He stands, nodding. “Perfect. I’m glad we had this talk.” He opens and closes his mouth in quick succession, and I wonder what he’s holding back. After a couple beats, he slants me a friendly smile as he backs out of the room. “I’ll let you continue your unpacking.”
✽✽✽
“So, Summer,” Miley says, placing her elbows on top of the table. “Do you have a boyfriend?”
“Nope. I want to enjoy the full college experience, and a boyfriend would only get in the way.”
“Oh, wow, okay.” She emits a tinkling laugh.
“Do I even want to know what the full college experience entails?” Austin asks, ramming the last piece of his sandwich into his mouth.
“Shouldn’t you know? Or has it been that long since you graduated you’ve forgotten?” I push a loose strand of hair back off my face while I perform a mental countdown in my head.
“Don’t fucking push me, Sum,” Austin warns, and I hadn’t even counted to two before he reacted predictably.
I lean back in my chair. “Oh, relax. I doubt I’ll be even half as wild as you were.”
“Even half would be disastrous,” Ryan adds, fighting a smile. “Let’s just say your brother made the most of his college experience and leave it at that.” He shifts in his chair, and his thigh brushes against mine, heating my body upon contact. Our eyes meet for an infinitesimal moment, a spark igniting in the tiny space between us, until he pulls his leg back and turns his head around.
“Yes, please,” Miley cuts in. “It’s not like I’m keen to hear old war stories either.”
“Babe.” Austin slings his arm around her shoulders. “That was the past. You know I only have eyes for you now.”
Ryan makes a gagging sound while I sort of melt into a puddle. I would never have thought Austin had it in him to be so romantic, but it’s lovely to see.
“Shut your face, dude,” Austin says, elbowing his buddy in the ribs. “I still remember how gaga you were for Myndi, and you spouted worse shit, believe me.”
The smile instantly wipes off Ryan’s face, and his chair screeches in protest as he shoves it back, standing abruptly. Without saying a word, he stacks our empty plates before taking them to the sink.
“Shit, man. I’m sorry,” Austin says. “I know better than to mention the she-devil.”
I’m dying of curiosity here, but I bite my tongue to stop my probing questions because I can see how tense Ryan is at the mere mention of this girl, whoever she is.
“It’s fine,” Ryan says through gritted teeth as he rinses the plates before placing them in the dishwasher.
“So, does anyone know of any drama groups in the area?” I ask, deliberately changing the subject in the hope it’ll defuse the tension in the air.
“Not by name,” Miley says, “but there are a bunch around Newark, and I believe there’s a theater company started by students in the college.”
“I remember hearing something about that,” I say. “I’ll check it out next week.”
“You act?” Miley asks.
I nod. “I’ve been a member of the local drama group back home since I was twelve, but it’s only a hobby, really. I thought it might be fun to get involved in something new while I’m in college.”
“Won’t that interfere with your weekend plans?” Austin asks.
“What weekend plans?” I frown. “Is there something you know that I don’t?”
“Won’t you be flying out to watch the Beavers’ games? There’s a lot of talk about Justin online. He’s definitely on the NFL watch list.”
“Who’s Justin?” Ryan asks, scowling a little as he retakes his seat alongside me.
“Summer’s new boyfriend,” Austin unhelpfully supplies, deliberately winding me up.
“He’s not my boyfriend. He’s just a good friend.”
“Charlie said you were dating him.”
I roll my eyes. “Charlie’s got a big mouth, and he loves to stir shit. He was just trying to wind you up in the hope you’d tighten the leash on me.”
“So, Charlie didn’t catch you giving Justin head in his truck last weekend?”
“Austin!” Miley pinches his muscly arm, a look of abject horror on her face. “Oh, my God. You can’t say stuff like that to your sister!”
I reach over and pat her hand. “In our house, no topic is off-limits. Trust me, before you pay the fam a visit, you’ll want to leave your morals and your embarrassment at the front door. You never know what’ll pop out of their mouths, so don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“Nice attempt at deflection.” Austin smirks, and I flip him the bird.
