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He shrugs. “It’s for your protection, Alexis.”
“Lexi.” I narrow my eyes. “So, youcantalk?”
“Oh, hi,” Carlee says, tucking her hair behind her ear while batting her eyelashes.
I elbow her. Her flirting with Easton’s bodyguard is the last thing I need.
“I talk when I have something important to say,” he explains, but says it like I should know that. His voice is deeper than I expected, and it catches me off guard.
This man is tall and buff with tattooed arms, and I know he’s carrying a weapon under his jacket by the holster I see strapped across his chest. He’s not someone I’d want to wrongly cross. Then again, everyone in Easton’s life has thatdon’t fuck with mevibe. But I can’t deny that there’s something familiar about him too.
“Can younotfollow me?” I ask.
He glares at me.
“Please?”
“I have orders.”
Our next train arrives, and people flood on and off. I sigh, knowing my days of strolling the city without a buff shadow are over.
I glance at my best friend. “Come on. Let’s go.”
“You’re joining us?” Carlee asks him with a smile when he follows behind us.
He doesn’t answer her either.
Carlee loops her arm in mine while we walk home. We’re only eight blocks from our apartment, but it’s enough time for her to ask me every question under the sun. The cogs in her brain are turning as curiosity eats her alive.
“Okay, who is he?”
“Easton’s bodyguard. He’s been keeping tabs on me,” I whisper.
“I wouldn’t mind a man like that following me everywhere.”
“Hush,” I say with a laugh. “He’s usually stealthy and I don’t see him. The one day I know he followed me, I never saw him once.”
“Hmm, I guess there’s no reason to hide anymore though. You and Easton fucking Calloway are publicly dating. You should have expected this.”
“Shh. I don’t know if he’s listening to our conversation.”
Brody chuckles.
I turn to him. “See, youare.”
“Not purposely. You’re louder than you think.”
“Pretend like we don’t exist.”
He shakes his head. “With that attitude, you’re gonna bust Easton’s balls.”
A smile takes over. “You’d better believe it.”
“Oh, she is,” Carlee agrees and turns to me. “Now, can we walk a little faster? That coffee is making a comeback.”
“Eww,” I tell her.
Her eyes widen. “Oh God. Numberone,” she confirms with Brody, her hand over her heart. “I’m a lady.”