“You’re not the boss of me anymore,” he says with a smirk.
I lean close to him, since he’s still sitting in his chair, grab his chin, and stare into his eyes.
“Want to bet on that?”
His gasp is quiet, but it’s enough.
I fucking win.
I drop my hand and straighten. “Now, let’s go.”
He’s already out of his chair and behind me when I take the box to the bin to toss away.
Seeing Alex in a suit is devastating. He’s so hot I can hardly contain myself. And the way we’re just… back to the way things were—sort of—it’s making it difficult to keep my hands off him. Not only have I missed him, but I’ve gotten so used to touching him when he’s beside me. It almost feels like this last year didn’t happen at all. Like we’ve been together this whole time.
“You look good, Mackenzie,” he says quietly as he stops at my side. I’ve only just walked in, and of course he’s the first person I see. Good thing I didn’t come in with a plan to ignore him.
“You too, Brewer.”
I’d like to take you in the back and fuck you.
Austen probably wouldn’t care. Cameron might, though. He’s a bit uptight. Austen swears he isn’t, but I think he’s lying.
The rest of the guys all file in at once, and Paul’s loud ass mouth shouts out Austen’s name like we’re on the field and not in an office. Austen’s cheeks turn red, and I shake my head as we make our way over to congratulate him. I hug him a little longer than normal because I’ve missed him. I even shake Cameron’s hand.
I don’t hate the guy, but I’ve never really liked him. Though, that was a long time ago, and he makes Austen happy, so I guess he can’t be so bad.
Champagne gets passed out. Hors d'oeuvres are carried around on platters by caterers. This is fancy as fuck, and I’m proud of Austen for following his dreams.
The opening is a success, though kind of boring. We just hang around, talk, drink, and eat the food that isn’t filling. The guys and I spot some questionable food, and so of course, we start daring eachother to try it. Andre nearly throws up when he puts an unidentifiable meat in his mouth. Still not sure what it is. Don’t think I want to know either.
As we’re doing this, I catch wind of some drama with Austen, Alex, and their parents. I’m not entirely sure what it is, but Alex seems pissed. Since I’ve been drinking, I follow after him when I see him storming off down a hallway.
He turns into a room and I catch the door before it closes. Looks like an office. Probably Austen’s.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
Alex turns to me, his hair a mess, hands on his hips. He shakes his head.
“My parents are here,” he says with a smile, but it isn’t a happy one.
I frown, walking to him.
“Don’t let them get to you,” I say gently.
“Easier said than done,” he scoffs, staring at the ground.
I shouldn’t do this here and now, but I can’t help myself.
I’ll blame the alcohol for this later.
I tip his chin up, making him look at me, not all too differently from the way I did it earlier.
“Want a distraction?” I ask, hoping to be funny, but my voice comes out gruffer than I intended.
Alex’s lips part and all he does is stare at me.
I step closer.
