What I Need

Luke side-eyes me while Ben laughs under his breath and continues flipping burgers.

“Christ. It’s about time,” I continue, pulling my arms across my chest. “I’ve been waiting for them to assign someone to me. My last partner was a fucking dickhead.” I give Grayson a look. “You’re not a fucking dickhead, are you?”

I’m just messing with him, but Grayson looks like he might shit his pants. The kid is actually sweating.

“I’m kidding, man,” I tell him. “Relax. You seem cool.”

“CJ likes to joke around,” Reed announces, speaking up finally and wearing a smirk. “He thinks he’s funny.”

“I am funny. Ask your sister.”

His brows pull together and his face hardens.

Fuck. Why’d I say that? I’m baiting him. Next he’s going to ask me when Riley thinks I’m funny, and I’m of course going to answer all the time, except for when we’re making sweet, sweet love . . .

“I heard about what happened to you,” Grayson throws out, drawing Reed’s attention and then my own, taking the heat off me. I like this kid already. He points at my boot. “Are you gonna be coming back soon?” he asks. “Do you know?”

I want to say yes. I want to say I don’t even really need this fucking boot anymore, but I don’t. Not with present company twenty-feet away.

“I’m not where I want to be yet, but I’m getting there,” I tell him, risking a glance at Riley. I watch her press her hand to her chest and drop her head back with a laugh. We’re not where I want to be yet, I think. Then I turn my head, knowing I can’t be looking long, and when I catch his eye, Grayson tips his chin in understanding and takes a swig of his beer.

Good fucking idea.

Five minutes here and I’ve already made Reed suspicious. On top of that, I’ve noticed how fucking hot my woman looks when she’s just hanging out with her girls. That’s something I’d like to sit back and stare at. And since I can’t, there’s no way I’m getting through this without alcohol. I move to the cooler. “Anyone want another?” I ask, flipping back the lid.

“Grab me one, will you?” Ben requests. He takes the bottle I hold out, then looks over his shoulder across the deck. “Angel, you wanna bring out the rest of the food and get the table set? Burgers will be ready in two.”

“Sure thing, babe,” Mia replies.

I straighten up, twist the cap off my beer and take a swig, watching as Mia and Tessa head inside the house. Riley walks over to where the guys are all standing, meeting my eyes briefly before looking toward Reed. She steps up between Luke and Grayson and smiles. “Mia said I didn’t need to help, but I want to. Is there anything I can do?” she asks, directing her question at Ben.

He finishes sliding a burger onto a plate and turns to look at her. “Yeah. You wanna help Beth get my boys up here? They’re probably covered in dirt.”

“Sure. Absolutely,” Riley replies with enthusiasm. “I can do that.”

“Appreciate it. Thanks.” Ben turns back to the grill.

Grayson holds his hand out to Riley before she is able to move away. “Hey. I’m Grayson.”

“Riley. Hi.” She shakes his hand and smiles friendly. “Nice to meet you.”

He gives her a lingering look, grinning after they separate. They got to be close in age. “Florida Georgia Line,” he says, pointing at her top; the words That’s How We Do It Round Here written in black and gold lettering. “Right?”

Riley nods, briefly looking down at herself. “Yeah. They’re one of my favorite bands,” she reveals.

“Me too,” Grayson shares, looking really fucking happy about the two of them appreciating the same music. Really fucking happy about it.

Ah, Christ . . .

“Easy, man,” Luke mumbles behind his bottle, speaking low enough I’m the only one hearing him.

I shoot him a look, then realize the expression I had watching my new partner hit on my girl is the exact same expression I’m hitting Luke with. Didn’t even realize I was wearing one, but I am.

Arms across my chest. Mouth tight. Brow furrowed. Jaw clenching hard. And hand threatening to smash this beer bottle if I don’t ease up with my grip.

Luke and Ben don’t know shit about Riley and me except that we’re living together. And that we had sex at the wedding—that information coming from their women, which they wasted no time busting my balls about when they both saw me on the Fourth. They don’t know any more than that. I haven’t said a word, and Riley hasn’t either. But I’d be shocked if Luke wasn’t at least suspicious now. And if he’s suspicious . . .

I cut my eyes to Reed, meeting his narrowed ones.

Fuck.

Inhaling a deep breath, I try and relax, putting my attention back on Grayson as he keeps at it.

“I saw them live last year when I was living in Huntsville. They were awesome,” he says. “They put on a real good show.”

“Yeah, I heard that. I heard they were really good live.”

“They might be coming to that South Will Rise festival in August,” he shares. “I’m trying to get tickets. I could—”

I know exactly where this conversation is going. And over my dead body is it going there.

His too.

“Maybe you should hold up buying tickets to something like that,” I interrupt, my suggestion sounding more like a fucking command he needs to follow.