Page 19 of Waiting to Love You

“If you’re finished checking yourself out, I’m ready to grab some beers.” Brady crosses his arms over his chest and leans against the door frame.

“Shut the fuck up, asshole.”

“You’re still God’s gift to womankind, and you know it.” He comes into the room and joins me in front of the mirror. “Almost as sexy as me.” He rubs his hand down his face before smiling brightly at his reflection in the mirror.

I roll my eyes. “That’s why you spend your evenings playing video games all alone.”

“Everyone has their reasons, man,” Brady growls at me before storming out of the room. Wow. Guess I touched a nerve, but damn if I know which one.

Not wanting to think too hard about the situation, I grab my wallet and keys off the top of my dresser and head toward the living room. “Let’s go. I’ll drive, since we both know you don’t know the meaning of taking it easy.”

He doesn’t say a word as he follows me out the door, closing it tightly behind him, and we head right toward my truck. I click the unlock button on my key fob before opening my door.

Brady climbs in and pulls his phone out of his pocket. “Vance said they’re already there and have grabbed some tables.”

I nod and slowly back out of the driveway, heading for the center of town and stopping at the stop sign at the end of the street.

“Are you planning on driving?” he asks as he turns in my direction, a scowl on his face.

“If I knew where the hell I was going, I would,” I snap back, not bothering to be nice about it. “I don’t know what crawled up your ass, man, but figure it the fuck out.”

“You’ve been there before, Seth.”

“Over a year ago. Knowing where your best friend’s bar is wasn’t on my list of priorities.”

“I bet you remember where Bristol’s house is.” He snickers, causing me to roll my eyes.“Turn right and head toward the construction company. I can give you directions after that.”

He’s damn right, but there’s no way I’m going to tell him that. Thankfully, I remember where I’m going, and with a little help, I get us to the bar.

I shake my head as I pull the truck into a spot, and we both hop out, striding right toward the front door. Brady pulls it open and heads inside, holding it open long enough for me to grab it. Crawdaddy’s looks just like any other bar I’ve been to in the States. A bar wrap runs the length of the back wall with some bar stools placed in front of it. Music blasts through the entire room from the dance floor off to the left of the entrance.

“What the hell?” I shout over the music as I smack into Brady’s back.

He says nothing as he stares at the woman dancing on the edge of the dance floor with a small group of women. She moves seductively to the music, as if the beat is part of her, gaining the attention of almost every man in the room.

“You have got to be kidding me,” Brady growls as he turns in the opposite direction.

“Seth! Brady! Over here!” I hear Vance call, bringing my attention to the small grouping of tables to the right of the entrance.

“Glad you guys could make it,” Connor says as we both pull out a chair and have a seat. Vance gives me a mock salute before Connor continues.

“This is Tony, Lance, Ren, and Drew. They’re four of the guys that will work on the crew with you and Brady. Jasper and Easton are working on another project right now with a few other guys, but you will more than likely see them around.”

All four men are of average build and in their mid-twenties. Honestly, the four of them could be brothers, looking almost exactly alike. I stand and lean over the table, shaking each one of the men’s hands. “Nice to meet you.”

“Glad to have you on our team. Hopefully, you can keep that one in line,” Lance says, and we all chuckle at Brady’s expense.

I wait a few moments for his witty retort, but nothing comes.

“You guys want a drink?” Ren questions.

Brady and I nod in response as he lifts his hand to get the bartender’s attention.

“Thanks for inviting me. It’s nice to have someone else to hang around with except for this blockhead all day, every day.” I motion over my shoulder at Brady, who’s brooding in the chair beside me.

His eyes are locked on the lithe beauty on the dance floor, hands held high above her head as she sways her hips to the beat of the music.

I lean closer to him. “Take a picture. It’ll last longer.”

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