Page 18 of Get Undressed With Me

“We’re not like that. Besides, he’s Robbie’s brother.”

“Who cares about that?”

“Well, Robbie, for one.”

“Fuck that guy.”

A customer grabbed Randall’s attention, so he turned and left Brittany with her jaw hanging open. She couldn’t even look at Gus, Randall’s words ringing in her ears.

He looks like he could throw you around.

Fuck, she was not going to think about how true that statement was.

Brittany focused on opening her streaming app, fluffing her hair for only a moment before going live. She had posted her schedule that morning, so more than a few followers were already waiting for her.

“Hail and well met, friends! As you know, I’m here at Kickoff ready to consume all things nerd and pop culture. My first stop is at Randall’s Riveting Designs, booth 713E, owned by none other than my friend Randall, who is rocking some killer FlameThrower cosplay. I’ll be here all morning, so if you’re nearby, come and say ‘Hi!’ Randall’s also just revealed he’s currently running a deal for his first hundred customers. Randall, can you tell us about your deal?”

Randall launched into his spiel, delighting her loyal followers who always loved when he guest-starred. Brittany settled in for a long morning, letting the energy of the convention fill her up. She met several fans who had seen her live and come over, she rang up Randall’s customers, and all around was busy enough to almost forget Gus was watching her from somewhere nearby.

Almost.

A couple hours later, Britt’s feet were as sore as her face from smiling all morning. Randall’s booth had been swarmed, and she could see even he was starting to fade a little. She handed him a bottle of water from the cooler under the table, which he took and guzzled in almost one gulp. He nodded to the crowds of people pushing their way down the aisle.

“I think it’s easing up.”

“How can you tell?”

“We actually have time to talk.”

He had a point. Randall eyed her over his water bottle.

“What’s going on with you?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re very melancholy. Usually you’re so peppy I fantasize about hitting a mute button.”

“Hey, I’m peppy.”

He shook his head. “Not to your usual standards. Plus you got a morose gargoyle hanging around you. He could give Hayden a run for his money in the silent game.”

Brittany glanced over at Gus, who had stationed himself on the outskirts of the booth, eyes on the crowd. More than a few of the convention-goers eyed him with interest, and Brittany couldn’t blame them. Gus wasn’t one to demand attention, but once you looked, it was hard to look away.

Before Brittany could think of a reply, a small, bright redhead popped into the booth. She was in jeans and a walking medical boot, her smile was huge and genuine.

“Hey, Britt, you’re still here!”

Brittany couldn’t help but smile. As Min’s little sister, Devery presented as the more wholesome version of Min. Where Min swore like a sailor, Dev always avoided it, although Brittany had heard her mutter a “fudge” once or twice in the years she had known her. She was only twenty-three, but Devery was cute as a button. If ever there was a woman who fit the description of “girl next door” it was Dev.

“Hey, Carrot, how’s the leg?”

Dev grimaced at the admittedly not-too-original nickname she had been graced with her entire life.

“Good. Doctor says a few more weeks in this bad boy and I’ll be ready to fly solo.”

“Amazing. Next up, a marathon.”

“You know it.”

---