“No, but I want her.”
“For Christ’s sake, you’re the one you warned me about. You want to knock her up to keep her.” I point my finger at him.
“No, I don’t. I just wouldn’t care if I did. But you’re missing the point—she is on birth control,” he says it slowly, like I’m the one not understanding.
“That’s not always one hundred percent.”
“Let’s have this conversation after you’ve been with her. Let me know if you reach for a condom.” He starts to walk away.
My mind starts whirling with ideas. “Wait, I don’t have to either?” I don’t know why I didn’t think of that.
“That’s your call. I’m fully prepared to deal with any possibilities.” He peers back into the bedroom, and his shoulders relax as he pushes the door open the rest of the way. The room is still empty, and I can hear the water running in the shower.
“Well shit.” I hum under my breath.
“Help me find new sheets.” Memphis acts like he didn’t just make me question if I really know my brother at all, but then once my mind has time to come to terms with the idea, I’m not even surprised. He’s been possessive as fuck with her since the first day we met.
Bates
My equipment is already loaded into the back of the bar, not that I have much. The place is far from packed, but it’s still early and I know weekends draw more of a crowd, so I’m expecting a good turnout soon. I’m actually a little nervous. Cello, even my kind of cello, isn’t what someone might expect on a Saturday night at a bar.
I’m posted at the same table we sat at last time, nursing a beer, while I wait for them. I check the time on my phone again. I don’t want to call to see where they are, since it makes me feel like a needy prick, but I do want to call because I’m tired of sitting here alone.
I’m tapping my foot to the house music when a woman approaches the table. I don’t make eye contact because I’d rather she just keeps walking, but she doesn’t take the hint. “Hey, are you waiting for someone?” she questions, already angling her body like she might try to sit down in the booth across from me.
“I am, they should be here any minute,” I tell her with a small smile while looking beyond her.
“You’re playing tonight, right?” she questions, ignoring my dismissal.
“I am,” I reply.
“My friend is a waitress here. She told me you’d be playing tonight. She said we had to see you, so a bunch of us came. I’m the only one brave enough to come over and introduce myself. I’m Brittany.” She extends her hand to me, and I release my beer to shake it.
“Bates.”
“Is that your real name?” She twists her lips in a sly grin, and I pull my hand away from hers.
“It is.” I don’t tell her it’s my last name, there’s no point. “My friends are here. It was nice meeting you. I hope you enjoy the show.” I rise to my feet, and her eyes rise with me. Once I’m standing, she finally turns to look where my attention is already directed.
Oz is clearing a path for Waylynn, who is angling her way over, passing tables and chairs on her crutches with her eyes locked on me. Her smile is wide and infectious. She’s wearing a loose skirt that moves when she does, teasing mid-thigh. She has an ankle boot on one foot and a fitted T-shirt that shows off her curves. She looks beautiful, and I’m not the only one who notices. Heads turn to follow her as she passes.
Memphis is behind her, looming over her shoulder and eyeing everyone as if they might do something that will piss him off. It’s pretty shocking to see him so affected by a woman, but I get it.
Waylynn eyes the woman still standing next to me, and her smile slips just enough that I notice. I like thinking she might be jealous that someone else has my attention.
“Hey there, gorgeous,” I greet, letting everyone know who really has my interest, and then I slip to the side so she can sit down.
“Hey, Bates.” She flashes her perfect white teeth as she drops with a huff.
“Quite the group you have.” The woman observes, eyeing both of my friends. They don’t even look in her direction.
“Let me have those, baby.” Oz reaches for Waylynn’s crutches and leans them up against the wall.
“Gah, take them and this air boot,” she scoffs, scooting deeper into the round booth to allow the rest of us to join her.
Memphis slides in next to Waylynn. “Few more days,” he promises.
“You need help setting anything up?” Oz asks while eyeing the woman still standing next to our table like he expects me to give him an explanation as to why she’s here.
