Page 9 of Straight, No Chaser
"That's what I said."
I wink at Molly, whose seems to be holding back her laughter too with her satiny lips pursed together. "Very cool."
"Ms. Abigail said I have to be really, really careful because it can't touch the ground." Eli stops wiggling around in his chair, and his face grows solemn, slowly dipping his head with earnest. "I can't drop it or swing it around or poke anyone with the pole 'cause that'd be disrespectable."
"That's exactly right." After grabbing the dish of guacamole, I spoon some of the spicy mixture on my baked potato. Now Eli can't complain I'm not joining in eating his favorite meal. "What about you Molly? How was your day?"
Yeah, I'm an asshole because I know exactly how awful her morning must have been. The calls she received from her family. Frantic and embarrassed. Because her father finally had to reveal the secret loans he's been taking to keep the family afloat after her mom lost her teaching job and his business closed. Dad shielding all of them from the truth. Until now. Until the callous new owner of the debt calls in the markers to pay or they'll lose their house.
Of course, I won't let that happen. I'm not quite that heartless.
I don't need their money.
I just want her fear.
But neither of them know that. At least not for now anyway.
"Good." She traces the rim of her glass, scarlet tinting her frowning cheeks. "I got an 'A' on mySocial Behavior in Toddlerspaper."
"Very nice."
Her smile seems forced. Not the real one that lights up her entire face. She keeps her gaze on her bowl, while Eli chatters away. That rare feeling of guilt that only she can evoke sneaks into my gut. But I force that shit down. She'll cry on my shoulder before I fix all of her problems and things will be fine. She'll be better than fine. And grateful. I love it when women want to show their gratitude. We're both going to fucking enjoy it.
Mrs. Benson returns, setting a tray of pudding cups on the table. The cheap box stuff Eli loves that's as bland as his meal. My cue to jet when he grabs a spoon and digs in. I just can't handle the chalky consistency. "I'll be in my office."
Waiting for Molly, of course. Before I can rise, Ty saunters in. With a quick appraisal of the situation, his own asshole smirk curls his mouth, and he chin lifts me before sliding in next to Molly. Bastard. Fucking aggravating me on purpose. Knowing that if he touches her I'll break his motherfucking hand. But that doesn't mean he won't push as far as he thinks he can get away with.
"Hey Molls." His lips skim in her cheek, and I swear to fucking god he breathes in her sweet scent. Which is meant for only me. Fucking mine. "Nice surprise having you here."
"Thank you." She gestures to her homemade tortilla chips. "Who can say no to a wonderful dinner like this?"
What the fuck? She actually meets his eye and doesn't blush. Which pisses me off more than I want to admit.
"I see you're weak against temptation just like me. Maybe we'll have to be naughty together sometime."
His dumb ass flirting earns him a small giggle from her. Although Eli never looks up from his dessert. The fucking house could catch on fire, and he'd be oblivious with his face buried in pudding. But still doesn't mean I can beat our brother's stupid ass in front of him.
Ty flashes his sexiest smile to the housekeeper too when she slides a plate onto the place mat in front of him. "God damn, Mrs. B. This looks fucking amazing. You know I'm completely in love with you."
Her wrinkled hands curl over Eli's ears, and she tsks at Ty. "No cursing in front of the baby."
Yet, she doesn't sound mad. Not at all. Pleased actually. Just like all women so easily seduced by Ty's charm. Which Molly better not be fucking one of them.
Only Eli takes offense from her comment. This insult enough to make him look up from his bowl. Chocolate covering his lips thicker than gaudy lipstick. "I'm not a baby!"
"You tell 'em E!" Ty puts out his fist and waits for Eli to bump against his curled fingers. Bringing out the swagger he likes to entice. "Let me eat real quick and then we'll shoot some hoops."
Our little brother's face lights up, and he hops off his stool. "I'll go get the ball!"
The legs wobble from his quick descent, and Molly steadies the wood with her hand while sliding out of her own seat. "I'll go help him."
Definitely not the person I wanted to leave. Once she's out of sight, I turn to my brother, who's already lost interest and is jacking around with his phone. "What the fuck was that?"
He offers a half-hearted shrug. Never even looks up from his screen. "What the fuck was what?"
I yank his cell out of his hand, ignoring his grunt of protest, and toss it across the room. Only the clatter of plastic bouncing over the tile sounds above his cursing.
"God damn it, Luc."
