Desired (Wanted 6)

I pulled up to my mother’s house and let out a deep sigh. I only prayed she’d stay sober long enough to make it to Ellie’s graduation. The likeliness of that happening was pretty slim to none.

My phone rang.

Ellie.

“Hey, I just pulled up to Mom’s. You ready for dinner?”

“I’m at Ari’s. Can you pick me up there?”

Closing my eyes, I counted to five. The last place I wanted to go was Ari’s.

“Sure. I’ll be right there.”

“Great! Thanks!”

The drive to Ari’s house only took a few minutes. When I pulled down the driveway, I saw Ellie and Ari standing out front. They were talking to two guys. Ryan was one, and I didn’t know the other guy.

I shifted my truck into park and got out, shooting a look at Ryan first and then swinging my eyes over to the other guy.

“Interrupting something?” I asked.

Ellie laughed. “No. Ryan stopped by to introduce his cousin, Thomas.”

“Trying to see if we can talk the girls into a double date tonight,” Ryan said with a shit-eating grin.

My icy stare darted over to Ari. She was dressed in shorts and a black tank top. Her hair was pulled up, and a touch of makeup covered her eyes.

She was beautiful.

And that little bastard Thomas was eye fucking the hell out of her.

Not tonight, buddy. Not tonight.

“Sorry, Ryan, I’ve already claimed them both for the evening.”

Ryan stared at me like I was insane. I could see Ari stand up a little straighter too, like this was news to her. And it was, considering I’d just invited her along without even asking.

“You’ve claimed them?” He laughed.

I took a step closer to him. “Yeah. I’ve claimed them. It’s my fucking sister and her friend, and I’m taking them both to dinner. You got a problem with that?”

Like the little pussy he was, Ryan took a few steps away from me.

Ellie stepped between us. “I already told Ryan I had plans tonight.” She turned and gave Ryan a look of warning.

“After dinner?” Ryan asked.

“We’re going to a movie,” I quickly said.

Shit. I was going to have to remember to text Brad and let him know I wasn’t coming over for poker night.

“We are?” Ellie asked, excitement in her voice. I loved hanging out with her, and I knew she felt the same way. We didn’t do it nearly enough, so I wasn’t too bothered about missing poker night.

Ryan looked beyond pissed, and so did his cousin.

“Ari, can I give you a call tomorrow?” he asked.

“I thought you were leaving town tomorrow,” she said.