"I'm not letting my step sister be acquainted with any y’alls spit." Brandt laughs nervously.
I sit forward and grab an empty bottle, holding it up. "Don't be so lame, Brandt." I think I have my answer that he's fucked that girl, but I don't think he'd tell me straightforward. "Kinlee, you should start."
"Ooooh, okay!" She downs another shot and rubs her hands together. Reaching out, she spins the bottle and we all wait as it slows to a stop. Her eyes follow the neck of the bottle and land on some guy I've never seen before.
"Bryce," Kinlee blurts, then laughs and walks over and presses her lips to his quickly. There was no spit swapping but the girls are giggling anyway.
Bryce spins the bottle and when it lands on the bitch that's trying to rub against Brandt, she practically jumps into his lap to kiss him. I groan quietly and sit back, getting a small chuckle and nudge from Kinlee.
Fiona spins the bottle and it lands between Brandt and the girl sitting next to him.
"I'm not a homo, so..." She slowly moves toward him. Nothing like she just did to the Bryce kid. This is like a lion stalking and she thinks she’s hot shit. "And we've done this before." She kneels in front of him.
"This ain't a show, Fi." Brandt leans and gives her the tiniest of pecks then pulls away. "There. Done. My turn."
"Isn't there a rule?" The Fi girl blurts. "Like shouldn’t it be so long or somethin’?"
"Sit down, Fi." Bo gives her a push.
"Only rule is you kiss whoever the bottle lands on. That's it," Brandt blurts, then grabs the bottle and shakes his head, letting out a whispered curse before spinning it. The entire room grows silent and it feels like this damn bottle's never going to slow down.
It lands on Bo and Bo grins, shouting, "No homo!" before puckering his lips.
"No fucking homo," Brandt says, laughing, then takes a long swig of beer before puckering up and leaning toward Bo.
I cover my face while I burst into laughter because they just kissed and they're both grinning like they loved it. Bo spins and it lands on Kinlee. His stupid grin turns into a love-struck one and my brows raise. Wow, Bo loves Kinlee. A lot.
They kiss, a little lingering in my opinion until Kinlee giggles.
"My turn." When someone grabs the bottle, I immediately notice Brandt's scowl.
"Chase, didn't you go?" Bo asks but he spins, seeming to flick his wrist skillfully so it lands on me, and lo and behold, it does.
He grins and starts moving in. "I’m Chase, remember me?" he says as his eyes drop to my lips.
I hear Brandt make a noise but don't glance over at him. It'd be way too obvious.
“Yeah, hey.”
When Chase moves closer Brandt blurts, "Shots anyone?" He storms out of the room but it doesn't phase Chase one bit.
His lips land on mine and before I can pull back from the soft kiss, his tongue darts out until he's shoved back. "She has a fuckin' boyfriend," Bo snarls and gets to his feet next to me.
My eyes go wide as I watch the two guys square up.
"Yeah? It you?" Chase counters.
"Maybe it fuckin' is." Bo steps closer and Brandt rushes back into the room, hopping over the living room table to get to them before they go at it.
"The hell, you two?" He pushes Chase away from Bo. His eyes flash from Bo's to mine, then over to Chase. "What'd you do?"
"Apparently Bo's fuckin your sister, man." Chase looks down at me then Bo again. "Seems to be news to Kenshaw, Bo. Looks like I let the cat out of the bag." He shoves Bo's shoulder before walking away from him.
"Bo. Outside. Now." Brandt practically growls, then looks at me. "You too."
I furrow my brows. Me fuckin' too? Why? But I don't ask it, I just glance at Kinlee whose mouth is in an O, then I follow.
"The fuck did I do?" I step onto the back porch with them.
"Nothing," he growls, slamming the door once we're on the deck. His eyes pin Bo to his spot. "What the hell was that?" Brandt says as he steps between Bo and I.
"I just did you two a favor. You can thank me later," Bo says, taking a casual swig of his beer.
"A favor?" Brandt barks.
"A favor?" I blurt at the same time.
"Yes, idiots. A favor. Because Chase'll have his dick all up on you in twenty seconds flat and I didn't want you," he says, glaring at Brandt, "to come in guns blazin' when he starts in on your territory." His hand waves at me before bringing his bottle to his lips for another swig. "So yes. A favor."
