Entice Me (Austin Singles 2)

“You should have told me,” I stated.

Millie stepped between us again. “Okay, well, I’m pretty sure if Jack hears any of that, he’ll want to kick Nash’s ass regardless.”

“Why would I want to do that?”

We all jumped and turned to see, who I was guessing was the girls’ brother, Jack. Kaelynn squealed in delight and ran to him. He caught her in his arms before she knocked him over. I couldn’t fight the smile that spread over my face as he spun her around and kissed her on the cheek.

“Hey, it’s so good seeing you. I’m so glad you’re home.”

After putting Kaelynn back down, Jack looked my way. Extending my hand, I said, “Nash Barrett, I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Jack smiled, but I knew he wasn’t sure about me. “And I’ve heard nothing about you except for the little bit of arguing the two of you just had.”

“I’m sorry about that,” I stated, giving him a firm handshake.

He returned the handshake and asked, “Do you mean it? Do you truly care about her?”

My eyes went to Kaelynn. “Yes.”

“Then figure that shit out. For now, let’s eat. I’m starving.”

Millie clapped and did a little hop as she and Jack headed down the hall. Kaelynn stared at me for a few moments before turning and walking away. I followed her and we all ended up in a dining room that I was pretty sure should have been in a castle somewhere.

Holy shit.

A large white marble table sat in the middle of the massive room that I swore would echo if I decided to yodel. Ten decorative chairs sat around the table. Kaelynn glanced over her shoulder and looked at me as I stood planted in the entrance of the dining room, taking it all in.

“How about we eat in the kitchen?” Kaelynn suggested.

“Sounds good to me,” Millie said, grabbing a couple of boxes of pizza as Jack grabbed the rest of them.

It didn’t take long to get to the kitchen. For the rest of the house being so grand, I was surprised that the kitchen wasn’t fancier. I liked it though. It was white with wood floors and granite counters. A large island sat in the middle with another large island at the end that housed four stools. Jack pulled one around to the other side, while Millie did the same. I pulled the stool out for Kaelynn and pushed it in for her before sitting down.

“This house is incredible. I can’t imagine growing up in a place like this,” I stated as Jack started opening up pizza boxes.

“You like to shoot?” Jack asked before shoving a piece of pizza in his mouth.

Millie and Kaelynn both jerked their heads up to look at Jack, then me. Millie started shaking her head and motioning for me to say no.

“Um . . .”

Jack glanced up, a wolflike smile on his face.

“I’m not sure what my answer should be here.”

Laughing, Jack looked at Millie, then Kaelynn, before focusing back on me. “Did they tell you I would shoot you?”

“Yes, they did.”

“Nah. But did you purposely do something to hurt my sister?”

“Jack,” Kaelynn started to say before her brother gave her a look to silence her.

“No. But we do have a few things we need to talk about.”

He stared at me intently. Then he tilted his head and regarded me even harder. Then he pointed his pizza at me and spoke. “I’m good at reading people and I like you. I get a good vibe from you, dude. So, do you like to shoot or not?”

“Yes. I do.”