Old Ink (Get Ink'd #3) - Ali Lyda Page 0,39

the dive and winning me some cash.”

I rolled my eyes hard. “So glad I could help you out.”

Dane smirked at me and gave a silly two-fingered salute. But Christian was still sitting quietly.

“Is this okay?” I asked him. My chest was tight as I waited for his answer. His opinion would have more sway than the entire shop’s combined. For as much as Christian and I had originally butted heads, he was smart as hell, and I trusted his gut feelings.

My brother got off of the couch and walked over to me, pulling me into a hug. “I can’t help but be a little nervous, but I’m happy for you. I know how you’ve felt about Reagan, for so long now. And you’ve proven yourself mature and an adult. You’re one of the most responsible, thoughtful young men I know, Channing.”

I squeezed him back, but inside? Inside I was crumbling again. Way to take the wind from my sails, Christian. I mean, obviously it was great that he was okay with my dating Reagan. It made me feel loved and supported, in a way I’d never really expected growing up.

But mature and responsible? Those words brought the truth crashing back around me: I still hadn’t told him about changing majors. I hadn’t let him know he’d just thrown at least two years of tuition down the drain on me because I was being wishy-washy and changing my mind. Hell, I hadn’t even changed it yet, because I had no fucking clue what I wanted to do!

And then Christian poured salt in the wound he didn’t even know was there by adding, “I trust you to do what’s best for you. I don’t want you to become invested, and then have things not work out. I just want the best for you, and shifting gears can be scary.”

Brother, don’t I know it.

It probably was a good moment to talk about the whole college thing, but the words just didn’t come. Instead, I hugged him again, wanting to soak up this moment—this feeling—for as long as I could. He was the best brother and I just...I wasn’t ready to let him down again.

Christian had worked so hard for me. He’d put up with me when I’d been a proper ass to him, pushed me to stay in school and pursue college, and comforted me when life tried to knock me back down. He’d been the first steady male figure in my life, and that made him precious to me. But our relationship had been hard won, and I’d made a lot of mistakes along the way.

How understanding could I expect him to be? When he’d invested a large amount of time and now, money, into me, how could I throw that back in his face? He was clearly trying hard to wrap his mind around this thing with Reagan.

I was terrified that my indecision with school might be the tipping point that would shatter everything.

11

Reagan

“We expect him back at 10:00 p.m., mister.”

“And don’t go parking. Our young flower is too precious for your evil ways—believe me, we know all the tricks in the book.”

“Open the door and be a gentleman.”

On and on Christian and Dane went, egging each other to get more creative and absurd as they teased me—even if I wasn’t totally sure that all their threats were baseless. I was waiting with them in the foyer while Channing finished getting ready upstairs. I’d told him we weren’t doing anything fancy, but I was in a clean, black t-shirt devoid of holes and pressed, dark jeans. Nothing too special, but I wanted to make sure I looked as nice as possible.

My beard was brushed and oiled and I was wearing cologne. It felt strange and exciting to have someone worth putting extra effort into, and knowing he was doing the same for me sent my pulse racing.

Channing charged down the stairs a moment later, his body a powerhouse of speed and control. It reminded me of a cheetah, all lean strength and quickness. He hurried toward his brothers with narrowed eyes. “You guys promised me you wouldn’t.”

“My fingers were crossed,” Dane said, going to ruffle Channing’s hair. Channing expertly dodged out of reach.

“We’re going now. Please don’t make this worse.”

It was clear how much love Dane had for Channing. The bond that had formed between them was steel-strong. It occurred to me then how messy this could get. Channing and I were figuring this out, but if it went bad? I