“Oh, whatever.” I sigh. No point in denying it. Although I’d rather yank my toenails off with tweezers than have this conversation in front of Ryan, Austin will just keep badgering me if I don’t fess up. “That was me, but it doesn’t mean I’m dating Justin. I’m not. We messed around the last few weeks, but it wasn’t anything serious. He’s in Oregon, and I’m here, and I’ve zero interest in doing the long-distance thing.”
“So why even bother?”
I don’t want to explain to my brother how we sort of fell into it. I didn’t stop to question it. When he kissed me that night at the field, I wanted to see if being with another guy would feel different after experiencing sex for the first time. And while Justin didn’t set my body on fire the way Ryan did, he definitely set my heart rate pulsing, and I enjoyed spending time with him these last few weeks. If we hadn’t been moving away for college, who knows what might’ve happened, but we are, and I won’t waste any time thinking about what could’ve been. I didn’t have sex with him, although it tempted me, but I knew if we’d taken it that far it might alter our friendship, and I value it too much to risk it.
“Why exactly do you care?” I ask.
“I’m just looking out for you.”
“Trust me, you’ve nothing to worry about with Justin, and if you’re done grilling me, I’d like to get back to my unpacking.” I give Miley and my brother a kiss on the cheek each. “Thanks for lunch.” Turning to face Ryan, I say. “And thanks for cleaning up.”
“No problem.” His jaw is taut as he forces a smile, and as I walk back to my room, I can’t help wondering if he’s pissed over Justin or if it was mention of that Myndi girl that soured his mood.
CHAPTER 6
Ryan
“Dude, are you listening?” Derrick asks from the doorway to my office, snapping me out of my head. Since Summer moved in with us yesterday, I’ve been hugely distracted, and not in a good way. “What hours do you want me to cover on Sunday?” he repeats.
“From one until closing.”
“Cool, and thanks. The extra money will come in handy with the wedding. Clara will bankrupt me before we’ve even made it down the aisle,” he semi-jokes. Having briefly met his fiancée, I’d say he’s not too far off the mark. She gives new meaning to Bridezilla. Rather him than me. I shudder at the thought.
“No problem, and if you want additional shifts, just let me know. It might be nice for Austin and me to take a bit of a breather from time to time.”
“Awesome, thanks, boss.”
“Derrick, your four p.m. is here,” Miley says, appearing at his back.
“I’m outta here. Later.” He jogs off down the corridor, while Miley lingers in the room.
“Austin called. He’s stuck in traffic on his way back from the meeting at the PR firm. He asked if you’d look after Summer and her friends.”
Fucking great. Just what I need. How the hell am I going to evict this girl from my mind if I can’t get away from her?
I had a hard time sleeping last night knowing she was in the room next door.
Hard being the operative word.
Even jerking off twice in the shower this morning has done nothing to dampen the semi I seem to be permanently sporting around her. “Of course,” I tell Miley. “Let me know when they arrive.”
“Oh, they’re here already. I showed them to the locker room and told them you’d
meet them in the reception area.”
“Okay. Thanks, Miley.”
She smiles before closing the door on her way out. I rest my head on my arms on top of the desk, groaning. What the fuck have I gotten myself into?
When I feel sufficiently calm, I walk to the lobby to greet Summer and her friends.
I’m not surprised to see the same couple from the night we met waiting with her. Austin mentioned they were her best friends, and they’re essentially the reason Summer’s rooming with us. They couldn’t locate any available two-bedroom apartments within their budget, and the one-bed place they found wasn’t big enough for all three. So, according to Powers, Summer insisted Hannah and Jordan take the place while she’d wait for a spot in the dorms to open, living with us in the meantime.
“Hello again,” I mumble as I reach them, keeping an eye on Miley as she chats to a client from behind the front desk.
“Hey, Ryan.” Hannah smirks, waggling her fingers at me. “It’s great to see you again.”
