Miller, the biggest guy in the group, stumbles down the few steps and practically falls into the boat and lies across the seats. Talon climbs in after him, lifting Miller’s feet to put in his lap.
It was a tight fit on the way here, and now Miller’s taking up two spots. I get on next and take the seat farthest from them. If Miller can puke on a boat while sober, I don’t want to be anywhere near him while he’s drunk.
The other guys fill up the rest of the spots, and Jet’s the last one to get on with the help of Noah who holds him, while Matt climbs in and lifts Jet into the boat.
But as soon as Matt puts his brother down, it’s game on, and both he and Noah vie for the last spots. They easily beat Jet who’s too slow, too sloppy, and looks confused as to what they’re doing.
Realizing there are no more seats, Jet rubs his chin. “Standing room only, huh?”
I’m about to stand to offer him my seat but hesitate. That wouldn’t be suspicious, would it? I mean, it’s a nice thing to do, but will the others read into it?
I hate that my mind goes there because I don’t want the guys on my mind when it comes to Jet.
It confuses me and makes me doubt things.
Before I can make a choice, he takes it out of my hands. His ass lands on my lap.
“Uh …”
“It was either your lap or my brother’s, and I haven’t sat on Matt’s lap since I was, like, two.”
“Aww, baby bro, you can come sit here.” Matt pats his knee.
The group snickers.
Jet shudders on top of me. “That’s kinda creepy now we’re adults. Besides … this is kinda comfy.” Jet stares down at me.
I expect some sort of reaction from the guys, but as I quickly glance at each of their faces, all I see is them waiting for what I’m going to do.
Now’s as good a chance as any to test this out. I mean, sure, they might decide I’m not allowed to touch their precious younger brother figure and shove me off the boat halfway back to the island, but Jet is worth the risk.
And he did say I’m allowed to do anything I’m comfortable doing in front of Matt, so …
I put my hands on Jet’s waist, and I think I even shock the hell out of him.
“Hey, I’m certainly not complaining.” I hold my breath and wait.
“Ooh, looks like Jet’s after a Daddy,” Maddox says.
Yes, a joke. I can handle that.
Jet shifts on my lap. “Hmm, Big Daddy does have a ring to it.”
Oh, I’m going to kill him. Jet’s brown doe eyes stare at me while a smirk ghosts his lips.
“JJ,” Matt growls.
Jet flips him off without taking his gaze off mine. “Calm your tits. I’m just having fun with old Soren.”
“I’m not old.”
“Soren and Jet hooking up makes total sense, though,” Ollie says out of nowhere. I know he’s excited about the possibility of Jet and me, but does he have to spell it out for everyone?
Lennon elbows his boyfriend hard.
“What was that for?” Ollie rubs his arm. “They do make sense. Soren’s all heartbroken. Jet’s a—”
“A what?” Matt asks. His tone suggests he doesn’t actually want to know the answer.
Jet glares at Ollie. “I’m pretty sure manwhore, slut, or any variation was about to come out his mouth, but what would you know, Oliver?”
He glances between Lennon and Jet. “I, uh, read things.” Ollie’s head quickly snaps in Lennon’s direction. “And don’t make a joke about my ability to even do that.”
“Let me guess,” Jet says. “You heard about the orgy with Adam Lambert, Brendon Urie, and Sam Smith?”
“Holy shit,” I exclaim. “Did that really happen?”
“No.” Jet slaps my shoulder. “And their people were not so happy with me for making a joke about it. It got printed as if I was being serious.”
Ollie laughs. “I told you your mouth was going to get you into trouble one day.”
“I told him that too,” Lennon adds.
“Me too,” everyone else says in unison. Well, apart from Miller who’s now snoring.
“Damn straight,” Jet says. “My mouth has serious problems with authority, nosy paps, and with people telling me what to do.” He stares pointedly at his brother.
Matt shrugs him off. “Whatever. Like you ever listen to me anyway.”
“I might have to move to Chicago so Wade learns how to get his way with you two.”
Noah shakes his head. “Nah, he doesn’t have the innocent look you do that’s impossible to say no to.”
Jet’s mouth opens to argue, but we’re ready to go, so Joni unhooks the boat from the dock and moves to the captain’s chair. The engine roars to life, effectively cutting off a potential brotherly argument.
I don’t understand the way Matt and Noah see Jet. Yeah, he has that innocent look, but he’s far from innocent. And he’s not that much younger than Matt, yet they treat him like he’s fifteen.