Brad only smiled wider. Mack laughed. “Our man is back.”
“You know, I didn’t go anywhere. I’ve been with you assholes for years.”
Brad nodded and kept grinning. “Had a nice date night, huh?”
“Yeah.” Reggie couldn’t help the sigh that left him. “She’s great. Really, really great.”
Mack scooted Reggie off the bench and took his place after lightening the load off the bar. “Spot me while you talk.”
Reggie watched him while answering questions from Brad, prepared to step in if Mack needed the support.
Brad watched Mack lift. “Where were you?”
“Her place.”
“What did you do? Besides her, I mean.” Brad winked. “Kidding.”
“Very funny. You know, I’d expect this kind of talk from Tex or Mack, but you’re more mature. Respectful, usually.”
“Hey.” Mack scowled. “Pay attention, Reggie.”
“I am, dumbass.” He helped Mack on his second set, last rep. “Nice, Mack. Good job.”
“Thanks.” Mack lay there, timing his rest. After a minute passed, he went again.
Brad studied Reggie, looking for what, Reggie had no idea. “Just be careful.”
Reggie rolled his eyes.
“I know. I’m annoying. But we care about you, man.” Brad lowered his voice. “When do we get to meet her?”
“Nope.” Reggie shut that down right away. “She and I are having fun. We just connected. Not rushing anything, and she’s not my girlfriend.” Though that hurt to say, putting it out there that he wasn’t attached kept him safe from making a major mistake. He felt a sense of relief not committing to anything more than pleasure with Maggie, despite how much he liked her.
“Okay, okay. Calm down.” Brad nodded. “Just checking. You’re being smart.”
“Damn straight.”
Mack finished, sat up, and groaned. “Does Emily know?”
“Who’s Emily?” Brad asked.
“The most adorable kid you’ve ever seen. Remember, I told you about her bear named Brownie, the one that she compares to Reggie. Because they are both brown and cute.” And then the bastard dug a toy bear out from under the bench and tossed it to him.
Reggie wanted to slug Mack. Hard. He threw the bear at Mack’s head.
“Oh, right.” Brad laughed. “But Reggie, cute? I mean, he’s as big as a bear. I can see the resemblance. Look at those teeth.”
“Piss off.” Reggie tried not to laugh. “You guys drive me nuts.”
“You know you love us.” Mack batted his lashes.
Brad grinned. “Now Reggie. Don’t be like that.”
“And no, Emily doesn’t know,” Reggie told them as they hit the showers. “Since Maggie and I are new, we’re being careful. Not involving the little girl.”
“Even smarter. You’re okay, Reggie.” Brad went into the stall next to him.
“And why do you sound surprised about that, Brad?” As much as he liked the guys looking out for him, it could get annoying. Reggie lathered up and washed off, appreciating the cool water over his overheating body. He’d worked up quite a sweat lifting.
