Page 20 of Daring to Love You (Priestly Family #3)

Chapter Fifteen

U sually when Lynix made up his mind to do something, he didn’t think twice.

He trusted his judgment, and it rarely steered him wrong.

However, the idea of meeting with Zion to share his intentions regarding Dorian gave him pause.

Their friendship meant everything to him, and he hoped dating Dorian wouldn’t put a wedge between them.

Zion was reasonable. He knew Lynix well enough to know he would never do anything to hurt Dorian. At least that’s what Lynix told himself as he strolled into Roby’s Pub, the local cop bar—a place he used to frequent often.

Times have changed. Since he no longer wanted to be known as the good-time guy who loved women, he didn’t stop by the Pub often anymore. It was all part of his plan in cleaning up his reputation. So far he didn’t miss it at all, especially now that he was making progress with Dorian.

Lynix moved around a couple of tables as he headed to the bar.

With it being Sunday, the place wasn’t too crowded.

Normally, some of the guys would stop by after their shift during the week or on a Saturday.

Sundays? Not so much. If any of them were there, it was mainly to watch sports.

There was currently a baseball game on most of the televisions strategically placed throughout the space.

“What’s up, man? Haven’t seen you in a while,” Percy, the bartender, said and set a drink napkin in front of Lynix when he took a seat at the end of the bar.

“Yeah, been busy. I’ll have my usual and a glass of water.” His usual included a bottle of Miller High Life with the top on and a basket of potato wedges along with a cheeseburger.

Lynix settled in, his gaze taking in the space.

As for pubs, Roby’s was fairly large. Most of the booths along the perimeter of the space were filled with customers.

Only a few of the tables in the middle and near the bar were occupied.

While most of the bar stools were taken.

The back of the building held two pool tables as well as a dart board, and they all were in use.

“Here you go.” Percy set the beer in front of Lynix. “Your food should be up in a minute.”

“Hey, Lynix, baby. Where you been hiding?” asked Chelle, a woman he’d hung out with in the past.

Lynix tried not to groan. Chelle was relentless in her pursuit of him, which just made him keep her at a distance.

She was cute with a pixie cut, light-brown skin, and an hourglass figure.

She was nice enough, but he preferred to be the chaser.

Not the other way around, and this woman was as thirsty as they came.

It was also a turn off when a woman couldn’t take a hint—even when he’d made himself clear he wasn’t interested.

“What’s up, Chelle?”

“You, baby.” She leaned in, trying to kiss him on the cheek but Lynix pulled back before her lips made contact.

Maybe his reputation with the women around there made her think he was kidding when he told her he wasn’t interested. Or maybe she thought she’d be the one to break his resolve.

Lynix didn’t know, but what he did know was he wasn’t letting any woman, especially this one, mess things up between him and Dorian. She might not be there to see him with Chelle, but it would be just his luck if Zion walked in at that moment.

Yeah, he needed to shut this down once and for all.

“Oh, so I can’t even kiss you on the cheek?” She pouted.

“No,” he said simply and took a big gulp of his beer. “I already told you. Whatever the hell you’re trying to do here,” he pointed between them, “ain’t gonna happen. I’m sure there are plenty of men here who would be glad to spend some time with you. I’m not one of them.”

She stomped away, mumbling something under her breath about him not being all that. Fine with him. Hopefully, she’d remember that the next time they bumped into each other.

Maybe he should’ve picked somewhere else to meet with Zion, especially since he wanted to talk about Dorian. The conversation might be premature, but Lynix wasn’t taking any chances. He wanted Zion to know he was dating his sister, and he didn’t want him to find out from someone else.

Lynix smiled to himself remembering how Dorian had called him out on his bullshit.

She sensed his idea of fake dating was a ploy to spend time with her, and he was sure his denial of that hadn’t fooled her.

Yet the fact that she still agreed to give the idea a shot spoke volumes.

She was just as curious about him as he was about her.

They might technically be fake dating, but in his heart, he wasn’t.

His ultimate plan was to get her to fall in love with him because he was already crazy about her.

He checked his watch, surprised Zion hadn’t arrived yet.

Normally, he was always early for things, but since getting married, not so much.

But his friend was happier than Lynix had ever seen him, and why wouldn’t he be?

He had a gorgeous wife, and the sweetest babies on this side of heaven.

