“I can make that happen,” I say.
CHAPTER 5
Summer
What the Kentucky-fried-fuck did she just say?
I stifle a laugh.I honestly thought I’d hate this chick.But Bryttni keeps getting better and better as time goes on, like a fine wine.In fact, she’s fast becoming my all-time favorite in the crowded parade of Declan’s women.
From my seat behind him, I watch Declan’s neck get all red and splotchy.He coughs, and his eyes catch mine in the rearview mirror.
I give him a big, enthusiastic thumbs up.
Bryttni giggles and smacks his forearm.“No, silly.It’s acocktail.You know, vodka and white rum in a shot glass with a few dribbles of Baileys plopped in.Yum!I always ask for a teaspoon of sugar, too.”
“I can make that happen,” Declan repeats.They’re the exact same words he said just a moment before, but the tone is a lot less perky.
“Yum!”I yell.
As we head for the private hangar exit, I watch Bryttni reach over and rub her hand on top of Declan’s thigh, then bring her lips to his ear.I look out the window, trying to catch my breath.I wish I brought my earbuds.If I did, I’d be cranking some tunes right about now, because I know that whatever she says next will be something I wish I never heard.
“But I love real hot tubs, too, not just the drinks.Hot tubs make my pussy throb.”
“Nice,” Declan mutters.
Cletus, take the wheel.
I keep staring out the window.I will not catch Declan’s glance in the mirror again.Not doing it.Don’t want to be involved.Don’t want to see whatever he’s thinking.
Why are my palms sweating?
Why am I fuming?
What’s wrong with me?
I can’t keep my mouth shut.“Where are we going, MacLaine?”I ask.
My question is a desperate attempt to change the subject.I’m done fighting with myself in my own head.I’m done listening to talk of hot tubs and dribbling.I need something as close to normal as I can get in this situation.
“You’ll see.”
Despite my promise to myself, I pull my eyes from the window and glare at the back of his head.
“I’m totally obsessed with this car.It’s super nice.”Bryttni strokes the black leather of the center console.
“Evander would have gotten us a Bentley,” I snap.
“Evander’s the brother who eloped?”Bryttni asks, turning to me.“The one who’s just a year older than Declan?”
“That’s right.Though he’s a much better dresser and has more degrees.”
“You mean, like, he’s a few degrees hotter than Declan?”
“That too.”I guffaw.
“What Summer means is that he has a law degree,” Declan says.“Which is great and we’re all very proud of him, but I invented a new cybersecurity technology from scribbles on a bar napkin.So who’s smarter?”Declan smirks at me in the mirror.
“Wait.Your brother is alawyer?”Bryttni seems far more interested in Evander’s résumé than Declan’s bar napkin.