“Thanks for stepping in for Austin,” Summer adds, smiling up at me. “But if you’re too busy, we can wait for my brother.”
I work hard to keep my gaze focused on her face, but it’s challenging. She’s wearing a sports bra top and yoga pants that leave little to the imagination. Her tits silently beckon me, and my fingers itch with a craving to touch her. With her firm, tan midriff on full display and those long, slender legs encased in a clingy black fabric, she’s like my every wet dream. My cock hardens under my training shorts, and I discreetly adjust myself before anyone notices.
“I second that suggestion,” Jordan says, eyeing me warily, and I wonder what the hell his problem is.
“I can spare time.” I deliberately ignore his sullen tone and expression, jerking my head to one side. “C’mon. I’ll give you the grand tour.”
“This doesn’t look like any gym I’ve seen before,” Summer says when I show them into the main CrossFit training area.
“That’s because it isn’t.” I smile with pride. “This is our CrossFit area, which is only one part of the overall facility. CrossFit is a training program that builds strength and conditioning through varied and challenging workouts with a heavy emphasis on nutrition and diet. As you can see, we use minimal equipment,” I say, pointing at the frames which several clients are using.
“You don’t have weights?” Jordan grumbles, pouting like a pussy.
“We do, just not in this section of the gym. Follow me.” I walk toward the door at the far end of the room, explaining as we go.
“The vision Austin and I had for this gym was a state-of-the-art facility which offers a wide variety of programs to suit different needs at a reasonable price point.”
I hold open the door, allowing the girls to pass through to the corridor. “Keep walking to the end, and go into the door on your left,” I instruct, taking up the rear. It takes colossal willpower to avoid ogling Summer’s shapely ass, but I feel Jordan’s eyes like laser beams searing into my back. Dude really doesn’t like me.
We enter the main gymnasium. “As you can see, we offer a traditional workout area too with all the usual weights and ellipticals.” I point over our heads. “If you look up there, you’ll see one of our trained consultants conducting a spin class. That section is reserved for our classes. We have a full daily schedule including Zumba, yoga, cardio, tai chi, and we also offer personal one-to-one training sessions.”
“Wow.” Summer spins around, her head whipping from side to side, taking it all in. “This place is very impressive. You should be proud of what you’ve both achieved.”
“Thank you. We are, and we’ve worked hard for it.”
“You play hard too, I bet,” Jordan says, butting into the conversation.
“You have a problem with me, buddy?” I fold my arms over my chest and stare neutrally at him. This is my domain, and if he gives me shit, he’ll find his ass out on the sidewalk, pronto.
“Jordy,” Hannah hisses under her breath.
“Let him say what’s on his mind.”
“Guys like you make me sick,” he spits out, his hands clenching at his sides. “You’d think at your age you’d be past the manwhore stage, but I guess some people just never grow up.”
“Jordan, you are way out of line here,” Summer calmly says. “Ryan has done nothing wrong, and if anyone needs to grow up, it’s you. We were two consenting adults, and it was a onetime thing. The only one making a big deal out of this is you.”
“You didn’t see him ogling your ass on the way over here. It’s fucking disrespectful.” He glares at me, and I really don’t get this guy. What the fuck concern is it of his if I stare at Summer’s ass? What am I missing here?
“You were ogling my ass?” Summer asks, fixing her gaze on me. Her mouth pulls into a lopsided grin, and she doesn’t look in any way pissed.
“It was right there in my face.” I shrug, smirking. “Can’t blame a guy for looking.” Especially when I know what said ass looks like without clothes on.
“I think Austin might have something to say about that,” the douche barks.
All good humor disappears as I step up to him. I’m at least a good three inches taller, and a heck of a lot wider, than him. He’s a stupid fucker if he thinks he can challenge me, especially in my place of business. “Are you threatening me?”
“Just stay away from her. You shouldn’t have touched her. Aren’t there any women your own age you can hit on?”
“What happened between Summer and me is nobody’s business but our own. I get that you don’t like me, and I couldn’t give a flying fuck, but I thought Summer was your friend, and she deserves a lot more respect from you.”
