“Go ahead. Heidi’s cool. She’s like me, doesn’t like chatter or people. But Lafayette’s a pain. I’ve been trying to get a rise out of him for weeks. I get nothing. He’s way too nice.”
“Ariseout of him?” Evan couldn’t resist.
Smith flushed. “Fuck off.” He stomped back into the house.
Evan laughed and followed him back inside. He continued to taunt Smith for the rest of the day, finally getting some genuine laughter out of the man. Surprisingly, Evan liked Smith the more he came to know him.
Though Smith pretended to be nothing more than a prejudiced, stereotypical redneck, he was anything but. Quick-witted and sarcastic, he actually did remind Evan a lot of Cash, except Smith was shockingly well read. Not that Cash was stupid, but he made no effort to even try to pretend to be educated.
Smith, it seemed, read everything from political thrillers and biographies to history. He also enjoyed loud discussions about his point of view with those who were wrong—aka those who didn’t agree with him.
Hours later, having finished the job, Evan sat next to Smith in the truck as they drove back to the warehouse. “So when are you going to come clean on why you took a job with Vets on the Go!?”
Smith didn’t blink. “Not sure what you’re talking about.”
Evan sighed. He’d give Reid another few weeks, then he was taking charge and getting all this secret brother bull out of the way. “So I noticed you’re pretty interested in my social life.”
“Not really. I just wanted to shut you up.”
“Funny for a guy who doesn’t date.”
“Who says? Just because I don’t talk all the fucking time about every fucking thing doesn’t mean I don’t have a social life.”
“But you’re always either at the office, working, or at the gym, from what I hear.”
Smith colored. “I have a life.”
“The same gym Cash and Reid belong to.” Evan had checked the place out once but liked his better. And since working with Vets on the Go! on actual moves, he hadn’t needed to hit the gym to get a workout.
“What? Are you writing a book? Why so interested in my life, Evan?”
“I’m making what civilized people call ‘small talk.’”
“Yeah, you’re small, all right.” Smith chuckled.
“Another one who thinks life revolves around being huge.” Evan rolled his eyes. “I’m six feet. That’s not tiny.”
“So that’s why you talk so much. Compensating, eh?”
Evan smiled. He had nothing to compensate for. Not for Kenzie. He grew plenty big for his girl, as he’d secretly taken to thinking of her.
“Ew. Just stop. You look way too happy with yourself.”
“I am. Life is good, and I have a hot date with a sexy friend tonight. What are you going to do?”
“Hit the gym.” Smith paused at his automatic response and tried to cover up by saying he’d been joking.
“Now who’s pathetic?” Evan laughed because Smith’s face stayed red. “So who are you currently dating? A thirty-five-pound plate?”
“Asshole.”
Their discussion turned to sports and the NBA, and Smith expressed firm opinions about whom he considered the top point guard currently playing.
Evan shook his head. “Curry? Come on, Smith. Drinking the same Kool-Aid as everyone else? I thought you were more than a sheep. What about Damian Lillard?”
“Please. The Trail Blazers suck. It’s a proven fact Steph Curry runs rings around them. Then I’d put Russell Westbrook, but no way Lillard…”
The conversation devolved into personal insults and four-letter words, yet Smith looked alive.
