Page 61 of Inked Persuasion

“I don’t remember this fake-dating thing,” Beckett said, narrowing his eyes.

“I do,” Benjamin said, sipping his drink. “You pissed off Annabelle while we were all in college, and she went to a frat party with Lee.”

I scowled at the other man again.

“We went to the same frat party with our groups of friends. I did not go on a date or anything like that with Annabelle. Hey, why am I in the spotlight here? I thought we were here for Jacob,” Lee said, and I laughed, shaking my head. “Enough of this,” Lee said as Beckett started to question him again, although it was all good-natured. Even their teasing of me.

“For real, though,” Benjamin said as everybody quieted down. “We’re not going to hassle you over Annabelle, mostly because we’re afraid of her, and it’s her choice to date whoever she wants. However, if you hurt her, we will hurt you. Nobody messes with our sister.” Benjamin’s words were so calm, so infused with truth that I let a little fear slide through me, even as I narrowed my eyes.

“Annabelle and I know what we’re doing. And if I hurt her, it’d be by accident. And I’m sure she’d make me pay all on her own.”

“That’s the truth,” Archer said, leaning into Marc as the other man sat down again.

“Anyway, let’s talk about better things. Like where is Paige’s boyfriend?” Lee asked, grinning. “I still haven’t met that one. What’s his name?”

“Colton,” I answered, surprising myself.

“Colton. He sounds interesting. Is he treating our little Paigey right?”

“Paigey? Annabelley?” I laughed. “You need to do better with the nicknames.”

“I tried to call her Strawberry Shortcake once, but it just took too long to say. I’ll come up with something better to annoy her, don’t worry,” Lee said, grinning.

I shook my head, and then Riggs came up from the bar, walking directly to our table.

“Hey, lowering yourself to take care of us on your own?” Beckett asked, and Riggs just shook his head, pulling his hair back from his face.

“No, we’re short-staffed today. Two of our people called in sick. So, I said I’d take care of the lot of you because you’re exhausting. Tracy started the tab, but I’m here to help you with food.”

Clay looked up at Riggs. “Can you make my check separate? That way, I can pay for my beer now. I need to head out. The kids are with a sitter, and I said I wouldn’t be too late. We have story and bath time tonight, so it’s going to take a bit.” Clay pulled away from the table and reached for his wallet.

“I got you,” I said, looking up at the other man.

“You don’t have to do that,” Clay said, his expression guarded.

“I don’t mind. You’re the only one who stood up for me a bit with regards to Annabelle tonight, so I’ll buy you that beer.”

Clay just rolled his eyes. “Okay, then put that beer on his tab. And I’ll get you later,” Clay said, waving at the others. “I’ll see you guys at work. Or around. Thanks for inviting me.” Clay made his way out, and I didn’t miss the fact that Riggs watched how Clay moved.

Well, that was interesting.

Riggs seemed to shake himself out of whatever he was thinking and smiled. “Okay, Montgomerys, and whatever other strange members have joined. Let’s figure out what all of you are eating for dinner.”

We ordered enough food for a banquet, another round of beers for them, and my first, and I leaned back and got to know Annabelle’s brothers. It was complicated because they probably thought Annabelle and I had something more. We didn’t. We couldn’t. We would eventually have to figure that out because it would be difficult when the brothers—and Paige, for that matter—realized the truth of my and Annabelle’s relationship.

Annabelle had told me I needed to come out tonight. Not to get to know her brothers for anything nefarious, but because she’d said I needed friends. I hadn’t liked how close to the mark that was, but I was here, wasn’t I? Getting to know people. Even if I was afraid that once Annabelle and I called it quits, her brothers would never speak to me again.

But that was something to deal with later. For now, I just enjoyed myself.

I was tired, and I didn’t get to go out much other than with Annabelle, so by the time I got home, even though it wasn’t too late, I was ready to fall face-first into bed. My phone buzzed, and I looked down at it, expecting to hear from Annabelle so I could ask how the night went. But it wasn’t Annabelle. I froze before I quickly answered the phone. “Dad? What’s wrong?”

“Everything will be fine. Your mom’s just having a bad night. We’re headed to the emergency room because we think she needs fluids.”

“I’m on my way,” I said.

“We’ve got this, Jacob. You have to work tomorrow.”

“Then I’ll be tired. I’m on my way. This is why I’m here, Dad. To help you.”

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