Page 37

Jade

“Why are we watching your sister’s dog again?” Red asked as he bent down to put Tipsy on all fours again after scooping her up because she was practically humping his leg. Which, by the way, I had to actually stop myself from cracking up over.

If there was ever a reason to laugh, it was over that. But maybe that was just my wicked sense of humor.

“Because she asked,” I answered simply.

“Then maybe I should go into the office. This little rat-dog has it out for me,” he said, eyeing the delicate little Italian Greyhound, who made it crystal clear she just wanted Red.

Must’ve been his pheromones. Hey, I wasn’t judging because I knew the feeling, but she wouldn’t understand that, so I couldn’t really empathize with her.

Laughing, I tried to pry her away from his leg. Who knew dog sitting would have proven to be so difficult? “Why don’t I take her for a walk?” She was due for one anyway, and if I made her tired enough, she might just come back and take a nap. And give Red’s legs a break.

I grabbed the leash I’d hung off the doorknob. “Come here, Tipsy,” I called, trying to lure her over. Meanwhile, Red looked like he was going to start pouting any minute. “What?” I asked, not sure I’d ever seen him look like this before. It was not attractive.

He shrugged and stuffed his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “Nothing. It’s just, I want to come.”

I tucked my hair behind my ears and smiled. “So come. I was just trying to help you out.”

“Okay,” he said, picking up his keys and wallet from the counter, and walking to the door.

It amazed me how this man never ceased to surprise me. What went on in his head? And why did it make me happy to know that he wanted to come with us? It was almost like we were this little family. It was sweet.

Whoa.

Stop.

Hold the frigging phone.

Where did that come from?

I shook my head as if to clear away the insanity. He was just being nice. He just wanted to be included. Maybe it wasn’t nice, maybe it was needy. That was it, he was being needy. Annoying.

Returning my attention to Tipsy, I leashed her up and walked out the door, never so grateful for fresh air. Obviously, I needed it.

“Do you want a dog?” he asked, walking in step with me, and on the opposite side of Tipsy. What was it with this dog and him?

“Why? Are you going to buy me one if I say yes?” I asked in a mocking tone, shaking my head as I tried my hardest to get past the thoughts I’d had in the house.

Meanwhile, I wouldn’t put it past Red to do something like that and then claim it was for the sake of us looking even more like an engaged couple. Who knew being engaged came with so many damn perks?

“Sure, why not?” He shrugged, as though he couldn’t see the ridiculousness in wanting to up and buy me of all people a dog.

We were nothing to each other after this arrangement was over.

Maybe friends.

Yeah, friends.

I licked my lips, rolling them as I turned and stared at him. “Do you hear yourself?”

He cocked a brow while I maintained thinking he had lost his mind.

“Honestly, I’m more of a cat person anyway,” I clarified, handing him the dog’s leash. “Plus, what will happen when we split up? Who will get custody?” I teased.

Pulling on the back of his neck with his free hand, he grinned. “Shared custody.”

Shared custody over a feline? All right, what was in the air?

Because he’d obviously inhaled something.

Not one hundred percent sure why I hadn’t, but whatever.

“We can create a schedule and everything,” I joked, rolling my eyes and stuffing my hands in my pockets as my eyes flitted between Red and Tipsy, enjoying the distraction from my earlier thoughts.

Was it possible that a man with a dog was as hot as a man with a child? Note to self: Allie had it good. She got to experience Brady with Gina and Tipsy. Frankly, I was surprised she wasn’t pregnant again by now.

As we rounded the corner of a building, Red nearly ran into someone, understandably, since he was looking down, and excused himself until he and the man lifted their heads simultaneously.

I already knew this encounter screamed trouble. Now they knew it, too. Or at least Red did.

The way he clenched his jaw, I feared he might crack a molar, and his face was so scrunched up in annoyance, his cheeks practically as red as a tomato.

It felt like I’d purchased tickets to watch a wrestling match between two of the best. Reddington Lyons and Nathaniel Lyons have gone head-to-head before, but nothing is a guarantee. Who will win this round?

