Page 3 of Bronco

She blinks and her demeanor changes; her eyes drop and her smile vanishes. “I think for now it’s best that she settles in. She just started a new school and I’m kinda struggling with what to tell her about her mom and when she’s coming back.”

“Babe, don’t look so glum. I’m just sayin’ I’m here, and if you wanna go to a game, with or without me, the offer is there.”

She swallows hard. “I’ll actually be going to that game already.” She cringes, then adds, “I scored a couple of tickets and invited him.”

I cross my arms over your chest. “Wow. You don’t even invite your best friend to a Pelicans game? Don’t tell me the seats are ringside?” I’m not a huge sports nut like Amber, but I don’t mind going to a game every now and again.

“They’re not ringside,” she huffs. “And I would’ve invited you, but when I told Abi about the tickets, she suggested we have our date there.”

“All men expect sex no matter where you meet,” I tell her. “Don’t be fooled into thinkin’ otherwise.”

She raises her eyebrows. “Oh, really? So when you just invited me to the Pelicans game, is that what you were expecting?”

Of course she’s smarter than me, that’s a given. But unlike this freak she’s meeting up with, I’m not expecting shit. Men are men, no matter what she says.Best friend’s brother?What a fuckin’ cliche.

“Very funny. That’s what you get for tryin’ to be a nice guy. I was just tryin’ to do somethin’ to take your mind off all of this.”

She sobers for a second. “I know, Bronc, that’s why I love you.”

I snort. “Right. That’s why you stuck up for me back there with my VP?” I thumb behind me toward the clubhouse doors.

“Aww, poor baby!”

“There you go again. So what else do we know about this dude aside from he could potentially be a serial killer.”

“You watch too many late night shows,” she sighs. “And for the record, it feels kinda weird leaving Olive for the first time. Audrina and West offered to babysit, as well as Harlem and Indi because she’s made friends with Cami and they want to do a sleepover…”

Audrina is West’s ol’ lady, and Nevada’s mom. Harlem is the club’s Enforcer; his ol’ lady Indigo runs NOLA Sweet Treats Bakery.

“So? Nothin’ wrong with havin’ a night out, it might be good for you. Long as he’s a gentleman.”

“I’m not looking for a hook-up,” she says matter-of-factly. “Though if I was, I wouldn’t tell you about it.” She throws a dish rag at me. I’m fast, catching it before it hits my face.

“Why not? We tell each other everything.”

“Because you’ll only rub it in my face when he doesn’t call.”

“Like I say, he’ll only not call after the deed if he’s after a booty call, babe.” I point at her. “And you’re better than that.”

This time she lobs a coaster at me, narrowly missing my head. “Very funny, you’re practically a club whore so you have no room to speak.”

“Was,”I state matter-of-factly. I place a hand over my heart. “Past tense. I’m a changed man.”

“Aww, does having women running around doing your laundry get old? Poor baby.” She flicks her bottom lip with her finger…How have I just noticed her mouth?

I tear my gaze away from dangerous territory and screw my face up. “They don’t do my laundry.” Then under my breath I add, “Anymore.”

She sighs. “You’re hopeless, Bronco. I think that’s why you’re single.”

“You think?”

“Uh, huh. I knew you were a momma’s boy when I first met you.”

I grin. “Is it that obvious?” I can’t deny it. Whenever my mom is in town, she spoils me rotten because I’m her baby. It hasn’t helped me a lot in the real world, but it’s still nice that she fusses.

“I have a sixth sense.”

“Fuck I hope not, otherwise you’ll know I was checkin’ out your rack just before.”

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