Touch by Touch (Riggins Brothers 4)

Conrad: Anytime. Get some rest.

Closing out of the messaging app, I pull up the one for the security system and set the alarm. I’m not scared to stay here on my own, but I do like the added security that the system provides. Plugging my phone in, I place it on the nightstand and close my eyes. It doesn’t take long for me to fall asleep, Conrad the last thing on my mind.

Chapter 18

Conrad

“Conrad, how are things?” Sawyer asks. She’s sitting on the couch with a paper plate filled with pizza resting on her baby belly.

“Living the dream,” I tell her, taking a drink of my sweet tea. My pizza has long since been devoured. I was starving.

“Come on now, you know we want all the details,” Layla chides me from her place in the rocking chair. My nephew sleeps peacefully on her chest. He was cranky as hell and only wanted his momma. Once she cradled him against her chest and began to rock, he was sound asleep. Layla is a natural, as I’m sure Sawyer will be too.

“There are no details. I showed up at her place Monday night and brought her dinner. We ate, and I left. I’ve been to the bakery every morning, as you all already know from the goodies I’ve been bringing to work with me.”

“I must say that you and Grant are keeping the office stocked with yummy treats,” Layla comments.

“More like keeping them in business,” Marshall jokes.

“Hey.” I glare at him. “I’ll have you know the business is thriving. They don’t need Grant or me to keep them afloat.”

“Sorry.” Marshall holds up his hands in defense.

“Nothing? You have nothing to report?” Sawyer asks, and is that disappointment I hear in her voice?

“Sorry, sis.” I finish off my glass of tea just to give me something to do. I wish Carter was awake so I could use him as a buffer.

“Did you send her flowers, as I told you to?” Marshall asks.

“No.”

“There—” He points at me. “That’s why you have nothing to report. You didn’t listen.”

“What do you know about relationship advice?” Owen laughs.

“Hey, I have a way with the ladies.” Marshall puffs out his chest, and even I’m laughing at my little brother’s antics.

“A way of scaring them off,” Royce teases. “However, the flowers aren’t a bad idea.”

“All women like to get flowers,” Layla agrees.

“This one”—I point to Marshall—“told me to just lay low. To be there but not be all in her face about dating me.”

“And you listened to him?” Sawyer questions.

“I don’t know what else to do. She thinks this is just some fling that I want to extend.”

“Have you told her otherwise?” Layla inquires.

“I’ve tried. She’s shutting me down at every turn.” I know I haven’t tried as hard as I could, but the last thing I want to do is make her feel pressured and push her even further away. That’s why I took Marsh’s advice.

“I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but I think Marshall might be onto something,” Owen admits. “She claims you want this fling extended. Show her she’s wrong. That is assuming that you’re done with clubs and random women?” He gives me a pointed look.

“Over it.” I am. I’m not just saying that, and I know that my family believes me. I can see it in every single one of their faces. They’re on my side.

“We’re going to help you,” Layla announces. She glances at Sawyer, who gives her a nod and a smile.

“Ladies, I can do this. I have to do this. She needs to see it from me.” I just wish I knew how to do it and if the current method of being there but don’t pressure her is working. Just my fucking luck, I’m going to get friend-zoned. Just the thought pisses me off.

“You do you,” Sawyer tells me. “But trust us. She needs to hear it from other people too. Leave it to your sisters. We’ve got this.”

“What are you going to do?” I’m almost afraid for her to tell me.

“Nothing. Not really. Layla and I can casually bring up how you’re no longer going out on the weekends and that we think you’ve met someone.”

“No! Don’t tell her I’ve met someone. That’s the opposite of what I need her to think.”

“You didn’t let me finish,” Sawyer scolds. She looks over at Layla and grins. “You know, Lay, Conrad hasn’t been his usual self lately.”

“Oh, how so?” Layla jumps right into the conversation, and I feel as though I’m at a tennis match looking between the two of them.

“Royce said he’s been staying home on the weekends.”

“Really? He loves the club life.”

“I know.”

“How long has this been going on? Should I have Owen talk to him?” Layla replies.

“He said since the wedding.” Sawyer turns to her side, where no one is sitting. “Have either of you noticed anything different about him?” she asks the air.