I expect Micah’s face to drop, or for him to be pissed. What I don’t expect, though, is for his face to break into a massive grin and for him to pull me into a tight hug.
“Fuck, man. I’m so happy for you.”
When Sin walks into the room a moment later, he instantly whoops and pulls her into a hug, too.
She gives him a bemused smile, and he presses a kiss to her temple. And I wait for the pang of possessiveness to hit, but it doesn’t come. If anything, I’m jealous of their closeness and ease with each other after so little time.
If this were a race, I’ve tied my own shoelaces together and now I’m scrambling to keep up.
Yeah, I’m a real dumbass.
I’ve dated in the past. Hell, as far as I know, I’m the only band member who has ever had a serious girlfriend. In my early twenties, back when I was an idiot who didn’t realize how this world could chew you up and spit you out, I was even engaged for a hot minute.
After Mila, my girlfriend of two years, fiancée of about three days, left me for an actor she met at one of our gigs, I swore off long-term relationships.
She didn’t even give me the courtesy of leaving the stadium we were performing in before she fucked him.
So that sucked.
But now I have a soul mate standing in front of me. And I don’t know where the fuck to go from here.
Years ago, I’d have known how to sweep her off her feet. With Mila, I took her to all the hottest parties and schmoozed and charmed the shit out of her. But maybe that was where I went wrong. It was all a performance. A distraction technique, so she didn’t notice the nerd underneath.
I have no clue what I can offer Sin. Especially when she has two proper boyfriendly types already. Micah has the soft and sweet thing down. He’s compassionate and understanding of all of her needs. And Cal’s protective as hell and a real fucking softie under the surface.
I just stand there as an awkward silence stretches. I feel like I’m thirteen again and haven’t worked out how to have a conversation with girls yet.
“Are you taking a couple of hours for a break?” Micah asks Sin.
“Sure. My magic’s fried from overuse and I don’t think I’d get much useful done for the rest of the day.” She runs a hand through her hair before glancing between the two of us. “DidDorian—”
“Explain the whole mate situation? He did.” Micah grins like a proud papa. “I’m so happy for you both. Hey Dorian, how about you give Sin a ride on your hog?”
I blink and glance at Sin, whose eyes have widened as she bites her lip, fighting a laugh. My mouth opens and closes a bunch of times as I struggle to work out how to respond.
“What? You should really go for a spin on it, I bet you’d love it,” Micah continues.
There’s a second where we both stare at him as he blinks innocently. Sin meets my eyes and at the same moment, we both lose it. A cackle makes its way out of Sin’s mouth and I bust into a full belly laugh. Fuck, I wipe my eyes. For a guy who’s been alive longer than the rest of us have been alive combined, Micah is kind of innocent in a lot of ways. I’m pretty sure, he doesn’t have a dirty mind like the rest of us.
When Sin and I finally catch our breath, it hits me that this is the first genuine laugh we’ve shared. Hell, the amused grin she shoots me is probably the first genuine smile meant just for me.
I need more of them. I’ve decided that right now.
Yeah, yeah, I know I’ve given myself whiplash from my rapid attitude adjustment.
“I still don’t get what’s so funny,” Micah says, shrugging good-naturedly. “I was talking about your bike. You know, the one in the garage you haven’t ridden in about six months.”
“It’s not a hog,” I explain. Although, by the gleam in Micah’s eye, I think he might’ve known that already. “And I can’t ride it at the minute.”
“How come?” Sin asks. Her cheeks are flushed, and her eyes are bright with laughter. I’ve not seen this look on her face, and she looks damn beautiful. Sure, I thought she was attractive as soon as I first laid eyes on her. But I also thought she was a she-demon sent to earth after she chewed me out and messed with my emotions.
“Uh, Dorian?” She pokes me right in the nipple and I jerk back with a manly yelp.
“Hell, woman, keep those pointy fingers to yourself.”
She wiggles her hands at me, causing me to shield my nipples from her advances. “Why can’t you ride your bike?” The words are spoken slowly, like she’s spelling them out to me.
“The nearest garage is two towns over and the bike won’t make it that far. I keep meaning to get someone over to inspect her, but I haven’t found the time.”
