Page 17 of The Bet
Lime Green Bikini threw him a stony look before she turned her back and left. Xavier rubbed some sand he found on his shorts, hoping that his brother would leave quietly.
“Can’t you go a day without ramming your tongue down someone’s throat?”
There went that wish of a silent retreat from Tobias. Not that it was any of his brother’s business. For once, Xavier felt that he wasn’t the one who had done all of the chasing. Savannah’s cousin had made it very obvious that she was interested. But he wanted to keep his brother calm, especially since he had already pissed him off once already. “She got a little too friendly.”
“Try keeping your dick out of the equation,” said Tobias, his voice as steely as his gaze. “She’s Savannah’s cousin, for fuck’s sake.”
He should have known better. “Nothing happened,” he replied, feeling defensive. “I know she’s off limits.”
“Do you even know what ‘off limits’ means?” growled Tobias.
“Will you calm down?” You’re supposed to be relaxed. It’s the night before your wedding.”
“Iwascalm and relaxed until you arrived.”
“Jeez,” he muttered. Tobias could be a moody, miserable little shit at the best of times. He knew better than to say anything.
An apology seemed the only option. “I’m sorry, okay? I didn’t mean to be late.” And if the big bust-up with Gisele hadn’t happened, he would have been here earlier.
“Then why were you?”
He didn’t want to piss his brother off by telling him about Gisele, especially not given what he might or might not have seen taking place just now. “Complications. I got delayed leaving. I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. I should have been here. Happy Birthday, bro.”
Tobias exhaled loudly. “Okay.”
Okay?
It was as rare and it was unexpected. Tobias Stone accepting his apology. Xavier stared at his brother. The dude seemed to be softening up. “Just don’t be late tomorrow.”
“Hell, no. I won’t.” He tried to reach out. “You’re nervous. I get it.”
“I’m not nervous. Not about the wedding.”
“Then what?”
“The usual media bullshit.”
He snorted. “Don’t let that crap bug you, Tobias. It’s not worth it.” Stuff like that never changed. He didn’t get it as much as Tobias, and he was glad.
Tobias scrubbed his hands over his eyes. “I didn’t expect to be putting out fires on the night before my wedding.”
“No, I guess not—”
“Tobias!” They both turned at the sound of Savannah’s voice, soft, yet indignant. “I hope you haven’t been working.”
“I haven’t.”
She looked at him as if she didn’t believe him.
“I had to make some phone calls,” he confessed, “needed to get the lawyers to take care of some media nightmare crap.”
“Can’t you take some time off?” she asked, walking up to him with a smile, her tone light and jovial. She exuded happiness.
“I am,” replied Tobias, his voice soft, like syrup, the way it always was when he spoke to Savannah. “Izzy says Jacob’s ready for you to tuck him in.”
“Let’s tuck him in them,” she said, sliding her arm around Tobias’s waist. “Goodnight, Xavier.”
“Set your alarm early,” Tobias told him.
