“Like Pretty Boy? Or maybe it’s one of the other guys you’re interested in.” He pauses, but I don’t bother to answer him. There’s nothing to say. Regardless, he continues. “It doesn’t matter because none of them will ever want you for anything more than a plaything to pass the time. I’m committing to you. I’ve already committed to you. I can’t believe you would throw that back in my face.”
“Are you kidding me right now?” I breathe, my tone laced with disbelief. “I’m not the one to throw our commitment away. You were the moment you stuck your crooked dick into someone else.”
“And what about my brother?”
“What about him?”
“He’s your boss.”
“He was my boss,” I remind him. “We’ve already discussed this. I quit, remember?”
“You can’t quit––”
“I most definitely can. I’m sure he can find someone else to balance his books that will accept the shitty pay he’s offering, just like I did. Now, if that will be all––”
“I’m not finished––”
“Well, I am,” I spit. “Goodbye, Ian. Don’t call me anymore.”
Then I storm out of his apartment with my head held high even though a little voice is whispering that I just made a giant mistake.
9
Reese
The ride back to the house is pretty quiet other than a few offhand remarks about River’s badassery followed by Milo’s distaste for not being able to strangle Ian the way he desperately wanted.
When we’re only a few minutes away, Milo’s massive body leans forward, squishing me against Gibbs on the opposite side of me as he points to a fast-food chain restaurant at the next exit.
“River, when’s your date? Think we have time to grab some food first?”
I stare at River through the stupid rearview mirror while practically sitting in Gibbs’ lap, but he doesn’t bother to look at me before flipping his blinker on.
“We’ve got time,” he answers.
“Thanks,” Milo returns. “I’ll buy.”
“What time do you have to be in to work, Milo?” I ask him.
“In about an hour. I won’t be home until late.” He settles back into his seat. “You gonna be cool hanging out by yourself?”
“Yes, Dad. I’ll be just fine without your babysitting for one night, but thanks for your concern.”
“What are you gonna do?” he prods.
“Does it matter?”
“Yes. I want to make sure you’re taken care of. Do you have a problem with that?”
“Maybe––”
“I was going to work on my thesis,” Jake interrupts from the passenger seat. “But if you want, we can watch a movie or something.” He tosses a quick look back at me before staring back out the windshield.
“You should work on your thesis,” I encourage him. “But maybe after you’re finished, we can do a Lord of the Rings marathon or something.”
Quirking his brow, River glances over at me before returning his attention to the offramp. “Lord of the Rings?”
“It’s tradition,” I offer with a shrug.
“Extended edition or theatrical cut?”
“We both know there’s only one correct answer to that question.”
“I can take a night off,” Jake offers. “Not a big deal.”
Distracted by my standoff with River, I correct him, “It is a big deal. I’ve already turned all of your lives upside down. Besides, despite what my brother thinks”––I give him a quick glare––“I don’t need a babysitter.”
“I know, but––”
“Seriously, Jake. I’ll be fine. Work on your thesis for a few hours, then maybe we can watch Netflix or something, okay?”
“Like Netflix and chill, perhaps? ‘Cause if I knew that was on the menu, I just might find a reason to cancel my date tonight,” River jokes, though there’s a slight bite to his words that make me pause.
Bristling, I argue, “Sorry, River. Three’s a crowd and all that. Besides, I’m sure you’ll be plenty busy with your floozy for the evening, so…”
“Floozy?” He gasps in mock outrage before turning into the drive-thru lane and rolling down the driver’s side window. “Who says she’s a floozy?”
“Will you two shut up?” Milo groans, only halfway paying attention to our conversation as he pulls out his cell. His fingers begin flying across the screen, so I ignore his request like he didn’t say anything at all.
“Just a hunch,” I tell River conversationally. “Seems like those are the ones you attract.”
His smirk is annoyingly charming as his gaze holds mine in the damn rearview mirror I’m starting to loathe. It’s just…too much.
“You calling yourself a floozy, Reese? That’s not very nice––”
“Hello, welcome to Burrito Bandito. Can I take your order?” a voice asks through the speaker outside the window.
Jake and Gibbs cut the conversation a little short by throwing their orders at River until I’m sure they’re all going to die from heart attacks before they turn thirty. Well, except River, who orders a taco salad. Heaven forbid he lose the ‘V’ on his abs. The guy is a health nut with a capital H. Although, he is pretty to look at, so maybe I shouldn’t judge him so harshly.
He’s also going on a date with someone else after spending the day taking care of me and making me feel worthy of a person’s time. So…there’s that.
My annoyance spikes.
“You want anything, Floozy?” River quips with a teasing grin after repeating everyone else’s orders.
I glare at him while Jake says, “She wants a shredded beef quesadilla with no sour cream.”
Head cocked to one side, River holds my gaze in the rearview mirror. Like he’s daring me to do something. To argue with him. To push him. Hell, to freaking kiss him, for all I know. There are so many options that I’m starting to get dizzy. But it’s the intensity that’s getting under my skin. Hell, everything that involves River is starting to get under my skin. And that’s a problem. Because I don’t know how to stop it.
“That right, Floozy?” he asks.
“It’s right,” Jake answers for me. Again. Because he’s thoughtful like that and can tell I’m about to stab River if he calls me Floozy one more time.
With pursed lips, River adds my order to the long list of burritos, tacos, queso, and one taco salad, then we pull around to the front and pick up the bags of seasoned goodness. The combination of cumin and chili powder is enough to turn my frown upside down as Jake hands everyone their food. Milo is still nose deep in his phone, so I put his order in his lap then unwrap my quesadilla. My stomach rumbles.
As I take a giant bite and let the flavors melt in my mouth, a soft moan escapes me. “Oh, cheese, how I’ve missed you.” I lick a bit of the buttery seasoning from my thumb and smile in pure bliss. “Like seriously, though.”