Page 25

“So, you’re saying I cured you of your phobia?” She grinned.

“Maybe. No promises.” I slid my hand under her chin, pushed her head back to my chest so our lips met again one more time before we hit the sunlight.

The instant we popped out of the stairwell, all the guys’ heads turned our way, most with a grin and all-knowing sneer.

Two of them didn’t appear happy.

“Chelsea?” Brooks exclaimed, his face reddening and jaw clicking upon seeing me holding her hand.

“Hi, Brooks. Thanks for taking care of Maisy last night.” To her credit, she waved and passed on by, unaffected by the stares and whistles from the crew. We were quiet until reaching my car, and I let her in the driver’s side, helping heradjust the seats, and buckle in. I pulled up the GPS for my home address.

I crouched down next to her. “You sure you’ll be able to drive this powerful beast?”

“Yes. If I could handle a beast like you last night, I think I’ll survive this drive.” She grinned.

“True,” I winked. “Both hands on the wheel now. Don’t be throwing your hands in the air and howling like last night.” My warning was rewarded by her laughter.

“Good luck at the race.” She waved and drove off.

Damn, I really liked her. And fuck, the complications added up, crashing in.

I waited until she left the parking lot and turned onto the road before heading back to the boat.

Brooks stood at the entrance with his arms crossed. “What the fuck are you doing?”

“What’s your problem, Brooks?”

“I guess I know why Chelsea turned me down for drinks—twice.”

“I didn’t know you liked her.”

“Just tell me you’re not using her, Rex. Because she’s a nice woman, her sister, too. I spent all night talking with Maisy and learning about Chelsea’s dreams with the deli. Does your plan involve getting her to fall for you so she’ll quit the business?”

“It’s not like that.”

“I know you too damn well. If you string her along and dump her later, I’ll lose all respect for you, man.”

“That’s not my plan.” Right now, my head was too fucked up to think straight.

“Yeah right. You’re saying you genuinely care for her?”

“Maybe. So?” My shoulders hit my ears.

He shook his head. “I don’t believe you.” He stalked off.

“Where are you going? What about the race?” He didn’t respond. Well, this was a first, fighting with Brooks over a woman.

It took a team to race this boat together to win. Brody, Gage, and Xander, all college mates from Columbia, along with Archer and Brooks, made up my strong team, and we were on a winning streak the past few years; now we’d be lucky to finish today.

“Archer, are you staying?” I called to him.

“Yep. Whatever is going on between you two doesn’t involve me.” He shook his head.

“What happened with your ex last night?” I asked.

“What happened with you and Chelsea last night?” He countered.

We eyed each other, stayed mum, and got to work on the boat.