“Anything in particular? It’s a mess up there, but I labeled the boxes.” She drops the shovel at her feet and takes a few steps toward the house. “If you want anything in particular, I can get it for you.”
I hold up my hands. “Nah, it’s fine. I’ll take a look.”
“Okay, but holler if you need me. Oh, and Mike?”
“Yeah?”
“Your hair looks nice that way.”
Of course she’d notice.
“Thanks.” I run my hand through my bangs. I never use any kind of hair product, but I picked up some hair wax at the store today. My hair’s gotten way too long again, so I brushed the longer strands back with the wax. “Just trying something new.”
“Well, you sure look handsome, sweetie.”
I give her a wave, then head toward the attic.
“Holy shit, I never thought I’d see the day. Wes, did you happen to see pigs flying around outside?” Dennis grins at me, his gaze trailing along the light blue denim button-up I’m wearing. “Mike Malcolm Tanner wearing something other than a T-shirt.” He shakes his head, chucklingunder his breath, and it’s pretty clear that he and Wes had a few drinks before coming here.
“That isnotmy middle name,” I counter.
“It could be,” Dennis grins cheekily, and Wes snorts, mumbling something under his breath.
I’m not exactly surprised to see Wes. I knew he was back in town for the summer and that he and Dennis are mostly attached at the hip these days, but I was kind of looking forward to it just being the two of us tonight. Then again, it’s not like this is a date or anything…
I hang my jacket over the stool seat and sit down, suddenly feeling out of my element. I should’ve just worn a damn T-shirt. Now I look like a guy who’s trying too hard. Great.
Dennis smacks Wes on the back of his head. “Dude? Earth to Wes.”
“Ouch. What the hell?” Wes complains, but his eyes stay locked on a pretty blonde at the bar. She’s wearing a pair of jeans that look like they were spray-painted on and a cropped pink top that leaves very little to the imagination. I guess she’s hot, objectively speaking, but, as usual, the sight of a pretty girl stirs absolutely nothing in me.
Wes whistles, then takes a sip of his beer. “Gentlemen, if you’ll excuse me.” He grins wickedly, rubbing his hands together.
“Dude, we just got here! You ditching us already?” Dennis mock-pouts, then shakes his head, grinning.
Wes’s voice changes into a caveman staccato. “Me, man. Man need woman. Wes be back.” He waggles his eyebrows suggestively. “Or maybe not. See you losers later.” Then he hops off the barstool and moves toward the blonde like a heat-seeking missile.
Dennis laughs, then throws his head back to take a long chug of beer. He’s wearing a nice shirt, too. A short-sleeve shirt in pale pink that complements his slightly tanned skin. He’s left a few buttons open at the neck, and my gaze gets stuck on his prominent Adam’s apple as itmoves up and down with each gulp. How can a neck be so damn…sexy? Because it is. I’ve noticed my growing attraction to Dennis, but it just hit me how fucking hot and sexy he looks tonight. Suddenly, I feel like an idiot, wearing Dad’s old denim shirt and my hair all slicked back. What the hell was I thinking? He’s so out of my league.
“You want another?” I nod at his empty glass as he sets it on the table.
“Sure.” He shrugs, his pink lips glistening, wet from his drink. I swallow, tugging at my collar, and although it fits me perfectly, it suddenly feels constrictive.
Dennis leans over the table and places his hand on top of mine. “I was just joking, you know. You look great, Mike.” He smiles, his brown eyes swimming. “You should wear button-up shirts more often.” He keeps his hand on top of mine, his palm slightly clammy. Heat builds where we touch, then spreads along my arm and through the rest of my body, licking along my skin. I’m suddenly too aware of him, of his presence, how he smells of his woodsy cologne, and the feel of his skin against mine. “Your hair, on the other hand…” He smirks, leaning closer. Then, swift as a ninja, he musses up the front, my bangs falling back into my face. “There. Much better. Now you’re my Mike again.” His brown eyes widen, and he looks slightly mortified. “I mean—”
“It’s my dad’s. The shirt,” I rush out, leaving my hair as it is.
His expression darkens for a moment, then he nods carefully. He doesn’t say anything. There’s no need. He gets what Dad meant to me, what he’ll always mean to me. Dennis always got it, though he was just a kid when Dad died. We both were. He squeezes my hand tighter, then hops off his stool, clapping his hands together.
“Drinks are on me! You want the usual?” He lingers in front of me, swaying slightly on his feet, and I reach out, placing my hands onhis shoulders, steadying him. I nod, then realize the whole idea was for tonight to be different.Iwant to be different.
“Nah, I think I’ll try something else for a change.”
He tilts his head, leaning in really close, his beer breath warm and sweet against my chin. Suddenly, he’s standing too damn close yet not close enough.
“Oh yeah? Like what?” There’s a spark in his eyes that could be dangerous if I’m not careful, but somehow, I don’t care. I don’t want to play it safe all the time.
“Surprise me.” The words leave my mouth before I can second-guess myself.Surprise me.Dennis leans in even closer, his eyes huge and filled with mischief.
