Pretend You're Mine (Inked Hearts 3)

“Yeah.”

“You know a lot more about relationships than I do, Ryan. But I know one thing.”

“Yeah?”

“You want to know something, ask her.”

“I have.”

“Then believe her.”

It’s good advice.

I want to believe Leighton isn’t head over heels for my younger brother.

But there’s something about the way her voice wavers. The way her eyes fill with dread.

There’s some reason she’s dead set on keeping this a secret.

Walker peels off his sunglasses. “You need anything, you know who to call.” He pushes himself up, nods goodbye, makes his way to the pool.

He jumps in, finds Iris, wraps his arms around her like he’s never gonna let go.

He isn’t ever gonna let go.

It’s weird, being surrounded by all these happy couples. Seeing the guys settling down.

I’m happy for them.

Usually, it pokes the she’s gone, and my entire future is gone with her bruise.

But that doesn’t hurt as badly today.

I move to the grill. Refill my tequila. Wait for Dean to finish flirting with his blond friend.

He turns to me. “You want a burger?”

“Sure.”

“Medium rare?”

I nod.

He pulls a patty from the ice box. Sets it on the grill.

“You went all out.”

“You’re welcome.”

I take a long sip. Let the booze dissolve my inhibitions. He did this for me. It’s sweet. In a Dean kind of way. “Thanks.”

He picks up his beer. Holds it up to toast.

I do the same.

We clink glasses.

He laughs. “You look fucking ridiculous in those black board shorts.”