Page 50 of Without You

He’s animatedly talking to two of the women from the group, and I’m reluctant to disturb him. He’s enjoying himself. Tonight we’re rid of the heavy, just like we said, and fuck if it isn’t a good look on him.

He notices me from the corner of his eye and waves me over. Both ladies turn to see who has his attention and then smile at me welcomingly. I raise my beer at them in greeting and move around them to stand beside Julian.

He takes one of the bottles out of my hold and has a quick swig. “This is Deacon,” he says, pointing at me. “Deacon these lovely ladies are Denise and Keri.”

“We’re just going to finish up this game with our friends and the winners will play you two.”

“Not a problem,” I answer for the both of us.

Our new ‘friends’ basically hop and skip away, both of them in a fun and jovial mood.

“So who’s who?” I ask, tipping my chintoward the couples.

“The two that can’t keep their hands off one another are Denise and Anthony and Keri is single.” He says Keri’s name a little too enthusiastically. “She’s pretty.” He nudges me in the shoulder. “You could maybe take her home.”

“To my parents’ house,” I quip.

“Or go to her house?”

“What about their other friend?”

“You’re interested in Peter?”

“What? No. I’m just trying to get you off my case about sleeping with someone tonight.”

“Oh. I thought you said you wanted to get laid.”

Yeah, I’m crazy horny and I’m thinking about you in ways I shouldn’t be, of course I want to get laid tonight.

“Nah, I’m good. I think I can manage keeping my dick in my pants tonight.”

“Well, that’s not really going to stop Keri from trying to hit on you. She already asked me if my hot friend was single.”

“Hot friend, hey? I guess I don’t scrub up too bad.”

Julian grunts.

“What?”

“Even Ray has been trying to hit on you tonight.” He avoids my gaze when he says the last part. “You scrub up just fine.”

“You sound jealous,” I taunt. “I’m sure if you gave Ray the time of day, he’d hit on you too.”

“Yeah that’s not it,” he says noncommittally.

“Then?” I droll, wanting an answer.

A millisecond of time passes, and giddiness shimmies in my chest as a surprising thought crosses my mind.

Something on my face has him asking. “What?”

“You think I’m good looking,” I blurt out smugly. Julian rolls his eyes at me, so I prod further, asking something that’s been bothering me. “Is it because I look like Rhett?”

“Huh?”

“Do I remind you of him?” I rephrase. “Is that why you givemethe time of day?”

“What? No.” I stare at him blankly, wanting an explanation. “I mean, you’re his brother and I’d like to say we’ve made progress. But you don’t remind me of him. Not at all.” Raw and honest brown eyes bore into my blue ones. “Not as much as you probably should.”

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