Page 37 of Stepping Into Tomorrow

Nash’s teeth ground together. “Watch how you talk about her.”

Ricky’s eyes widened before his smirk grew. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say someone has a thing for our new guest.”

“No, I don’t,” he snapped.

Ricky’s brows rose. “You sure, bro?”

“I thought you had a date. That’s why you couldn’t volunteer?” Roman asked.

Ricky shrugged. “I’m meeting her for drinks later tonight, so technically, I do have a date.”

“Fucker will do anything to get out of helping.” Nash shook his head.

“Don’t think changing the subject gets you off from answering my question.” Ricky narrowed his gaze.

“Was there a question in there? I thought you were just spewing your usual shit,” Nash grumbled.

“Fine. If you don’t want her, why should I pass up this opportunity?” Ricky eyed Nova’s house.

“The last thing a woman like that needs is some idiot like Ricky here trying to stick his dick in her. She’s a mom and she’s pregnant. She isn’t one of his hookups.” Nash focused on the task in his hands, sharpening the knife.

His brothers were silent a moment before Ricky laughed.

“What?” he growled.

“You think a woman like that wouldn’t be interested in something fun and temporary? And hey, I wouldn’t even have to worry about knocking her up,” Ricky teased.

Nash saw red. He shoved the tools down and stepped in his brother’s space, chest against chest. “Don’t fucking talk about her like that. And don’t you even dare think about laying a finger on her. You get me?”

Ricky’s eyes glimmered with satisfaction. His little brother loved getting a rise out of people. Ricky had baited him and Nash had taken it hook, line, and sinker.

“Fucker,” Nash growled and shoved his brother away.

Ricky bit his bottom lip and nodded. “I get you. If you wanted her for yourself, all you had to do was say so. You know I don’t poach.”

“She’s not mine.”

Roman eyed him as Ricky stepped further away from Nash. “You sure are protective of her for someone who claims not to care.”

“I just don’t want this fucker harassing her.”

Ricky clasped his hand in front of his heart. “I’m hurt you think I’d dare harass a woman.”

Nash grumbled and got back to work organizing the spices on the table by the smoker, just to give him something to do besides wring his brother’s neck.

Roman cleared his throat. “You sure you don’t care about her?”

Nash’s body locked up, his heart racing as his stomach burned with jealousy. Roman was a single dad himself. He hadn’t dated since his wife passed years ago, but he wasn’t closed off to the possibility of romance like Nash was. His brother deserved to find his happiness. But not with Bella.

“She’s off-limits as Nova’s friend. That’s all,” he lied.

“Someone is more delusional than usual,” Ricky teased.

Nash snapped, swinging his fist, but Ricky was a quick little fucker and ducked in time. Laughing, he took off. “Getting slow in your old age, big brother.”

Roman chuckled and shook his head. “I don’t think he’ll ever grow up.”

Nash grunted in agreement.

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