Page 18 of Mine to Love
“I never told him I was coming over here and I didn’t bring my phone. I’m sorry. It’s not like I want to rush off.” She suddenly became very aware she was naked, straddling him at his kitchen table.
“I get it.” He kissed her nose. “But I really don’t like your running out of here like this. I’d like to see you tomorrow. Actually, I’d like to take you out, proper and all.”
“We can talk about it later.” She kissed his sweet lips. There was no way she would get into a relationship with Miles. No matter how much she liked him, it would never work. Besides, there were too many things in her life she needed to work on.
5
“Thanks for coming over so early.” Miles handed his brother Rhett a steaming mug of coffee.
“I had a bunch of errands to run in town anyway.” Rhett stretched his legs and leaned back in the chair on the front porch.
Miles chose to lean against the railing so he could have a better view of Liberty’s place.
The sun had yet to peek out from the horizon, but the glow of morning had started to erase the darkness of night.
“What’s on your mind?” Rhett asked.
“I need a favor.”
“All right.” Rhett sipped his coffee. “I’m all ears.”
“I want you to look into Charlie Livingston.”
Rhett shook his head. “Man, you can do that yourself; you don’t need me for that.”
“I’m well aware that I could, but we both know it requires me to do a little extra on the reading end. I can’t do research at work with her little brother standing over my shoulder while I’m constantly doing text to speech or asking someone to read it to me. And let’s just say she’s been in my house and I’m not going to prevent that from happening again.”
Rhett’s right brow shot up. “You slept with her.”
“Don’t make it sound dirty.”
“I didn’t. You’re always the one who does that. All I did was state a fact.” Rhett set his mug on the table, snagged his ponytail holder, and put his manly hair in that bun thing. He was the only one in the family who could pull off long hair and a beard, though he didn’t dare grow one. His wife would shave it off in his sleep. “Why am I looking into her ex-husband?”
“Because I don’t trust the man or why he’s coming around. I want to know why he’s moved here. The real reason. And why they got divorced.”
Rhett leaned forward. “That, my little brother, is sketchy as fuck. You should be asking her that question, not digging in her background.”
“Come on, man. We didn’t give Emmerson this lecture when we went poking around in Rumor’s life.”
“You can’t compare the two, and you know it.”
“Are you going to do it or not?” Miles rubbed the back of his neck. The lights in the family room over at Liberty’s house flicked on. A shadow eased across the window.
“Of course I am, but I’m also always going to tell you what I think and this time, I believe you’re making a mistake. Before I come back with whatever I find, talk to her. Ask her. Especially if you want this one to last.” Rhett smiled like the day his first kid was born.
“You can wipe that grin off your face. Cupid hasn’t struck me down.”
“Oh, he’s got his arrow pulled back and aimed right for you. I don’t think you’re getting away this time.” Rhett gave Miles a little jab in the arm. “I better get going. I’ll be in touch as soon as I know anything.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it,” Miles said.
“Miles!” Gabriel barreled through the front door of Liberty’s house wearing a T-shirt and a pair of SpongeBob Squarepants boxers.
“My wife made me get rid of all my cartoon boxers. It was a sad day in my house when that happened.” Rhett shook his head. “I miss them.”
“There’s something seriously fucking wrong with you, dude.” Miles smiled and waved. “Hey, Gabriel. What’s happening this morning?” He raised his mug and sipped.
“Oh, hi, Rhett,” Gabriel said. “Liberty’s making waffles. Do either of you want some?”
