It shatters on the floor behind the bar, glass spraying everywhere. The crash makes both of them turn their heads.
“Shit,” I mutter, dropping to my knees to clean it up. “Sorry. Clumsy.” My hands shake as I sweep the shards into a dustpan.
“Need help?” Roxy calls over.
“I got it.”
Their conversation continues above my head, but I can’t make out the words over the buzzing in my ears. All I can see is the image of Brock on his knees, looking up at me. I sweep faster, glass scraping against the floor.
When I stand and toss the dustpan, Roxy’s got her hand on Brock’s forearm, leaning in.
“—so, what do you say?”
I need to stop this. Right fucking now.
My eyes fall on the kegs lined up against the back wall.
“Hey.” I cut in before I can stop myself. “Big guy. Feel like making yourself useful? Got some kegs that need to be taken down to the cellar. Could use the muscle.”
Roxy turns to look at me, green eyes narrowing into tiny, furious slits.What the actual fuck, she mouths.
“Calvin,” she says. “He’s a customer. I’m sure he doesn’t want to?—”
“Nah, it’s cool.” Brock slides off the barstool, downing the rest of his tonic water. “Happy to help.”
Roxy watches him follow me toward the back, arms crossed, looking like she’s about to chuck something at my head.
I can’t blame her. A few hours ago, I was trying to throw him at her. Now I’m actively cockblocking her. She must think I’m insane. Maybe I am.
Brock and I get our hands on one of the heavy kegs and maneuver it toward the cellar door. I kick it open with my foot, and we work it down the narrow stairs, the metal clanging against the concrete with each step.
The cellar is small and cramped, spare kegs and crates of supplies stacked against the walls, barely enough space to move. We set the keg down, and I turn to face him. A single bare bulb casts harsh light across his face.
“What are you doing up there?” I ask, my voice rougher than I intended.
“What do you mean?”
“With Roxy.”
“What about it?”
“You’re not actually thinking about going home with her, are you?”
“I wasn’t, but now I’m confused. I thought that was your whole plan. Get me to hook up with your friend so you win the bet.”
“Yeah, but that was before—” I stop myself.
“Before what?” He steps closer.
“Before we—” I gesture between us. “You know.”
“Are you a little jealous, Calvin?” He’s got that damn smirk again.
“What? No. Of course not.” I back up, hitting the wall behind me.
“Because you were the one who said it was just about getting off. No strings.”
“I know what I said.”
