Tap (Men of Lovibond 1)

“Savannah. You invited yourself to go so you could see her.”

No need in lying about it. “I had to know if we were feeling the same thing.”

“I assume you were or we wouldn’t be here having this conversation now.”

Stout swishes his hand back and forth toward us. “What is this? And I swear to God I’ll kick your ass if you say fuck buddies.”

Wren takes my hand again. “We’re in a relationship.”

“You’re there and he’s here.” It sounds impossible.

“We’re making it work for now.”

“Lawry, I need to talk to Tap alone, please.”

She releases my hand and walks toward the kitchen, touching Stout’s shoulder as she passes. “Be nice.”

He sinks into my recliner. “I’m so pissed off at you right now.”

We knew this was coming so time to face the music. “I have nothing but good intentions where Lawrence is concerned.”

“To hell with your good intentions. What happens when you’re done with her and break her heart?”

“I won’t break her heart. I swear.”

“Lawrence is strong. She had to be with the way we were raised in the early years but she can be guarded. That means when she decides to love, it isn’t halfway. She’ll love you with all her heart.”

“That’s one of the things I love about her. Her genuineness.”

“Love? Are you even capable of such?” Stout is right to ask me if I am even capable of love because up until now, I hadn’t thought I was.

When Stout first met me I was jaded. I never cheated on the women I fucked—how could you when you only offer one night? But I had been blasé about women. Angry perhaps? Needing separation from the clusterfuck my life had become.

And now there is Wren. Beautiful, insightful, amazing Wren.

No other woman has caused me to want more. No other woman has caused my heart to crack at the thought of not having her in my life. Hot as fuck? Yes, absolutely. But she is so real. She understands me, and accepts all the shit in my life. We are a good fit.

“I know you think I’m full of shit, and incapable of love, but this is different than anything I’ve ever experienced. She’s different.”

“Shit, you’re serious.”

“I didn't want to fall in love, not at all. But at some point she smiled, and damn . . . I think I’m a goner.” I’m not sure why I said I think. I know I am. “I did you a huge favor once. You told me you owed me big time. All I had to do was name what I wanted and you’d make it happen. I’m collecting. And I want Wren.”

“Well, fuck me. I don’t know what to say to that.”

“Say you’ll trust me with your sister. Give us your blessing.” Not that we need it but Stout’s support would make things a lot easier.

He leans forward and rests his head in his hands. Saying nothing. Hopefully he’s thinking it over.

He sighs loudly when he finally lifts his head. “I can’t give you my trust or blessing right now but I will give you a chance. Do not fuck her over. And do not let her down. She’s had enough of that in her life.”

There’s an underlying smile threatening to break through his tough exterior. But it’s all a front. He’s happy about this. I see it in his eyes even if he doesn’t want to admit it.

It’s not his trust or blessing but I’ll take it. “I swear I won’t let her down.”

“You better not. Trust me, I will take it out on your ass if you make me sorry I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt.” There’s that smirk I’m used to seeing.

“I understand.”

“And you have to tell her everything about your marriage and your history with women so she isn’t going into this blind.”

“As I told you on our trip back from Savannah, she knows everything and has since the first weekend we met. I’ve been very open. It isn’t an issue for her.”

“You’re aware there will be problems between us if this goes down in flames because of you?” I have no doubt.

“I gave that a lot of consideration before I chose to pursue her. I didn’t make that decision lightly; I value our friendship and partnership.”

Stout swears beneath his breath and chuckles.

“What is it?”

“Porter is going to be pissed off. He’s wanted her for years but I told him she was hands-off. Well, I told you that, too, but a hell of a lot of good that did.”

Speaking of being pissed off. “There’s something else. I want this to work with Lawrence, and if it does, I didn’t want a lie to be between us.”

His eyes narrow. “What did you do?”

“I had to tell her about the texts.”

He fists the top of his hair and growls. “Oh, fuck, Tap. What did you say about it?”

“The truth but it’s all cool.”

“I fucking doubt that.” He stares at me with wide eyes. “Lawry would never think a DUI is cool.”

“She was pretty mad about that part but I explained everything about the program and why. She didn’t really act that upset about it but I’m sure she’ll want to discuss it now that it’s out in the open.” He gave her too little credit.

“It’s awesome you want to be honest from the start, but dude, you broke bro code.”

And I’d do it again. “It’s the only way to be. I don’t want anything biting me in the ass a few months, or a year, from now.”

“A year?” Everybody says that.

“It could happen.” And I hope it does.

“Can I be there when you tell Porter? I want to see his face.” I bet he does. I’m not crazy about the thought of Porter having a thing for Wren. But he’s my friend and I don’t expect problems now that we’re coming out.

“Ask him to come watch the game? There’s plenty of food.”

“Yeah. I’ll text him.” Stout’s phone swooshes when he finishes typing. “We haven’t done anything together outside of work in a while.”

I call out to Wren. “Come back in here, baby.”

“That’s weird hearing you call my sister that.” It’s probably going to take some getting used to.

Wren sinks into the sofa next to me. “I see everyone is still in one piece.”

“He went easy on me.”

“Only because he was very convincing about how much he cares for you.”

Wren wraps her arm around mine and presses her cheek to my bicep. “I’m crazy about this guy.”

Stout’s phone beeps. “Porter’s in. He’ll be here in ten.”

He releases the latch and extends the foot of my recliner. “Porter finding out about the two of you should be fun. He’s been wanting to ask Lawry out since our sophomore year but I told him to forget it.”

She’s still hands-off, but for a different reason now. This girl’s mine.

Stout closes the footrest of my recliner and heads toward the kitchen. “I’m getting some of my sister’s dynamite guacamole.” He’s right. The stuff is damn addicting.

Vegan or not, Wren can tear it up in the kitchen.

“Want a beer and something to eat?”

“Yeah. I think I can manage to keep something down now we have that behind us.”

I hadn’t realized she was so nervous. “You were that worried about Stout?”

“I was worried for you and your partnership. I didn’t want to cause a rift between you.”

“Judging by his face, he’s quite pleased with our union.” Jackass was all bark and no bite when it came to warning me to stay away from Wren.

“You’re kidding me.”

“Not a bit.”

“He wants me to be happy. And I think it’s pretty easy to see that’s what I have with you.”

I kiss the tip of her nose. “Ditto.”

I get up and pull Wren with me. “Come on. I want some guacamole before Stout finishes it off.”

I’m going into the fridge for another beer when Porter comes into the house. “Want a beer?”

“I’ll

take an IPA if you have it.”

I toss the glass bottle across the kitchen and Porter gracefully reaches out to catch it one-handed.

Wren’s eyes widen. “Shit. Y’all are about dangerous.”