"Hold on!" I blurt, then glare at Brandt a second. "Guns blazin’? Territory? And if I don't want his dick all up on me, I wouldn't let his dick all up on me. This kid can't be serious?" I look at Brandt again while Bo grabs a circular canister from his back pocket then packs his lip with chew and I cringe. I'm in fucking hick-ville hell! "That's so gross!"
"He knows," I hear Brandt say. He walks away from us and leans over the deck ledge with a huff.
"He knows? That it’s gross to chew? Because that's all he better know." I look at Bo who's grinning with that stupid packed lip and I want to punch it.
"Listen." Bo raises his hands and steps back a few steps. "I mean, I don't get it, but I ain't never had a hot step sister either."
"Oh fuck," Brandt groans.
I gasp and grab Bo's shirt. "I'm going to knock your teeth and that chew so far down your throat," I threaten, raising my fist, but Brandt's hand engulfs my knuckles.
He chuckles and pulls me off Bo. "While that's adorable and all. Kinda sexy," he says, smirking, "Bo ain’t gonna tell no-one. Right?" He looks at Bo and Bo seems to laugh it off.
"Nothin' wrong with what y’all are doin'. Little strange, but I ain’t one to be startin' fires, if ya know what I mean." He takes a step away from me.
"Why the hell did you tell him?" I quietly snap at Brandt, then glance at Bo who's grinning at me.
"I didn't. My fuckin' brother stole my phone that night a few weeks ago. Your tits were on the damn screen. Bo's not stupid and I knew he saw it. Well, I assumed he saw it." He nods to Bo. "Sorry ‘bout that, man."
He raises his hands again and chuckles. "I can't say I'm mad. Don't hit me!" he exclaims and backs away from me. "But yeah, I saw it. Confused the shit out of me, but then it kinda made sense. You been actin' like a puss since you met her." He slugs Brandt's shoulder.
"You can't tell anyone. I mean it. Not them. Not your sister. No one." Brandt shakes his head. "Our parents would fuckin' die."
Bo raises his brows then spits over the deck. "Y’all are kinda screwed. And I ain't speakin' for all of them, but I noticed you kinda ain't leavin' her alone, Brandt. I won't be the only one to notice it soon."
Brandt's face scrunches and he shakes his head. "I'm not leavin' her alone. You don't know the half of the shit we're goin' through with Cash. God knows who he has keepin' tabs on her." Brandt curses and starts to pace, shoving his hands in his pockets before looking to Bo. "You think if we let them believe y’all are a couple that they'd let off a bit?"
"Oh, fucking hell," I groan and look at chew-boy over here. Brandt's a fucking ripped, sexy, hot cowboy. Bo's cute in his own gumpy way, but no one would believe I'd date him. No one would believe he'd fuckin' date me!
"I think to throw them off your tail, we should do somethin' like that," Bo says quietly. When he looks at me, he's got a nervous look across his face and I glare at Brandt.
"I fuckin' hate it, but it's smarter than the alternative," Brandt grumbles before looking at Bo again. "You try anything and I'm fuckin' killing you in your sleep and feedin' you to the hogs."
I shake my head, completely shocked I'm in this fucking situation. "This is so royally fucked," I mumble then look at Bo who meekly shrugs. "Fuck!" I bark before snatching his hand and yanking him toward the back door. Before I walk inside, I look over my shoulder at Brandt, shooting him a scowl, but the look on his face makes me sigh. "Hang on," I demand. "Stand right there and don't let that door open, and turn around." I grab Bo and position him so his back is to us then I walk up to Brandt and pull him into the shadows of the porch. "It's twelve thirty. Officially your birthday. So happy birthday." Shifting to my toes, I softly press my mouth to his, kissing him slow and tasting the alcohol on his breath that only makes this better.
His lips stay pressed to mine when he questions, "Why are you so good to me?"
I snort at that and roll my eyes. If only he knew he's my new addiction, I don't think he'd be thinking that.
"Let's get you another drink, farm boy." I kiss his chin and lower off my toes.
"Lead the way, city girl." He grins and nods toward Bo. "Touch her ass and I'm blowin' your hand off with my shotgun. It's in my room waitin' for ya."
