Page 22 of Mr. Infuriating (Mister #1)

“I’ll bring an extra one.”

His face lit up with a smile, revealing his dimples, and I understood how he got laid all the damn time.

“Thanks, man. I appreciate it.”

“Yeah, yeah.” I headed toward the door, then stopped and turned around. “Game starts at three. Get there early or you’ll be parking in the far lot and hoofing it to the field.”

“Eh, a little walk wouldn’t kill me.”

Meaning he was going to be late.

“They’re only twelve-minute quarters,” I warned.

“I’ll be there. I wouldn’t let Brayden down.”

When he said that, I knew I didn’t have anything to worry about. The Mitchell men were known for being true to their word.

~~

As I set up the second camping chair, not far from Becky and Britt this time, I heard my daughter shriek, “Uncle Derrick!”

A small smile escaped my lips. The fucker was even early.

I turned to watch him swing Brittany around before setting her on the ground and pulling her in for a giant hug. The joy on her face brought joy to my heart .

Although we’d fought like wildcats growing up, I knew my brothers always had my back, and by default, my kids’ backs. Even though Britt probably couldn’t express it, I think she instinctively knew it, too.

When he released her from his embrace, she grabbed his hand and led him to where I was setting up the chairs, not letting him get a word in edgewise as she peppered him with questions.

“How have you been? Do you have a girlfriend yet? How’s the new bar? Dad said he’d take me to see it, but only during lunch.”

Derrick chuckled at her enthusiasm, and when she finally paused to take a breath, he responded.

“I’ve been great—really busy. I don’t have time for a girlfriend. Technically, Flannigan’s is a bar—slash—restaurant, but lunch would be the best time for you to come. It can get rowdy at night.”

“But Dad said the nighttime is when you shine.”

He looked over at me with a raised brow, and I shrugged unapologetically.

“It’s not a lie.”

“He’s right,” he conceded, then his mouth turned up in a wicked grin. “I do some of my best work as the night goes on.”

Britt cocked her head as she looked up at him. “What do you mean?”

I openly smirked at him. “Yeah, Uncle Derrick. What do you mean?”

My brother didn’t miss a beat .

“I gotta be on my toes because people like to fight once they’ve been drinking.

I have to be sure anyone who’s getting behind the wheel hasn’t been overserved.

By the end of the night, most of my staff are tired and they can start to drag, so sometimes I gotta pick up their slack.

I have to do all that while making sure my customers are happy and want to come back. ”

Brittany’s eyes grew big. “Wow, you are busy.”

“You have no idea, kiddo. And now I have two locations that I have to keep running smoothly.”

“Maybe when I’m in college, I can come work for you and help you out.”

“Your job will be waiting.”

Becky approached and scrunched up her nose disapprovingly. She’d obviously caught the last of their conversation and didn’t like it.

“What job?”

“I’m going to help Uncle Derrick at Flannigan’s when I go to college.”

My ex-wife pursed her lips, and I silently willed her to let it go. It was seven years away, for fuck’s sake.

But of course, she wouldn’t.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, baby.”

Britt’s voice got small as she asked, “Why not?”

Derrick’s, on the other hand, got louder while he crossed his arms menacingly across his chest.

“Yeah, why not? My waitresses make damn good money, and their schedules are flexible around their class schedules. Plus, she’ll be working for me, so she’ll basically be able to do whatever she wants.” He gave my ex a “fuck you” smile and continued. “I’m a big believer in nepotism.”

Becky returned the “fuck you” smile.

“Well, that doesn’t surprise me, considering…”

Both Derrick’s and my eyebrows shot up, and she wisely didn’t continue her thought.

This is where I would have dropped it and gone about ignoring her.

But not my baby brother.

“Considering what, Becky?”

She glanced at Brittany, who seemed enthralled watching the whole exchange.

“Nothing.”

Now I was silently willing Derrick to drop it.

Alas…

“It’s not nothing. You started to say something; please continue.”

Becky had never been one not to take the bait. Things hadn’t changed.

She planted her hand on her hip and jutted her jaw toward us.

“I was going to say I’m not surprised you’re a big fan of nepotism, considering how you were able to afford the bar in the first place.

You never would have gotten it off the ground without Maverick’s help.

” She cast a glance in my direction, but since I hadn’t said a word, it seemed she decided to spare me from her wrath.

At the moment .

Derrick shrugged, like he had no fucks to give on Becky’s behalf. I knew I was going to be the one paying for that later, one way or another.

“What can I say, our family’s awesome.” He dropped his arms to his side and winked at Britt. “You’re lucky you’re a Mitchell. Don’t ever forget that.”

Becky’s face grew even more sour while my daughter beamed up at my baby brother like he was a rockstar.

“I won’t.”

No sooner had they gone back to their chairs, when we heard, “Uncle D!” Brayden looked at us from the sidelines with a big smile. “You made it!”

Derrick raised his fist.

“Heck yeah! I wouldn’t have missed it! Score a goal!”

“I’ll try!”

My brother dropped into the chair I’d brought for him and cast me a sideways glance as he buffed his nails on his shirt.

“What can I say? They love their Uncle Derrick.”

“Much as I wish I could, I can’t even argue.”

“I mean, what’s not to love, right?”

“Yeah, sure.”

His face fell and he leaned further back in his chair, taking obvious offense.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I’m sure there are plenty of women who could think of a few things.”

He pawed at the air, as if dismissing my words .

“I never lie to anyone. They all know the score. It’s not my fault if they choose to think they’re going to be the exception. You know as well as I do that there are—”

“No exceptions,” I supplied for him.

It was a matter in which we usually agreed.

Only, I found myself considering making a business exception for a hot seventh-grade English teacher.

And I couldn’t help but think it wasn’t just about business that I wanted to bend my rules.

“Hey, speaking of being lucky to have you for my brother…”

He narrowed his eyes at me. “I never said those words, exactly.”

“Well, do you think you could help me load some cabinets into my truck after the game?”