Page 19 of I Wanna Be Your Lager

Nora grabs the small broom from next to the register. Jake returns and helps Nora clean up the mess. Eve and I stare at each other like two deer in headlights. Jake drops the mop in the bucket and turns to me. “Lach, this is my sister Everly.”

Everly. As soon as he says the name, alarm bells flash in my head. Son of a bitch. She’s Jake’s sister. I was aware Jake had a younger sister, but I’d never met her. It’s not like Jake to share a scrapbook of his life with all of us.

“Call me Eve.” She holds out her hand to me from the other side of the bar.

My gaze jumps from hers to Jake’s and back to hers. Slowly, I wrap my fingers around her soft ones. She gently squeezes, just like the night in the hotel room. Except it wasn’t my hand she was squeezing. Fuck me. I drop her hand like it’s on fire. I slept with my best friend’s sister. My jaw clenches as I attempt to keep my facial expression neutral, though inside, I’m freaking the fuck out. Obviously, Nora knows. Did she tell anyone else? Did Eve tell anyone?

“Lach, can I talk to you in my office?” Jake’s tone is stern.

Oh shit. He knows. He saw it from the way she gripped my hand. The way our eyes connected. He knows I ravished his sister’s naked body, gave her multiple orgasms, all the while mydick was stretching her tight pussy. Beads of sweat pool at my hairline. “Yeah. I’ll be right there.”

He turns on his heel and strolls down the hallway.

I spare a glance at Eve. Her eyes connect with mine. Based on her face, she’s just as confused as I am. I peel my gaze away. As much as I want answers from her right now, I’m more concerned with Jake and what he might know. When I cross through the doorway of his office, he’s sitting behind his desk. I rap my knuckles against the wood door, and he glances up.

“Close the door behind you and have a seat.” He points to the chair across from his desk.

Oh fuck, he knows. Rarely does he close the door, especially when alone with someone else. I do as he says. I bite the inside of my cheek, not wanting to spill in case he’s still clueless. Based on his actions so far, he suspects something.

He clears his throat. “You’re my best friend, and I trust you the most.”

I nod along as I swallow the softball-sized lump in my throat. He’s fairly calm for someone who might know I slept with his sister. Calm before the storm, maybe? My leg bounces on the ball of my foot.

He rests his elbows on the desk and links his fingers. “I want you to help me keep an eye on her.”

My leg freezes. Her. Eve. The lump in my throat just became a boulder and catapults to the pit of my stomach.

“She tends to find trouble,” he adds.

“Keep an eye on her?” I spit out.

“Yeah. She’ll be in town for a little while, but she hasn’t given me a definite answer for how long. She’s said a week or two, but if I know my sister, there’s something she’s not telling me.”

That I was balls-deep in her only a few days ago. That’s probably what she’s not telling you. Fuuuck.

I rub the back of my neck. “I don’t know if that’s such a great idea.” In fact, this is the worst idea of all the ideas. Nothing good can come out of this.

“Please, man. I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important. I need an extra set of eyes on her to make sure she doesn’t get herself in trouble.”

I can’t tell him the reason I can’t, and I have no other reason not to. Outside of work, Jake hates depending on others, mostly because the ones who should have been there for him have always let him down. He only asks for favors when it’s the absolute last resort. He’s my best friend and has been at my side every time I needed him. I’d be a shit friend if I said no. I’m going to hate myself later, but I tell him, “Yeah. I can do that.”

“Thanks, man.” The creases in his forehead soften, and he rises to his feet. “While you’re at it, maybe teach her a thing or two about bartending.”

A bitter taste fills my mouth as the acid in my stomach churns, making me queasy. “Anything.”

“I knew I could count on you.”

With a curt nod, I manage a tight-lipped smile, my jaw muscles clenching. I’m afraid if I open my mouth, I’ll say something stupid.

“I’m going to get back out there. Make sure she doesn’t break anything else.”

“I’ll be right behind you.” After Jake exits his office, I blow out a deep breath. Resting my elbows on my knees, I rake my fingers through my hair. Of all the scenarios I considered, this one is the furthest from what I expected. Most of all, I don’t know what the fuck I’m going to do.

TWELVE

MESSY AND COMPLICATED

Lach

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