"You two are fucked. And weird. Can I just say that? Farm boy? City girl? The fuck world you guys livin' in?" He laughs. "I wanna see the day Donna and Garrison find out about this."
"Fuck off," Brandt barks and pushes past us before storming inside, heading straight for the alcohol.
"We are royally fucked," I whisper to Bo.
"Yes, ma'am, you are," he concurs, and I shove him through the door before grabbing his hand.
I hear Brandt in the living room, causing some kind of ruckus, and when I walk in I see him holding the whole room's attention.
"So, I fucked him up real good. Apparently they're an item. We'll see about that." He glares at Bo and so does everyone else. "Y’all can't be an item if I never leave your side. Ain't that right, sis?"
I bite my lip as I smile, trying not to smack him upside his drunken head. We didn't plan on this huge announcement. I thought subtle. Subtle is good, but now he's drawing all kinds of attention to me.
"I suggest you look the other way if you don't want to see it." I narrow my eyes at him a minute, then turn to face Bo, getting to my toes. I look him in the eyes and he sees the warning. He's scared to death right now. Barely touching my lips to his, I make it look like we're making out and hollers of encouragement fill the room.
I sigh and roll my eyes but turn around and grin, leaning my back against Bo and his hands stiffly land on my shoulders. Him and Brandt are in a stare down and I think Bo's about to piss himself.
"You better fuckin' treat her right, Bo. Or I'll murder you. And that's a promise." He glares at Bo. He hates this plan, even though it was his fucking plan!
Kinlee’s bubbly personality has suddenly been deflated since she learned of mine and Bo's fake relationship and I feel for the girl. I thought she wanted Brandt, but she's actually just a really nice ditz, and I think she has a little thing for Bo...my boyfriend.
The only good thing that came out of this fucking lie is Chase has left me alone, but Fi has been clawing up Brandt since his sixth shot and he's becoming too inebriated to stop it.
When Brandt passes out in the chair, and three of his other friends have fallen asleep in random spots, I lean my head back on the couch, still holding Bo's sweaty hand. The poor guy's been pouring sweat from nerves all night, but he's done his job well. His hand goes limp in my lap and I look at Brandt a second.
"Hey." I nudge Bo. "I'm gonna go to bed."
"Uh, yeah, night."
Chase looks at me and slides his teeth over his lip. "You need company?"
"No, she don't, ya worthless asshole," Bo growls and stands, taking my hand.
I don't know what the hell he's doing, except he's coming with me to my fucking room! Brandt's going to kill us both! As we walk past Brandt, Bo kicks his boot hard enough to wake him up.
"My bad. Me and Jo are turnin' in," he quickly informs Brandt.
Brandt's eyes flash between the two of us then narrow. "The fuck you are." He stands from the chair, taking a minute to gain his balance. "I meant it when I said I'm not leavin’ you shits alone. March. I need a good bed to puke in." He pushes Bo toward the bedroom and I close my eyes briefly.
This whole idea. The entire fucking thing—kissing, fucking, falling in love with my step brother, then making his best friend my fake boyfriend—it was all a horrible idea.
The doors close and I turn around to face Brandt while he walks toward me.
"This was the worst idea I've ever had." He takes my face in his hands and presses his lips to mine with Bo right there. "So stupid."
"It was this or them figuring it out, Brandt," I say against his mouth. "You're not so good at being discreet."
"It's 'cause I can't have what I fucking want," he growls, gripping my ass and pulling me tight against him.
"Hey, hey." Bo yawns and he's already curled up in a corner. "If I wake to you two fuckin', I'll be pissed."
"So threatening."
"Should we test it?" Brandt grins, lifting me by my ass. "I've been waiting all goddamned night to do this."
I can't help but giggle like a girl in love and when he places me on the bed, I stop his traveling lips. "We should at least wait until he's asleep," I whisper with a grin, then toss a pillow at Bo.
"I'm still awake, you two horn dogs," he grumbles and gets comfortable with the pillow.
I laugh and cuddle into Brandt. "Did someone lock the door?"
"Why's the door closed?" Bo grumbles from the corner. "Y’all are being a little too obvious, don't ya think?"
"Well you're not sleeping in this damn bed with her," Brandt pushes his face against my neck and pulls me closer. "It's fine."
