“That’s not bad, Mom,” Derrick piped up. “I thought for sure you’d delve into his
psyche for reasons behind his commitment phobia. Or maybe prescribe him a set of pills
to take his foot out of his mouth so he can talk to the woman without sounding like an
ass.”
Dylan snickered, as did Derrick. But their mother ignored them.
“What you need to do is find out what she likes and dislikes. Men always like to talk
about themselves, and frankly it gets annoying. But ask her what she likes, what makes
her happy, and she’ll respect you for it. And don’t,do not, pressure the girl for sex on the
first date.”
Gage flushed. He hated when his mother brought S-E-X into the conversation. God
forbid he tell her he’d been showcasing his dick for the women across the quad, teasing
the woman he’d been dreaming of banging for the last six months.
“Mother, now you’ve embarrassed the boy.” Dylan shook his head, his hands stuffed
into the pockets of his Nautica pants, his dress shirt perfectly pressed and tucked into his
slacks as if he were a mannequin at Macy’s. A regular clothes horse.
Gage stared down at his ragged jeans and T-shirt, then glanced at Derrick’s shorts
and tank top and had to grin.
“Shut up, Mr. Nautica. Damn, Dylan. Don’t you own any clothes that don’t have a
name of their own? And quit picking on me. At least I’m trying. Why don’t you tell Mom
about your last boyfriend? Talk about commitment issues.”
www.samhainpublishing.com 25
Marie Harte
Dylan stammered when his mother suddenly turned on him, and Gage shared a smile
with Derrick.
Younger than the twins by four years, Gage had always looked up to his brothers as
larger than life. Both handsome and athletic, intelligent and witty, the Warren twins had,
to this point, walked a charmed life. Gage, on the other hand, had plenty of rough edges,
like his father before him, but, for some unknown reason, never had a problem attracting
women. Now keeping them, that was another matter.
He didn’t like flattery, playing games, or catering to a woman’s every whim. His
