“Yeah, he mentioned you’d been by.” Luke stepped back, and he looked like he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders as he muttered, “He still isn’t doing so hot.”
“Nah, he’s not.” Davis shrugged. “Some things never change.”
A heaviness lingered between them, but it faded the second Luke turned his attention to me. I swear the temperature rose ten degrees when his eyes skirted over me.
Or maybe it was just my dignity spontaneously combusting.
“Good to see you, Presley.” Luke gave me a warm smile. “It’s been a while.”
My mouth turned to sand. Literal sand.
I swallowed, then stammered, “H-hey, Luke.”
How freaking embarrassing. I was a grown woman. I’d been around handsome men before. I had no idea why I suddenly forgot how to speak.
I wanted to crumble to the floor and let one of the servers sweep me into a dustpan. Anything that would get me out of this mess.
I forced a smile as I said, “Good to see you, too.”
Luke’s eyes skirted over to his brother’s arm, and it suddenly felt like a hundred-pound weight bearing down on me. I wanted to dip out of his hold, but I had a role to play. I couldn’t take the chance on Luke thinking that something was up, so I stood there, leaning into his brother like I actually liked the man.
I must say, it was great acting.
Because the man made my skin crawl.
Davis pulled me even closer as he boasted, “So, you do remember my girl.”
“Your girl?” Luke’s brows furrowed. “You two are a thing?”
“Been going on about six months.”
“Oh, wow. That’s great. Good for you.” Luke’s eyes flipped back to me. “Good for you, too.”
“Thanks.”
I wanted to die.
I would’ve welcomed a strike of lightning or even a drink laced with venom.
No such luck.
“So, what brings you two here?”
“Like I said, I wanted to see you.” Anyone could see that Davis was lying through his teeth, but Luke didn’t call him on it. He just stood there and listened as Davis said, “I know things with us haven’t always been on the up and up, but it’s time to put all that bullshit behind us. We’re brothers. I figured it was time we act like it.”
“I’d be down for that.”
“I was hoping you would be.” Davis motioned his head towards the bar. “How about a drink?’
“Sure thing.”
Luke grabbed us each a beer, then led us to a small table near the back. It was just far enough from the music and lights that we could actually talk without shouting. We sat down, and Davis slung his arm across the back of my chair.
Man, I hate when men do that, especially when it’s not out of affection and all about staking a claim.
He didn’t own me.
No man ever would.