Sometimes, Lynix still couldn’t believe Zion was a family man now.

He’d once been just as much of a player as Lynix and had vowed to never settle down.

Clearly, there was something to the saying—never say never.

It was all good, though. With Zion having kids, Lynix became their godfather, a role he took very seriously. He wanted his own children one day, but in the meantime, he got plenty of practice with the twins, Andrew and Zanaya.

“Hey, man. Sorry I’m late,” Zion said as he approached the bar.

Lynix stood, giving him some dap. “Not a problem. I started without you.” He reclaimed his seat, and Zion sat on the stool next to him.

“Hooking up here was a good idea. It’s been awhile,” his friend said before ordering a beer and some food. “How was your week?” Zion asked.

“It was good. I’ve been putting in some crazy hours at work since a certain someone abandoned us,” he joked, looking at Zion pointedly, and they laughed.

Zion had resigned a couple of months ago from Chicago P.D, opting to work for a personal security agency that they both used to contract with on occasion.

Small talk flowed between and as they ate, they caught up with each other’s lives. Forty-five minutes later, Lynix realized they hadn’t had any deep conversations since Zion got married. Sure, they’d seen each other often but hadn’t really had a chance to talk in depth.

Back in the day, they’d come to Roby’s after some of their shifts.

Sometimes hanging at the Pub two or three times a week.

Lynix missed this. He missed hanging out with his buddy and shooting the shit.

Yes, he spent time with his brothers, but that was different.

Too often their conversations turned to family issues—namely their father.

But with Zion, they discussed life, the kids, and Zion even talked about what it was like to be married.

Claiming he wished he and Raven would’ve met sooner.

“Okay, what’s going on with you?” Zion murmured only loud enough for Lynix to hear.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean you’ve turned down a drink from a woman, a dance with another woman, and don’t get me started with your two hookups. They’ve been circling, looking as if they want to stop over here but haven’t. I know I’ve been out of the loop. So what did I miss?”

Lynix snorted, not surprised Zion had noticed.

“I told them a few months ago, shortly before you got married, I can’t see them anymore. At first, they thought I was kidding, but I guess they finally got the message.”

Zion’s beer bottle stopped halfway to his mouth before looking at Lynix. “Why? What’s changed?”

Lynix hadn’t been sure how to bring up the subject of Dorian but now was as good a time as ever. “Okay, hear me out before you freak out,” he said and pushed his plate aside. “Dorian and I are dating.”

Zion stilled next to him, then set his beer on the bar. The two of them had never had a disagreement. At least not one that included fists flying. Lynix wasn’t sure how this was going to play out, but he was ready.

When Zion didn’t say anything, Lynix turned on the stool and looked at him. “What, nothing to say?”

“A year ago, I would’ve let my fists do the talking because I don’t like the idea of my best friend dating one of my sisters. Especially a friend who’s the love ’em and leave ’em type.”

“Zion, I’m not that guy anymore,” Lynix hurried to say.

“But I’m wiser and less of a hot head these days,” Zion said as if Lynix hadn’t spoken. “However, don’t get it twisted. If you say the wrong thing while we’re talking, I’m going to knock your ass out.”

Lynix couldn’t help it. He threw his head back and laughed.

Not that he didn’t think Zion wouldn’t try to do it, but it was funny as hell that he thought he could.

Lynix had him in size and fighting experience.

You didn’t grow up with three older brothers, who like to push you around, without learning how to fight.

So yeah, he had no doubt he could take on his friend, but Zion wouldn’t go down easy, especially if he was fighting because of one of his sisters.

“Your fists won’t be necessary. I’m crazy about Dorian. I would never hurt her.”

Zion sighed loudly. “I know.”

“You know?” Now Lynix was the one surprised.

“You weren’t fooling anyone when you used to joke about her being the future Mrs. Mathews. Or when you’d say stupid shit like, be sure to bring your beautiful sister to the party . Or I’m in love with your sister . Or my least favorite— Are you ready to accept that I’m going to marry her one day? ”

Lynix was laughing so hard at the way his friend imitated him, he had to stand up from the bar stool to keep from falling off it. On the one hand, he was glad Zion wasn’t surprised. On the other hand, Lynix now wished he’d made a move on Dorian sooner.

With the heel of his hand, Lynix dabbed at the corners of his eyes where tears had gathered from his laughing. Then he sat back down.