This weekend is going to be even more fun than I hoped.
Pressing my lips together, I hum “Eye of the Tiger”.
Standing in front of the enormous built in grill, I flip the steaks and peer over my shoulder. “How do you like your meat, Rocky?”
Pausing with her drink mid-air, her eyes swing to me. In their brown depths her annoyance shows. “I’m a vegetarian.”
“For real?” I question. Stretched out on a chaise, her voluptuous curves on display, I look her over from head to toe. Damn, I sure do like this new addition to the scenery.
“What?” she scoffs. “Do I not meet your expectations of what a vegetarian should look like?”
“No. I never said that.” And my question had nothing to do with how she looks. She surpasses my expectations of what a woman should look like in every way.
“Don’t you want to take this opportunity to make some immature comment about how I’ll be missing out on your meat?” she challenges.
I grin at her comeback. This chick's mouth is as entertaining as her appearance. Beauty and a sense of humor is an irresistible combination. “Now that you mention it…”
She tsks, waving her hand dismissively, but I’d swear her lips twitch, as if she’s fighting back a smile. “Focus on your grilling and leave me in peace before you ruin dinner.”
Turning back around, I flip the steaks once more. The aroma of the seared beef has my mouth watering almost with the same intensity as seeing Roxanne in her midriff-baring bathing suit all day.
Danika begins setting food out on the granite counter and her two friends join her, heading inside the house to fetch more food.
“Dude, I don’t think she likes you very much.” Larsen saunters toward me, a bottle of beer cradled in his hand.
“I think I’m wearing her down. I’ll be molding her curves like clay by the end of the weekend.”
Larsen chuckles. “I don’t think so, bro. This one’s not going to fall for your nonsense.”
“Are you really doubting me? You know my track record with the ladies.”
Larsen shrugs. “History speaks for itself. Every great empire falls sooner or later.”
I beat my chest. “Not this one.”
“Your arrogance will be your downfall,” my brother states.
I shake my head. “I’m not arrogant. I’m confident in my ability to win over any woman. I know what they want and what they want to hear. It’s the quintessential combination of irresistible. I’m like the perfect storm—they don’t realize the damage until I’ve already come and gone.” I flash a knowing grin at Larsen. “You should take this opportunity to watch the master in action this weekend.”
Larsen swallows his sip of beer before answering. “Oh, I’ll be paying close attention to every detail, so I can remind you of your epic failure.”
“In your dreams.”
“More like your nightmares.” He sets his empty bottle down on the counter next to the grill. Moving forward, he intercepts Violet on her way out the door. “Let me help you,” he croons, removing two large bowls from her hands.
Turning back to the grill, I shake my head. Amateur. It’s a wonder this guy gets laid at all.
He still hasn’t learned that being a nice guy is the kiss of death. When it comes to women, being nice equates to being boring. There’s a reason why there’s a popular saying nice guys finish last. It’s because they do. I should know. I was the consummate nice guy when I was in college, and I got my heart broken. And the kicker is, she left me for a bad boy, rebel type.
After our relationship ended, I made the decision to never be in that same position again. And I haven’t.
None of this means I treat the women I choose to spend time with poorly. While we’re together, I’m extremely attentive to them—always a gentleman. Well, maybe not always. What fun would that be?
Removing each steak from the grates with the tongs, I place them in an appetizing manner on the large platter as Danika comes to collect them.
“These look amazing, Adam. Thank you for being the grill master today.”
“Anything for you.” I wink.
Rex slaps the back of my head. Hard.
“Hey. What was that for?”
“Like you don’t know,” he replies.
I let out a quick laugh. “Okay, I do know, but it’s so much fun to see you so jealous. I’ve never seen this side of you before.”
“I can smack you some more if you continue testing me,” he threatens.
“I’ll lay off for the rest of the weekend. Beyond that, I make no promises.”
Bending down, Rex presses a kiss to Danika’s lips. “Do you need help with anything else?” She shakes her head, and they walk off together.
I turn the valve, shutting off the gas flow, and call out, “Who’s ready for some grub?”
5
Roxanne
The food is set up buffet style on a long island that’s built into the patio. I throw on my coverup before I take a little bit of everything from potato salad to baked beans—so much for sticking to my keto diet. But I’m going to cut myself some slack because long weekends spent away with close friends are not the time to worry about what I’m eating.
When I go to sit at the large rectangular table, I realize the only open seat is next to Adam. Oh, for fuck’s sake. Can’t the universe work with me at all?
Setting my plate on the glass top, I lower onto the chair, scooting away from him as much as I can.
“Where you going, Rocky? I won’t bite.” He leans toward me. “At least not in front of everyone.”
“I can’t tell you how relieved that makes me,” I droll.
He flashes a quick grin. “I like a woman with natural wit.”
“Save it for someone your lines have a snowball in hell’s chance of working on.”
I hear sniggers all around, reminding me we’re not alone. My eyes lower to my plate. Picking up a knife, I focus on cutting my steak. The sharp, serrated edge slides through the tender meat, like butter.
Adam nudges my arm to gain my attention once more. “I thought you said you were a vegetarian.”
I sigh. “I was kidding.”
“Good.” He nods as if he approves. As if he has a right to care one way or another about my eating habits. I feel the tiny hairs on the back of my neck stand upright as my annoyance climbs.
“Why is that good?” This I have to hear.
“I like women who eat meat.”
Mentally, my eyes roll a dozen times. So much for needing to hear his reason.
“Adam, leave her alone,” Rex rushes to my defense. Although I appreciate his help, it’s unnecessary. This isn’t my first time shutting down an overconfident guy, and unfortunately, it probably won’t be my last.
I point my fork Adam’s way. “You know, I’ve been considering becoming a vegetarian. You might be the final push I needed, so thanks.”
“Don’t mention it. And so you know”—he leans closer—“I’m not gonna give up on you, Rocky.” He licks his lips, drawing my attention to their full shape. When my gaze rises to meet Adam’s, he smirks. “You should throw out the white flag now and accept the inevitable.”