"If anyone walks in they'll see us laying together." My eyes are getting heavier and Brandt responds in mutters before he's out cold. I follow only minutes later even though I want to get up and check the door.
A painful lump against my ass makes me wake early in the morning. When it starts to rub against me, I giggle, realizing it's Brandt's cock and I push a little harder against him.
"This has to go," I whisper and reach back to touch his belt buckle that's pressing against my lower back. He shoves his jeans down and his hand wraps around me. He grips my panties and shoves them down, pushing his hand between my legs.
"We gotta be quiet," he whispers in my ear.
"Brandt," I quietly laugh and dart my eyes to Bo who's snoring loudly, still slumped in the corner.
"Shhh," he whispers, lifting my leg and bringing it back to rest on his, his dick pressing against my pussy. He pushes into me, gripping my thigh and letting out a sigh. "Shit." His whispered moan on my neck sends chills through my body and he starts slowly pumping into me.
His hand slides from my leg and starts rubbing my clit as the steady, slow rhythm of him pumping into me makes me quietly whimper. He fills me in ways I've never been filled before and that's what tells me this addiction isn't like substance abuse.
When I let out a louder cry, he hushes me but it's so fucking hard. "I can't." I bite my pillow because I can’t take it as he pushes deep, then slides all the way out to the tip and repeats. "I'm going to come, Brandt," I warn him, and he slides his hand under my neck then clamps it over my mouth, pressing his lips to my ear.
"Come, Jo," he whispers, then grunts and starts pumping his hips faster.
He holds me tight, his fingers still working my clit and the deep strokes of his dick send me spiraling to orgasm hard and fast. He grunts again, his grip on me tightening, and he groans so loud as he comes he has to latch his mouth onto my shoulder to try and muffle it. He's pressed against me so tight I can feel his heart practically beating out of his chest.
"Wow." He pants, nuzzling his head in my neck, still holding me tight.
Breathing heavily while trying to catch my breath after that intensity, my gaze shoots to Bo as he stirs and I cover my face in my hands. Shifting, I roll to face Brandt.
"You're dangerous," I whisper, softly kissing his chin.
"You're sexy as hell." He pulls me to him and our legs twist together. "I gotta get these people out of our house," he grumbles.
"It's five thirty in the morning." I wrap my arms tighter. "Go back to sleep." I feel his come slipping out of me, but I'm too relaxed to get up.
"Internal alarm, sweetheart. I can't shut it off." His hand strokes down my back softly. "Feels weird not workin' today."
"Could you two shut the fuck up," Bo bitches from the corner. "Some people around here like their sleep."
"Shhh, go to sleep." I really hope he didn't hear us because that would be awful. For him. "Brandt." I lock him tight to me. "It's your birthday, sleep in for once." I kiss his cheek and close my eyes.
He sighs before going still and quiet, but I can tell he's not going back to sleep.
"Bacon," he whispers after a minute and I groan.
"Fucking bacon." I huff and pop up, taking the sheet with me because I have nothing on from the waist down and Bo's staring directly at me. I dart into the bathroom and pull on yoga pants I have laying on the floor, then leave the boys in the room and head for the kitchen.
"You're up early!" Kinlee's chipper voice grates on my nerves, but I clamp it down. She means well.
"I didn't realize you were still here."
"I drank a little too much. And Bo's my ride. I'm used to being up at four thirty for the crops so I hope you don't mind I cleaned up a little."
"You live on a farm too?"
"Sorta." She nods and looks away, apparently not wanting to talk about that.
"Can you make bacon?" I've never made bacon.
"Oh my god yes, that sounds amazing!"
She’s a nice girl, just a little too bubbly for me. But really she’s a sweetheart because she’s genuine and I like that about her.
"Jo, did you force Kinlee to make breakfast?" Brandt laughs, walking to the coffee pot.
"No she didn't." Kinlee giggles then hugs him. "Happy birthday!"
I watch as jealousy punches me in the stomach when he hugs her back and kisses her cheek. My eyes dart down to the table, really wanting to understand their relationship. He says they haven't slept together, but he's very hands on with her. But to be honest, she's like this with everyone.
"Thanks.” He ruffles her hair and glances over at me, winking before sitting at the table.
