Riptide Affair by Catherine Black

Author:Catherine Black [Black, Catherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-11-09T06:00:00+00:00

I knew Merrin and Brian would hit it off right away. I sensed it that first day we stopped at Woody's. They're kindred spirits, both misfits in their own right, and they just click. Not only is Brian just as sweet and funny as Merrin, but he's so obscure you can't help but adore him. The dude loves football, weightlifting, Van Damme action flicks, and can belch his ABCs...all while being openly, unapologetically gay as a hatbox full of speedos. It's a charming combination.

Rhett, however, is still just as big of a stoic crab ass as he was the day he met Merrin. They've reached a point where they can be in the same room without eye rolling, snide comments, or the urge to bring up his scorched testicles, but he has yet to fully warm up to my girl. Which is why it pains me to leave her with them, but I still have some last minute dinner prep to finish.

“Wait here,” I whisper, kissing her temple as I lead her to the empty couch next to Rhett's recliner. “He won't bite.”

“Says you,” my brother grumbles, hiding a smirk. Guess he's in the mood to play nice tonight.

I leave it at that and venture to the kitchen where the lasagna I prepared last night is waiting for me in the fridge. I discard the tin foil on top, preheat the oven, and pop that baby right inside.

Knowing I shouldn't leave Merrin in the company of my crotchety brother for too long, lest I ruin the mood for the evening, I jog back to the living room, only to pull to a stop at what I hear before entering.

“I just thought you should know I appreciate everything you did for him. And...are doing for him.”

Carefully, I peer around the door frame and see Merrin's eyes bulging. “Uhh...you're welcome?”

“Don't make this a thing,” Rhett says with a roll of his eyes. There's a beat of silence when he takes a pull from the beer bottle in his hands. “It's just good to see him happy. That's all.”

I smile. Maybe now Merrin won't see him as the ice king she thinks he is. Deep down, my brother cares about people, especially me, although he does a shit job of showing it. Now, he doesn't care to the point that he'll jeopardize a promotion when the flu is running rampant through the house, but he does care, in his own stodgy way.

“And how do you know?” Merrin asks, fidgeting in her seat. “That I make him happy? What makes you think this isn't just a fling?”

A rare smile graces Rhett's lips when he taps his temple with the mouth of his beer bottle. “Twin telepathy.”

“Right. I forgot that was a thing.” She nods, smiling along. “Well, if it matters at all to you, he makes me really happy too. It's been a long time since I've had someone...” She trails off, swallowing nervously. “Someone who cared.”

“It's a good thing to have,” he says simply, taking a drink before settling back against the couch.

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