Page 41 of The Golden Boys

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West

“That’s red-light number three you just ran,” Sterling points out, bracing a hand against the dashboard.

His words barely register, though, because … what the actual fuck just happened?

My intentions were clear-cut. I had one goal in mind—to teach Southside a lesson. But now, I’m sweating bullets, hoping she didn’t get the wrong idea, didn’t misunderstand me touching her like that.

Like … I enjoyed it.

This is the whole damn reason I never kiss chicks. They read way too much into things. I should’ve been smarter, thought things through.

Not to mention, she had me hard as a brick—a sign I’d let her inside my head.Deep. The loss of control happened almost the instant I tasted that sticky, orange-flavored gloss on her damn lips. As pissed as I am at myself, I’m aware of the fact that, if I didn’t know her secret, things would’ve gone a lot further than they did tonight. Right there, with her pinned against that wall, knowing her uncle and all the customers would be a few yards away listening.

“You owe me dinner.” Sterling’s gripe pulls me out of my thoughts. “Seeing as how you spazzed before we even got to order,” he added under his breath.

I know I just caused a scene, making my brothers clear out of the diner without explanation, but leaving was an absolute must. If I didn’t go right then and there, I couldn’t guarantee she wouldn’t have seen what kissing her had done to me.

I pegged her right; she’s pure poison. But I have the perfect remedy.

“I’m texting Joss,” Dane jumps in. “She says her mom cooked a huge dinner and we’re welcome to whatever we want.”

I hear him, but have something else in mind.

I’m already shooting a text of my own before answering him. “Can’t. Just made plans,” I reply. “Besides, her dad hates your ass. Remember?”

He doesn’t laugh when I do.

“Hate’s such a strong word,” he counters.

“Maybe, but it sure as hell isn’t thewrongword,” I say back. “You guys are on your own tonight, though. I’ll drop you off to get one of your cars.”

“Got other plans?”

I smile at Dane through the rearview mirror when answering, “Parker’s.”

Both he and Sterling laugh. “How’s that gonna work? She’s on crutches,” Sterling points out.

I take off into the intersection and shrug. “There’s nothing wrong with her mouth.”

Yeah, the head is terrible, but practice makes perfect. Even the worst can be great with the right teacher on the job.

Ten minutes later, my brothers are out of the car and I’m on my way to get Southside’s taste out of my mouth.

The best way I know how.

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@QweenPandora: Attention, northsiders! Up for a little adventure? Well, strap the kids into the backseat and journey across town for the annual Southside Block Party tomorrow night! Never been? Now might be a good time to check it out, seeing as how we’ve recently made a south side connection of our own. Never know, things could get interesting in NewGirl’s neck of the woods.

Later, Peeps.

—P

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Chapter 13

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