Double The Ache

“So you know about them? About how they—”

My dad holds his hand up to halt me. “I put it together between yesterday and today.” The room falls silent for a moment, and I could die of embarrassment. Mother and I never talked about sex. She’d try to get me to date people she wanted to set me up with, but we never talked about other things that went along with dating. “You’re an adult, Melly. But as your dad I don’t want you to be hurt or taken advantage of.”

“You think they’d do that?” I ask. I want his opinion on this.

“Hell if I know. They seem like good boys.” I want to laugh that my dad keeps calling them boys. “But I don’t think you’ve dated much.” I nod in agreement. “Then maybe this date tonight might be good for you. See what’s out there. There’s no rush.”

After last night I’m not sure Wes and Dean would agree with that. And after what my dad said I know for sure he didn’t ask them to watch out for me last night at the club. I’d pretty much pieced that together over breakfast, but it’s good to know it was their own doing. They’re territorial.

They would probably be pissed if they knew I have a date tonight.

“Go on the date, Melly.” My dad stands from his chair. “Make sure you meet him wherever you’re going; don’t ask him to come here. Go somewhere busy, and then come home alone.”

I fight my eyeroll. Instead I walk over and hug my dad. I love how he’s always on my team. He’s so different from my mother.

“I’ll get out of here so you can finish getting ready.”

“Thanks, Dad.” I walk him to the door and open it for him.

When I do, I stare at Wes and Dean’s door for a moment. I debate once again canceling my plans for drinks. I wonder if they’re inside lounging on their sofa and watching Netflix. That sounds like so much more fun than having an awkward first date.

I wave goodbye to my dad and close the door. Glancing over at the clock, I see I’m supposed to meet Mason in twenty minutes.

“Crap.” I rush to my bedroom to get ready. It’s way too late to cancel and it’s only drinks. I’ll have one and then leave. Making small talk should be easy enough.

Stripping off my clothes, I grab the rose-pink dress I laid out, then slip my feet into a pair of flats. I grab my purse from the sofa, snatch my phone from the counter, and head out. When I get to the front of the building, I hail the first taxi I see and hop in. The place isn’t far, but I don’t know my way around, so walking isn’t an option.

The taxi pulls up outside of a casino. I hop out and wander inside. I go over to a map and try to find the bar I’m looking for. This place is huge. As I stand there, I feel someone watching me and I glance back over my shoulder.

A big figure catches my eye. Wes. He’s not looking at me but somewhere off to the left and he’s shaking his head. Did he follow me?

No, there’s no way. He’s not even looking my way. I try to see what he’s staring at and why he’s shaking his head. Then I see Dean pop out from behind a sign. Clearly Dean is hiding from something, and Wes wants no part of it.

I turn back around and study the map to find where I’m going. I give a small glance over my shoulder one more time to see Dean grabbing Wes, trying to pull him behind the sign with him. I have to fight a smile.

I pretend not to notice as I make my way through the casino. I stop every now and then to pretend to look at something, and every time I spot them not too far behind me. Dean’s trying to hide and Wes shakes his head like Dean is being ridiculous.

I should be irritated, but all I can think is how adorable this is. They’re both impossibly large. How could they not stand out in a crowd?

When I get to the bar, I glance around.

“Miss Green?” the hostess asks. She’s in a short dress that looks like what you might wear to a club. I glance around, wondering if I’m underdressed, but it doesn’t look like it compared to the atmosphere. I remind myself this is Vegas and most of the women dress like this daily.

“Yes,” I say, giving her a smile.

“Right this way.” I follow her and spot Mason as we get closer to the table.

He looks just like his profile picture. He stands and I think he’s going to hug me, so I hold out my hand. He smiles, taking it and bringing it to his mouth. He places a kiss on it and an uneasy feeling rumbles in my stomach. The kiss on my hand feels wrong. It’s nothing like when Wes’s and Dean’s lips where on me.