Page 75 of Catching Sparks

“Fine. Have you slept with him?” she asks, going right for my throat.

“Yes.”

Neither of them looks surprised, and I genuinely contemplate if we’ve been that obvious.

Bryce pushes on. “For how long?”

“Since he walked me home the first time he came to Peakside.” This time, when I answer, I glance at Anna.

She only watches me calmly, expression open. My appreciation for her grows tenfold, if that’s even possible. “Why Garrison?”

“I was attracted to him, and he was attracted to me. That’s all it was.”

“Was?” Bryce asks.

I flush beneath their heavy stares and glance at the door of the bar, praying for everyone else to arrive and save me from the interrogation that I am so not ready for.

“Yes, and that’s all you get for right now,” I tell them.

Bryce laughs, but it isn’t a happy sound. “I don’t think so. You know I’ll always have your back and help whenever you need me to, but you’re still obligated to tell me why you need me to do these things.”

“What’s so good about him, Pops? I mean, no offense to the guy, but he hasn’t exactly been a peach,” Anna asks softly, such a stark difference from Bryce’s abrasive tone.

“He’s definitely not a peach. But that doesn’t make him a bad guy either. It might be easy to label him that way when you don’t know him?—”

Bryce cuts me off. “And you do know him? Well enough to vouch for him to everyone? Nobody said anything when you demanded he be invited tonight, but you can’t honestly think that’s because we’re just automatically okay with him. We’re all curious, but I’m the only one with the balls to ask you about it.”

“Ouch,” Anna says.

“Sorry, A.” Bryce gives her an apologetic smile that doesn’t last more than a second before she turns back to me. “Well?”

I knew it was a risk insisting the guys invite Garrison tonight, but I’m not the only one who’s grown to enjoy his company. Johnny likes the guy the most out of everyone. I’m just someone that they’ll listen to more than they will Johnny. He hasn’t been in the group long enough for his say to carry as much weight as mine does.

Then again, that also means he doesn’t have to deal with the same backlash.

“Brody has personal problems with him. What does he think about Poppy’s sudden—or not so sudden—interest in his boss?” Bryce asks Anna.

“We haven’t really talked about it, considering I didn’t know there was much going on there, but it’s not as big of a deal as you’re making it out to be, Ice. If Poppy says he’s not so bad, then I’m willing to give him a chance to prove that to me. It’s hard to hate the guy when he led me to Brody in the first place.”

“Thank you,” I tell her pointedly.

“I just want to know why you didn’t tell us about it weeks ago. If you really don’t think he’s that bad, then why hide it?” Bryce asks.

I swallow a laugh of disbelief. “This reaction is exactly why. We’ve only slept together twice. It’s not like we’re getting married.”

“Sleeping together or not. You like him. I damn well know you do, so don’t insult me by pretending you don’t. I’ve only had to cover you at the studio twice in the past, and none were because of a man. That’s not nothing,” Bryce points out.

I don’t have it in me to lie. But fuck, I need another drink. Quickly. “What difference does it make if I like him or not? It’s temporary. I’m just enjoying the incredible sex while I have the chance.”

Anna bursts out laughing, and I stare at her in surprise. “Sorry, I was just hit with a wicked sense of déjà vu. Temporary never stays temporary with a man worth a damn. Sorry to break it to you, babe.”

“You and Brody were so different. That man fell for you the moment you spat fire at his ass in this very bar,” I say.

This time, it’s her that flushes. “Still, I thought it was temporary then too. It changes quickly and without warning.”

“I appreciate the advice, ladies, but really, there isn’t anything for you to worry about. Garrison isn’t the type of guy I’d date, and I’m positive I’m not the type of woman he’d date either,” I say.

Bryce scowls at me. “What the hell is that supposed to mean? You’re not the type of woman he’d date?”

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