Page 88 of Trigger's Forever

“He needs to butt the fuck out of my business.”

I take a pull of my beer. “You’re his little brother. He’s just lookin’ out,” I say.

“I’m thirty fucking years old, Trig. I’m a big boy. I don't need my big brother telling me what I can and can’t do.”

“What the hell is he telling you to do?”

“It’s what he’s telling me not to do. Which he’s too fucking late anyways,” Ringer says, mumbling past the last part.

Flame and I both look at him curiously.

“Lilah,” he says, lifting his chin at Wes when he passes him a cold beer.

“Ahh,” Flame says, chuckling to himself.

“Big Bro finally discovered you’re shagging the princess?” Flame laughs, hitting his best friend on the back.

Ringer glares at him, rolling his eyes. “The only person’s opinion I give even the smallest shit about is Reaper, who doesn’t give a fuck.”

“Woah there son, I never said I didn’t give a fuck,” Reaper’s deep voice rumbles from behind us. “Although, I may start caring if you talk about fucking my daughter in front of me.”

My eyes widen but I let a breath go when I see the smile covering Reaper’s face.

“Don’t let him get to you. He’s only looking out for you. Think about it. It’s a big brother’s job to protect his younger brother. He wasn’t able to do that for seven years, kid. Give him a break,” Reaper says, squeezing Ringer’s shoulder.

I watch the exchange between the two and I can’t help but think of how Triton would respond to me being with Pebbles if he were still alive. I’d like to think he would want his daughter with a guy like me. Although I've done some shitty things over the years, I would never willingly hurt his daughter in any way if I could help it.

“I’m gonna head out. Pebbles is making pasta,” I tell Flame, rubbing my stomach.

“You better watch out. You keep trying to keep up with her and you're gonna end up being the one that looks pregnant with twins,” Flame jokes.

I flip him off, punching his shoulder before heading towards the door.

* * *

When I push the front door of Pebbles house open I stop dead in my tracks. If it wasn’t for the beach ball pressing against the tight tank top she has on, I would think I’ve traveled back in time to over six months ago.

Pebbles is standing near the counter with her hair perfectly curled the way she used to when she was working at the club. Her skin has an unnatural glow, and I know it’s from the tanning lotion she used to love to use. I blink rapidly, trying to clear my vision. I’d be lying to myself if I said my dick wasn’t hard as steel just from the simple glimpse of her.

The deja vu I’m experiencing has me stuck in my spot at the front door until Pebbles smiles at me.

“Hey.”

“Hey, Red,” I choke out.

“Are you going to come in?”

I kick my boots off by the door and force my feet to move towards her. I stop on the other side of the counter and am briefly aware of the garlicy smell permeating the air. Her honey eyes sparkle underneath her long eyelashes. I smile looking to her hands resting on the counter. The long nails that I used to love feeling scrape down my back are back in their place.

“What’d you do today, Red?”

She smiles knowingly. “I had a spa day with the girls.”

“I see that,” I say, making slow steps over to her. I wrap my arms around her hips and she winds her arms around my neck. “You look fucking incredible.”

“Thank you.” Her blush matches her hair. “I feel incredible.”

“That’s amazing.” I lean down and kiss her cheek. “Just know that you don’t need all this shit to be beautiful though.”

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