Both men stared each other down for all of three seconds before simultaneously busting up laughing. Mainly because there was no Becky from Nate’s past, nor was there a Max Brumwell.
“Look,” Kole said with a smile. “I’m sorry you and the guys don’t get to spend the night shoving your hard-earned dollars into some random woman’s G-string, but this is what Sarah wants.”
“And what about you? What do you want?”
Kole grinned. “To make her happy.”
Nate released an exaggerated sigh. “Fine. No strippers. But I do intend to talk your future sister-in-law into having a penis cake made for Sarah.”
With a silent shake of his shoulders, Kole agreed to the compromise. “Penis cake, it is.” Then, erasing all humor from his face, he looked intently at Nate and said, “You know I love you like a brother, right?”
“Sure.” Nate was taken off guard by his friend’s sudden words of affection. “I feel the same about you, although I’m wondering why you’re telling me thisnow.”
Kole ran a hand through his sandy blonde hair. “I saw the way you were looking at Gracie today.”
Nate’s heart rate kicked up a notch. “How was I looking at her?”
“Trust me, man. I get it. She’s easy on the eyes. But…”
“But, what? What exactly are you trying to say, Kole?”
“Part of what I said is true, and you know it. Youareafraid of commitment. You meet a girl, take her out, and have your fun with her. But after a few weeks when it looks like there’s a chance it could turn into something more, you high-tail it out of there.”
With a shake of his head, Nate adamantly disagreed. “Just because I haven’t wanted to get serious with anyone doesn’t mean I’ve been running away.”
“Scooby-Doo, man.” Kole raised a brow, but said nothing more.
Shit. Nate hated it when Kole was right. If he knew anything, it was that numbers don’t lie.
Why bother letting someone in, only to lose them later on? Statistically, that’s what would happen, so why put himself or anyone else through that?
Nate had decided a long time ago to avoid the whole mess before it even started. Was that so wrong?
“I’m not afraid of commitment. I’m just notinterestedin it. There’s a difference.”
“Which is why I’m asking you to steer clear of Gracie.”
What the fuck?“You’re warning me away from your sister-in-law?”
“Future sister-in-law. And yeah. I guess I am.”
Nate could tell Kole was serious, which pissed him off even more. “Not that I have to explain myself to you or anyone else, but I have no interest in dating, or doing anything else, with Sarah’s sister. So, why don’t you go give this big-brother speech to Turner.Hewas the one laying on the charm with Gracie earlier, and we both know his reputation with women is way the fuck worse than mine.”
Rolling his eyes, Kole shoved his hands in his pockets. “Quit being such a drama queen. I’m not trying to be an asshole.”
“Could’ve fooled me. But don’t worry. I got the message loud and clear.”
Digging into his pocket, Nate pulled out the keys to his truck and turned for the door. “Give Sarah a kiss goodbye for me.”
“Seriously? You’re leaving?”
“Yeah. I’m leaving.”
“You okay to drive?”
“I’m fine.”
“You sure?”
