing.”
“Let’s hope she’ll open up to you. She’s different than any other girl you’ll ever meet.”
“Do you think I’m a douchebag? I know she’s different. That’s one of the things that draw me to her. You have no idea who I am or my past, but I’ll fill you in on something. I have a sister that means the fucking world to me. Anything or anyone that ever hurts her will answer to me personally and probably won’t walk away unscathed, so your little interrogation is unnecessary.”
“Only time will tell.”
“Listen, Cruz, you got something else to say? Out of respect for Ember, I’m putting up with this shit. I know the whole big brother protective thing. I’ve been there. So spit your shit out and get it over with.”
