Page 76 of The Manny

“I hope not. I’m really just thinking what’s best for Mia. If it was up to me, I’d sleep in your bed every night. I like cuddling.” He gave a weak smile.

Thomas was thinking of Mia, and I needed to do the same. “It’s fine. I’m being selfish.”

He shrugged, studying me. “We can work up to letting Mia see us differently. It’s just, this was very sudden.”

“Yes. Not to mention she has it in her head you and Aiden are a thing.”

He sighed. “She’ll let that go eventually. When nothing comes of it.”

“Right.”

“Anyway, this was fun.” He hesitated. “Don’t let things be weird between us, okay? We’re both adults and we wanted to have sex. That’s allowed.”

“I’ll do my best not to be weird. No promises.”

He laughed. “The important thing is, we’re getting along now.”

“I’ll say.” I smirked.

He took a step back, smiling. “I’ll see you later.”

“Yep.” I watched him grab his shirt and leave my room. Whether or not sleeping together had been smart, I certainly felt a thousand times more relaxed about life at the moment. Hopefully, this happy euphoria would carry me through the day.

****

When I got to work, I went straight to my office. I didn’t really want to run into Brody right away. I still wasn’t sure how to feel about our conversation yesterday. I stayed in my office, placing orders for parts and paying bills. When lunch rolled around there was a knock on my door.

“Come in,” I said, keeping my attention on the accounting program I was fiddling with.

The door opened and Brody entered the room. He closed the door behind him and stood in front of my desk. When I glanced up, his face was flushed and he looked sheepish. “I wanted to apologize for yesterday,” he said gruffly.

“You don’t have to.” I leaned back in my chair. “You’re allowed to feel how you feel.”

“The thing is, I don’t feel that way. At least, not the way it sounded.”

I studied him. “I obviously come across a certain way to you guys. I didn’t realize I lost my temper all the time.”

He winced. “It’s not that often. I feel awful that I made you feel bad.” He sighed. “Jack, me and the guys, we fucking worship you. Do you sometimes get upset about stuff? Sure. But you’re running a business. I can’t imagine the stress you’re under. When things go wrong, it’s on your shoulders. Of course you’re going to lose your cool now and then.”

“If I make you guys uncomfortable, or you think you have to tiptoe around me, that’s not my intention.”

He sighed. “I know that. All the guys do.”

I met his gaze, swallowing my pride. “I’m not going to fire you for speaking your mind, Brody.”

“God, I know you’re not petty like that. I just hated seeing how upset my words made you. Iwantedto apologize.”

“Well, thanks. I was a little hurt yesterday, so I overreacted. But I want to be a good person. I don’t want to be the kind of man who loses his shit when things go wrong. I guess I should appreciate you bringing this to my attention.”

He shook his head. “You don’t need to change.”

“I think maybe I do,” I said quietly. “I’ll try and control my reaction to things. I can’t promise I’ll never lose my temper, but it shouldn’t be a common thing. You shouldn’t be nervous about telling me when things go wrong.”

He definitely looked surprised. “See, the way you’re handling this just proves what a great guy you are, Jack.”

I winced. “I’m not so great.”

“Well, you are in my book.” He laughed gruffly.

---