Take (Need #2)(22)

“I’m okay.” She beams at me, her bottom lip quivering as she reaches for me and pulls me into her arms. “I’m so proud of you.”

Ryan ruffles my hair. “Good job, kid.”

I slap at him, but I can’t connect thanks to Mom’s iron grip. “Jerk!”

Mom finally lets go, and I try and fix the rats nest he’s created. Ryan laughs and I swat at his stomach, hitting hard. He grabs my wrist and pulls me until I collide with his chest for a hard hug. My feet leave the ground as he picks me up.

“Congrats, baby sis. Love you.”

I should beat on him to let me go, but I’ve missed this, missed him, my brother. “Love you, too.”

There’s a familiar chuckle beside me as he sets me back down that makes me tingle.

Fucker.

I turn to Brayden, unable to stop myself. His green eyes are bright, almost sparkling.

“Congratulations.”

I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “Thanks.”

I’m almost clear of touching him, but when he steps forward, arms open, I grimace inside. Not wanting to cause a scene, I allow his arms to circle me. It’s brief, his restraint obvious in the tension of his muscles, but it’s more than enough to cause my heart to speed up.

“What are your plans tonight?” Mom asks as we turn toward the parking lot.

“There’s a party.”

I promised Mom we’d have a family dinner. Though to me family is her, Ryan, and I’ll add in Dana. Steve’s not my dad, and even though I’ve lived with him for three years, we’ve never gotten very close.

Then there’s Brayden, the complicated thorn in my side.

Thankfully dinner goes off without complication. A.k.a. Brayden behaved himself.

When we pull into the driveway, I jump out and run upstairs to change. I kick the door behind me and grab the hem of my dress to pull it above my head and toss it in the hamper.

“Is Austin going to be there?” Brayden asks from the door, scaring the crap out of me.

“Jesus!” I whip my head around as I nearly jump out of my skin.

As his tongue swipes across his lips, I realize I’m only wearing a strapless bra and a thong. Oh well. I don’t even bother to cover myself.

“Shut the door, *!”

His eyes darken, and he steps in and starts to close the door.

I narrow my gaze on him and stomp forward. “That’s not what I meant.” I push on his chest until he’s back in the hallway and slam the door in his face.

Fucker.

“Is Austin going?” I can hear his anger through the barrier between us.

“Why do you care?” I shuffle through my dresser for a bra, wanting to get out of this strapless.

“You know why.”

I roll my eyes, then move to my closet. “He lives down the street, so I’m sure he’ll be there.”

“Did you invite him?”

I already picked out an outfit for tonight, but his presence has me all over the place.

“Not directly.” My fingers work the clasp of the strapless and it falls to the floor. I peek out the door. “Everyone will be there. Ryan said he’s going.”

“I know.” His voice sounds strained, but I think I just gave him some side-boob view, maybe even some nip.

Am I trying to tease him? Always.

Suffer, *.

“Are you going?” Damn curiosity.

“Yes.”

I pull the dress I picked out over my head. “Why?”

“Because you are.”

His answer irks me and gives me the damn happy vibes.

“This is the year-end graduation party. The biggest party of the year. Don’t expect me to pay you any attention at all.”

“Wow. When did I become the clinger?”

“When you started stalking me.” I throw a flip-flop at the door.

He chuckles. “It’s not stalking if I love you.”

I know he’s quoting some meme floating around the Internet, but f*ck . . . those words. They stop me in my tracks, which is bent over as I slip on my shoes.

I stomp back over to the door and peek through. “Don’t start that crap up again. You had your fun. It’s my turn now.”

His mouth pops open, anger flaring in his eyes, then it’s suddenly gone. “You’re right.”

The words “I am?” almost slip from my lips. It’s such a departure from the norm that my whole system is in shock, leaving me to stare at him, wordless.

“I’m a jealous *. I know. I can’t stand the thought of anyone touching you, most of all Austin.”

I close the door and walk over to my dresser to pick up some bracelets and my wristlet, then throw open the door. His eyes go wide, running up and down my body, setting my skin on fire. “Well freaking get used to it, because you have no say in any part of my life.” I push him aside.

Before I can scoot by, Brayden grabs my wrist. The calm demeanor he’s mastered all day is gone, replaced by a fury that almost makes him look like a maniac.

“I’ll walk with you.” The party is only a few blocks away.

I wrench my arm free. “Walk by yourself.”

I make sure to push him hard on my way out, giving me time to race ahead and down the stairs.