Series: Peach State Stepbros Series by Riley Hart
Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92311 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92311 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
“I don’t know about that hard,” I say, “but Crave would be fun. Could get some drinks, then get out on the dance floor. Love some dancing, and they have great music.”
“Yeah, I love dancing,” Ash says, his gaze shifting my way.
Ooh, this could be an interesting thing to work around. When I told Atlas I wouldn’t touch Ash, I hadn’t considered all the interactions we would have outside our scheduled date. But I can figure this out, and Lance needs us there for him.
After finishing our slices and settling the bill, we head back to the house for a bit, then around ten, get a Lyft to Crave.
Even though I know I shouldn’t be monopolizing Atlas’s time, I still wish he were here. And as we’re ordering a round, I text him: What are you up to tonight?
Atlas: Missing me already?
Me: Would it be so terrible if I was?
He doesn’t reply right away, and it pisses me off a little. But he has a fucking life outside me, so I put my phone in my pocket and focus on my housemates.
When Lance starts downing his drink, I take it from him. “Okay, okay, buddy, we have all night, and it’s not gonna be spent getting you back on your feet or keeping vomit out of an Uber, got it?”
“Sorry,” Lance says, taking a breath. “Just keep worrying she’s gonna walk in with some new guy and I’m gonna die. Just fall over dead.”
“But if that happens, we’ll have such a beautiful service for you,” Ash assures him.
“That’s what I was really worried about anyway,” Lance says. “So in that case, please text her to come on over.”
We all enjoy a laugh, and suddenly, the overhead music amps up, the sound of patrons chatting clashing with what I realize is a remix of Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer,” which has people dragging friends to the dance floor.
As if drawn by some instinct, I glance toward the entrance, and there he is.
Atlas McCallister.
Flanked by his buddies, he approaches the other end of the bar and flags down the bartender.
I just fucking saw him a few hours ago. I shouldn’t be this excited about seeing him again, but it’s like now that he’s here, the real fun can begin.
22
Atlas
“I’m trying to decide if I want pussy or dick tonight,” Brenner says as we wait for the bartender to bring us our drinks. He’s rubbing his hands together, eyes darting around.
“Pussy,” Taylor replies.
“You only say that because you’ve never had dick,” Brenner counters. “You and Atlas are missing out.” He pumps his brows, and damn, what I wouldn’t give to tell him that no, I’m not, in fact, missing out. I had what’s probably the best dick there is just last night. So much so that I had to come out tonight just to forget about it, even though there’s no doubt in my mind that’s not going to happen.
“I’d try it.” Taylor shrugs as the bartender hands us our shots.
“No shit?” Brenner quirks a brow. “I mean…if you’re looking.”
“Not from you, asshole.” Taylor playfully shoves him, Brenner almost spilling his drink.
“Be careful, fucker, or the rest of the rounds are on you tonight.”
“Are you two done?” I down my shot, then set the glass on the counter.
“Are you ever not grumpy?” Taylor teases, making Brenner laugh. I have to bite back a smile because he’s right. Most of the time, it’s my way of being. It’s just who I am.
Except with Troy.
No, you’re pissy with him too.
But not as pissy.
Speaking of Troy, while Taylor orders more alcohol, I pull out my phone to see he’d replied.
Lil Stepbro: Would it be so terrible if I was?
Things start shifting around in my chest in a way I can’t really explain. I like hearing shit like that from him. I like it more than I should. The smart thing to do would be to nip this in the bud. It’s not like I have what it takes to be a boyfriend. I’m Glen McCallister’s son. He’s a prick, I’m a prick, only in different ways. And the whole boyfriend thing requires trust, and that ship has fucking sailed for me.
Unsure how to reply to his message, I leave it alone for now.
“Oh shit. Your stepbro is here. Dick it is!” Brenner claps his hands, my head snapping up to see Troy standing at the other end of the bar. He’s with the guys from his frat—Lance, Jesse, and…motherfucker.
Troy is saying something to Lance, but that’s not who caught my eye. Baby Thermo Geek is standing there, eyes on Troy like he hung the damn moon, like if Troy told him to, he’d get on his knees for Troy right fucking there.
You can’t have him. He’s mine.
I try to shake that thought from my head, but it’s glued, nailed, and cemented down.