Page 113 of Rockstar Baby

A muscle ticked in his temple. “Dude, I have no idea what’s spinning around in your head right now, but she’s my sister. Gross as fuck.”

“Oh. Right. Yes. Of course.”

“But even if I wasn’t her older brother, she definitely didn’t say anything complimentary about you. Short of you being a one-minute man. In and out. Wham. Bam. Done.”

I cocked my head. “I highly doubt she said that, since my staying power is—”

He pointed at the door. “Get out.”

“You’re a bloody rude sot.” I stopped in the doorway then turned to find August right behind me with blood in his eye.Myblood. I could only imagine the vicious things he would do to me for daring to soil his beloved sister.

I couldn’t even blame him.

I also couldn’t let things stand on such awful terms. If Ivy didn’t plan on dumping me for some local yuppie with a Harvard business degree, I’d be seeing August again. He was her family, and they lived together. She obviously adored her brother, and from all I’d seen, Ivy had good judgment.

Most likely, August was a decent bloke under the bluster and brotherly threats of violence. Both implied and otherwise.

“Look, we got off on the wrong foot.” I held up my hands palms out. “I only came here to make things right with Ivy. I never meant to hurt her or cause her a moment’s unhappiness, but from your attitude, clearly, I must have.”

“My ‘attitude’ is the least of what you deserve, pal. She isn’t a truck stop for you.”

I nodded. “I understand that, and I regret deeply if my behavior indicated to her I didn’t…care for her.”

“Care for her?” He cocked a brow. “Gee, don’t be so effusive. Vowels are free, just in case you missed the memo. And did it ever occur to you maybe she moved on?”

The pang in my chest nearly knocked me back a step. Was this the confirmation I’d feared? Perhaps that was exactly why I’d chosen to come here rather than to look for her at the diner.

This way, there was a chance that August would clue me in that Ivy was no longer interested. I hadn’t consciously expected him to be home on a weekday afternoon, but maybe I’d been hoping to be let down easier.

Except this wasn’t that. Not even close. Nothing could be easier when it came to Ivy—myIvy—finding someone else. Especially now that I’d finally manned up and decided I wanted to claim her.

Not like a trophy or a prize, but as the gift she was. I wanted the world to know she was mine. I wanted her to know that too.

I’d had time to think and rethink my actions. All I knew was she made me a better man. With her, I was happy. Hopeful. We had fun together and Christ almighty, she made me crazy. In every possible way.

If she allowed me back into her life, I would be a lucky man indeed.

“Yes, it occurred to me. I can’t imagine the amount of men who must want her.”

August’s face reddened. “You are a vile human. Seriously.”

It made me laugh, when I didn’t think I still could. “I’m sorry. Not appropriate considering. I’m just saying she’s a wonderful woman, and any man would be honored to have her at his side.”

August crossed his arms again and lifted a brow, clearly waiting.

“I did everything all wrong with her. Not by design. I came here for work and never expected to meet Ivy. I haven’t—” I blew out a breath. “I haven’t had many relationships, and I don’t have a clue how to do them.”

“That’s the first sensible thing you’ve said since you came in here.”

“Well, it’s brutal truth. I didn’t come to Crescent Cove looking for a girlfriend. I bitterly resented having to come here at all. But meeting Ivy is the best thing that has ever happened to me.” Shaking my head, I smiled ruefully. “Just goes to show, doesn’t it?”

“You really mean that?”

I nodded because I couldn’t speak.

“She’s a sweet woman and I don’t want her to be hurt. She thinks she’s so tough—and she is, believe you me—but she’s vulnerable too. Especially now.”

I frowned. “Why especially now? Because of me?”