Velyn, snap out of it; he’s an ass!
“You’re a jerk,” I let out in frustration.
He laughs, his eyes roaming rhythmically over my body. “And you’re feisty. But as much as I’m enjoying this oh, mousy one, I need to get to class. So much to your misfortune, I’m going to have to cut this delightful encounter short.”
Mousy one? What the—
He slides by me, lightly brushing his chest against mine and heads down the walkway. But before he gets too far, he turns around. “Chase, I’ll be waiting in the parking lot after class for you. Don’t be late, or I’m letting your ass walk home, little brother,” he finishes with a chuckle, then heads on his way.
Eyes wide, I turn to Chase. “He’s your brother? Why on earth did you let me go off on him like that if you guys were just goofing around?”
Chase shrugs. “In all fairness, I tried to tell you, but you kept cutting me off. And honestly, I was quite enjoying watching my brother have his ass chewed out.”
“You know I have half a mind to put you in a headlock myself,” I scold.
He chuckles, offering a goofy brow wiggle. “I actually might enjoy that.”
“Don’t push it, little boy,” I groan, finally allowing the embarrassment to fade away.
Already running late because of the attempt to defend my new friends’ honor, I turn to Chase. “I’ll see you in Econ tomorrow?”
“Be there or be square.”
I look to him, amused. “What are you? Forty?”
“Nope, just bringing back the oldies,” he replies as a sweet smile of innocence lingers at his lips. “See you tomorrow, Velyn.”
He sends me off with a mock salute, and as I watch him walk away, I can’t help but shake my head, thinking what an odd little character—yep, we’re most definitely going to be the best of friends.
It’s shortly after eleven when I arrive at the diner, and the place is already out the door busy with
people. I quickly make my way past the line, shuffling in behind the counter and taking over the till for Joan.
“Perfect timing,” she says, then without a second of delay heads off to take orders from the tables while I work the counter.
After wrapping my apron around my waist, I look up to the next person in line—blondie!
You have got to be kidding me.
“I thought you had class,” I mention, still somewhat annoyed that he let me play out that little scene before making it known he was Chases’ brother.
“I do, but a man has to eat,” he replies.
“What can I get you?”
He looks up to the board above my head. “I’ll have the twelve-inch meatball sub, a large fry, an order of onion rings…oh, and maybe throw in some of those cinnamon twist things.”
I look past him just over his shoulder; following my line of sight, he asks, “What are you looking at?”
Brow raised; I look back to him. “Just checking to see if you brought the football team in with you.”
He lets out a full laugh, crossing his arms over his puffed chest. “Are you insinuating I overeat?”
I shrug, taking in his perfectly toned body. “Hey, if you're all about the empty calories served up
on a cardiac platter, then don’t let my observations stop you.” He pops out his chest a little more lightly, flexing his arms just enough to make it known that he’s in impeccable shape. I cock my brow, rolling my eyes. “That’ll be fifteen-eighty.”
Handing me a twenty, I give him the change. “You can pick up your order at the end of the counter—next.”
He shifts down to the end so I can take the next order, but his eyes never leave me. By the time his food’s ready, the line has thinned out, and I finish up with the last customer.
He walks over as I grab a cloth to wipe down the counter. “I’m having a little get together this weekend. Chase usually just stays up in his room; he doesn’t care much for my friends, but maybe if he had a friend there of his own, he’d like it more.”
I look up to him. “Yeah, I’ll have to decline. I’m not much of the party going type.”
“Come on, everyone likes a party now and again,” he replies.
I shoot him a smile. “Nope, not me. Besides, I already have plans.”
“No, you don’t,” Joan lets out as she passes by.
“Um, yes, I do. Remember?” I turn to her, exaggerating a wink.
Joan completely ignores my signal and looks over my shoulder. “She’s free.”
“Thanks, Joan,” I groan softly under my breath, then turn back to blondie.
“Great, I’ll have Chase give you the address,” he says. “Oh, and the name’s Dylan, just in case you were wondering.”
“I wasn’t.”
Just as he turns to leave, a little cocky smirk appears on his face. “Not yet anyway.”
I swear, if it weren’t for the view of his perfectly toned ass as he walks out, I would’ve thought he had no redeemable qualities.
“Oh, he’s most certainly not horrible to look at,” Joan comments as she walks up beside me.
I turn to her. “I’m not talking to you, traitor.”
She laughs, keeping her eyes locked on the door until he’s entirely out of sight. “Oh, that’s okay, I have a funny feeling you’ll be thanking me soon enough.”
Chapter 3 Dylan
I’m relaxing on the couch going over today’s class notes when Chase walks through the living room, being his usual cheerful self.
“Pizza’s on the counter,” I call out as he makes his way
