Chapter 8

Luke

Sometimes I thought my brother had to be adopted, but with him looking a bit like me I knew we had at least one parent in common, and since our mother had been an honorable woman, there was no possibility of a half-relation.

“There you are,” he said coming out into the garage from the house. “I’ve been looking all over for you and was about to send out a search party.” To say my brother could be a bit dramatic was an understatement.

“I’ve been out here all morning. I couldn’t sleep, and this old clunker needs a little TLC before the next practice.” My old truck wasn’t my favorite ride, especially compared to my bike and the other four-door diesel I kept for more formal occasions, but it was practical enough to drive around town without making a scene. I wasn’t much into being in the spotlight and didn’t need a showy car.

“That thing should have gone to the junkyard the very first day you bought it.” He patted the tailgate and kicked the back tire. “What billionaire buys a hunk of junk like this anyway?”

“One who wanted to help out a prideful friend? Finn wouldn’t take the money I offered him, so I asked if I could buy this. He was down on his luck.” I shrugged my shoulders and dropped the hood.

“Right.” He rolled his eyes like a kid and then rubbed his hands together like he had something hot to tell me. “I didn’t come out here to talk to you about this piece of shit. I noticed you were out a little late and since I figured you were busy banging Nora’s sister, I thought I’d come up with a way to use that to my advantage.” His eyes widened as he paused as if doing so added suspense.

“What are you up to now and how does my sex life fit into the equation?” I had to hear this; it seemed like a doozy.

His expression brightened as he gave me a sidelong glance. “So you were banging Harper. That’s pretty fucking hot, brother, and it’s going to make my plan a lot easier considering she still likes you after you introduced her to your tiny friend.”

“Get to the point.” I picked up my tools and placed them in their box across the room.

He followed me over, like a puppy on my every step. “I’m having a party tonight here at the house.” He wagged his brows like it was the best idea ever.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea and I don’t see how me and Harper fit into it.” I turned to lean against the standing tool chest, crossed my arms in front of me, and glared down my nose.

“You’re going to invite Harper and tell her to bring Nora. That way I can make my move on her again.” The plan was exactly what I was expecting, and I shook my head before he even finished. “It’s not like she’ll say no to her sister.”

“She might. Those two are not as close as you think.” I went into the small bathroom off the garage to wash up and true to form he followed standing in the doorway.

“Come on, you know it’s a good plan.” He pressed on and was wearing on my patience.

“For a bunch of high schoolers, but you’re a grown ass man. Besides, she’s a nice lady and not like the whores you mess with. She’s got class and standards and hell, compared to you, she’s probably a virgin.” I laughed as his jaw dropped with shock.

“Damn, that’s a turn on. You really think she is?” He stared off into the air as if he was imagining busting her cherry.

I pushed past him and went into the house. “How the hell should I know?”

“So will you help me out? Please? When do I ever ask you for anything?” He kept on my heels, and I wished he’d go away and leave me alone.

“All the time.” I kept walking until I reached the living room where I plopped down on the comfy, oversized sofa.

“That’s bullshit, I never ask for anything from you. Especially help with women.” He pegged me with a hard glare.

“So what’s different about this one?” I knew the question was a challenging one and I wasn’t about to help him if all he wanted was to fuck the poor girl and leave her, but then his answer surprised me.

“It’s the fact that she is different, dammit.” His voice broke sounding weaker than I’d ever heard it as if all the fight had gone out of him. I didn’t believe his intentions were totally pure, but I’d mention the party to Harper and suggest she should invite Nora along.

“I’ll see what I can do, but no promises.” He pumped his fist and hurried up the stairs.

I sat there a moment and decided to walk to the window expecting to see Harper wandering around the yard, instead, she was on her back porch sipping from a cup, and she had her feet up in another chair across from her.

The night before had been so hot and remembering her mouth around my cock made it stand at attention.

I walked outside and across the yard to her house. She smiled when she saw me coming and pulled her feet from the chair, kicking it closer to me. “Have a seat.” She smiled up over her coffee cup and then she took a long sip.

“Enjoying the view?” I looked over to see what she was staring at but there wasn’t anything but a big live oak straight ahead of her.

“I was just wondering how old that tree is. It’s so big and beautiful.” She gave a little shrug, and I smiled at the idea of her pondering such a thing.

“I’ve come to ask you out again, considering you wouldn’t take me up on fishing.”

“I didn’t think you were serious about fishing. I thought that was your way of getting me alone to have sex. And since we’ve already done that, what’s the point?” A soft feminine chuckle sounded from her throat.

“To catch fish and spend time together?” I had been serious and when she realized her cheeks turned red.

“Sorry. I’ve never been fishing before.” She placed her cup on a small table next to her and crossed her arms.

“I’d like to teach you how sometime, but tonight I have a much different offer. Tanner’s having a party at the house. I’d like for you to come. Bring Nora too.”

“I’ll come, but I can’t promise Nora will. She got her degree from SMU, Stick in the Mud University.” Her mouth turned up at the corners for a half-hearted smile.

“Well, being honest, Tanner really wanted her to come, so if you could give her a little push, I’d appreciate it. However, that said, I won’t be responsible for his actions. He’s a bit of a wildcard at times.” He was a wildcard all the time, but I had a feeling she’d heard plenty about him from Nora already. Tanner’s reputation was well-known throughout the town, and people talked.

“I understand. I won’t hold you accountable, but I still won’t promise you anything. She’s a bit of a hardhead and takes herself too seriously.”

“I just hope it doesn’t go on all night. His parties are infamously long, and well let’s just say bad things have happened.” I didn’t want to remember the first time he’d had a big blowout. I ended up having to talk the sheriff out of arresting Tanner for stealing a car. It was especially hard since it was the Sheriff’s car and he’d used it for a liquor run. That had been a long time ago, and he was lucky that I’d kept a good reputation with the locals.

“If it does, you can hide out here if you want. I don’t think Nora would mind.” She sucked her bottom lip in and gazed into my eyes. She was ready for more, and I was more than willing to oblige.

No matter what happened, it was going to be an interesting night.