Page 6 of Sticking Out

“Just promise me you’ll give him a hug and kiss.”

“Goodbye, sis.”

I laugh and end the call, and Josie arches a brow. “Everything okay?”

“Sisters,” I groan with a laugh, and she watches me waiting for me to continue my explanation. “She was joking about me giving Conner a hug and a kiss.” I expect her to laugh, but she doesn’t. Instead, she nods, like that might actually be a good idea. “What?” I ask.

“It’s not a bad idea.” She pulls open the door to the back seat when we reach Brighton’s big van with its three-row seating.

“What?” She can’t be serious.

“That man needs to get out more. Have you noticed how grumpy he’s been lately?”

“Pressure for the cup,” I explain.

“Sure. Sure.” She climbs into the vehicle and I follow her in. “Or maybe pressure is building up elsewhere.”

I laugh. “Oh, Josie. I am so not his type.”

“Yeah, maybe he doesn’t like gorgeous, intelligent, supportive women.”

Josie thinks I’m gorgeous, intelligent and supportive? I agree with the last one but not the first two.

She crinkles her nose. “I don’t think he likes the bunnies anymore. I haven’t seen him with any. I only ever see him with you.”

My heart lurches. Oh, God, am I monopolizing all his time? Does he feel responsible for me after…Alec? I swallow hard, and the favor I was going to ask him begins to crumble before my eyes. I can almost feel it turn to dust in my hands. Conner needs to be getting out more, with a woman who isn’t his best friend and sister-in-law. Have I been holding him back?

I buckle up as excitement fills the air and dread spreads in my stomach. Does Conner want to be hanging with the bunnies? If that’s the case, I need a plan B for myself going forward.

Soon enough we all pile out of the SUV at Kilting Around, and there’s a sign indicating it’s closed for a private party, which is us. Inside, we fill the tables as more friends and family join the celebration. The place is loud and I’m grateful that it’s helping drown out my darker thoughts. Drinks are poured and since I’m not pregnant, I grab a margarita and take a much-needed sip. Snacks fill the tables and I dig in, wanting to fill the hollow in my stomach.

A couple of hours later, cheers erupt in the pub as the guys begin to pour in, and I lift my gaze to find Conner seeking me out. Guilt takes a big bite out of my tongue as I swallow the words that have been dancing on the tip of it for a long time. I can’t ask Conner for any kind of favor, especially if he’s put his life on hold because he feels an obligation to me.

His blue eyes, eyes the same color as his brother’s, light up when they find me and everything in the way he’s currently looking at me makes me think I have it all wrong. I’m not a burden or obligation. I’m someone he wants to be around. Although I have no idea why he’d choose to spend time with me, when there’s a horde of bunnies here all vying for his attention.

He steps up to me and throws his arms out. I jump from my chair and he wraps his arms around me and spins me in a circle.

“I’m so proud of you,” I tell him and he sets me down. His head dips and for the briefest of seconds, when his gaze lands on my lips, I think he’s going to kiss me. I wet my lips and he cocks his head, like he’s trying to get a read on my actions. My heart races, and when his lips connect with my forehead, I pull myself together. What the hell was I thinking? I don’t know, but I hope he wasn’t thinking that I wanted a kiss.

He reaches across the table and grabs a mozzarella stick. “I’m starved.”

“Give me that.” Brady snatches it from his hand and takes a big bite.

Conner playfully shoves him. “Hey.”

“Okay, children, there are enough mozzarella sticks for everyone.” Noah snatches one off the plate and holds it out to Conner. Conner reaches for it, and before he can get it, Noah takes a bite.

Conner shoves Noah and grumbles, “Fucker.”

I laugh, take a mozzarella stick and put it in front of Conner’s mouth. He stares at his friends and gloats as he takes a bite and mumbles, “At least someone loves me.”

Jesse slaps Conner’s back. “Aw, we love you too, dude.”

Conner puts his hand on the small of my back, and guides me to my chair. It’s a small gesture, one he’s done often. It just feels different tonight. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because my mind has been on sex lately—with the purpose of having a child, of course—but his touch does something ridiculously crazy to the neglected spot between my legs. I flinch, because everything about that feels wrong. Okay, well no, it feels right, which is why it’s wrong. Does that even make sense?

He eyes me, and I avert my gaze and sit. The truth is, I haven’t been with another man since Alec. Uh, yeah, and also he was my first. Like I said, I’m your average plain Jane, and not a woman who garners attention when walking down the street, or in a pub full of beautiful women.

The guys pull up chairs and sit next to us, and soon enough, the conversation returns to the win and the volume in the place rises to new heights. I’m okay with that. It makes my unease and quietness tonight less noticeable. I take a sip of my drink and note the way Conner is watching me. I plaster on a smile, which only makes his eyes narrow more.

---