Page 36 of The Biker and the Gamer
Though I admire her inkwork, I’ve never asked her about them, so I missed out on the chance of having her explain them to me like she just did with Isaac. I like silence, nature sounds, and classical instrumentals instead of wild music, so I’m not a fan of rock, punk, pop, or rap music—all genres that her and Isaac are big on, I’m learning.
I never considered asking her about those things because I’m addicted to her on a different level.
I’m addicted to her mind, her strength, her defiance. I’m addicted to her world-weariness, the way she observes the universe with such boredom. I’m addicted to her toughness, her smart-ass mouth, and the vulnerability she tries to disguise. I’m addicted to her eyes, how they’re so gray they’re damn near translucent. I’m addicted to her mouth, her neck, her touch…
But is it enough when we’ve got so little in common? I hate to admit it, but she’s a better match for Isaac than she is for me, and that doesn’t sit right with me.
I’m silent for the entire drive to the loft. Not that they tried to include me in their conversation anyway.
“We’re here,” I say loudly, reminding them that I’m here, too.
“So Eric said something about a barbecue?” Isaac asks as we lug his things from the garage to the loft.
“Yeah. He’s having a barbecue at his place, to welcome you, introduce you to his Denver peeps, blah blah,” I tell him with a forced bored expression. “Just getting you settled here so you can freshen up and change before we head over there. I’ll probably just pop in for a little, so it might be you and big bro for a while.”
Actually, the barbecue is a setup so he can meet Grunt. Hopefully, the two will hit it off and Grunt will guide him to a cleaner path. Our idea of an intervention. But the less interest I show in something, the more interest Isaac shows in it. Like he’s determined to be the opposite of me. So if I say the barbecue is a simple family obligation that I’d rather not go to, he’ll be more inclined to look forward to it.
After seeing how well he and Kendra hit it off, I’m even more confident this little setup will work.
“Cool,” he says. “Long as there’s good booze.”
As I open the door and let them in, he drops his suitcase and asks Kendra, “You gonna be there?”
“Wasn’t invited.”
“Well…” He tosses her a wink and a flirtatious grin. “…I’m inviting you.”
This little shit. Is he seriously flirting with my girl in front of me?
Kendra flicks her gaze to me for confirmation. I don’t give it to her.
“You’ll be staying in the guestroom down this hall,” I direct to Isaac. “Mine and Cedric’s rooms are upstairs.”
“You two still boning?” he returns with a smirk. “You’ve been together for so long, I’m surprised you aren’t sharing a room by now.”
I shoot him a glower. “Ha. Ha.”
Cedric comes trotting down the stairs just then. “Isaac! It’s been a while.”
They greet each other with a handgrip and a shoulder bump.
“He made you rent this luxury warehouse, didn’t he?” Isaac asks him.
Cedric shrugs and throws me under the bus. “Happy wife, happy life.”
What a pussy. I think the only peoplenotintimidated by Isaac are Eric and me. People suck up to him because they either fear him or don’t know what to do with him. To us, he’s just our little brother—Slytherin Sibling. But to others, he’s “imposing”, “intimidating”, “irresistible”—actualadjectives used byactualpeople.
God knows why. I smack him over the head whenever I’m irritated with him and all he does is laugh. Isaac is simply Isaac for me. The devil’s spawn, but still my brother who I’d move heaven and earth for.
Cedric raises an eyebrow at Kendra. “Can’t say I’m surprised to see you here.”
Defensive, Kendra arches her brow right back. “You got a problem with me?”
Before a squabble can start, I grab Kendra’s wrist and pull her off with me as I tell my little brother, “Be ready in an hour, Zac.”
Kendra initially tries to wriggle out of my hold—because Kendra Tisdale is not the kind of woman you grab-and-drag—but then she submits. I lead her up the stairs and straight to my room. When I close the door and turn toward her, there’s fury in her eyes.
“Don’t youeverdo that again. I’m not a—”
