Page 24 of Irreconcilable Attractions (Westwend Boys #1)

Brooks… He had always reminded me of the energizer bunny—just going, going, gone.

Unless it was something huge, it was hit-or-miss to tie him down for that sort of support.

I knew everyone else in the family would agree that Brooks would be around for important things, but otherwise, it wasn’t uncommon to not hear from him for days on end.

Phone calls and text messages were regularly left unanswered, even from our parents.

They brushed it off as him being an adult with a busy life, but his absence was always palpable.

Especially on days like today.

I watched as Bailey’s eyes scanned over the crowd, clearly looking for our brother.

My heart squeezed knowing he wouldn’t find him.

When our eyes met again, I gave a subtle shake of my head, watching on helplessly as that bright light in them dimmed.

The only thing fraternal about Brooks and Bailey were their looks.

Growing up, they’d always acted more like identical twins.

That’s why when they’d both declared for different colleges, it had shocked not only the town, but our family as well.

The twins swore nothing happened between them, but something had clearly shifted their dynamic dramatically.

They went from completing each other’s sentences and practically being joined at the hip—so much so, Mom used to joke they were more like conjoined twins—to suddenly spending all their time apart.

Whatever it was still affected their relationship to this day and it was difficult to watch the strained way they interacted when they were in the room together.

Growing up, I used to picture them owning homes right next door to each other, living their lives and building families side by side, right here in our hometown.

Now, I was the only Shaffer boy to have come back after graduating and the twins seemed content with living separate lives.

“Did he give an excuse this time?” Bailey looked back over the crowd, probably actually taking in the attendees this time.

“He told Pop he had a shift today.” I said, running a hand through my hair and glancing back to where Derek and my father stood. They were still locked in conversation so our father hadn’t yet noticed the newest arrival.

Bailey grunted, letting out a slow sigh before he lifted his chin in that direction. “Speaking of our old man, who’s that with him? The intern for the summer?”

I huffed out a low laugh, turning my body to face them. “Believe it or not, that’s my roommate, Derek.” I cheekily took a sip of my drink as Bailey’s wide eyes shot toward me.

“Shit, if your business is doing that badly, you could have called me before letting some stranger live with you.”

My eyebrows pulled together as I sent my brother a glare. “The cafe is doing just fine, fuck you very much. The only reason he’s living with me is because of Pop.”

Bailey’s face scrunched in confusion. “The fuck? Who is this guy?”

“He’s a new attorney at the firm. He just started about a month ago, so all the places in town were already booked for the season. The intern was already here by then, so Pop called me.”

“Okay… So, why didn’t you say no? I’m still not seeing how this guy became your responsibility.” Bailey’s eyes narrowed as he scrutinized me.

I rolled mine, cocking my head to glance at him. Why was everyone assuming I had any control over my father? “He gave me the look . What was I supposed to do?”

He winced, knowing all too well what that meant before shaking his head. “But, still… It’s weird, even for him. Pop should of known better than to hire someone without checking to make sure they had somewhere to live. How did he know this guy wouldn’t kill you in your sleep?”

I gave a brief rundown of how our father knew Derek through the internship program, and Brooks before that, stealing glances at the man in question every once in a while. My heart fluttered at the wide smile he wore as he continued to happily chat away with my dad.

Bailey snuck his hands into the pockets of his khaki shorts, humming softly. “I don’t know, it still seems fishy to me.”

I shrugged, not really sure where Bailey was going with this. “Derek’s a cool guy. We actually get along pretty well, so I’m not complaining.”

I felt Bailey’s eyes on me as I took a long sip of my tea, dreading the teasing that was surely to follow from the knowing grin I could see out of the corner of my eye. Instead, I was saved by the man who started this whole mess.

“Colton, son, could you—Bailey!” My father called, his voice pitching up into an excited chirp as he realized his middle child had arrived.

My brother pushed into my side. “Think he knows you have a hard-on for his newest employee?”

Despite my better judgement, my eyes dropped to my crotch. Bailey let out a deep roll of laughter at the glare I sent his way before he stepped forward to embrace our father as he came over. They traded the usual back slaps before Pop pulled away.

“Good to see you, my boy!” He drawled, his joy so clear on his face.

Derek slipped into the space beside me as Bailey caught up with our dad. “I’d ask who that man is, but he’s practically Charlie’s identical copy. Is that what he’d look like without facial hair?” He whispered near my ear, sending dangerous tingles down my spine.

I tilted my head toward him, lowering my voice some. “Yeah, Mom once showed us a photo of Pop from high school and it’s freaky how much Bailey looks like him.”

Bailey took that moment to turn his attention on my roommate, his large hand coming out in an offered greeting. “Bailey, good to meet yah.”

Derek took his hand, giving it a polite shake. “Derek Hammond. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you Bailey. I’ve heard a lot about you from both your father and Brooks.”

The grin on my brother’s face faltered ever-so slightly. It was subtle and had I not known him or been looking at his face, I wouldn’t have noticed it. “All good things, I would hope.” Bails caught himself, rolling right back into pleasant conversation.

Derek offered a warm smile as they dropped hands. “Of course.”

We continued to mingle, Bailey peppering Derek with questions about himself whenever it seemed like the conversation might lull. But after a while, Pop turned toward me, hands on his hips.

