Rough Edge (Tannen Boys 2)

I want to chase Lil Bit through that door, and normally, I would. Forget the sister, rudely brush past her, and go after what I want.

But Lil Bit left me here, threw me to her sister like I’m a damn baton she can relay to the next person. And I freeze—analyzing, thinking, and getting pissed the fuck off.

I can’t anger Emily because I can read the room well enough to know that if I hurt her, Lil Bit will be mad. But I need to shut this shit down, do some dodging and weaving like my football-loving brother. Then I can go for the sister I want.

Emily steps toward me slowly, the wedge sandals on her feet making her slim hips sway with every inch of covered ground. It looks natural, but I’m guessing it takes a hell of a lot of practice to walk in those things. Her skirt shows off her legs, making them look long even though she’s as tiny as Lil Bit. She’s wearing a bra this time at least, or at least she seems to be, but her long, dark hair is curling over and around her shoulders, so I can’t be 100% sure.

She bites her painted lips, the white of her teeth bright against the berry color, and looks up at me through her lashes.

None of it does a damn thing for me.

“So, that was embarrassing. Sorry about that.” She waves her hands around, reminding me of what she said about me, about us.

“No problem,” I say flatly.

The wrong sister is virtually pissing on my leg like a territorial dog.

If I can’t go after Lil Bit, I need to get out of here.

Deciding that this is as good a time as any to skip manners, I ignore Emily and turn to Reed, who’s back to watching the drama play out in front of him like we’re a damn live reality show. Cowboy Bachelor or some shit, like the girls are vying for a rose from my grumpy ass. Not that I watch that, but Allyson does and sometimes, I overhear. Fine, I might watch a little too. “Got the keys to Bessie?”

“Uh, yeah. Lemme grab ’em.” He’s slow to turn around, even slower to grab the keys I can clearly see from here. They’re hard to miss with a big metal brand of The Bennett Ranch on the keyring.

“Should I just keep calling you Cowboy?” Emily asks, honey drizzled over every slow syllable.

“Brody.” I only tell her because I’ve realized I can use the minimal intel to get some of my own. “So your sister’s name is Rix?”

“Well, it’s Erica, but she’s gone by Rix since she was a kid. Trust me, do not call her Erica if you want to stay topside. Pretty sure the last person who called her Erica is buried in a pasture somewhere.” Emily laughs at her own joke, but my lips don’t even quirk as I store the information away.

I’m not sure why. I need to just go. This is all too messed up, and even if there was something happening, Lil Bit just bolted as soon as her sister showed up.

No, not Lil Bit. Rix. I chuckle darkly inside, knowing that I’ll call her Erica at the first opportunity and every one after that too.

Reed raises his brows at me as he gets closer, holding the keys to Bessie out. I open my palm and he tosses them my way. I catch the set easily, closing my fist around it. “Thanks. Mark handled the money stuff, so we good?”

He nods, looking confused. But not as confused as Emily when I move to turn around and get the hell outta dodge.

“Wait!” Her hand goes to my forearm, stopping me. I look down, seeing her clean hands, and wonder how I could’ve been so stupid. Sophie called me observant, but I know good and well there’s no magical lavender vanilla soap that gets working hands that clean.

The proof that something was different was right there in front of my face, and okay, in my jeans too, but I ignored it. I heard hoofbeats and thought horses, the logical explanation being that one woman had a work side and an off-work side. But it’d been zebras, or rather, twins who look alike, but past that, seem to be very different and have wildly polar opposite responses from me on every level. Especially dick level.

“Let’s get a drink. My treat, to make up for the awkwardness.”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to say not just no, but hell no. I had a drink with Emily a few nights ago, and I’m not looking to repeat it.

Right up until Reed butts in.

“Yeah, that’s a great idea. You already invited Rix and me, and now Brody can come too. Sounds like a fun night.”