Page 70 of Talk Nerdy To Me
He shrugs. “Just don’t get jealous when I’m hitting her up on the game. I do my best work when girls forget I’m a kid.”
I’m not so sure he is a kid at this point. I think it’s an optical illusion.
“I’ll try to contain my jealousy.”
“Keep underestimating me,” the kid fires back, smirk on his lips once again. “I’m taking an interest in her interests. Can you say the same? Even Dale is pulling on tights to be closer to his woman. You just expect to play your guitar and make her swoon. I bet you put forth zero effort.”
“I really need more information about these damn tights,” Maverick says under his breath, glancing toward Dale like he’s desperate to learn now.
“Maverick misses the days when he used to wear tights for ballet,” Sean supplies.
“I’m going to kill you,” Maverick tells the wicked little spawn, his tone even.
Sean just grins up at me before winking. “Six years, rock star. Until you’re past your prime, a total wash up, and looking desperately pathetic while carrying around your guitar from club to club,” the kid goes on. “Enjoy it while it lasts.”
Maverick stands beside me, both of us staring at the psychotic kid as he walks away. Sean winks at Britt, who waves absently at him as he passes her.
Britt is still talking to Dane, and he’s smiling at her as he keeps her “distracted.” I think Maverick failed at his task, due to the unpredictable, untamed serpent he tried to use.
To be fair, that kid is entirely too bizarre.
“Does it make me a horrible person to hate a kid?” I ask Maverick.
“No,” he says immediately. “But he does fucking grow on you.”
“Fungus can grow on you too,” I decide to point out. “Doesn’t mean you enjoy it.”
He snorts out a laugh, then clears his throat, narrowing his eyes as though he momentarily forgot he’s supposed to hate me. I just grin.
“You’re really going to be an issue, aren’t you?” he asks.
“You really think you can keep all men away from her until she’s a spinster with a full head of gray hair?” I volley.
“Not our goal,” he grumbles. “We simply don’t want her getting her heart smashed to pieces this young and never being able to try again.”
I stiffen for a second, mostly because he sounds sincere.
“Careful, Base Masters,” Maverick says a little quieter, his tone serious but thoughtful as Britt smiles over in our direction, her eyes on me. “She doesn’t even realize how much she likes you yet,” he adds before walking away.
Britt makes her way toward me, and I tug her to me. If Maverick gets in my head, then the Sterlings automatically win.
“You’re still here,” she says as though she’s surprised.
“They can’t figure out what to do about me,” I tell her, toying with the ends of her hair.
“Were you going to stay longer?” she asks somewhat abruptly. “Because I was going to ride with you if you’re going back to the house. I need to work on my paper some.”
“I have zero reasons to hang around if you’re leaving,” I tell her, causing her smile to grow, even as she looks away.
My arm goes around her shoulders as I start guiding us out. As we near the gate, I hear Ruby shouting something like she’s cheering.
“He. Could. Go. All. The…” Her words trail off when I pause in front of the gate, looking over my shoulder at her as she holds a suspended fist in the air, her mouth parted like she’s waiting to finish the chant.
Everyone is legit staring at us.
Shaking my head, I turn back, guiding Britt out, and hear Ruby finish with, “Way!” Then a round of feminine cheers follow.
Just as we get to the car, Britt pauses, her eyes widening like she’s just recalled something.
Wordlessly, she turns and jogs back through the gate, and I wait, considering she didn’t exactly explain what she’s doing. She returns with a grin and a stack of cash that she’s neatly sorting as she moves toward me.
“What’s that?” I ask, only because I’m still confused.
Her bright green eyes meet mine as her grin spreads. “I won the bet. I think they finally understood you weren’t my date.”
I just smile to myself, shaking my head. Fucking rich people.
