Well, almost anyone. There was one person who was off-limits: Conner Kogan. Apparently, Jayden harbored a major crush on the guy—had for years—and talking about him, whether good or bad, wasn’t allowed.
“One dead end after another, but you know how it goes.”
Her eyes glittered. “Oh, I know.” She canted her head toward the offices behind her. “I hear them complain about it all the time.”
Reese wanted to tell her he wasn’t complaining. He hadn’t meant to sound negative, but the jumbled thoughts sent him in that direction, so he figured it was best to keep his mouth shut.
Footsteps sounded, and Reese glanced over to see Brantley strolling toward him. He caught himself staring at the formidable man for a little too long, something he’d been doing a lot lately. He couldn’t seem to help himself. It was as though he was still making up for all the time they were apart, and looking at Brantley did something to him. He wouldn’t go so far as to say it relaxed him—he was too wound up for that right now—but it eased some part of his soul that had been aching for the months they were apart.
“Hey, Jay,” Brantley said with a chin nod toward Jayden.
“What’s up,Bran?” she countered with a wide grin.
Reese’s eyebrows popped. “Bran?”
“He hates it,” Jayden teased. “The same way I hate when someone shortens my name.” She shrugged, smirked. “Whaddya do?”
Brantley laughed as he touched Reese’s arm and turned him toward the elevator. “Ready?”
“Be careful out there,” Jayden called after them.
“Where’s the fun in that?” Brantley countered as he stabbed the button for the elevator.
“Where’s Tesha?”
“RT and Z are gonna keep an eye on her until JJ gets up here.”
Reese nodded, more intrigued than before.
When the elevator arrived, Reese stepped in first, then turned to glance at Brantley when he pushed the button for the parking garage. “Everything good?”
His smirk was devious. “Peachy.”
The elevator delivered them to the parking garage beneath the building. Reese strolled out, his curiosity getting the best of him. “Where’re we headed?”
“The simulation building.”
“Just checkin’,” he said when Brantley looked at him sideways. “Never know what you’ve got up your sleeve.”
Brantley stopped behind the truck and turned to Reese. “I had RT clear it out for us.”
Reese frowned. “Why?”
One of Brantley’s dark eyebrows rose slowly. “I think it’s what you need right now.”
Reese nodded, ignoring the churning that developed in his gut at the thought of being put to the test right now. He didn’t want Brantley to know he’d been second-guessing himself since his reaction at the strip club the other day. His first instinct was to get defensive, but he knew that would only be his denial talking.
Brantley’s voice lowered, and he took a step toward him. “It’ll just be you and me for the next three hours.”
Reese considered twisting Brantley’s words into something dirty, but there hadn’t been an ounce of seduction in the man’s tone. Maybe a hint of promise, but if he wasn’t mistaken, this was Brantley’s way of offering to help him without broadcasting his concerns to the entire team.
“Unless you object,” Brantley tacked on.
“No.” Reese reached out and brushed his hand over Brantley’s forearm. “I think it’s a good idea. Thanks.”
Seemingly content, Brantley smiled, then turned and walked to the driver’s side, leaving Reese staring after him, wondering whether he would survive the next three hours without losing his shit altogether.
Twenty minutes later, they were pulling into the parking lot of the simulation center. Theemptyparking lot.
