Page 20 of Two Is Better Than One

"Casey?"

"Yeah?"

"Can we go by your apartment and let me make sure this wig is on straight before we go back to the hotel?"

Chapter 9

AJ Cameron

AJ was at the end of a longer than usual week. It was Friday, and he usually took off early or finished his hours completely by Friday, but it was planting season, and he had taken off for the security gig, so he picked up extra hours on Friday. He didn't mind the overtime, but it had been a tiring few days. He had a lot going on at work, and the job he had worked with Casey turned out to be a little more than he bargained for.

He had taken a liking to Allie Stockton, and he desperately wished it was him she was interested in and not that artist. AJ was able to stop thinking about Allie when he was working, but his mind began drifting back to her whenever he had free time.

He had stopped by his uncle Max's for a swim and a shower, and then he went by a restaurant to get some takeout on his way back to Casey's apartment later that afternoon. He was thinking about Allie as he pulled into the parking lot at Casey's condo. It was crazy that she crossed his mind because out of nowhere, she appeared on the sidewalk. She was walking with Casey, outside of Casey's condo.

AJ had been about to open his door, but he stayed in his truck. They were far enough away and the parking lot was full, so they didn’t notice him there. They weren't making physical contact, but Casey walked next to her, smiling in a way Casey didn't normally smile. His chest was puffed out, and he was exuding confidence, and AJ instantly felt like he wanted to tackle his cousin to the ground. He knew what Casey was doing, and from the looks of it, Allie didn't mind. She smiled at his proximity. Her gaze was fixed on him. Behavior wasn't necessarily categorized as PDA, but was enough for AJ.

He knew there was something going on. For starters, they had just come out of the apartment. Secondly, oh, yep. AJ cringed as he watched his cousin open the door for Allie. She got inside the truck with a smile and then Casey circled around the back of the truck to go to the driver's side. He smiled on his way around, and there was no mistaking that smile.

Casey liked Allie.

AJ felt sick to his stomach, but he stayed put while they took off. They were well out of sight when he got out of his truck and went into the condo.

He ate and then he got a call to go out with some friends he had met at the gym. It was a few hours later, and he was getting ready to meet them when Casey came into the spare bedroom where AJ was staying. AJ loved his cousin and was thankful for the nice place to stay, but at the moment, he was salty. When Casey walked in, all AJ could see was the guy who smiled that way about Allie.

"Where are you going?" Casey asked.

"Out with some friends. I was going to mention it to you, but I thought you were working."

"I'm done."

AJ shook his head, resisting the urge to pummel his cousin.

"You okay?"

"Yeah. Just a long week," AJ said.

"I was wondering if you might want to make it a little longer," Casey said.

"What is it?"

"It's this Sunday—some brunch with an artist at a restaurant. It's with Summer's sister and those people from the gallery. It'll be three hours, max."

"I heard about it. Why aren't you going?"

"I am going. Summer and Allie are going, and Summer thinks she might not want to stay as long as her sister, so she was hoping you would come, too. Allie asked me to tell you to come."

"I don't think so," AJ said, shaking his head. "It's going to be overkill with both of us there. I had a long day and I'm tired."

"Today is Friday, and I'm talking about Sunday."

"I know, but I just don't feel like it. I had a long week. It's an easy gig, but I already had plans."

"What plans?"

"Wakeboarding with some friends."

"Can't you meet your friends after? It's three hundred."

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