Sweet Surrender (Sweet #1)(20)

Nathan bent down to retrieve his hat and slapped it back on his head. “Well, hell, Faith, you said I needed a haircut.”

Micah started howling all over again.

“I didn’t mean for you to shave it all off,” she squeaked.

Connor walked up behind Faith and slid a hand over her shoulder. “He’s dicking with you, Faith.”

“Yeah, tell her why you really shaved your head,” Micah said gleefully.

Faith yanked Nathan’s cap off again and took a step back to study him. Now that the initial shock had worn off, she had to admit he didn’t look bad at all. His goatee was freshly trimmed and neatly groomed. Without all the shaggy hair flopping over his ears, he looked damned sexy.

“Shut the hell up, Micah,” Nathan muttered.

Faith whirled around and eyed Micah. “If you know so much, then spill it.”

Micah grinned like a loon. “Oh no. I wouldn’t miss hearing this from Nathan himself for anything.”

She turned back to Nathan, who wore a resigned expression. Gray still sat slouched in his chair, an amused grin on his face.

“Yes, do tell,” Connor said.

“I lost a bet,” Nathan said tightly.

Faith’s mouth sagged opened. “A bet?” Then she rounded on Micah, her finger up and wagging. “Why on earth would you make him shave his head because of a lost bet?”

Micah’s eyes widened innocently. “What makes you think I had anything to do with it?”

She put her hand on her hip and narrowed her eyes. “Oh please. You can’t tell me this isn’t payback for the time he made you go out with the governor’s daughter.”

Connor and Nathan both dissolved into laughter. Connor had to put his cup down on Faith’s desk as he wheezed and his eyes watered. Micah scowled, and Gray’s eyebrows went up in question.

“Governor’s daughter?” Gray asked. “I didn’t know she could get a date. Last I heard, her daddy was pulling some serious strings to get her an escort.”

Nathan laughed harder. “She can’t. Well, except Micah there. He tripped all over himself to go out with her.”

Micah glowered at Nathan. “Shut the f**k up, bald boy.”

“Now this I gotta hear,” Gray said.

Faith cleared her throat. “Not that I don’t enjoy seeing Micah squirm, but we already know about the governor’s daughter.” She looked apologetically at Gray as she spoke. “I’m sure Nathan will be more than happy to fill you in later. What I want to know is why Nathan had to shave off all his hair.”

“Because he bet me the Astros wouldn’t lose yesterday afternoon,” Micah said smugly.

Connor regarded Nathan with an incredulous expression. “Dude, you bet they’d win with their best batter out with a torn rotator cuff?”

“I didn’t know that when we placed the bet,” Nathan said tightly.

“Oh, but I bet Micah did,” Faith said.

“How would he know?” Nathan asked.

Micah slid an arm around Faith and squeezed her shoulders. “How indeed. Just a lucky thing, I guess.”

“You know something we don’t, Sis?” Connor asked.

“Just that Micah happens to be very good friends with the team doctor. Micah was the one who replaced his security system last year.”

“You son of a bitch!” Nathan exclaimed. He launched himself at Micah, who ducked and backed away just as Nathan flew past Faith to grab Micah’s head in a lock. “You knew. You knew the whole time. That’s why you made the bet with me.”

Micah laughed even as Nathan flipped him to the floor. “The stunt you pulled with the governor’s daughter was far worse, so don’t give me that shit.”

“He’s got you there,” Connor said with a laugh. “I’d rather shave myself bald than have to endure what Micah did.”

“You guys really have me curious,” Gray grumbled.

Micah picked himself up off the floor, and Nathan clapped Gray on the back. “I’ll tell you all about it over lunch today.”

“Asshole,” Micah muttered.

“Well, if it’s any consolation, I think you look hot,” Faith spoke up.

Nathan looked at her in surprise. “Really?”

She laughed. “Yeah, I like it. I’d definitely do you.”

“Well, hot damn, let’s blow this joint and go back to my place.”

Connor scowled at Nathan. “Not funny, man. Not funny at all.”

“All you need is an earring,” Faith said.

He gave her a horrified look. “An earring? Are you serious? So I can look like sissy boy over there?” he said with a flip of his head in Micah’s direction.

Faith shrugged. “I think his earring is hot. You’d look great with one. Shaved head, goatee, a diamond stud or even a gold hoop, a small one. Mmm, I get all quivery just thinking about it.”

Nathan massaged his earlobe between his fingers. “Are you shitting me? You really think I’d look good with an earring?”

Faith nodded. “Yeah, and all you’d need is a little sun on that lily-white skin of your scalp, and you’ll be a regular lady killer.”

“Give it to me straight, Faith. Speaking as a woman. Quit trying to make me feel better. You honestly think the bald look is hot?” Nathan asked doubtfully.