“Hey, Michelle, sorry, but I can’t make our date today. Yeah, I know it’s last minute, but my parents flaked, and I’ve got to take my little bro out to the water park today.”
Marcus listened as Michelle barked back at him, complaining that this was bullshit, and she was tired of always being pushed aside.
“Look, we can go tomorrow. I just can’t abandon my brother today. He’s been looking forward to this outing all week.”
Marcus felt bad that he was canceling his date at the last minute, but his little brother came first. While their parents might not give a shit about them, Marcus was sure as hell going to show his little brother that he cared, even if he was only Ace’s stepbrother.
The little dude deserved the world. Marcus’s love life could wait.
Growing tired of the woman yelling at him over the phone, Marcus decided to bark back.
“Look, I’m sorry if you can’t understand what family means. But to me, family comes first. So go enjoy your time in Arizona, and don’t ever call me again, bitch.”
The line went dead.
Fucking bitch.
He and Michelle had only recently started dating. They had hooked up at a friend’s bonfire party—well, actually, it had been Michelle riding his dick, while her roommate rode his face. Marcus had decided to date Michelle because she was the one with the bigger tits. She was the one who had suggested they go away for a few days, just the two of them. Marcus got the sense that she was just trying to get him away from his brother and the guys.
Some women just craved all the attention.
“Marcus? Why are you yelling?” a sleepy voice asked from behind him.
Marcus turned around just as a little dude wearing race-car pajamas entered the kitchen, rubbing his eyes.
It was only after he lowered his hands that realization set in.
“Yay! Water park! Today is the day!”
Ace began jumping up and down, pumping his fists in the air with so much excitement.
It was because of this reaction that Marcus knew hecouldn’t let his little brother down. Even if their parents were pieces of shit, he was not going to be.
“Yes. Today, we are going to the water park!” Marcus cheered, reaching down and scooping up his little brother. “Do you know what ride you want to try first?”
“The big one that goes down and then like this.” Ace used his hand to mimic the path of a water slide.
Marcus had never been to the park, but he guessed they all looked alike.
He placed his brother down on the floor and tousled his hair.
“Okay, go put on your swimsuit, and I’ll finish packing our lunches.”
Ace ran off with a squeal, apparently not even noticing that his parents were nowhere to be found.
It was nothing new for them. It was a rare occasion when their parents were ever around.
1
GAVIN
Staring at his reflection in the mirror, Gavin took a deep breath, hoping to calm his nerves. He knew he was being dramatic. People went on first dates all the time, but this one, he had a feeling about.
The man sounded too good to be true. He was a plastic surgeon, had a large family, was an Aries, and was just two years out of a long-term relationship, so you know he no longer holds a torch for his ex.
Everything had to go perfectly.
This guy might bethe one.
