“Andwhy not?” I asked.
His expression hardened. “Don’t be funny right now. It's serious. You can’t date Nick.”
“I can date whoever I want, actually. I’m not your little sister.”
Austin’s jaw stiffened. “I know that. But I still protect you?—”
“Protect me from what? A nine-inch pierced dick?”
His mouth dropped. “What? What?—”
“I thought you were here to—I don’t know—check on me?” I growled, flashing him the burn along my arm. “And instead, you show up on my doorstep when the sun is barely up, to tell me I can’t date Nick. Who, by the way, I’ve already been on a date with. So you missed that boat.”
“Evie—”
“Why would you try to even tell me what to do with my dating life?” I continued. I’d slept fitfully because of my burn, which was hurting even with the pain reliever. My bakery was in shambles, my life upside down. He’d picked the wrong day to pull this sort of stunt. “You know what? Never mind.”
I slammed the door, but before it could shut, his boot jammed it. It swung back open and I glared as Austin stepped inside.
“Dammit, I’m not leaving yet,” he said. “I’m trying to protect you, Evie.”
I smacked him hard in the chest and his eyes lit up like fireworks. “Protect me fromwhat?Nick is a good guy.”
“You don’t know him like I do?—”
“I know you guys hated each other in high school,” I said. “I know you still hate him. Why?”
“Just trust me.”
“No,” I growled. “No. Why are you here?”
“Because I don’t want you to date him.”
“Why?”
“Because, Evie,” he growled.
“Because why?” I demanded. “Tell me. Otherwise, I’ll make a point of going on another date with him. I’m already seeing Matthew on Friday. Who knows, maybe they’d be interested in each other too and you can watch the three of us run off and be happy while you grow old and burned out and bitter.”
Hurt flashed on his face and I knew I’d gone too far. I winced and stepped back from him, looking down at the floor. He had me all riled up now. I didn’t take joy in being mean or rude, but sometimes he brought out the worst in others, including me.
“I’m sorry,” I mumbled.
“No, don’t be. I’m sorry. I . . . Fuck, Evie. I didn’t even ask if you’re okay. I know you’re not.” He slumped back against the wall. “I’ve known you forever. I care about you.”
God, every word was like a knife through the chest. I care about you,but not like that.
“I know I’m overstepping about Nick.”
I stared. Over the last few years, I’d watched Austin slowly wither away. It was hard to see. All of us had been pushing him to take better care of himself, but he didn’t listen. Not even after watching Levi recover from burnout too.
When it finally hit him, it was going to be bad.
“Is Nick a bad guy?” I asked pointedly. “Like, really. Not because you dislike him or whatever, but something bad.”
Austin’s cheeks ballooned as he blew out a breath. “I have my reasons for hating him.”
“But?”
