Page 96 of Sixty Days Of Summer

Scarlet moves to stand next to Nate, her smile soft as she links her arm with his. “You will. Just take it slow. You’ll come back when you’re ready.”

Nate nods, but a hint of frustration lingers in his eyes.

Theo chimes in, his tone playful but blunt. “So, you can still fuck, right?” he asks with a smirk. “Because I haven’t hooked up with a chick this whole tour, and I’m sick of having my cock in my hand.”

Scarlet rolls her eyes. “Theo, for fuck sake, no one wants to hear about you jerking off. Especially not me.”

Theo smirks. “Hey, cut me some slack. My dick’s been benched this whole tour.”

I laugh at the look of disgust on Scarlet’s face as she walks away shaking her head. She wanders over to the fridge and grabs a bottle of water.

While the guys talk, I walk over to her, hands shoved in my pockets. Normally, I wouldn’t care what Nate thinks—he’s been around for all the women I’ve been with, from when we hit it big to those weekend parties when we were still nobodies trying to make it in the music scene. But with him watching me now, I feel a bit nervous as I approach Scarlet.

As if sensing me, she turns around, and I can’t help but let my eyes devour her. The top buttons of her shirt are undone, her tits pushed up, practically begging for my attention. I know I shouldn’t be fantasizing about getting lost in them with her brother right behind me, but fuck, all I can think about is coming on those perfect tits.

“Hey,” she says, unscrewing the cap off the bottle. “Did Nate say something to you?”

I think about lying, but I want to be honest with her. No secrets between us. “Yeah, he said we need to talk.”

Catching a flash of anger cross her face, I reach out and take her hand. “Don’t stress. The two of us do need to talk.”

She frowns. “I don’t want this to turn into some bullshit drama, Ace. Nate and Theo always think they can control every aspect of my fucking life.”

I squeeze her hand, trying to reassure her. “They won’t. I just need to talk to your brother, lay it all out, and let him know where we stand. I’ve got to make sure Nate knows things are different with us and that he needs to accept it.”

The door swings open, and Kit pokes her head in. “The guys are waiting.” She spots Nate and steps into the room.

While Kit chats with Nate, Xander strolls over, grabs a bottle of water, and chugs it like he’s trying to drain every last drop. He finishes it in one go and wipes his mouth with the back of his hand.

“Alright, let’s get the fuck out there,” he says, tossing the empty bottle into the bin.

Scarlet and I follow behind him as he chats with Neil, who’s leading the way to the stage. Theo and Nate trail behind us, with Theo animatedly chatting to Nate about Walter's band. Even though Nate’s right behind me, I reach out and take Scarlet’s hand as we head toward the stage. I couldn’t give two flying fucks that her brothers are right behind us.

As we stop at the side of the stage, I catch the look on Nate’s face—he’s itching to get out there, wishing he could dive into the action.

Xander steps up to the mic, and we all slide into position, getting ready for the set.

After soundcheck, we’re back at the hotel. Nate and Theo are waiting for me in the bar downstairs. I know I need to lay it all out and be straight with Nate. I have to make him understand that Scarlet isn’t just another quick fuck. I need him to see that.

As I step into the bar, I spot Theo and Nate already drinking in one of the booths, their heads close together in what looks like a serious conversation. I order my drink at the bar, then make my way over, steeling myself for what’s about to happen.

As I approach the booth, I can hear the low hum of their conversation fade as Theo and Nate look up, their faces shifting from whatever they were discussing to focus on me. Theo grins, raising his glass in a mock toast. “Finally! I was starting to think you’d gotten lost on your way down here, old man.”

Nate’s expression turns serious, and his eyes, narrowed slightly, seem to pierce through me. It’s clear that whatever’s about to be said between us is important. I take a seat across from them; the tension settling over us like a thick fog.

“Alright, let’s cut the bullshit,” I say, keeping my tone steady. “We need to talk about Scarlet.”

“We do,” he replies, his expression serious.

“So let’s get this shit out of the way.” I take a deep breath. “I’m sorry I went behind your back with Scar all those months ago.”

Nate’s eyes narrow. “You’re lucky I found out the way I did. Because if I had been there, you would have been fucked up Ace.”

“And now?” I ask, trying to gauge where Nate stands now that he knows about Scarlet and me.

“Look, Ace,” Nate replies, his tone serious, “I’ve known you for years. I’ve seen all the shit you’ve pulled with chicks at those apartment parties we used to throw—hell, I’ve seen you with three women at once. I never want Scar to be just another number, and that’s what’s got me fucked up about the whole situation between you two.”

“It isn’t like that with her,” I say, making sure he hears the conviction in my voice. “Looking back, I’m pretty sure it never has been. Since the first time Scarlet and I hooked up, I haven’t been with anyone else.”

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