Page 126 of The Merger
I grip the edge of the island and brace myself for fireworks.
Tate strolls around the corner with his attention focused on his phone. “Tell me you have food because I’m starving. But you probably don’t because you suck. Think we could—what the fuck?”
His eyes grow wide and his jaw drops.
“Hey, Tate,” Gannon says, smiling. “What were you saying about food?”
Tate narrows his eyes at me. “What areyoudoing here?”
“We could get a pizza,” Gannon says. “Or burgers.”
“This isn’t happening.” Tate shakes his head as he fully absorbs the situation.Or thinks he does. “Oh, hell no.”
“I could go for a steak, though,” Gannon says as if Tate’s not talking. “How do you feel about steaks?”
Tate’s head whips to his brother. “Do you think this is funny?”
I cover my mouth so my friend can’t see my smile.
“This isn’t funny.” Tate tosses his phone on the island. “You two think this is a good idea?”
“Whatever do you mean, Tate?” Gannon asks, playing innocent.
“I’m in disbelief at your carelessness,” Tate says to me.
“Then just wait,” Gannon mutters.
I snort, trying so hard not to laugh. But this only drives Tate crazier.
“How am I the only logical one here?” Tate asks, his voice rising. “That should be a red flag. When I’m the logical one, there are problems, people! This is a problem!”
He throws his hands up and marches to the refrigerator. Gannon watches me out of the corner of his eye, amused. I bite my lip and wait for the impending outburst from my best friend. I make sure to keep my left hand away from his sight.For now. I’m still getting used to the three-carat sparkler on my ring finger as it is.
“This isn’t going to end well,” Tate says. “I hate both of you for this. You’re ruining my life.”
“Maybe it’s not about you,” Gannon says.
Tate stops and stares at him. “It’s always about me, Gan.” He whips around to me. “What are you thinking? You shouldn’t go there.”
“Already went there,” Gannon says, teasing him. “Many, many times.”
“He’s a dick,” Tate says, ignoring his brother. “And you’re … you.”
“Easy there,” Gannon says, lifting a brow.
Tate rolls his eyes. “You don’t get to be all macho just because you’re … having sexual relations.”
I can’t hold back the laughter. The sound rings through the kitchen and I swear steam comes from Tate’s ears.
“You don’t know her,” he says. “I do. She’s a pain in the ass.”
“Oh, come on,” I say.
“You don’t even answer my texts anymore. I mean, you do, but barely. You don’t even give me compliments that I ask for and yet you still call yourself my best friend.” He snorts. “I’ve been having crises, and you leave me to deal with them on my own.”
“Maybe I’ve been having a crisis too.”
He shakes his head again and resumes his march to the refrigerator. “You thinkthisis a crisis? Just wait until you’re sick of his shit and you’re on his nerves. I’m telling you both now that I’m not taking sides. Well, okay, I will and it’ll be Carys’s primarily out of spite.”
