“But you’ve had her.”
“Crude, Bro.” Gavin’s turn. He wrestled the can away and gave himself a shot of sugar.
“You know what I mean. She’s not just a challenge to get into bed.”
“The others weren’t challenges.”Or challenging, to be honest.
“The point, idiot, is that Zoe is smart, attractive, way too good for you, and she likes you back.” Landon beamed. “Nice. You have a girlfriend.”
“Well, not really. I mean,I’dbe okay with that. But we’re keeping it low-key.” Gavin paused. “Though I did see her office and everything. I know where she lives and met some of her work friends.” He smiled, pleased others she came in contact with on a daily basis knew she had a “friend” named Gavin. “I know her best friend, actually, and I met her aunt.”
“See that? It’s like you’re practically married.”
Gavin blanched, and Landon laughed so hard he cried.
“Dick.”
“I’m dying. Water,” Theo moaned from the bathroom, still conscious, apparently.
“So I was thinking,” Landon said, completely ignoring Theo’s entreaties for help. “How about you bring her over here Sunday night? Ava and I want to entertain.” He smiled. “I was all for grilling some dogs and burgers, but Ava wants to cook you and your lady something special.”
“Wait. I just told you we’re dating. How do you already have a dinner planned?”
“Please.” Landon huffed. The dude looked huge. Despite the fact Gavin had been working out for months like a madman to get rid of his issues, he still didn’t have his brother’s mass. “I keep tabs on all you pathetic slobs needing my help.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. That’s so. I know you and Zoe have been seeing each other, and that you make eyes at each other at the gym.”
“Mac blabbed.”
“I’m not saying who it was. Let’s call him, or her, my gym connection.”
Gavin rolled his eyes. “What else?”
“I know Hope has sworn off men, thinking that she’s dating the wrong type.”
“She is.”
“But she’s been arguing with Mom more, and it’s putting her off ever procreating. Just to spite Linda.”
Gavin had to laugh at that.
“And Theo,” Landon paused as the toilet flushed, “has been partying up a storm. He turns twenty-one next month.”
“I know.”
“Well, do you also know he’s planning to make a life-changing announcement on his birthday?”
Gavin smiled. “Yeah? He’s finally going to join the Corps?”
“Yep. I think. Unless he changes his mind between now and then. So keep it together. Remember, we’re supposed to be good examples of what it is to be a Marine.”
“Two assholes shot in the line of duty and sent home with medical retirements?”
“Exactly.”
They bumped knuckles, finished off the whipped cream, then watched Theo dramatically low-crawl, dragging himself into the living room.
