"That must be painful for you," I say.
"Thank you for appreciating that." He's teasing, yeah, but there's sincerity in his voice. "You have all your shit for this afternoon or you need to stop at your place?"
"I have it." My eyes go to the clock. Ten minutes to go. "I invited Iris."
"Oh." Dean blinks twice. He runs a hand though his shaggy hair. "You're still hanging out with her?"
"We have an arrangement," I say.
"Like a girlfriend?" Concern fills his blue eyes.
It's weird. Unlike him.
"No. More like fuck buddies." And why the fuck does that bother him?
"I thought that was code for someone you only call when you want some." Brendon moves forward. He motions for us to clear the desk. "I have to check out. If you're done being idiots."
"You know we'll never be done with that." Dean's voice lifts back to bouncy.
Kaylee shoots him a look. He shoots it back. I have no idea what it means, but they seem to understand each other.
I move out from behind the desk. "You two want to join?"
"No, I have work in two hours." Kaylee runs her fingers along the edge of her laptop. "You're really seeing someone, Walker?"
"I see her naked in my bed, yeah." What the hell could bother her about me dating someone? She's the poster child for love being great. "Is that a problem with anyone else?"
"No. It's great. Fucking fantastic." Dean steps backward. "I'm gonna change."
"Into a tolerable human being?" I ask.
Kaylee laughs. "That's cheesy." She looks to me. "How does that work?"
"Fuck buddies? Really, K.K.?" It stands for Kinky Kaylee. That started as a joke with Dean a million years ago. "You're not that naïve. Not after six months fucking Brendon."
He shoots me a grow up look.
I can't argue with that. Brendon has his shit together as much as anyone could. When his parents died, he stepped up to take care of his little sister. He's basically her dad. Which makes it even more fucked that he's sleeping with her best friend.
But, hey, who am I to judge?
It's not like I always make good life choices.
"Like Brendon said, it means something different to everyone." Kaylee slides off her stool. "What does it mean to you?"
"I don't define things like that." I run a hand through my hair. Since when does anyone care about my sex?
The bell rings as the door swings open. Ryan steps inside the shop. He's wearing all black—his jeans, his t-shirt, his expression. It's the same as always, the world is a piece of shit, and you're a piece of shit, and I'm not interested in your shit.
He looks to the three of us. "You ever get tired of gossip?"
"No," I say. "You want to go on a hike?"
"You think I'm here for my health?" He drops his backpack in his suite. Shakes his head kids today.
Brendon nods yeah, he's right.
They're only a few years older than Dean and I are—we're all in our twenties—but they act like they're old sages.
I look to him. "You coming or not?"
"You should," Kaylee jumps in. "I'll be fine."
He arches a brow. "You sure?"
"Yeah." She smooths her pink dress. Adjusts her blue glasses. "I have to change for work soon. Just lock this for me?" She taps her laptop.
He nods.
Dean shakes his head as he returns to the main room—now clad in basketball shorts and a muscle tank. "Mr. Brooding is joining us?"
"Yeah." What the fuck is Dean's problem? Brendon joins us on hikes all the time. Ryan too. Hell, Leighton, Emma, and Kaylee join last minute all the time. He's never had a problem before.
"Leave for your shit or get to work," Ryan calls.
He has a point. I pack up my shit.
Dean does the same.
Brendon finishes with his customer then whispers something to his girlfriend.
The bell rings.
Iris steps through the door, tight black shorts clinging to her hips, loose blue tank hanging off her shoulders.
All the bullshit at the shop fades away.
I want her against the wall.
My hands under that tank top.
Those shorts at her knees.
The rest of the world gone.
No worrying about my best friend's attitude. Or my sister destroying herself. Or how the fuck I'll get my parents to help when they're textbook enablers.
Dean steps out of his suite. "Iris, right?"
"Yeah." She offers her hand.
He shakes. "I guess you're coming with us."
"Walker invited me. Is that okay?" She bites her lip. "He promised I wasn't imposing. If I am—"
"Nah. The more the merrier. Brendon's coming too." Dean smiles wide. He sells it. To her.
I know better.
I know his bullshit too well.
I grab my backpack and move to the door. "You ready to go?" I look to Dean. "You and Brendon can meet us there."
"I didn't drive." He fights the irritation seeping into his voice.
"It's only five blocks to my place." Brendon steps forward. "We'll grab my car there."
"Awesome." Dean folds his arms.
Worry spreads over Iris's expression.
I don't know what the hell Dean doesn't like about her, but I don't care.
I like her.
I want her in my life.
That's how it's going to be.
Chapter Twelve
Walker
I wipe my brow as I step out of the car. Even in the shade, it's hot.
Iris presses her door closed. She slings her backpack over her shoulders and lets out a soft sigh. Her lips press together. Her eyes meet mine. "You're still wearing the shirt."
"I am."
"We have a deal."
I pull my t-shirt over my head and toss it in the car. This is also going to get on Dean's nerves, but he can kiss my ass. I put up with a truckload of his attitude and he can't tolerate me inviting someone on a hike?
Iris moves around the front of the car.
She slides her backpack off one shoulder and pulls out a tube of sunscreen. She's slow about popping the cap and squeezing it onto her fingers.
She was quiet the entire drive. She turned the radio on to the local rock station and stared out the window. Because of Dean's bullshit or because of something else?
"You okay?" I turn so she can get my back.
"Yeah. A little tired."
"Not enough coffee?"
"Never enough coffee." Her fingers glide over my right shoulder. She takes her time smoothing out the lotion and rubbing it in.
It's more sweet than sexual.
More domestic than carnal.
I shouldn't like it.
But I do.
She squeezes sunscreen on my other shoulder. Takes her time rubbing it in. "He's your friend. I'm sure you know him better. But I read people pretty well."
"Iris the shrink?"
"Yeah. And he doesn't want me here."
She's right. He doesn't. But I don't know why. "We invite people to join all the time. He's probably in a mood."