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“Periodgate, huh?” he asks, and I want to tear that smirk from his face. I also want to shoot my brother.
After silencing Gage with alook, I glance at Tim. “He’s not a permanent fixture in my life.”
“I’d say I am,” Gage disagrees, and I just know he’s finding this immensely enjoyable. “Quite possibly for the rest of our lives,” he continues, and when I blink at him, he shrugs. “I don’t see Luna letting Sarah go any time soon.”
How my brain hadn’t put that together yet is a mystery to me.
“So,” Tim says, “what is this, then?” His eyes widen. “Wait. Is this to piss James off? I would throw my support behind that.”
“This is a fake date,” I explain.
“Fake is a harsh choice of words,” Gage says.
I cock my head. “What word would you use? Oh, wait. Let me guess. It’s a mercy date.”
“A tux is a hell of a lot of effort for a mercy date.”
Tim whistles low. “Hot damn. Is it getting hot in here, or is that just you two faking it?”
Some days, Ireallywant to kill my brother.
I’m about to make a hard detour in this conversation, but the way Gage is now looking at me...I can’t look away.
There’s heat, and tension, and no faking in sight.
Tim says something else, but it’s just white noise.
I’m so lost in this moment with Gage.
My other brother saves the day.
“Earth to Amelia,” Colin says, snapping his fingers in front of my face. “Hello?”
It feels like it takes much longer than the actual seconds it takes to drag my attention from Gage. I look at Colin and try to find my words. “Hello. Yes. You’re here.”
He grins before glancing between me and Gage.
“This is Periodgate Gage,” Tim announces, like Colin has no idea who Gage is, and Colin’s grin grows.
Honestly, I don’t want brothers in my next life. Just give me dogs. Or cats. Or even jellyfish. Just keep the brothers away.
Gage and Colin are shaking hands, all very official like.
I’m planning mass brother extinction.
And Tim’s probably over there plotting how to make this even more mortifying for me.
“We heard you bought her enough pads and tampons to last the next few periods,” Colin says to Gage,and I want to die.
Gage appears entertained by the entire thing.
Before he can respond, Tim says, “How would you rate her ninja moves out of that bathroom? Ten out of ten? Or do you have some tips for the next time she has to be stealthy?”
“Oh my god,” I mutter. “Seriously, men would not cope if they had to endure periods.”
Tim shrugs. “I don’t know. How hard can it be?”
Gage holds his hands up in a surrender. “I’m backing out of this conversation now. It was nice knowing you two for a few minutes.”