Tap (Men of Lovibond 1)

“Twenty-nine.” I thought as much.

“I need to hear about you if I’m to consider you someone I know.” He glances at his watch. “But I’m afraid I need to return to the booth. I have a meeting in five minutes.”

He looks up at me. Is that remorse I see in his expression?

Damn. I wish I could see his eyes behind those dark shades.

He smiles, a small half smile that does wobbly things to my insides. He leans forward and licks his lips. “I’m certain that isn’t long enough to learn everything I’d like to know about you.”

I admit I struggle to take a breath after that. He must know how sexy he is and has probably used that line before. Lucas Broussard is a flirt. A huge, obviously practiced one.

“I’m as simple as they come.” I hold out my arms, palms side up. “What you see is what you get with me. I could probably tell you everything in under a minute.”

“I seriously doubt that.”

I look over at the booth behind his back. “I think they’re looking for you.”

He twists in his chair for a glance. “That’s my next appointment.” He turns back to me. “So what’s it gonna be, Lawrence? Are you staying or going?”

I could go back to Ollie’s, gather my things, and be home before bedtime. But I don’t think that’s what I want to do. “I’ll think about it while you have your meeting.”

“Good.” He gets up to leave. “One more thing. Since you asked me, it only seems fair . . . how old are you?”

“Thirty-one.” And three-quarters.

“Hmm . . . okay.” What does that mean?

He’s only a few steps away when he turns and calls out to me. “I hope you decide to stay.”

Staying is a definite temptation. Let’s see. Get back in the car and drive six hours to Savannah. Stay right where I am and thoroughly enjoy some Cajun man-candy. Hmm. Should I?

Yes, I think I should.

Lucas Broussard

Lawrence Thorn’s presence and the vibration of Stout’s phone in my back pocket simultaneously distract me. I can barely concentrate on what my customer is saying because I’m sure it’s her blowing up his phone.

It was a mistake to encourage Lawrence to stay. Her company is only going to further muddle the already murky waters of what I’m doing for Stout. This is wrong. He shouldn’t have asked me to do this to his sister. And I shouldn’t have agreed.

I went along with Stout’s plan when Lawrence Thorn was some faceless person I didn’t know and would likely never meet. But now I have met her.

And I like her.

I’m interested.

I want to know her better.

I gesture for my dispensation guy to come over. “This is Matt. He’s in charge of distribution, so I’m going to pass you off to him. He’ll take care of your every need.” I lift a brow and give Matt a quick nod, my cue for him to charm the pants off our new client.

I look at the time and find I’m free for a little while. Good. I plan to spend that time getting to know Lawrence, but first I must tend to her latest call, voicemail, and string of texts.

Hey loser. Surprise! I’m in Birmingham. I’m at your house so don’t come home and mistake me for an intruder. I’d hate for you to shoot me, bro.

Shit. This text is from last night. I was so busy I completely missed it.

Where are you?

* * *

I just met Lucas. He says you left town to see a friend in Memphis.

* * *

What friend? What’s going on? I’m worried.

I have to be careful with the way I handle this or the shit is going to get deep fast. I need to be clear enough to answer her adequately but vague enough to avoid a problem.

I’m in Memphis with a friend from college. One you’ve never met. He’s having a hard time. I came to check on him b/c I was afraid he might do something stupid. Don’t worry about me. I’m fine. I can’t believe you came to town to surprise me. Wish I were there.

I hope that sounds like something Stout would say. And hopefully it’s the right words to put an end to her worries.

I’m bummed I missed you but thinking about staying for the festival. Looks like fun.

I type out a message but hesitate before sending it. Fuck, it would be so wrong of me to answer Lawrence as her brother and tell her to stay because it’s what I want.

Wrong or not, I press send.

You should stay and have fun. Porter and Lucas will make sure you have a good time.

I include Porter’s name in the message so it’ll seem more authentic. I’m sure Stout would be dependent on him to take care of his sister in his absence.

I haven’t talked to Porter yet but Lucas seems very nice.

Nice. I’ll take it.

