In Too Deep

Ronan managedto get through his entire workday with only being distracted by thoughts of Chloe a few times. He got home to find that Declan had cleaned all the debris from the kitchen as Ronan had asked. Admittedly, Ronan had had his doubts. Declan was smart and could work hard when he wanted to. The problem was he rarely wanted to. Ronan grabbed a beer as Declan was coming in from the backyard.

“You’re gonna need another construction bag out there. A dumpster would’ve been better.”

“No room for a dumpster. Plus, a dumpster draws attention and seeing as I’m not about to pull a permit to work on my own damn house, the city can suck it.” He popped the top on his beer.

“I was thinking about what Chloe said last night about needing a woman’s touch. I don’t agree with her. This is your kitchen. It needs to be functional for you.”

“And?”

“Let me design it. I think custom cabinets in here would look a lot better than what you’ll get at some supply house.”

“What do you know about making cabinets?”

“I’ve worked with you on plenty of installations, and there’s was a cabinet maker I apprenticed with for about six months. I can do this.”

Ronan blew out a heavy breath. He wanted to support his brother. If it were any of his other siblings, he would have immediately agreed. But this was Declan and his track record mostly revealed his lack of follow-through. On the other hand, Ronan had barely used the kitchen since moving in, so did it matter if it took Declan a long time? If he flaked, Ronan could just order cabinets. “Draw something up. Price materials. Then we’ll talk about it.”

“Really?”

“Were you blowing smoke up my ass or do you want the job?”

“I want the job. I just didn’t think you’d agree.”

“I didn’t agree. Yet.”

“Cool. I’ll work on it.” He grabbed a beer and joined Ronan in leaning against an empty wall. “Want to order pizza or something?”

“Sure. I have plans tonight, but it’s not till later.”

“Plans with Chloe?”

“What makes you ask that?”

“Dude. The sexual tension last night was pretty crazy. Are you guys a thing?”

“She’s helping me with something. So, no we’re not dating.”

“I bet she’s helping with something.” Declan executed a hip thrust as if Ronan didn’t know what his brother was talking about.

“This is why I don’t tell you people anything.”

“In all seriousness, though, thanks for letting me crash.”

“How long you planning on staying?”

He shrugged, and Ronan knew there wouldn’t be any more information. Ronan handed his brother some cash and his truck keys. “Go pick up a pizza. I’m going to shower.”

“Cool. Anchovy and pineapple it is.”

“You fucking buy that bullshit and you’ll be sleeping in the yard.” They laughed together because that was what their dad had always threatened them with when they couldn’t agree on pizza toppings. Sometimes he forgot how good it felt to be with someone who had shared memories like that. He’d isolated himself from his family for so long because of the negative shit that he’d forgotten the positive.

Declan left, and Ronan texted Brendan. You’re an asshole for sending Declan here.

It was your turn. He’s crashed with all of the rest of us.

Damn. How long had Declan been homeless? What’s going on with him?

Who knows? He’s too busy cracking jokes and having fun to answer anything.

He wants to build me custom cabinets. If he fucks it up, I’m blaming you.

So what? You blame me for everything.

Ronan made his way to his bedroom. He figured the conversation was over, but then his phone lit up again.

How’d things go with Chloe?

How the fuck was he supposed to answer that? Fine.

Which was it? Fighting or fucking?

Neither.

Liar.

Declan was here when she drove me home.

Cockblocked by the little brother. What a shame.

But you sent him here, so again — your fault.

Brendan followed with a gif of someone laughing and falling over. Ronan plugged his phone in to charge and went to take a shower. Now he could let his mind wander to Chloe and all the dirty things he wanted to do to her.

After his shower, he texted Chloe to see if it would cause problems for him to spend the night. While he didn’t want to give her the impression that this was a relationship beyond sexual, they were both adults. He’d spent the night with women before even though it was just about sex.