“I’ve been best friends with your son for years,” I reminded him.
“I know.” He pulled away, running his hand over his head. “Listen, I like you, Shane. I like this and what we’re doing but I’ll step aside so you don’t lose my son as your best friend.”
My chest tightened at the thought of not continuing this with Rhett. “I need to talk to Brady.”
Rhett nodded, sitting behind his desk. “Talk to him in here.”
“Really?”
“This isn’t your fault and I’m not having you take the full blame for this. It’s both of us.” He nodded toward the door. “Get him in here.”
I took a deep breath and did as I was told. When I left the office, I found Brady sitting at the bar with a pint of beer between his hands.
“Brady?”
His head lifted as I approached.
“How long has this been going on for?” he asked, his gaze meeting mine.
Part of me expected to see anger on his face or for him to blow up at me but when his voice remained calm, it almost seemed worse.
“Not long but…” I paused. “I’ve had a crush on your dad for years.”
Brady’s eyes widened and then he laughed. “I knew something was going on. I didn’t know with you and my dad, but I knew that you were either seeing someone or that you were interested in someone.”
“How did you know that?”
“Because I know you, Shane. That’s how.” His eyes flicked past me. “Dad.”
My body stiffened, the hairs on the back of my nape standing on end because of him. Rhett. Brady’s dad. A man I had feelings for. Could I fall for him? Was I falling for him? Maybe I was. Maybe it was already happening.
“Join me in my office, both of you.” That single command from Rhett forced a shiver down my spine.
“He’s so demanding,” Brady grumbled, slipping off the stool.
He had no idea.
When we rejoined Rhett in his office, Brady shut the door behind him.
“Come here,” Rhett told me.
My heart jumped but I did as he said and moved beside him.
He kissed my temple, his fingers brushing the side of my hand. “Whatever happens, I’m here,” he whispered.
“So…” Brady’s voice trailed off.
“This is new,” Rhett began. “And I understand that this is quite the shock. We didn’t want you to find out like this and maybe we should have told you right away, but I didn’t want…” He tugged my hand, forcing me to look up at him. “I didn’t want to upset anyone if there was nothing happening between us. But there is and I know you feel it too.”
“I do.” I slipped my fingers between his.
“I’m shocked, yes,” Brady confessed. “But I’m also happy.”
Both of our heads turned to Brady who had a wide grin on his face.
A laugh escaped him. “Now both of you seem shocked.”
“I didn’t want…I don’t want you upset with me. With either of us. I can’t lose you,” I told him.
