Page 76 of Golden Rule

“No thanks. I’ve got enough shit of my own to get sorted. Adding a woman into the mix would only complicate things.”

At those words, Sterling’s sigh seems to suggest that he agrees. We all turn toward him. Even Dane and Jett over on the game.

“Shit, that doesn’t sound good,” Chase jokes, but he has no idea how right he is. Sterling and Tiffany are pretty solid for the most part, but the chinks in their foundation are starting to show.

Cypress Pointe tends to have that effect.

“I may not be your uncle by blood, but we’re as much family as anyone else,” Dusty says. “Spill it.”

Sterling settles deeper into his seat, and based on his expression, things haven’t gotten a whole lot better at home.

“Just the usual BS,” he sighs.

“Like?”

Coming from anyone else, this level of prying would be a violation, but we all know Dusty only wants what’s best for us.

Sterling parts his lips to speak, but the conversation halts when the door on the far side of the room opens. It’s Jules, popping in with a huge grin on her face as she delivers a platter of fresh baked cookies. Courtesy of my amazing wife, no doubt.

“I come bearing gifts,” she says in this melodic way that’s almost like singing. It’s kind of her thing.

“Sweet. Thank you!” Jett says, dropping his controller mid-game. Apparently, as far as he’s concerned, cookies are more important than winning.

“Seriously?”

He glances toward Dane, clearly giving zero fucks about having just caused an interruption, then proceeds to grab six snickerdoodles.

When he’s done, Jules moves toward one of the tables to set down the cookies, then waves chipperly.

I laugh a little, shaking my head. “Thanks.”

“No problem.”

With that, she turns to leave, but Chase nearly falls out of his seat, savoring every second of her exit, his stare focused intently on Jules’s ass.

“You good, man?”

My question jars him out of whatever filthy thought he just clearly had, and he has to laugh at how obvious he was.

“Who the fuck is that?

I smile at the question—had a feeling that was coming.

“Jules. She grew up with Blue. Say the word, and I’ll hook it up.”

For the fraction of a second, it’s like he’s considering my offer, but then as the hint of a smile on his face begins to fade, his hand goes to his arm, right over his tattoo. I think it’s subconscious, but I’m guessing Bianca, the woman who’s name is inked on his arm, is behind that solemn look he has now.

“Nah, I’m good,” he says, and I know enough to mind my own damn business. I get the feeling he wants the spotlight off him, too, when he nods at my brother. “You were saying, Sterling?”

When our gazes shift away from Chase, the mood’s a little lighter this time around, which is good.

“I’m just realizing Tiff’s got a bit of a jealous streak,” Sterling begins. “And, currently, the thing that’s got her tits on fire is my tattoo. A tattoo she’s known was there since we first hooked up, might I add. It’s like she’s fucking obsessed with it.”

I blow out a breath when a laugh almost breaks free, knowing exactly which of his tattooshis fiancé is pissed about. But Dusty, on the other hand, is completely clueless.

“I don’t follow,” he says.

Sterling glances toward me, and I’m positive he sees me smirk, but he brought this on himself. I told him to get rid of thatthing years ago, but I’m guessing he has his reasons for keeping it.

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