Page 6 of My Brother's Forbidden Friend

He glances at them and back at us. “Thanks a lot. We really appreciate it, and I’ll be sure to give you five stars on Yelp.” He winks and earns another killer smile from Chevelle.

I suck in a deep breath, my nostrils flaring when I exhale.

“Thank you,” she says.

“You better get going because there’s a heavy fine if someone throws up on the pier,” I say.

Chevelle narrows her eyes at me. I shrug.

“Really? I would think it’s pretty common,” the idiot says.

“Most people around here have sea legs.” My voice is smug, but I don’t care.

“You better go. The whole group looks like they’re waiting for you,” Chevelle says.

“Okay.” He rocks back on his heels and looks at Chevelle, at me, and back at Chevelle. “Thanks again. Next time I’ll make sure there’s no one who can’t handle their alcohol.”

“That would be nice. Bye.”

“Bye, Craig,” I say pointedly.

He glances at me but walks down the pier to join his idiot friends.

“Why are you acting like you’re my boyfriend or something?”

I grab the hose attached to the pier, turn on the water, and step into her boat. “I’m looking out for you. Your boat is in later than expected and that guy could’ve been some creepo.”

She shakes her head but doesn’t refuse my help cleaning. We work together and get it done in a half hour.

“I’ll come back tomorrow and finish it up. I’m exhausted,” she says.

I put the hose back and carry the garbage bags while we walk down the pier.

“Thanks, Cam,” she says on our way out.

“You’re welcome.”

We’re actually civil with each other until another figure approaches us at the marina exit.

“Chevelle.” The guy stands in the shadows. For a moment, I think it’s that douche Craig again, but when he gets closer, I see that this guy isn’t in docker shorts and a polo. He’s in jeans that hang off his hips and a threadbare T-shirt.

“Derek,” she says with a lift in her voice that I don’t care for. She rushes to him and hugs him. His eyes remain on me over her shoulder the entire time.

“Who’s your friend?” he asks her.

“I could ask the same thing.” I lift my chin a bit while I stare him down.

She steps back. “Sorry, this is Cam, my brother Fisher’s best friend. Cam, this is Derek, my…”

He sticks out his hand. “Boyfriend.”

What the hell? I’ve seen this guy around recently. He just went from Vinny’s boat to Porter’s. Definitely a douchebag if Vinny already got rid of him.

I shake his limp hand. “I didn’t know Chevelle had a boyfriend.”

“Well, she does.” He widens his stance and crosses his arms as though he’s claiming his territory.

Well, this is my territory, and Chevelle’s been mine for a helluva lot longer than she’s been his. Besides, I could easily kick the shit outa this little pissant.

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