Page 14 of The Older Brother
“Well, I’d love dinner. But I’m not quite twenty-one, so drinks might be a little hard to manage.” I bat my lashes and brace myself for the inevitable question.
“How not quite twenty-one are you?” There’s an edge to Brady’s tone, and I think he may actually be suddenly worried I’m younger than I am.
“I’m eighteen. I leave for college in August,” I say, and his relief seems instant as his shoulders drop with a swift exhale.
“Dinner it is, then. Can I get your number?” He moves toward a small gym bag resting on the ground near the bleachers, but before he can pull out his phone or a pen, I slip my shoes back on my feet and stand.
“Rowan has my number. He’s practically my brother, so just tell him I said you can have it.” My lips pull into a puckered smile, and I let my fingertips graze along Brady’s shoulder as I walk around him.
“Sounds good, Saylor,” he says to my back. I glance over my shoulder with a smirk, but my gaze never reaches Brady at all. It stops at Rowan.
Playing games is not like me. None of the way I’ve acted or felt for the last week is like me. But I’m tired of being whatever I have been for most of my life. Complacent. Quiet. Willing to push my wishes to the side for whoever needs center stage at the time. The good daughter who appreciates her single mom’s hardwork and never mentions that she misses her dad. The third wheel to the Anderson boys, the one who needs a babysitter.
Fuck that.
I might not be ready to break all of my good girl promises just yet, but this one? Where I pretend that I don’t want Rowan Anderson? I’m done faking that.
I make it back to the house before my phone buzzes in my center console with Rowan’s call. I sink back in the driver’s seat while idling in the driveway and enjoy the nice chill from the AC I finally got working.
“Hello, this is Saylor. Are you calling about the babysitting job I posted?” It’s hard to keep the innocent tone up, and I fight not to break into a laugh.
“Ha ha, very funny. No, I am not looking to babysit anyone.” Rowan doesn’t sound amused, which somehow pleases me more.
The sound of an engine revving in the background fills the line. Probably one of his friends’ trucks or cars. Rowan seems to have lost his.
“Okay. Then why are you calling?”
It’s quiet between us for a few seconds, so I clear my throat to prod him to respond.
“Hang on. I’m getting in the car,” he grunts.
“I’ll wait.” And I do. I take in the various sounds of his car's ignition engaging, his phone connection switching to his car's speakers as his engine rumbles to life. Even the way his car sounds is sexy.
“Brady fucking Campbell?” he finally spits out.
“Is that his last name?” I bite my knuckle, loving how irritated he is by this.
I don’t know that Caleb was ever truly jealous. Even when it came to me flirting with his brother, which I’m still not entirely sure he noticed. Caleb’s warning to me to be careful was moreabout his dislike for Rowan than any emotional connection to me. It’s territorial. And maybe Rowan is being territorial too. The difference is I’m not aiming for anything more than that, than to be wanted in a way that makes me feel alive. Beautiful. Sexy.
“Yeah, that’s his name. And no, he can’t have your phone number!”
I laugh out loud.
“I’m glad you find this funny,” he grumbles.
I hold my fist to my mouth, covering my smile.
“It’s a little funny. I mean, why can’t your little sister get to know your friends a little better? Maybe Brady and I will hit it off.”
“Like hell are you dating a guy like Brady fucking Campbell. All that dude is good for is a few hundred bucks every time I beat his ass on the court.” Rowan’s engine roars again, and I picture where he’s likely at, probably getting on the highway to head to his garage, which gives me an idea.
“Hey, did you mean what you said about my car? Do you really think you can get my AC working?”
What’s the worst that can happen here . . . my air gets fixed?
“Yeah, I can. Do you have time today to swing by the shop?”
I suck in my lower lip, giddy at the thought of pushing his buttons more in person. I shift my car into reverse and slowly back out of my driveway.
