Page 77 of 10 Things I Hate About Mistletoe

Pike turned to face Nick and Anthony, cocking his head to the side. “I thought we were going to get a drink?”

“We are,” Nick said.

“Great, let’s vamoose.” Pike pointed at Anthony. “You’re buying every round.”

Pike walked out the door, with Nick and Anthony trailing behind, Anthony still blown away by the change in Pike from Sunday morning to now.

“What is going on?” Anthony asked. “I thought you were pissed at me.”

Pike stopped next to Anthony’s truck and shrugged. “I took some time to sit with the situation and reflect.”

Nick cleared his throat.

“And listened to the advice someone close to the situation. Here is what I realized. You said that even though you wanted her, you took a step back when you thought that she and I were feeling each other. That’s what makes you an amazing friend. Just because I had you up on this pedestal, thinking you were this paragon of virtue, doesn’t mean you can’t ever fuck up. She wasn’t my girlfriend—hell, she’d been pretty clear that she wasn’t interested in me at all. I pulled out some moves, too.”

Anthony held up a hand. “I don’t want to hear about it, thanks.”

Pike chuckled. “Fair enough. Besides, it’s obvious you love the girl. I can’t stay mad at you when you’re in love for the first time and already fucking up. You need me.”

“I don’t—” Anthony paused, considering. “How do you know?”

“That you need my help?”

“No, that I—”

“Can’t get it out yet? It’s always hardest the first time. As to how I know, you were about to tear Brodie apart for just talking about her. You’ve either lost your mind or you’re in love.” Pike opened the passenger side door and waved a hand. “Now, get in the truck. Considering how pissed off Delilah looked when I passed by her on my way to the gym, this will require several mixed drinks and careful planning if you’re going to win her back.”

“You saw her?”

“Oh, yes. That is one angry woman.”

“Speaking of, why were you at the gym?”

“Nick texted that something was about to go down and I’d want to see it, so I raced over here from the store to check it out. Watching you lose your cool? Priceless.”

“You’re both a couple of meddlesome fuckers.”

“I think the word you’re looking for is friends.” Pike pulled himself up and pounded the top of his truck. “Now move! Times a wastin’!”

Chapter Twenty-one

You should send her flowers. Classic show of remorse.”

The men at the table booed Clark’s suggestion and Anthony sunk back against the chair. They’d been at this for hours, drinking copious amounts of alcohol and batting ideas back and forth about the best way to apologize.

“You can boo me all you want,” Clark said, popping his collar with a smirk, “but I am a happily married man and you are the ones stumped at how to please a woman.”

“Whoa now, choose your words wisely, little brother,” Sam Griffin said, holding up his tumbler in a salute, the tattoo sleeves on his arms colorful and intricate. “I am the master at woman pleasing.”

“And yet, you’re still single,” Pike said.

“By choice, leprechaun.”

Pike spluttered. “That’s just rude.”

Anthony chuckled, the tension of the last few days eased by the jovial heckling of the men around him. He’d been surprised by Sam’s presence, as he usually worked too late to join them, and Anthony forgot how much he liked the elder Griffin.

Declan tipped back a pink shot and wheezed, “I decorated Holly’s house.”