"Mornin'," Bo grumbles, heading to the fridge. "Food smells good." His eyes move to Kinlee's ass and I'm glad no one else is in here with us. I nudge him and he flashes his gaze to me. "Hey, sweetheart," he says awkwardly as he pulls a beer from the fridge.
"You're nursing a hangover with beer?" Brandt laughs. Bo pins him with a death glare and pops the top.
"Long fuckin' night last night." He takes a swig and sits across from Brandt in a showdown.
"You foiled his plans of getting lucky." Kinlee bumps her hip into Brandt's arm and giggles as she walks back to the stove.
"Somethin' like that," Brandt says, grinning from ear to ear.
I brush past Brandt as I sit and Bo moves to sit next to me. It's only a second of silence before two more people walk into the kitchen and one is that girl I fucking hate. Especially because she's pushing herself into Brandt's lap right now.
As she starts to swivel her hips, she says, "Birthday lap dance."
Brandt's eyes roll and it doesn’t seem like he likes it much either. He better fucking not like it.
"Knock it off, Fiona.” Standing from his chair, she slides from his lap and he heads for the coffee pot. "After breakfast y’all gotta split. I got plans today."
"It's fuckin' six in the mornin'," Bo grumbles. "Y’all wake up too early."
"I'm with Bo," I say and grab a piece of bacon. "Thanks, Kinlee." I hold it up and before I can say bye to Brandt's friends, Kinlee grabs me into a hug.
"I'm so happy we got to hang again."
"Yeah." I shake her off. "Nice meeting you people." I walk up to Bo and kiss his cheek. "I'll call you later."
His hand connects with my ass so hard my feet clear at least a foot and I freeze, looking back at him.
He winks. "Love you, baby."
I glance at Brandt and see his red face, but he quickly takes a drink of coffee before saying, "Knock that shit off. You don't fuckin' love her. Y’all just started...you know…"
"It's love. She told me she loved me last night." Bo starts to cram food into his mouth then heads for the door, because he knows he's walking a thin line with both of us. He moans, "I love you, Bo." He moans a little louder, trying to mimic sex noises, and Brandt's face turns bright fucking red as he grips his coffee mug. "Right there, I love you, Bo." Just as he steps out of the house, Brandt darts toward him and chases him down, slamming the door behind them.
"Night," I blurt and rush for my room. I shove the doors closed and run to my bed, jumping up to the window to see if I can see Brandt and Bo but they’re not out back.
I try to call Brandt but he doesn't answer, so I settle for a text.
City girl: Brandt don't kill him! He's doing us a favor!
He doesn't respond and I sit and stare out the window, trying to see something, but nothing's happening out there as far as I can tell. After thirty minutes and I hear that everyone’s left, I lay down. If Brandt's killing Bo, he's probably done and burying the body. Nothing I can do now. I close my eyes getting a flutter in my stomach. I shouldn't like how pissed Brandt got when Bo did that.
"Jo," Brandt's gentle tone wakes me and I groan, rolling over in bed. He chuckles and pulls the covers back. "Rise and shine, city girl. Time to celebrate with the birthday boy." The bed dips and I grin, rolling over to see he's already dressed for the day in an old t-shirt, baseball hat, and his trademark jeans with his favorite belt buckle. He lets his fingers trail down my bare legs. "It's almost lunch time, Jo." His eyes are hungry, but not for food. "You wanna join the living world with me and head to town for a bit before dinner tonight? I need a new shirt."
"You need a new shirt." I chuckle and think about the mound of his clothes in the laundry room. "Because it's your birthday I'll get up." I sit up and swing my legs over the side of the bed. "Hey." Stumbling toward the bathroom, I turn back to him. "Is Bo still alive?"
"Yes." He stands and stretches. "He's lucky everyone else was here. I only got in one swing before my dad came out and I had to cool off."
"Brandt." I roll my eyes. "He's doing us a favor!" I yell as I close the door. "And also blowing his chances with Kinlee because of it."
"Wait what?" The bathroom door opens. "What chance with Kinlee?” He's leaning on the doorframe of my bathroom while I'm peeing. Apparently this man knows nothing about privacy.
"Brandt," I blurt and glare at him. "I'm on the fuckin' toilet!" I throw a hairbrush at him.
