Page 75 of Dirty Deadly & Mine
Lily scoffs. “I think it’s pretty obvious.” She drops my hand, storming past Barrett and turns to rest her arse on the back of the couch, folding her arms over her chest. “What gives you the right to barge into my house?”
His brows shoot up. “I went to knock and heard you fucking scream. I thought?—”
“You thought what?” she snaps and Barrett frowns, his dark eyes dancing back to me.
Barrett is the epitome of a lady’s man. Every time I see him, he’s dressed in suits that probably cost more than the couch Lily is perched on. His dark hair is never out of place, and his facial hair looks like it’s combed into place on the regular.
Did I aspire to grow up like him when I was a kid? Absolutely. He oozes money, power and charm, but I know I’ll never be like him. I’m not distinguished. I’m not a gentleman. And I’ll be lucky to ever have a bank account that isn’t on its last dollar on a weekly basis unless I keep fighting and making my money illegally.
Barrett sighs, shaking his head. “We need to talk.In private.”
“If you’re going to give me a lecture on what you just walked in on, then you can save your breath.” Lily drops her arms from her chest as her hands ball into fists at her sides.
“Seriously, Lily?” He points to me. “He’s the twins’ age. Their best fucking friend.”
“I’m a year older than the twins, actually,” I say unhelpfully, which is made obvious when both Barrett and Lily shoot me a glare. “What? It’s true.”
“Fucking hell. Do the twins know about this?” Barrett drags his glare from me to turn it on his cousin.
I’ll give it to Lily. She’s tough. She doesn’t shy away from his wrath.
“No.” Lily straightens from the couch, her face red with anger. “And they aren’t going to find out.”
And there it is. The reality of my situation.
I’ve been showing Lily exactly how I feel. Admitting how I’ve crushed on her for years. Yet is there ever really a possibility of there being more between us than hot sex and stolen moments?
I’d like to think so, but let’s be honest. Is she ever really going to embrace this thing between us and tell her sons?
And do I see them ever accepting it?
My heart sinks.
Fuck. The truth hurts.
“What if it was them walking in just now?” Barrett snarls, pointing to the front door. “How do you think that would’ve gone?”
The fight drains out of Lily’s face and her shoulders slump.
“Hey! How about you mind your fucking business?” I hiss, coming to stand between Lily and her cousin, and Barrett smirks down at me… tall motherfucker, he is.
“Lilyismy business, kid. She’s a Ma—, family, and we look out for our own.”
What was he going to say?
“Oh, please,” Lily scoffs, pushing past me and Barrett, heading to the kitchen, where she takes a bottle of wine from the rack, opening it before she starts chugging it straight from the bottle.
“Lily, stop!” Barrett rushes her, and her eyes widen before he tugs the bottle free.
“What the hell!”
“You need to stay clearheaded.”
I frown at Barrett’s words and watch him and Lily stare at each other like they’re having a silent conversation.
“Has something happened?” Lily asks quietly.
“Yes. That’s why I’m here.” Barrett nods, his face etched in concern. “Well, that and last night’s misunderstanding.”