For Red’s sake, I sincerely hoped he just walked away. They were brothers, and while they weren’t close, I didn’t want to see them kill each other.

Breaking the ice because they were both still awkwardly staring at one another, I said, “Nate.” Someone better have recorded that because that was what it looked like to be the bigger person.

Nate’s eyes were ablaze with anger as they snapped my way.

Why did I have to go and open my big mouth?

As though Red knew he was going to say something he’d regret, Red warned, “Remember your fucking manners, Nate. If you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything at all.”

Okay, pretty sure everyone knew what they’d learned in preschool, but apparently some people needed reminding. Nate was definitely one of those people. I just wasn’t entirely sure now was the time for it.

I placed a hand on Red’s bicep before hooking my arm through his. I’d say it was to piss off Nate, but I genuinely didn’t care if Nate’s anger was his undoing. I cared because I wanted Red to know he wasn’t worth it and that I was right here.

I already knew how that sounded, but it was friendly. Red and I had grown to be friends, right? Well, I was helping a friend out.

Nate’s expression softened slightly as a roar of laughter erupted from him, the sound so boisterous it sounded like it came from his toes. He was ridiculous.

“What’s so funny?” Red asked, his jaw twitching. “Is it the fact that you can’t figure out something nice to say to my fiancée? Because I don’t think that’s funny. I think that’s just plain pathetic.”

“Watch it,” Nate warned, a finger pointed directly in Red’s face.

Damn it, Nate, if I were you, I’d remove that finger before he—

Red moved as fast as a cheetah hunting his prey, grabbing Nate’s finger and squeezing it so tight, Nate’s knees buckled as he started to contort his wrist, giving it his best shot to pull away from Red’s grip.

I looked around, thankful there were no passersby.

“Red, you’re going to break his finger,” I cautioned, glancing down at Tipsy who was sitting quietly, her head turning every which way.

The dog must have thought this was a show.

Unbelievable. And adorable. But this was definitely not the time for that.

Red didn’t break contact with Nate, his eyes practically boring through his head. He probably wished his eyes could shoot laser beams out of them.

He loosened his grip but still kept a firm grasp on Nate’s finger.

Nate harrumphed. “You think you can make it look like you’re this cute couple, but she just can’t help it”—he gave me a once-over with a filthy, and ugly, look—“she sticks out like a sore fucking thumb.”

Red twisted his finger, holding it so tight Red’s own knuckle was turning white. “It’s ironic you talk about sticking out like a sore finger because yours is definitely going to stand out when I break it and you have to wear a splint.”

I squeezed my grip on Red’s bicep, and Red loosened his grip before letting go entirely. “The truth is, you’re not even worth it,” Red explained, shaking his head as though he pitied Nate.

Honestly, I didn’t blame Red. I pitied Nate.

“Stay away from Red and me, do you understand me? If we run into each other again, by some unfortunate turn of events, walk away, and we’ll do the same,” I said, speaking on behalf of both of us.

Nate scoffed, holding his finger in his other hand. I’d feel bad for him if he wasn’t such an incredibly large ass. “You’re going to let her talk to me like that? You can’t even control your own. . . whatever the hell she is because I think we all know some shit’s up here.”

Red stepped forward and in front of me, passing the leash back to me so I held Tipsy.

“Let me be perfectly clear. I don’t like to give third chances.

I’ve already given you two. Get out of my face before I decide to rearrange it.

” He ground his teeth. “Frankly, I’d be doing the world a fucking favor fixing that ugly mug of yours. ”

Nate didn’t say anything, only held out one of his hands toward us and laughed. “You two deserve each other.”

When Nate was out of our sight, I walked in front of Red, my heart beating rapidly. “Hey, you didn’t need to do that for me.” I could hardly believe he would do that. Then again, this was Red, so of course he would.

He exhaled and softened his facial expression. “That was as much for me as it was you.”

And to think, I thought I was special.

All right, what was I doing?

Falling down the rabbit hole, that was what.