Derrick sighed. “So what do I do? I have a bad feeling I really like Sydney, but she wants nothing to do with a boyfriend, let alone a—” He stopped himself short from sayinghusband, shocked to realize his thoughts had graduated tothatline of thinking. In a hoarse voice, he continued, “I’m no good at this shit. It’s a cycle. We date, we fuck, we try to connect. Then we always end up going our separate ways. But with Sydney, I actually like hanging out andnothaving sex. It’s weird.”
Dylan rolled his eyes. “Not having sex with a woman is not weird, you Neanderthal. It’s normal.”
“Yeah, if you’re gay.”
“Fuckwad.” Dylan scowled. “It’s normal if you’re straight too. I’ve been out with plenty of menandwomen, and we spend time together getting to know one another, not just in bed.”
“So why aren’tyoumarried?”
“Because I’m exactly like you. I’m afraid of not finding anyone who will match me the way Dad matched Mom. When he passed, it was hard on all of us. But Mom suffered so much.” Dylan grew quiet, and they shared the memories of their mother crying day after day, suffering a deep and lasting depression.
“James helped her out of it.”
Dylan blinked. “I’m surprised you know that.”
Derrick frowned. “I may be self-absorbed at times, but I know Mom. James is her best friend. Hell, she tells him shit about us all the time.”
Dylan grimaced. “I know. I hate that. It’s one thing when Mom analyzes me, but I don’t like it when James does. He’s almost fatherly about it. It creeps me out.” He pursed his lips but didn’t speak.
“What?”
“Nothing. Something I need to talk to James about. My point about you—and me—is that we’re basically the same. Only I’m mature and smart enough to understand my issues. Instead of solving my problems with meaningless sex—”
“Orgasms aren’t meaningless, Poindexter. They’re pretty damned good. Especially with Sydney.”
“—I look at life with my eyes wide open. I’m not turning away from the possibility of a meaningful relationship. I just need the right person.”
“I still think it’s weird you like dudes.”
Dylan grinned, and Derrick cringed, anticipating what his brother would say. “You think Brittney gave good head, you should let a man do it to you. We know our own equipment better than they ever can.”
“Fuck, Dylan. TMI.”
The bastard had the nerve to laugh. “Hey, I’m equal opportunity. Women too. If I met a woman who looked at me the way Hailey looks at Gage, I’d snap her up in a heartbeat.” He sobered. “So pay attention to Sydney. You’ve never fallen for a woman before her. You want to win her or what?”
Derrick wished he needed to think about it more, but the answer came out way too easily. “Hell, yes.”
“Then listen to what I tell you. And whatever you do,don’task Mom for more advice. She thinks like a woman, but with Sydney, you need someone who thinks like a man. Your girl has the same instincts you do when it comes to relationships. Trust me on this.”
“Yeah, but Mom was right about not having sex with Sydney. And no, I can’t believe I just said that.” He made a face. “I can just imagine laying on her couch and telling her I did Sydney doggie style. Christ.”
“I doubt she wants those kinds of details.” Dylan shook his head. “She’s into the emotional aftereffects, dumbass. We’re not perverts, Derrick. We’re therapists. Problem is, Mom should know better than to work on family.”
“Then shouldn’t you?”
“No, because giving you advice is like giving myself advice. Now shut up and listen.”
Chapter Seven
Across town in Gage and Hailey’s house, Sydney sighed. “I don’t know what to do, Hailey. I’ve been seeing way too much of Derrick.”
Hailey nodded. “I know. Gage tells me things.”
Sydney perked up. “Like what?”
Hailey glanced around. Gage was supposedly working out in the garage, but Sydney wouldn’t put it past him to spy on her for Derrick, which should have annoyed her. Instead, she found Derrick’s need to know what she said about him understandable, and something she’d have done if she could.
“Like how weird Derrick’s been acting. He never talks about you. No details about sexual escapades or anything.” The implied question there had her sighing.