How would Stout respond? I’d like to think he’d tell Lawrence I am a nice guy but it feels wrong to build myself up to her.

Let me know if they don’t treat you right. I’ll kick their asses.

That seems like a legit brotherly response.

Will do. Call when you can. Miss you. Love you.

Good. She’s ending this run of texting.

I will. Love you too. Have a great time.

It feels so strange every time I type “love you.”

I can leave things in Molly’s hands for a bit. “Hey, Molly. I’m going to step away from the booth for a little while. I’ll be at a table under the trees if you need me or you can shoot me a text.”

“Sure. I’ll let you know if you’re needed.”

“Thanks.”

I’m walking toward Lawrence when I see Porter has joined her. It would be a fucking disaster if he’s blown my story about Stout’s whereabouts. He really should have checked with me before talking to her so we could get our stories straight.

I place a hand on Porter’s shoulder and squeeze when I reach the table. “Hey, man. You’re supposed to be working. Not hanging out with a pretty girl in the shade.”

“No ordinary pretty girl here.” I’d agree with that.

I don’t know what Porter has said but I need to cue him to the explanation I’ve already given Lawrence. Damn. We should have fabricated this lie together so we’d both be straight. “Damn shame Stout left yesterday to go to Memphis to check on his friend going through the divorce.”

“The whole thing is so weird, Porter. I’ve never heard him mention a word about a friend from Memphis. Do you know who he went to see?” I can’t mistake the concern in Lawrence’s tone.

Porter comes to full attention, looking at me and then back at Lawrence. “It’s Raleigh, one of our frat brothers from AU. The poor guy is not coping well. Stout was . . . worried so he drove up to check on him.” Good job, Porter.

“I guess he understands what his friend is going through because of what happened with Eden. Damn, that woman did a number on my brother.” Lawrence doesn’t know the half of it. The effects of that betrayal sent Stout into a three-month party spiral, which I blame for the DUI. He would never have done anything like that prior to his breakup with Eden.

Porter chuckles. “Want to hear something funny? Eden’s cousin drives one of our delivery trucks. I saw him earlier this week and he told me the man she was cheating with has already left her for someone else.”

Lawrence nods. “Everything in life is a matter of cause and effect. She suffers today for yesterday’s wrongdoings. I bet she’s seeing now how good she had it with my brother. He treated her well so I’m worried she’ll try to weasel her way back into his life.”

Stout’s not stupid. He recognizes the damage left in her aftermath. “Won’t happen. Eden’s been a lesson well learned for him.”

“Are you seeing anyone?” Porter asks. No. She’s single and loving it. Doing what she wants, whenever she likes. Same as me.

“Nope. Free as a bird.” I heard Lawrence tell Stout she’s single and loving it but her expression says something else.

“It would be hard for me to picture you any other way.” Port

er hits the home button on his phone. “It’s almost three. I’ve gotta run but we have to get together later. It’s been too long since we’ve caught up.”

I’ll be the odd man out if I don’t speak up. “We should do dinner.”

Porter frowns. “Can’t tonight. Already made plans with Perry from Yankee Brewery.” That does not break my heart.

“That’s too bad. I hope we can find some time to catch up before I go home.”

“When are you going back?” As long as she doesn’t text Stout while I’m with her, it should be sweet.

Lawrence looks at me before answering. “I’ve made arrangements to stay through Monday morning.”

“We’ll definitely get together tomorrow.” I’m surprised Porter didn’t jump at the chance to spend time with Lawrence. I had the impression he might have a thing for her. Maybe not.

Lawrence’s smile curls but the corners are pinched. “What is it?”

“These festivals are all about getting together and having a good time, so how is it possible you don’t have dinner plans?”

“Who says I don’t?” Of course I have plans but those can always change.

I can’t see her eyes but I strongly suspect they’re narrowed behind those sunglasses. “Don’t tell me you’re canceling on someone to keep me company.”

“Okay. I won’t tell you.”

She inhales deeply and loudly exhales. “Lucas, that makes me feel terrible. I can’t let you do that.”

“It’s a group thing with some other breweries. No big deal. I see them all the time so they won’t miss me. Promise.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.”