Page 164 of The Sidekick

He cracks up laughing, and Max follows with a surprised bark, then Trevor as his arms tighten around me enough to ache. For some reason, the discomfort undoes me until I’ve melted into him while my brain gives a faint protest.

“We should leave Trevor lonely and go monitor what he’s doing over there,” Max says sweetly.

“Two.” Trevor’s head snaps up with a glare. Max starts chuckling evilly. I feel both of them start to harden with me between them and my eyes widen in surprise. He wasn’t kidding about wanting to be punished, and apparently, Trevor has no problem dishing it out.

“Hey, Asher? Do you think mi rey deserves a free ride here? Back me up.” He starts trying to pull me away from Trevor like I’m a toy he doesn’t want to share. The thought makes me frown.

“I think he deserves to crawl across a mile of hot coals filled with rusty nails, personally,” Asher returns calmly.

I gasp in dismay, pulling away from them both as I turn to Asher in shock. My mouth works uselessly until only his name comes out in a disbelieving tone.

He gives me a sympathetic look. “I’m fucked up when it comes to you. I don’t see that changing any time soon.”

It’s like he’s warning me, but my heart does a weird dive in my chest that starts butterflies in my belly. “I’m messed up for you too, but can we keep the physical damage to a minimum? Please?”

“I don’t know if I should celebrate or buy red flags to throw at you two,” Max’s head swivels as he takes us both in.

“Having regrets, babe?” Trevor smirks, earning himself a dark glare that brings an evil smile to his lips.

Asher’s expression falls into a serene mask as he turns back to the computer. He’s shutting down. I can’t stand it.

I’m suddenly standing behind him, leaning down with my arms around his shoulders before I have the thought to move. I kiss him gently behind his ear, getting a soothing hit of mint shampoo.

A shudder works across his shoulders as he leans his head back, resting on me. “You need a keeper, angel. You’re definitely too sweet for us all.”

“I thought that was your job,” I whisper in his ear so no one else can hear.

“It is,” he says grimly, but his lips turn up in a satisfied grin.

“What are you doing?” I tighten my arms around him and press my face into his neck. There are roses on this side.

“Buying all of the things we’ll need to pull this off,” he returns his attention to the computer and clicks something.

I draw away from him in surprise, “Oh, you don’t have to -”

“I’ve got you,” he interrupts me calmly. “It will be ready in a couple of hours.”

My mouth works uselessly as I stare at the screen. Well, that argument ended before it began.

He stands and offers me the chair with a smug smirk I choose to find adorable, against my better judgment.

I spend hours immersed in the computer world while the guys chat with each other. Max and Asher seem to get along just fine. Trevor is another story. He glares at Asher, barely answering anything either of them say. It makes my stomach sink at how obvious he is in his dislike.

When it’s time to go, Max pouts. “I’m never going to get time with you now.”

“I think that’s going to change. Is that ok?”

“Fuck yeah,” he grins and rushes me to give me a hug that lifts my feet off the floor. I giggle as he sways me side to side like a goofball. “I’ll miss you. Come back tomorrow, ok?”

“After work,” I agree easily and kiss his cheek.

“Say bye to Trevor. I’m carrying you out the door. No hugs for him.”

“Oh, bye, Trevor?” I wave in confusion as Max walks out with me dangling from his arms.

Trevor waves back with an easy grin, “When you’re done, you can get back in here for your punishment.”

“He means you, right?” I ask in dismay. Max laughs.

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