Mr. Big Jerk: A Forbidden Second Chance Romance (Kinda Cocky Series Book 3), стр. 5

I kissed her on the cheek before Dad came and patted me on the back. But, I stole a few more seconds in Mom’s hug before I pulled away. I never wanted to hug her for too long. Otherwise, I’d start crying. I don’t know; her embrace just felt like home, like safety and comfort. I hadn’t had too much of that in the Navy. And by ‘too much,’ I meant ‘none at all.’ When I was in Mom’s arms, though, I felt like a seven-year-old with a skinned knee again.

I felt helplessness, weakness, and comfortable. All rolled into one.

“You gonna give me a hug? I played a role in making you,” Dad said.

I wrinkled my nose. “Maybe don’t put it that way.”

He chuckled, opening his arms. “Hey there, son.”

I clapped his back. “Hey there, Dad.”

Zane stuck his head in. “You guys done greeting the favorite of the family?”

Mom quipped. “Clint isn’t our favorite. Shame on you for saying so.”

I released Dad. “Nah. I’m just the firstborn. It’s less favoritism and more perfection if you ask me.”

Brenden scoffed as he stepped around the corner. “You’d think so, huh, big guy?”

I passed through Mom and Dad. “The girls here?”

Zane shook his head. “Nope. Kelly and Karina are out at the spa getting some pampering.”

I nodded. “Must’ve been where Roxy went after I gave her a half-day.”

Brenden paused. “I… don’t think Roxy’s with them, no.”

I furrowed my brow. “Why not? Those are her two best friends. Wouldn't she be with them?”

A timer dinged in the kitchen. “Chicken’s ready!”

My stomach growled. “Please tell me that’s your baked cream of chicken with--.”

Brenden patted my shoulder. “You know damn good and well it is.”

Zane rubbed his stomach. “With Dad’s yeast rolls.”

I hummed. “I’m gonna hurt myself tonight.”

Dinner was fantastic, and everyone seemed to be in good spirits. And after dinner came the family drink as we slowly meandered into Dad’s study. I walked over to the window and gazed out over the front yard. I saw Dad’s garden off in the distance, over by the corner. I saw Mom’s pet landscaping project halfway done in the middle of her rose garden. I sipped my whiskey and let the alcohol rush through me, clutching my glass as tightly as I could.

Because for some reason, I felt less planted to the ground than I did arriving for dinner.

“Still thinking about Roxy?” Brenden asked.

I cast him a sharp look as he came to stand beside me.

“I’m not thinking of her, no,” I said.

He shrugged. “Could’ve fooled me.”

“Why are Kelly and Karina not out with Roxy?”

“What makes you think they didn’t ask her?”

“Then, what could she be doing that her best friends aren’t doing? Those three are connected at the hip.”

Zane came up to my other side, grinning. “Worried about Roxy?”

I rolled my eyes. “I hate you both.”

Brenden sighed. “Why don’t you just ask her out already? I mean, the two of you looked pretty cozy at the birthday bash a few months back.”

Zane nodded. “And we know she likes you. She can’t stop staring at you whenever you're around. It’s almost uncomfortable.”

I looked over at him. “Roxy’s just fine in my presence. So, you shut your mouth.”

Brenden chuckled. “We rest our case.”

I took a long pull from my drink. “Look, the woman hates me. But, even if she didn’t? She works for me. She’s off-limits, no matter how you look at it.”

Mom came up from behind. “What are my boys talking about now over here?”

I felt her rubbing my back, and my eyes fluttered closed.

“Nothing, Mom. Just catching up,” I murmured.

She patted my back. “Well, come catch up over here with us. We’ve hardly seen you since you moved back to Vegas.”

Yes. It’s a ways out here. “Love to, Mom.”

Zane gripped my arm. “This conversation isn’t over, you know.”

I glared at him. “It is now.”

Then, I walked over to where Mom and Dad were sitting. Ready to talk. Ready to open up. Ready to do anything that didn’t have to do with talking about Roxy.

Because I didn’t want to open up that can of worms.

I didn’t want to give myself yet another possible chance at having my world destroyed.