Page 17 of Ozzie

Well, I’m angry too. “No. He won’t touch me unless he has your approval.”

Durango straightens up and nods. “Well, he isn’t getting it.”

“What is your problem with him? Would you feel the same if I wanted to date Axel?”

He stares at me. “No, I wouldn’t like the fact that Axel is too old for you, but I wouldn’t feel so strongly about it.”

I watch him remove the cantaloupe seeds with a spoon and then slice the remaining fruit. He hands me a slice, but I’m too ticked off to eat it.

“What did Ozzie do to make you dislike him so much?”

“I don’t dislike him. But I know how he is with women, and I refuse for you to be another conquest. Because that’s what women are to him, conquests.”

Ozzie told me about his history and how he and my cousin would go to bars and pick up women when they were younger. He said that’s what Durango sees when he looks at him. I guess he was right.

“Because he picked up women in his twenties, you’re going to assume that’s how he’ll always be? What about you? Didn’t you do it too?”

He finishes slicing and walks around the island, taking a seat next to me. “It wasn’t only his twenties. I was out with him a year ago, and nothing had changed. And while I did pick someone up from time to time, it wasn’t the same. Trust me.” He takes my hand in his. “I get that you’re attracted to him. Most women are. But you’re not going tochange him. He will hurt you. I’m saving you pain.” He nods to the melon. “Have some. It’s good.”

Then he leaves the room, ending our conversation.

Well, sorry, cousin, but it’s not over. “I’m twenty-two, and I will date whoever I want to!” I shout after him.

He reappears in the doorway. “Are you saying you will date Ozzie no matter what?”

I nod. “Yes.”

He sighs. “I’m sorry to hear that.” He turns around and leaves again.

What the hell does that mean?

CHAPTER 6

Ozzie

I walk into Bucky’s and spot Lightning, Thunder, Axel, and CT sitting at a table. It’s one of those rare times when we are all in town. Durango would be here, too, if he weren’t protecting Piper.

“Hey, CT? I didn’t expect to see you here,” I say as I take a seat.

“Yeah, I finished an assignment with Thunder and thought I’d spend a couple of days in the city before heading home.”

Lightning hands me a beer. “Ordered for you.”

“Thanks.” I take a sip.

“Is it true?” Lightning asks. “Did you really drive all the way to the cabin and back for what?” He stares at his phone. “A ten-minute visit?”

We all know it’s about an hour’s drive to get to the cabin, so it sounds crazy when he puts it that way.

“It was more like fifteen, but yeah.”

Lightning grins. “You have it so bad.”

Axel shakes his head. “Durango will never come around. You’ve got to get over this.”

“Get over what?” CT asks.

Thunder takes a sip of what looks like soda. “Ozzie here has a huge crush on Durango’s little cousin, Piper.”

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