“Really?” Of course he checked into him. This time I’m not annoyed with his overprotectiveness. Not when it comes to my brother. I want to know these things too. It’s sweet he’s looking out for him. Though it does make me worry a bit that he's doing all of this out of some sense of him being a good man. And not because of me at all.
“I’ve met the kid a few times. He’s got a crush on you.” Kane shakes his head as if he hates the idea.
There it is. I don’t know if he’s jealous or doing his big brother act. Oftentimes Kane lingers when he drops me off. He and Carter talk sometimes, and Drake is around some of those times too.
“You think everyone is checking me out or trying to get into my pants. I—” I stop speaking when the waitress reappears at our table to drop off my strawberry shake and the water Kane demanded I get. I know I need it, but when he orders me to do something I always find myself pushing back. I love giving him a hard time, and I think he likes it as well.
At first, I thought I pushed back because I was pissed that he was always trying to boss me around, but over time, I’ve come to the conclusion that I enjoy poking at Kane. I can’t help myself. He’s the giant red button that has the sign don’t push. But I find myself slamming my hand down on it.
“Your food will be out shortly,” the server says, batting her lashes at Kane. He’s not even looking her way to see it. A small huff leaves her before she turns and leaves the table.
“Everyone is trying to get into your pants.” That’s rich of him to say. Considering the waitress is ready to fall into his lap or to her knees. I’m sure whatever he asked of her, she’d be more than willing to give.
“Whatever.” I laugh.
“And that’s what makes them want you more. You have no idea how alluring you are.”
“Do you find me alluring?” I ask, leaning in to take a sip of my shake and using my liquid courage to get some answers out of him.
Kane is the only man in the world that brings out my shy side. That might be because he’s the first one I’ve truly ever crushed on. I have to admit that it’s brought up insecurities I didn’t know I had. The fear of getting my heart broken is at the top of the list. I’ve lost both of my parents. I don’t think I can do any more heartbreak. Not to mention I don’t have the time for it, either.
“Yes,” he says simply. I guess there’s not a shy bone in Kane’s body.
“But you don’t want to do anything about it?”
“I shouldn’t do anything about it is more like it,” he responds, only confusing me further. Why can’t he? His reply only knocks the lid off those insecurities of mine.
Is it because I’m kind of a single mom taking care of my brother? Or that I work at a bar? Maybe it’s that I come from the wrong side of the tracks compared to him. All these thoughts rush through my mind. If I had to bet, I would put my money on the last one. I don’t even think Kane and I fit. He’s going to marry a Stepford wife and have two babies and a white picket fence somewhere in suburbia.
Not going to lie. I can see a bit of the appeal to that cookie cutter life. I don’t think I’d mind a picket fence and to have some of Kane’s babies if I was picking out a husband.
“Right.” I lean back in my seat, trying to put as much space between us as I can.
“Addilyn.”
“Pink, Kane. Everyone calls me Pink,” I say, cutting him off.
“Fuck, you misunderstood what I said.”
“Nah, I got it. Loud and clear.”
“Here we go.” The waitress pops up out of nowhere with our food.
This time I’m thankful for her interruption. I waste no time and dig into my meal. My hunger is gone at this point, but I know Kane isn’t going to let me out of this diner until I eat something. We basically eat in silence for the rest of the meal.
When the waitress comes back to drop the bill on the table, I’m out of my seat the second she turns to leave. “Here's my share. I’m going to use the bathroom.” I drop a twenty down.
“You’re not paying,” he grits out.
“Fine.” I snatch the money back up. I’m not fighting with him. “Meet you at the truck.” I dart to the bathroom, killing a few minutes while he pays the bill. I check my phone to make sure my brother is still at Drake’s house. He was supposed to be staying there after the movie they went to see. Some new video game came out. I’m sure they’ll be up late playing it.