Xavier, that tool, was only older than Mack by two years and dating the woman who would surely become his wife. A smartass like Xavier and sexy as all get-out, she fit his brother to a T.
Then there was Mack, the odd duckling without a woman on the horizon. He cared more about cars, exercise, and fires than entering a relationship, and he spent more time with his firefighting brothers than he did his own family. The shame…
God, I sound so dramatic.Cass would totally laugh at him for that.
He smirked and drank his cocoa, thinking instead about the men he loved like real family, brothers at heart, men who had his back regardless of anything that might be going on in their lives.
Which was what had initially made him so nervous about his crew entering relationships. But Brad’s girlfriend always made sure to include him, same with Tex’s and Reggie’s ladies. Heck, the girls had left during a game night, sensing his need to have more guy time. They cared about what he thought and felt.
Though he knew his family loved him, he didn’t think they cared about him as much as they wanted him to fit into their expectations.
Mack sighed.This is why I like to be busy. I don’t think so much.
Sadly, he knew if Cass were to call, his crappy mood would vanish as if it had never been despite nothing changing with his family.
After doing some much-needed laundry and entertaining himself with his secret indulgence inThe Golden Girls, an ’80s sitcom about four older women living in Florida—and whodidn’tlove Betty White?—he finished folding his last load of whites, wondering where the hell half his socks had gone.
His cell phone rang. He glanced at the number, intending to ignore it, and froze at the sight of Cass Carmichael’s name. His heart raced, and he forced himself to be calm as he answered.
“Hello?”
“First off, I’m not afraid of you.”
“Who is this?” He heard a small growl and grinned.
“Nice try. I know you have my contact info, buddy.”
“I’m sorry. My name is Mack, not ‘Buddy.’ Are you sure you dialed the right number?”
When she swore, he had to stifle laughter.
“What the hell were you talking about last night? And why call me out in front of everyone?” She didn’t sound annoyed, just curious. Huh. He’d have expected anger.
Mack needed to put one fear to rest. “Look, what happened between us Saturday stays between us. I told you I wouldn’t say anything about it, and I didn’t.”
“I realize that, but—”
“I think I know why you’re avoiding me.” He deliberately gentled his tone. “And I wanted you to know it’s okay. I get it.”
“Get what, exactly?” Ah, now she sounded annoyed.
“That Saturday was so good you’re afraid it wasn’t real. We share some amazing chemistry. I think you know that, and it scares you.”
She snorted. “You don’t scare me, sweetcakes.”
“See? You’re making jokes over the phone, but you’re too afraid to come say all this to my face.”
A pause. “Fine. You want to talk face-to-face? Give me your address.”
“Oh please. Like you don’t know it already.”
“What?”
“You mean you didn’t already look me up in your cop database?”
“Um, no. You’re not an official suspect in any crime—not yet, at least—and we don’t do things like that.”
“Sureyou don’t.”