“Colton, would you help me with setting up a grill?” He tilted his head back toward where he and Derek had been standing, a small individual charcoal grill propped next to the one he’d been using for burgers. “I asked Derek to man the burgers while I get the sausages going on the smoker.”

I nodded, “Sure, no problem.”

Turning his attention on Bailey, a large hand clapped down his shoulder. “Mind helping me with the smoker? For old times sake?” My brother’s lazy grin spread over his face, his eyes softening. “Any time, Pop.”

As they passed, Bails sent me a significant look before following after our old man. I rolled my eyes, letting out a small huff. If my crush was obvious to the brother I only saw every few months, I was fucking hopeless.

Turning, I made my way toward the grills, noting Derek had already returned to his position before the stainless steel monstrosity.

Near the base of the smaller grill was a bag of charcoal. I made quick work of lining the inside with briquettes before lighting them. When they were reduced down to ash, I spread the mixture before placing the lid back on so the grating could pre-heat.

“Shit, it is too hot to be standing over an open flame.” I complained, wiping at my face where I felt sweat accumulating.

Derek smirked at me, trying and failing to hide it behind his drink.

“What?” I asked, squinting at him.

“Nothing,” he snickered, “you just have some charcoal on your face.”

“Oh, shit, where?” I rubbed my cheek reflexively.

Derek burst into laughter after I pulled my hand away. “You just made it so much worse.” His stomach shook in full-on belly laughs.

“Well, don’t just stand there! Help me.” I pouted, giving his shoulder a small shove. A small black smudge was left behind on the blue fabric.

Looking at my hand, I realized it was tinged blackish-grey in places. I hadn’t cleaned up after arranging the briquettes so powder clung to the pads of my fingers, creases of my palm, and some in the webbing between.

“Fuck, sorry, I got it on your shirt.” I winced.

Derek looked at his shoulder, still chuckling some, and just shrugged.

“It’s not that big of a deal. Let’s get the stuff off your face.” He motioned for me to follow him.

We made our way into the house, a few guests making jokes about the smudges as we walked along.

Derek led me to the hallway bathroom, gently knocking before we stepped inside.

It was a smaller half-bath with only a sink and toilet.

We had to practically stand on top of each other to get the door shut, given both our sizes.

“You don’t need to be in here with me. There is a mirror.” I said, gesturing to the glass piece hanging on the wall.

“It’s fine. Let me do it.” He ran a washcloth under some water before gently swiping away at my cheek. The cloth was cool and damp and felt amazing after having been in the summer heat.

This close, I was able to admire how long Derek’s eyelashes were.

They were so full. I let myself indulge in cataloguing his features.

The arch of his brows. His straight nose.

The fullness of his lips. I could feel he had moved onto my hand, swiping so gently like he was washing something delicate—special.

Unbidden, the memory of him at Darby’s Wish bounced back into my mind, and all those sensations rushed back to me. Heat flooded my body and when his eyes returned to mine, my heart hammered away in my chest.

His breathing quickened and his tongue tentatively slid out to wet his lips.

My eyes reflexively followed the motion. My own lips parted slightly as my chest rose and fell quickly. His hand cupped the back of mine from where he was cleaning, small tingles of awareness pricking up my arm from the contact.

“Derek?” I practically whispered, returning my eyes to his.

“Yeah?” He breathed back, pressing in slightly closer to me. I felt him slowly shift his hold on my hand till he was able to rub slow circles on my palm with his thumb. My head felt fuzzy with the sensation.

“Did you get it all?” My mouth felt dry as I pressed the words out.

“No, I think I missed a spot.” He said, voice gravely. His eyes dropped to my lips and lingered there. The gaze sent a rush of excitement up my spine.

Knock, knock, knock

“Hey, is anyone in there?” Someone called before the door was unceremoniously opened, slamming me into Derek’s chest with an ‘oomph’.

“Oh god, sorry.” The woman poked her head inside the bathroom. “Are y’all hurt? I’m so sorry. It wasn’t locked.”

“It’s fine.” I blurted, straightening myself up and turning back to her. “We were done in here.”

Derek grunted in what sounded like disagreement, but we both edged our way out of the tight space. Once on the other side, the woman shot a questioning glance between the two of us before locking herself in the bathroom.

My body was still thrumming with the anticipation of kissing Derek, my nerves left feeling frayed.

Glancing to my side, I could tell that Derek was in a similar state.

He had run his hands through his hair, messing up that perfectly styled ‘do. When we made eye contact, the heat from earlier hadn’t left them. My stomach clenched again.

“Can we go somewhere to talk?” He asked, glancing around at all the people still enjoying the party around us.

“We could go upstairs. Ryan has the only bedroom up there, but we could use my mom’s office.” I sucked my lips between my teeth for a moment, wetting them.

“Lead the way.” His voice was husky and seductive.

Just then, the backdoor burst open, my father pounding inside looking more menacing than the time Brooks stole Mr. Geier’s golf cart.

He’d taken it on a joyride around town before sending it into the depths of the river.

That had resulted in many hours of community service and paying every cent of that golf cart back, which didn’t bode well for whatever unlucky soul was at the other end of this ire.

His eyes locked on us and all the heat in my body turned to ice.

“Derek Hammond!” He bellowed, barging over to where we stood.