David Simpson, my cousin from Uncle Bryce and Aunt Marjorie, stands beside me.
“It’s never going to happen, bro,” Dave says.
I feign innocence. “What’s never going to happen?”
“You and Rory Pike.”
“She likes men.”
“That’s not what I’m talking about. She’s out of your league.”
I have to stop myself from erupting in laughter. “Out of my league?”
“Prom queen, homecoming queen… Not to mention all the men here—and quite a few women—have their eyes on her.”
“Have you forgotten who you’re talking to? I seem to remember beating you out for prom king our year.”
“By one vote.”
“One vote is all it takes.”
“This isn’t high school anymore, cuz. Most of her serious relationships have been with women, from what I hear.”
“Do I look like I’m planning for a serious relationship?”
Dave laughs. “That’s my point. Everyone knows you’re not looking for a serious relationship. But Rory Pike is older. Closing in on thirty. She most likely is looking for something beyond a quick fuck at your place. That’s why she’s out of your league.”
“So that’s what you meant. I knew you couldn’t mean I’m not good-looking enough for her.”
Dave rolls his eyes. “You are the absolute worst.”
“Yeah? I never denied it, man. I’m going for it.”
“Not if I get to her first.” Dave smiles.
My cousin looks exactly like his mother—with his chiseled face and dark-brown hair—except he’s got his father’s blue eyes. Me? I’m a dead ringer for my father, Jonah Steel. Nearly black hair and dark-brown eyes. Dave and I have been fighting over women since we were big enough to toddle up to the swings on the playground.
We even shared a woman once back in college. Yeah, a threesome. It was hot, but we never did it again. Too weird seeing each other naked. But damn, the woman had a great time. Two men focused solely on her. Her moans alone were worth the effort.
I’m sure as hell not going to share Rory Pike with anyone—especially not my male model cousin. He’s too fucking pretty. Me? I’m more ruggedly handsome—according to women, anyway. Chicks like that. At least that’s what they say.
Of course they like pretty boys like Dave too.
Which is why I’m not letting him near Rory Pike.
Last I saw Rory, she was headed behind the stage. The band is probably getting ready to do a set.
Not only is Rory a looker, but she also has the voice of an angel. She’s classically trained, but damn, the girl can rock as well as Joan Jett herself.
I’ll have to get past her brother, Jesse, and the rest of the band, which includes her cousin as well. Jesse and Cage might not look too kindly on me hitting on Rory. Jesse already lost one sister to a Steel boy tonight when Donny got engaged to Callie.
Yeah, I should stay away. Definitely.
Or…definitely not.
Rory Pike is here, Rory Pike is available, Rory Pike is the hottest thing walking, and I’m horny as hell for her.
I walk behind the stage. Jesse and Cage aren’t around, which is a good thing. The drummer, Dragon Locke, is messing with some electrical cords.
“Hey, Dragon.”
“Hey, Brock.”
“Where’s Rory?”
“She went out to the van to get some stuff.”
“Yeah? Where are you all parked?”
“Out front.”
“Perfect. Thanks.”
The front of the house. No one will be at the front of the house because everyone’s back here enjoying the party. Pretty much the whole town is here to welcome my uncle Talon home from the hospital.
His shooting is always on my mind—along with the fact that my father may have been the intended target. I’m trying like hell not to let it consume me. At least not tonight. And Rory Pike could well be the soothing salve I need to get my mind off our family trouble.
I skate the perimeter of the house, head out front, and sure enough… There she is.
Rory Pike.
Her gorgeous ass in those skintight black jeans is sticking out from the back of the van.
Jesse and Cage are nowhere to be seen. I couldn’t have asked for a better setup. The time is ripe.
“Hi there,” I say.
Rory looks over her shoulder. “Oh. Hi, Brock.”
“Can I help you with anything?”
“No, I’m good. I’m looking for an extra cord.”
“What for?”
“One of the cords to our amplifier system seems to be missing. I’m not sure what happened.”
“We could probably find one inside the house.”
She sticks her head again in the back of the truck and paws through a box. Then she pulls out a cord. “No need. I found one.”
Shit. That means I won’t get her alone in the house.
“Excuse me.” She fumbles with her phone. “I have to get this back.”
“You calling someone?”
“Yeah. Jesse and Cage are on their way into town to try to find a cord. I need to let them know it’s time to come back.”
Perfect. Jesse and Cage are off the premises. I can come on to Rory without her massive brother and cousin hanging around.