“Not how it works! And how many times do I have to tell you not to sit on my counter?”
“Counters are for glasses, not asses,” Rhett quoted my own words back to me with a grin as he slid off the island. “Sorry, Aims.”
Troy stayed put, unrepentant. “We brought dinner.” He gestured to the spread of containers. “To pay you back for all those leftovers you so generously let us have.”
“Generously?” I sputtered. “You TOOK them. From my refrigerator. Without asking.”
“Borrowed them,” Rhett corrected, opening another container that released the fragrant aroma of pad Thai. “You can’t borrow food,” I said, exasperated. “How are you going to give it back? Throw it up?” “Semantics. We’re paying you back with fresh, delicious spring rolls. I have nine siblings. I know the importance of replacing food after I eat it.” “Nine siblings?” That insane fact distracted me for a moment, but then the rage returned. “Didn’t they ever yell at you for stealing their food?”
“All the time. That’s why I don’t live in Lincoln anymore.” Grinning, Troy jumped down from the counter, landing close enough that I caught the warm, clean scent of him—soap and something woodsy underneath. My stomach did something that had nothing to do with hunger. “The point is, we knew you’d forget to eat again because you get wrapped up in your podcasts, so…” He gestured to the food with a flourish.
I pinched the bridge of my nose. Rhett and Troy had been in my life for years. They’d joined the Denver Fire Department when I was still in college, forming a fast bond with my older brother Ryker. Something about being the three lone wolves. They were great guys: fun, supportive, goofy, and handsome as sin. Especially Troy.
When my brother had moved across the country to be with his true loves, I’d been relieved to have Rhett and Troy move in across the hall. After all, Ryker was my only family, and there was a certain appeal in being looked after by a pair of burly firefighters who had appointed themselves my unofficial guardians.
I’d underestimated their capacity for driving me crazy.
“Ryker gave you my keys for emergencies,” I reminded them. “Not for Thai food ambushes when I have—” I glanced at the clock on my microwave and my stomach dropped. 6:50. “Fuck me!”
Both men raised their eyebrows. Rhett shifted toward me a little, like he was preparing to volunteer. My eyes dropped to his insane body for a moment before I reminded myself that these two were my older brother’s best friends, not the answer to my dry spell.
“Not what I meant, Rhett! I have a date. At seven. As in, ten minutes from now.”
I rushed to the hall mirror and groaned at my reflection. My messy bun was so far into messy territory that it looked like I didn’t own a brush, I had no makeup on, and I was wearing ripped jeans and an ancient University of Colorado t-shirt with a coffee stain on the collar.
“You have a date?” Rhett frowned, narrowing his eyes.
“Yes, and it’s nothing to be grumpy about.”
“Grumpy? Why would Rhett be grumpy about you meeting someone?” Troy asked, bumping his shoulder against Rhett’s. Rhett’s response was to shove Troy’s shoulder back, and then they were at it—grappling like a pair of overgrown kids, all flexing muscles and grunts of exertion. Troy got Rhett in a headlock, biceps bulging as he held Rhett in place. Rhett twisted,using his broader frame to his advantage, and flipped their positions, pinning Troy against the counter with his hips.
The whole thing was ridiculous. Childish. Annoying as fuck.
It was also… hot. The way Troy’s body looked as Rhett pressed against him, the way their thighs tangled together, the flush creeping up Rhett’s neck as Troy’s hands gripped his waist—
No. Absolutely not. I did not have time for whatever homoerotic WWE nonsense this was.
“Okay, enough!” I snapped, shoving between them. “Seriously? Where’s your self-control?”
They broke apart, both breathing hard, hair mussed. Troy’s graphic tee had ridden up, revealing a strip of smooth brown skin and toned stomach muscles that I did not stare at. That much.
“I wasn’t grumpy,” Rhett said, glaring at Troy. “More… cautious. About our best friend’s little sister dating.”
“Right, well, there’s nothing to be cautious about. I met a cute environmental engineer at that charity thing for the Denver Children’s Hospital.” Turning toward my hall mirror, I ran my fingers through my hair, trying to salvage something from the mess. “He’s going to be here any minute, and I look like I just rolled out of bed.”
“You’re gorgeous in anything,” Rhett said.
“He’ll think I haven’t showered in days,” I corrected him. “And I need you two to leave. Now.”
The buzzer rang, and I froze like a deer in headlights.
Rhett was already headed for the intercom. “Go get ready. We’ll make sure this guy is okay.”
“Rhett!” I narrowed my eyes and started to follow him. “I do not need anyone to screen my dates.”
“I meant to say okay with waiting for you! He is early. Go, get ready.” Rhett shooed me away, jamming his finger at the button. “Hello?”
My date’s response was muffled, but Rhett must have understood it, because his smile widened. “Sure thing, come on up!” A harsh buzzer sounded from the speaker as he unlocked the main door downstairs.