“Ryan is right,” Summer says, stepping in between us and forcing me to take a step back. “And you’ve got to let this go. I don’t interfere in your love life, and I expect the same in return. If you value my friendship, you’ll tell none of my brothers. It has nothing to do with them or you.”
“And what about Justin? Doesn’t he have a right to know?”
Ah, now I’m getting it. He’s acting the big man on behalf of his friend.
“No.” Summer shakes her head and stands her ground. “I’m not dating Justin, and I’ve made no promise or commitment to him, nor has he. I’m a free agent, and I can do what or who I want. I really don’t want to fall out with you over this, but you’ve got to drop it.”
“Summer. Come on. You’ve got to know how Justin feels about you. He’s my best friend, and you expect me to say nothing when this douche is trying to get in your pants again?”
What the actual fuck? I admit I stared at her ass for longer than I should have, but I haven’t given him, or her, any sign I’m planning on hitting on her again. Summer is as off-limits as girls go.
“You obviously don’t understand the concept of a one-night stand,” I say, working hard to keep my tone professional. “Or the fact she’s my best friend and business partner’s little sister. What happened between us is in the past, and I’m really struggling to see how this is any of your concern. And I stared at her ass for all of ten seconds which doesn’t equate to hitting on her.”
“I have a pretty spectacular ass,” Summer says, wiggling her butt and winking. “I’d stare at my butt too, if it was possible.”
I don’t understand how she’s keeping such a cool head. If he was one of my supposed friends, I’d be tearing strips off him, but she’s laughing and cracking jokes to ease the tension.
“You don’t have any boxing classes scheduled now, do you?” Hannah asks, shooting daggers at her boyfriend.
“Not something we offer.”
“Well, do you have anything to hit because my fist is dying to punch the alien being who has invaded my boyfriend’s body, and I’d rather not mess up his pretty face.”
I like this girl, and I’m glad Summer has at least one decent friend. “We have pads and you could do bag work if you like?”
“Babe.” Jordan moves to his girlf
riend’s side, but she holds up her hand, keeping him at bay.
“Don’t babe me. I’m crazy mad at you right now. And have you forgotten Sum is only in this position because she selflessly stepped aside so we could live together? Something I’m sorely regretting right now.”
He scrubs his hands up and down his cheeks before exhaling loudly. “I’m sorry, babe.”
“I’m not the one you should apologize to.” Hannah plants her hands on her hips, challenging her boyfriend with a heated stare.
Jordan looks like he swallowed something nasty as he turns to face Summer. “Sorry, Sum. You know it’s only because I care.”
“I know, Jordy, but you’ve got to let this go.”
“I will.” He kisses her on the cheek, narrowing his eyes at me while neither of the girls are looking.
What a tool.
“You owe Ryan an apology too,” Summer says as he moves to return to his girlfriend.
A muscle clenches in his jaw as he swings his gaze around. “Sorry, man,” he clips out, sounding utterly unapologetic.
I could call him on it, but I’m sick of this juvenile bullshit, so I let it go. “No problem. Forget about it.”
✽✽✽
“Where’s Summer?” Austin asks, stalking into my office a half hour later and flopping down into a chair.
“She’s working out on the main floor with Hannah and that asshole Jordan.”
Austin chuckles. “What did the little punk do?”
“Try breathing,” I mutter, not wanting to elaborate.
“He’s always been a mouthpiece, but he’s harmless.”
“I’ll take your word for it. How did the meeting go?”
“Great, although you should’ve been there. We’ll have to appoint a manager. We can’t keep splitting stuff up and working all the hours we have been.”
“I know, but we can’t afford to appoint someone permanently yet. Business is doing well but not that well.” I lean back in my chair, locking my hands behind my head.
“Maybe we should look for some venture capital. The figures look good, and with our expansion plans, it’s a good prospect for an investor.”
No Feelings Involved: A Brother's Best Friend Standalone Romance Page 5