Page 23 of Hooked on a Demon
With that thought, he reaches for his phone in his pocket and checks for any messages or missed calls for what feels like the thousandth time today. And he’s only been up for a few hours.
“So, anyway, do you wanna go grab some lunch?”
Shit.Everest must have finished his story while he zoned out. Everest looks at him quizzically as if he’s been waiting too long for a response. Declan nods before answering a simple, “Sure.”
It doesn’t take long for Declan to get changed. He pats Buckley on the head as he leaves. Then he’s back in Everest’s truck and on his way into town.
Everest parallel parks and turns the truck off before hopping out. Declan looks up at the sign beside him and smiles. Nip & Nibbles has become a favorite of his. They were a food truck vendor at this big event Daisy and Sloan put on a year or so ago, and were apparently such a big hit that it led to the owner being able to open a brick-and-mortar location as well. Lachlan and Petra were raving about it after, and so Declan, fearing he was missing out, came with Everest and one of their other buddies—who Declan spots already at a table when he opens the door— for lunch one day, and now it’s become a regular spot for them.
They both wave to the owner, Sulma, who stands on a stool in front of the counter looking into the open kitchen, and then slide into seats on either side of Tai. “Hey man, how you doing?” Everest asks, picking up the menu in front of him.
“Not bad. Not bad. How about you guys?”
Everest’s eyes rove over the food options, and without looking up, he says, “I’m good. But I think Declan may be getting sick.”
Concern fills Tai’s features. “Dude! And you came to lunch?”
Everest laughs. “Sick of getting laid.”
Both Tai and Declan groan at Everest’s dumb joke. Declan, attempting to sidestep that comment and avoid the potential ribbing from Tai as well, answers for himself, “I’m good. Shop has had me busy. Everest dragged me out last night and is all butthurt that I didn’t want to join him in a four-some so he was left to a threesome. Please don’t ask him anything about it or you’ll never get him to shut up.”
Everest snorts. “It’s true. TLDR: it was amazing. Becky…” he says before Declan cuts him off, saying, “Anyways… what are you thinking of ordering?”
Tai and Everest laugh at him, but thankfully, Everest takes the hint and returns his attention to the menu.
As they look through deciding what they want to order, Tai leans back, picking up his drink with purpose. “So uh, Ev. I hear your sister is back in town.” Declan has a feeling he knows where this is going, and he’s interested to see Everest’s reaction. If he remembers the stories correctly, Tai had a crush on Eliana when they were younger, but nothing ever happened, and then she moved away.
Everest closes his menu. “Yeah, so?”
“Wondering how she’s doing these days?” Tai asks, trying to be casual about it, but it’s clear to everyone at the table what he means.
Everest leans forward, fisting his fork and poking the tines into the table. “She’s single as far as I know, if that’s what you’re asking. And before you go further, the answer is no. She will never date a friend of mine.” He looks at Tai, then at Declan. “And I mean never. If either one of you even thinks about it… well, I will end you.”
Tai opens his mouth to say something back, but Declan’s hand claps him on the shoulder and shakes his head.
“The last guy she dated before she moved away was such a douche. Just didn’t give two shits about what she had to say or what she was interested in. I tried telling her she deserved better, but she wouldn’t listen. She was heartbroken when he ended things,” he explains with a smirk.
“Wait? Did you have something to do with that?” Tai asks incredulously.
“As far as she knows? No. And it will stay that way,” Everest responds, staring them both down. “But I may have threatened to cut his balls off if he ever spoke to her again after I saw him yelling at her one time.” He laughs as if it’s a funny memory now. “She’s my little sister, man. Gotta keep her safe.”
Declan swallows and wipes the sweat that’s formed on his brow.Well fuck.
The waitstaff shows up a moment later and breaks the hovering tension at the table. After they order, the table fills with chatter as normal, and the rest of the meal passes smoothly. It’s not until they are walking out, Everest a couple of feet ahead, that Tai turns to Declan. “Look, I know it’s not really my place to say anything, but I’ve heard some rumors going around about you.”
Declan sighs. “What’s being said?”
“I’ve honestly tried not to pay attention to it. But some chick named Charlotte has been going around talking about how you sleep with women and then sneak out like one of your brother’s shadows.”
Fuck.Declan runs a hand over his braided hair, frustration building inside. The last thing he needs is this. He should have known she wasn’t going to go away easily.
“Thanks, Tai,” he says, placing his hand on Tai’s shoulder and squeezing it. “I appreciate it.”
Tai looks down, almost sheepish. “I know you two,” he says, nodding his head toward Everest, “like to have your fun, but if I can be honest with you, don’t you feel like it’s time to grow up a bit? You’re in your thirties now, dude. When are you going to leave these games behind?”
Declan stills, Tai’s words hitting a spot he wasn’t expecting. Not knowing how to respond, he simply nods, taking his hand back. “Thanks again, Tai,” he says as he waves goodbye before climbing into Everest’s truck, where he waits for him. Tai’s hand rises in a wave before they pull away.
“What’s with the serious face?” Everest asks.
