weren’t a big deal and our discussion was over, but it sure as fuck wasn’t.
I’d seen how he looked at her. I’d also noted how she’d flirted with him. That would have to end.
“Bryan.” I gripped his arm. “We’ve been through a lot of shit together, haven’t we?”
He nodded.
“And I’ve always had your back, haven’t I?” I asked pointedly.
“Yeah, but I really don’t see what this has to do with—”
“Took that stint in juvie after you wrecked my old man’s car,” I said quickly, cutting him off. A possessiveness I’d never felt about any chick unfurled inside me, and I blasted him with it. “Did all that AA counseling bullshit. Still doing the community service hours.”
Looking reluctant but resigned, Bryan nodded. He knew I’d done all that for him, and more. I did it because I loved him like a brother, but that didn’t negate the fact that he owed me.
Maybe it was a shitty move. Obviously, he had a history with Lace, and maybe a major case of the hots like I did, but he had a home, two sisters, and a mom who gave a fuck about him. I deserved dibs on this girl.
“I saw how you looked at her, man.” Because Bryan was a brother and always would be, I gave it to him real. “But I don’t want you coming between me and this chick, understand? This one’s mine.”
My final word on the matter delivered, I turned from him and went to get her.
“Hey, babe.” I put my arm around Lace.
Her brother didn’t like it. Frowning, he said in a warning voice, “War.”
“It’s okay, Diz,” she said in that insanely sexy voice of hers. “I’ve got this.” She removed my arm from her shoulder and flung it back at me. “I don’t know who you think you are, Warren Jinkins.”
“Just who you said.” My lips quirked. I liked how she threw sass and didn’t back down from me. “But most people just call me War.”
“Yes, well, I’m not your babe.” Pissed, she glared at me, her amber eyes practically glowing. “And you’re not anything to me.”
“Not yet.” Undeterred, I leaned in, capturing a silky lock of her hair and rubbing it between my fingers before brushing it over her shoulder.
“You . . . I . . .” Sputtering, she blinked fast as her gaze darkened and her nostrils flared.
She might be mad, but she was attracted to me—both now and earlier at school. I knew the signs. I knew chicks, knew how to get them to give me what I wanted, and it was going to be my mission to know this one better than any of them.
“You and me, Lacey.” I dipped my gaze to her pretty mouth, and she wet her lips. Oh, hell yeah, she was into me. “Let’s go somewhere and talk. Privately.”
“I thought we were getting ready to play some tunes.” Dizzy interrupted, smoothing out his scowl when I met his eyes. “Lace is a vocalist. She writes lyrics. She’s proficient on keyboards and guitar.”
“That’s interesting.” I gave her another scan, an approving one like my first. There were lots of reasons to keep her around besides the obvious.
“When did you take up piano?” Bryan asked Lace, rejoining our group.
“The counselor recommended it as a way to process . . . stuff.” Her features tightened as she stared at him.
What happened to require counseling? Does Bryan know?
“She’s been in lessons ever since we moved in with our uncle.” Looking more like a proud papa than a brother, Dizzy crossed his arms over his chest. “There’s an old upright inside the house. It’s not much, and it’s always out of tune. But it’s a piano, and she’s its master.”
“That’s cool,” Bryan said, turning his body into her. “You must really enjoy playing, if you’ve continued with it all these years.”
“I do, and lessons are expensive, but I have a part-time job that covers the cost. I just think better when my fingers are on the keys.” She shrugged, and my gaze dipped to her tits.
“That’s how I feel about my guitar.” Bryan’s gaze rose slowly. Totally checking her out too, he moved even closer.
“Where do you work?” I asked, insinuating myself between her and him.
“Janet’s Design,” Lace said.
“The consignment shop on the Ave.” I tilted my head. “How’s the pay?”
“It barely pays anything, but Janet gives me first pick of the clothes that come in.” Her expression brightening, Lace seemed to have shaken off whatever had bothered her before.
“So you sing, huh?”