Page 16

Bryce

“That woman do something to piss you off?” Jace asks as we get back into the car.

“She was clumsy. I’m in a hurry.”

He slides his shades down over his eyes and grabs his hat from the dashboard. “So, you were a dick because she dropped her coffee and because you’re in a hurry?”

“Yeah.” I press the clutch and turn the key.

“And why are you in a hurry?” He quirks a brow, taking a sip of his coffee.

“I want to get back home tonight. I’ve got things to do downtown.”

“You’ve got men overseeing that shit.” He gives me a narrowed eye and then clucks his tongue. “You like that chick.”

“Stop,” I say, annoyed with his assumption.

He laughs and spins his hat around backwards. “I don’t blame you. She’s fucking hot.” I look over at him. “Not trashy enough for me, though.” He smiles before reaching down and grabbing his pack of smokes.

“No way. Not in this car.”

“Come on, brother. I haven’t had one in an hour.”

I snatch the pack from him. “Good. Your lungs will thank you.” I toss it onto the dash.

He scratches his five o’clock shadow and stretches his arms out, exhaling as he does.

My eyes move from my kid brother who isn’t a kid anymore.

Where did time go?

I grip the wheel, switching gears as we hit the ramp to the interstate.

“I saw her at the club last weekend,” I say, looking at the road ahead.

“Really?” he asks, reaching for his smokes again.

“Yeah,” I reply mindlessly as I think back on the red dress she was wearing.

“Maybe it’s destiny,” he says, smirking.

I roll my eyes and he laughs again. “I’m coming with you tonight,” he says, putting a smoke between his lips, but not lighting it.

“That’s fine,” I reply.

“What do you think Emily’s got cooked for us?” He turns to look at me.

“I don’t know, but I’m starving.” I grab my coffee from the drink holder.

“Same.”

My mind goes back to her once again as I drink from my cup. I’ve been thinking about her all week. Relaxing back, I let one hand lazily rest on the bottom of the wheel.

I’ve never seen eyes so gray before.

She’s undeniably gorgeous, but different than the other women I normally choose. Both Jace and I seem to pick the trashy ones because most of the time they only want a good time and there are no strings.

I’d actually just got done with a good time right before I saw her. I was nursing a bourbon on the second floor where we usually hang out. I like looking down at the crowd of people, but not being a part of it. Jace was playing poker behind me, and like always, girls were walking all around us.