"Hey!" he laughs, ducking out of the way and letting it clank to the floor behind him. "I don’t like when you close doors between us. Deal with it. Everybody pisses, Jo." He crosses his arms. "So back to this whole Bo and Kinlee thing."
I huff and quickly wipe. "Bo wants her really bad. It's fucking obvious. Hand me my brush, please." I busy myself washing my hands.
"He told you this?" He grabs the brush then steps as close as possible to kiss my shoulder as he sets it on the counter. "You look beautiful already, Jo. Toss on some panties and let's go."
"I'll have dreads by this afternoon." I gag around my toothbrush. "And he didn't freaking tell me. It's just really, really obvious." I look at him like he's dumb for not noticing.
"Country boys are pretty oblivious to their feelings till it smacks them in the face one day, Jo." He’s watching me like that's not all that's on his mind. "He probably doesn't even realize it."
I cock my eyebrow. "Hmm, maybe." I spit in the sink and shift away from him. "Please get out so I can finish getting ready." With a forced smile, I’m not really sure what to make of what he just said.
He pauses, still staring at me, then takes a few steps backwards until he's standing just outside the bathroom. "Hurry up." He's still staring at me and I hate being awkwardly watched. A grin slips on his lips and he nods to the door. "And please don't close that." He spins and heads out of the room and I'm left staring at his ass as he leaves.
I fight the urge to slam the door, but I secretly love he said he doesn't like closed doors between us. The stupid country boy has got me good, and it's probably going to end bad.
I wave to Donna as I sit in the front seat of Brandt's truck. She blows me a kiss and a stupid smile hits my lips so I dip my head, hoping she didn't see. I'm still supposed to hate her but sadly enough, I don’t really hate much about this life anymore.
Brandt has been talking to Garrison for a few minutes and my palms start to get clammy when I notice Garrison look over at the truck a few times. I really wish he'd hurry. I feel like they know what's been going on and I'm starting to sweat.
When he gets in, he smiles at me. "Dad's pretty stoked you're coming to dinner tonight." He takes my hand and I pull it away. Still sitting in the driveway with our parents out there isn't the time to be holding hands. He nods like he agrees and whispers, "Sorry," before pulling away. "I'm thinking I need a new flannel shirt. A red one. My favorite one went missing."
"That's a shame." I look out the window, noticing Garrison watching the truck. "Dude," I groan when we're out of sight. "Do you think they know?" I blurt and look over at him.
"How would they?" He looks at me like I'm losing it. "Stop worrying, city girl. It's fine, they're just happy we're getting along and not murdering each other.” He laughs.
"They’re not going to be happy when they realize how much we get along. Especially when I end up pregnant." I shove him, remembering this morning. "No more unprotected sex!"
He grips the steering wheel tight and we slow to a stop as he pulls over to the side of the road. Turning to me, he shrugs. "Would it be the end of the world? I mean, sure...I see your point maybe? But a little Brandt running around here?" He twists his fingers with mine.
"Brandt, we're young! Really young! Oh my fuck." I pull away from him. "And step siblings!"
"It's not illegal, Jo. I'm not saying we try or anything, but...I don't know, I'm just not really worried about it. With anyone else, sure it'd suck. But you're..." He trails off and grins. "You're you. And I'm in love with you, Jo." His lips turn up the slightest and his eyes lock on mine.
I look away, because if I don't, the stupid smile on my face will surely make him take it back. I want to get in his lap, but if anyone drove by, they'd know it's Brandt's truck, and a black-haired girl humping him can only be his fucking step sister. Oh my god, we're so fucked.
I lean over and quickly kiss his cheek but I don't say anything. I take his hand. I can't talk about this after he just said it wouldn't hurt anything if we got pregnant. I'm in love with him, but I'm not ready to have his babies. Or any babies.
"Right," he says, letting out a puff of air. "So, back to town." The truck rolls back onto the road. "Dinner's at five tonight, so we got a few hours."
My thumb rubs over his knuckles while I stare out the window, lost in thoughts of how there is no future with Brandt. I don't really care about futures. I've got nothing going for me. But then I met Brandt and he's the first and only guy that's got me thinking about what lies ahead. We have no future, because we're step siblings. So how long are we going to play this and hide from everyone?
