Still am.
But he's a karate expert now.
This is an actual challenge now.
Even so, I motion come at me.
He shakes his head you're ridiculous.
"You're right." I drop my fists. "Can't stand to see you lose in front of your girl."
"Please. She'll get off on watching."
"I'm gonna tell her you said that."
"Fuck off." He chuckles. His gaze shifts to Leighton.
She's sitting behind the counter, half her attention on her laptop, the other half on us.
Her tongue slides over her lips. Her chest heaves. Anticipation fills her blue-green eyes.
She wants a show.
I'm game to let Ryan win.
But he's past my bullshit.
He leans in close enough to whisper. "You didn't tell me you knew her in high school."
"You didn't ask my permission to hire her."
"Guess we're fair."
"You fall in love with the hot bartender I hire and I get guess we're fair?"
"Yeah."
How the hell can I explain this to my brother? He's not gonna take any of my bullshit reasons. The truth isn't an option. But there must be something. "Chloe—"
"Fuck. Really, Dean?"
"Really, what?"
"You fucked her?"
Not a subject he needs to know about. "She's not a good fit."
"She's the female version of me."
I can't exactly deny that.
"If she doesn't belong here, I don't belong here."
"Been meaning to tell you—"
"If you have a real reason why you don't want her here, I'm all ears."
That's the thing. I do want her here. I want her glaring at my antics. I want her fighting her smile. Laughing despite herself.