Chapter 21
Graham
I’M NOT SURE which irritated me more - Cleaner’s jabs or the way he’d been flirting with Chloe. I also couldn’t help but notice that she hadn’t been offended by it either. As much as it shouldn’t have bothered me, it did.
Let it go, I told myself.
After all, Chloe was just a friend. Hell, not even a friend. She was Jessica’s co-worker and not affiliated with the club at all.
Untouchable.
As for the kiss, it had happened almost a year ago and that didn’t mean we owed each other anything. Still, it irritated me that Cleaner had pretty much asked her out and knowing him, was already making mental plans on where and when he’d bang her. The guy was out for one thing and a woman like Chloe didn’t need to be on his “Piece-of-ass” tally. The last time I’d heard, Cleaner had bedded over fifty chicks and that was since he’d been made Prospect. I really wanted to convey all of that to Chloe, but decided not to. As much as I didn’t want Cleaner going out with her, we were bound by the club to look out for each other, even when it came to matters like this. I had to respect it even if I didn’t always agree with what he was doing.
“So, what did you think about Cleaner?” Jessica asked Chloe.
She shrugged. “He seemed nice.”
“That’s because he wants something,” I said, the words leaving my mouth before I could stop them.
“Well, he definitely wanted you,” Jessica said, winking at Chloe.
Chloe’s cheeks turned pink. “Yeah, I kind of got that impression, too.”
“He’s so funny and cute,” Jessica said.
“Yeah,” she replied.
My eye twitched.
What was so fucking cute about him?
“You’d better get yourself a tetanus shot if you plan on going out with him,” I joked. “I’m just saying…”
Jessica laughed. “You two just never stop picking on each other. He was the same way when you weren’t around. Actually, he was worse.”
I grunted. “Sounds like I’d better get the tetanus shot. He can’t seem to get me off of his mind.”
Jessica and Chloe laughed.
For the next hour, we passed out the flyers and directed people to Frannie and Vanda, whom I learned was Raptor’s mother-in-law. Meanwhile, Jessica and Chloe seemed to be having a blast, which had to be a ‘chick’ thing, because there wasn’t any beer or food around to put me at the same level of happiness.
We were just running out of flyers when my cell phone began to ring. I checked and saw that it was Cleaner.
“What’s up?”
“I just found out that I’m not going sledding either this fucking weekend,” he said angrily.
Good, I thought. Karma was working in my favor for once. He’d given me too much shit about it and was now in the same boat. “Oh, yeah?”
“Yup. Tank just informed me that I have to help with the fundraiser too. In fact, all Prospects are expected to stay in town and volunteer for elf duty.”
“Seems only fair,” I replied.
He grunted. “Fair. Yeah, probably. It still pisses me off. I’d packed and everything. Anyway, Tank wants us all at the clubhouse at six tonight. Apparently, we’re going to take a trip to the nursing home over on Ninth Avenue to deliver some gifts to the elderly. Candy, popcorn, and shit like that. Oh, and he has your Santa suit ready.”
I groaned. “Great.”
“Is that hot blonde still there? Chloe?” he asked in a lighter tone.
“Yeah. Why?” I asked, an edge to my voice.
He paused. “You claiming her or something?”
“Claiming? No,” I said, looking over at Chloe, who was handing out candy canes to a couple of kids. She was definitely hot but too good for the likes of either of us, as far as I was concerned.
“You like her?”
My dick sure did. “Just stay away from her,” I said grouchily.
“Why?”
“She’s Jessica’s co-worker,” I said, lowering my voice. “She works with cancer patients and shit.”
“What does that have to do with asking her out? Seriously, brother, you sound like you’re jealous or something.””
“Do whatever you want.”
“You’re not interested?”
I didn’t want to be. That was for sure. “Nope.”
“Sweet. I’m going for it then, if you’re not. She’s gorgeous. Legs up to the sky and a nice rack. I’d love to see her in some heels.”
I hung up on him.