Page 65 of Wish I Didn't Want You Back

“Don’t you ever knock?” Brooks snapped and handed me a towel to dry my legs off.

“That wasn’t my question,”he said, unzipping his hoodie and folding his arms.

Brooks pinched the bridge of his nose. “It’s none of your business.”

Hayes let out a slow whistle. “Damn, I was only stopping by for coffee. I didn’t realize I was interrupting…”

“Do not finish that sentence.” Brooks pointed to him in warning.

Hayes threw his hands up. “For a man who looks like he got lucky last night, you sure are grumpy this morning.”

I groaned, shaking my head. “You are the worst, Hayes.”

“I know.” He winked and sauntered over to the Keurig machine to fix himself a cup of coffee.

“Make yourself at home. Why don’t you?” Brooks sat down and scowled at his brother.

He leaned against the counter. “Don’t mind me. You two kids can continue doing what you were doing.”

Brooks glared at Hayes. “I hope Diesel shits in your shoe.”

Hayes pulled up a chair and flopped down beside me. “Wow, that’s mean.”

“Is it?” Brooks said casually, “Or is it karma?”

I was trying not to laugh, but Hayes could be relentless and loved to poke fun at his brother.

Hayes nudged me in the elbow. “He’s being very hostile, are you sure he’s not holding you here against your will? Blink twice if you need me to rescue you.”

I glanced over at Brooks. “This is your punishment for not locking the door after letting the dog out.”

“I shouldn’t have to lock my damn door.” Brooks picked up his phone to check the time. “Hayes, don’t you have stuff to do today?”

Hayes took a long, satisfying sip of his coffee. “Funny you should mention that.” He took a treat out of the jar and snuck one to Diesel. “I got a hot date tonight.”

Brooks looked at his brother. “Who is the poor, unfortunate woman?”

Hayes raised an eyebrow. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

Brooks shook his head. “It’s probably someone he swiped right on.”

I picked up my breakfast sandwich. “I hope she knows what she’s getting herself into.”

“I’ll have you both know, I did not meet her on a dating app. Her name is Valerie, and she works the smoothie station at the gym.”

“Where are you taking her tonight?” I asked.

“She wants to do some paint and wine thing.”

Brooks’ coffee mug paused on the way to his mouth. “You hate wine.”

He shrugged. “Val is a smoke show. I can suck it up for one night.”

I snorted into my coffee. “Does she know it’s only going to be one date?”

Hayes looked amused. “Of course not.”

Poor Val. Hayes was a charmer and a notorious flirt. Even as a teenager, he was known to be the town heartbreaker. Women got swept away with his pretty boy face and smooth pickup lines. He always had a revolving door of women coming in and out of his life. One of these days, he was going to meet his match, and I hoped I would be around to witness it.

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