When I accidentally sigh aloud, he glances over at me and I quickly smile at him. I practically beam at him because he loves me. To blurt the words 'I love you' right now would be stupid, so I just look away.
The truck pulls up to a small brick building in the middle of downtown, and from the looks of it, they don't sell shirts here. Brandt looks over at me, smiling like a damn idiot, and wiggles his eyebrows.
"It's my birthday." He grins. "Wanna come in with me?"
I laugh but I'm confused as hell. "Yes...but where the hell are we?" Glancing around doesn't answer my question and I start to wonder if it's a bar. Doesn't look like a bar. Doesn't look like much from this angle except the side of a brick building.
"Tattoo shop. I finally figured out what I'm getting." He swings open his door and hops out, walking in long strides to my side to open my door. "You gonna hold my hand the entire time?"
I laugh in excitement and wonder if he cleared this with his dad. He's twenty, he shouldn't have to, but that seems to be the type of relationship they have. Respect and truth.
"You're going to get a tattoo?" I take his hand and get out, quickly yanking away when I realize we can't do this in public. "Of what?" I grin up at him.
He pulls out his phone and shoves it at me. "We brand the steer with the ranch logo. I'm never leaving it. The ranch is a part of me. So I figured it's kinda perfect." The Kenshaw Ranch logo is some type of southern script with a backwards K butting up to an R and it's actually really neat looking.
"This is awesome. Where you getting it?" When I accidentally lean into him as we head for the door, I fall back a step.
A secret relationship fucking sucks.
He lifts his left arm and points to his bicep. "Inside right here. Not gonna be seen much there." He pulls the door open.
I wince at the spot he selected. "You're gonna need to hold someone's hand." I grin. "And not your step sister's," I whisper as we approach the counter.
"Hey, Chase," he says and I glance up, realizing it’s his friend. "Ready for me?"
"Yeah, man. Come on back." He hops off his stool, his eyes staying on me longer than I'd like before they head back. Brandt turns around and gives me a weird look when I don't follow.
"Come on back. You'll be bored out here all alone." He holds out his hand but I don't take it when I follow. This boy's gonna get us in trouble.
"Brandt!" I hear a female screech as we get to the back and follow the god-awful noise.
It's Chase's sister. Fi. Stupid skank that humps Brandt's leg every chance she gets.
"Fuckin' hell," I groan in a whisper as she runs up and throws herself at him. If he didn't catch her, she would have fallen and bashed her face open. Personally, I would’ve let it happen, but Brandt catches her.
"Just here for Chase," he says, forcing a laugh and letting go of her once she can hold herself up again. He smirks back at me and as Chase and Fi talk about something, he murmurs, "You sure you can't hold my hand?" He winks and steps away, heading for the chair.
"I think she'd be more than willing," I retort.
He gives me a look as he sits down, nodding toward the chair right next to him. "Sit."
"Sup, Jo?" Chase looks back at me.
"Hey." I look around his spot, wondering if he's actually a good artist.
"Where's Bo?" he asks, but I don't bother answering. I get up to inspect a few pictures on the wall.
"Work," Brandt answers. "You remember what we talked about for this?"
"Yep, got you all ready to go."
I stare at Brandt's bicep flex and drop my head with a shake. I’ve never liked muscles before Brandt. Didn’t really give a shit about a man’s physique. Brandt’s ruined me on that now.
I watch him closely, expecting some discomfort during the tattoo, but he didn't even flinch. There was a grin on his face the entire time. Fiona won’t stop cooing over how brave he is and I snort a laugh, walking away.
“How long you been seeing Bo?” Chase asks as he follows me toward the counter.
“Uh.” I shrug. “A little bit.”
“Too bad.” He grins and his teeth scrape over his bottom lip. Chase is hot, but he’s not Brandt. I look at Brandt and he’s hot, sexy, and mine, all in one. Chase is just…hot.
“How much?” Brandt asks Chase, cutting Fiona off while she’s latched onto him like a fucking leech. I head for the door, not wanting to hear that nerve-grating flirty voice she does anymore.
When Brandt walks out, I want to grab onto him. "So, tough guy, did it hurt any?"
His smile immediately falls and his mouth closes while his jaw goes tense. When he doesn't answer I look across the street and see what the issue is. Cash and his crew are all lined up in front of a bar with their motorcycles.