Page 9 of Space Cowgirl: Houston, All Systems Go
“And since you aren’t crashing in my guest bedroom, I just wanted to make sure you were all right. You know, just one brother looking out for the other and all.”
“Shut it, Flynn.”
But my younger brother just chuckles. And that should annoy me, but it doesn’t. I’ve missed the casual needling and exasperation that only a younger brother can give you.
“Jackie just got off the phone with Jules,” Flynn continues in a singsong voice any man should be embarrassed to use. “Nothing happened according to Jules.” He snorts. “Seems like you played the gentleman last night? You always did fancy yourself the knight in shining armor.”
“Not always so shiny though, huh?” The words escape me without thinking, and I tense. Flynn and I had one brief conversation about what happened, if you can call three or four sentences a conversation. I know guys don’t like to harp on emotions, but it seems like a longer conversation should be had when explaining why you slept with your younger brother’s ex-girlfriend. Even if itwasfor his own good.
Flynn sighs, some of the amusement fading from his voice. “You gotta let that go, Holt. I did.”
“You sure?” I can’t help but ask and I hate myself for it. I’m the big brother, I shouldn’t be doing things I need to ask forgiveness for. I’m the one who’s supposed to be setting an example.
“Yeah, man. Your heart was in the right place, even if your dick wasn’t.”
I can’t help but laugh. “That’s sick, man.”
“Maybe, but it doesn’t make it less true. Besides, if I weren’t over it, would I ask you to be my best man?”
I blink for a moment, trying to make sense of what he said. I turn down the blasting a/c, just in case I misheard.
“What’d you say?”
“I’m getting married, brother.”
“Well I’ll be damned.” My voice is tight, and I clear my throat to get rid of the lump blocking my words. But that doesn’t stop the sting behind my eyes. “Congratulations, man. Who knew the grease monkey could rein in a classy act like Jackie? You let her see you ride a horse again?” Thanks to Rose, I knew a lot about my brother’s girl. A lot that I wish I didn’t. Including her fetish for cowboys.
“Maybe.” He laughs. “In all seriousness, though, you going to be my best man or what, dickhead?”
“Since you asked me so nice…”
“Fuck you. I’m not even asking anymore. You’re my best man. End of story.”
I chuckle. “Okay, okay. I’d be honored.”
“Yeah, you will. Especially when I tell you who the maid of honor is.”
Oh no. Please no. Not after last night.
“Julie Starr, astronaut extraordinaire. And the damsel in distress you saved last night.”
An image flashes of Jules’ toned abs rolling to the beat of her sex music. The feeling of her naked body moving next to mine in bed and not being able to do a damn thing about the hard-on from hell. Damsel in distress? Yeah, if anyone had been in distress, it was me.
I let loose a long groan and drop my forehead on the steering wheel.
“What’s the matter, Holt? Last night not go as you planned?” The jerk still sounds amused.
I stay silent, trying to calm my thoughts.
“Well, don’t you worry. Jackie has detailed instructions. She even has charts and shit with agendas and daily planners for you and Jules.”
“Say what?”
“You know my girl, she’s thorough.” I can hear the smile in Flynn’s voice. “Jackie has a lot on her plate right now, with transitioning from Mission Control specialist into astronaut training. But things are only going to get crazier once she gets assigned a mission. We need to make this wedding happen in a month or two.”
“A month? Yeah, I don’t know about that. I’m a guy, man. What do I know about weddings?”
“You may not know about weddings, but you do own the ranch, and Jackie has her heart set on having it there.” He pauses. “If that’s okay with you?”
