Anti-Stepbrother

I was touched. “Really?”

He nodded. “Yep. Always welcome. No matter what.”

“Thank you, Diego.”

“Oh.” He laughed again, waving his hand in a dismissing motion. “My name’s not really Diego. I’m David. Everyone calls me Diego, though. You can call me whatever you’d like. And now that we’re bosom buddies, tell me all about Caden. He’s been coming here for the last couple years, but he doesn’t talk much. I want to hear it all.” He leaned close, waiting for me to spill some Caden beans.

I didn’t tell Diego anything, but I didn’t know anything to tell. Caden was a big deal. That’s all I knew. And Marcus. And how Caden had sicced Marcus on Kevin before we came here.

I must’ve been grinning, because Caden asked, “Do I want to ask what you’re thinking?”

I would’ve flushed, but my face had been on perpetual hot flash since we’d gotten to Diego’s. I hadn’t moved from our table, except to visit the bathroom. And those trips had been a quick dash with my head down as I veered right back to my seat. Only there could I relax. We were in the corner, and even though I knew people were watching, or could be watching, it hadn’t bothered me. I’d felt protected having both Caden and Diego there.

Between laughing at Diego’s stories, and then laughing at Diego’s stories about Caden, I’d started sipping Caden’s drink. The sipping turned into having my own beer, and soon Caden wasn’t getting any at all. It was just me.

When Diego went to the bathroom, I asked Caden if he could get in trouble since I was underage.

“Nah.” He didn’t seem too worried. “If the cops show up, we’ll run out the back. Diego’s is a family-owned bar and restaurant. Cops like him. They like his family too. They donate a shit ton for their softball team. They won’t be checking. Just don’t pass out in the bathroom or something.” At the thought of it, he eyed me up and down. “You’re not that bad, are you? You’ve only had two of my beers.”

Two beers, and I’d sipped one more before that, but my stomach still did a backwards flip at that moment. I pressed my hand over it. “I didn’t eat all day. I don’t think those nachos were a Tinder match with all the beer.”

He leaned forward. “You need to go?” His expression grew serious.

“Can you drive?”

He nodded. “I’m good. I stopped drinking a while ago. It’s been only water for me.”

Diego returned to the table as we were standing up. He had another two drinks in hand. “No. Are you leaving?”

“We are. I need to check on Colt before it’s too late. I’ll miss my chance.”

Colt? That was the second time Caden had mentioned the name, and I sensed he was involved somehow with his need to get drunk and laid earlier—which hadn’t happened. Only I was drunk, and there’d been no sexing. I should probably apologize for that, but I was distracted. Who was Colt?

Diego nodded. “Ah, yes. I can see that. Tell him hello from me. You need to bring him here too.” His eyes fell on me and lit up. “And this beautiful one. Please bring her again.”

Placing the drinks on a table, he wrapped his arms around me, lifting me in the air for a tight squeeze. He set me back on my feet, but his hands rested on my shoulders.

“I’ve enjoyed her. If all your friends from the university are like her, bring more friends.”

A quick scowl formed on Caden’s face. “They’re not.”

That killed the mood. Or it would’ve if Diego hadn’t been Diego.

His smile flickered, but he still beamed at me. “Well, then keep her close, and I insist she comes again.” His eyes lit up and he snapped his fingers. “For the family picnic night. I know Felicia asked you to come.” He shifted, wrapping his arm around my shoulders and pulling me to his side. “Now you have a built-in date.”

Caden’s scowl lifted a bit, and he gave a grudging, “Maybe,” before jerking his head toward the fence. “We’re going to go. I paid our tab.”

Diego stiffened. “You didn’t—”

Caden waved him off. “I did. You know I pay my way. Come on, Stoltz. Let’s go.”

I followed behind, feeling attention from everyone on the veranda again. Diego obviously knew a lot of people here, and Caden had told me he cared about the people here, but I was still surprised to see how many called out to him as he passed their tables. More than a few had come over earlier to say hello.

I followed Caden to the fence, feeling all those eyes on my back. A little tingle warmed and spread all through me. I couldn’t hold back a smile, and I didn’t want to. I felt special.

But this wasn’t real. I wasn’t really with Caden. I’d forced my way into his vehicle, and he’d let me come with him. Still, I’d had a taste of what it would be like as his girlfriend, and it had been magical. Whoever he dated, I envied her.

Then he was over the fence. I waited, anticipating. Like last time, he merely reached for me. His hands found my waist, and lifted me up and over—like a girl in any fairy tale.

He placed me in front of him, and I closed my eyes for just a second, and savored the feeling. It wouldn’t last. I didn’t know if it would ever happen again, but I was buzzed enough to admit something to myself.

I wouldn’t have minded being his girlfriend.

“Ready?” He stepped around me, and just like that, the moment was done.