Page 11 of Grumpy Spring Sunshine
“Uh, the computer shows you got something done the other night,” Kylie started, obliviously picking up on something being off. “What did you get?”
“Oh, an amazingly beautiful piece of a Colorado sunset through the trees. I love it.”
“Keith does great work.”
“Sure, when he keeps his mouth shut.”
“Well,” she said, glancing at him before looking at me, her pierced tongue licking her lips. “He doesn’t talk much.”
“He talks plenty. Probably should stop. Otherwise, he could get his ass kicked.”
She crossed her arms and rested them on the counter.
“Kayla said something was off. What happened between you two?”
“None of your business,” Keith growled, pleading with me to stop, but I wasn’t. If he was uncomfortable, well that was tough shit. I didn’t care. Maybe he shouldn’t have lied to me and left me the way he did.
“Nothing big, Kylie. Just enough for me to know that grump exterior just hides a jerk the size of Texas is all.”
She covered her mouth to hold in the laugh, but his eyes just narrowed. I shrugged, giving him the cold shoulder once more.
“You know, Brittani, now that Kayla has Tim, I need another lady to hang out with. I think you should come out with me. I know the perfect spot, and guys will go crazy over how cute you look.”
The growl that came out of Keith had both of us staring at him, looks of surprise on our faces.
“What the hell is that, Keith?”
“You can’t go out,” he told me.
“That wasn’t directed at me, cousin. You never tell me a damn thing. So that’s directed at Brittani. Kayla said you screwed something up, what was it?”
“None of your business. Wait outside, now,” he ordered her. She smirked as she winked at me before leaving, which I was silently praying she wouldn’t listen. But not all prayers get answered, I guess.
“You walked into work, correct?”
“You saw me, you dofus.”
“Name calling now, real grown up, Brittani.”
“Oh, don’t give me that you damn asshole. At least I’m adult enough to own my shit. Get out of here, you got what you needed, that’s enough.”
“Brittani,” he started but I shook my head.
“I’ve had enough assholes to last me a lifetime, Keith, I didn’t need another. It’s best if we just avoid each other.”
“Storyville ain’t that big, sweetheart. I’ll pick you up when you’re done, we need to talk.”
Chapter 7
Keith
Iwasn’t sure what came over me, but seeing her like that, having her pissed at me, just threw me for a damn loop. I hadn’t seen her without her smile, ever.
And I liked it far less that I didn’t get it throughout the day.
Was I a jerk for leaving the way I did?
Yes, I’ll own it.
