“Beer for the road?”
Jillian didn’t have to sell sex toys that night so she shrugged. “Why not. Thanks.”
Dodge tossed her a can. “Thanks again for everything, young lady.”
“You’re welcome.” She raised her can to him before heading down the street. After popping the top, she took a big gulp. It was cold and tasted only mildly gross after her long and unexpectedly emotional day with AJ, then reminiscing about her blind date with Dr. Luke Jones.
“Jillian,” a familiar voice called as she neared her driveway. Cage stood behind a grill.
“Hey, early dinner?”
He smirked. “Late lunch.”
“Whatcha grilling?”
“Steaks and not the kind made from soybeans, sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’m good.” She held up her can of beer before taking another sip.
Cage laughed. “Looks healthy.”
“How’s the big guy?”
He flipped the steaks and closed the lid. “Grumpy. He didn’t end up going into work today so now he feels guilty.”
Jillian handed Cage the rest of her beer. “Here, drink up. I’ll go cheer him up.”
Cage sat in the folding chair next to the grill and tipped back the can for a long swig. “Good luck with that. I don’t think you bring out the best in him.”
Jillian turned before opening the door to the house. “Really?” she asked with a hint of surprise in her voice.
Cage chuckled. “Really.”
She shut the door and padded down the hall toward the kitchen.
“Better not be burning my steak,” AJ called from the kitchen with his back to Jillian as he sliced vegetables and slid them off the cutting board into a large salad bowl.
“I love how protective you are of your meat,” she whispered, sliding her hands under his shirt and around front to his chest.
AJ stiffened. “What are you doing?”
“Trying to un-grump you.”
He turned. “That’s not a word.”
She stepped back and leaned against the opposite counter. “Thanks for the grammar tip. How are you feeling?”
He cleared his throat and turned back around to continue working on the salad. “About that. What happened earlier … it shouldn’t have happened.”
She rubbed her forehead. Jillian wasn’t sure when she became such a guilty pleasure, but she had always been Luke’s, and AJ, with that statement, joined the list too. “Because …?”
“Because I have a date tonight.”
She pushed off the counter. “Well, that must mean you’re feeling better. Good for you.” She headed to the back door. “I have one too.” The statement came out of nowhere, an ego knee-jerk reaction, but it was too late. She had to own it.
AJ started to say something, but she shut the door before he could finish.
“Hey, young buck. What are your plans tonight?”
Cage retrieved the steaks from the grill, setting them onto a plate. “Not sure yet. Why?”
“I think you should take me around town and show me the nightlife in Omaha. What do you say?” She continued walking to her house.
“Like a date?”
Jillian grinned to herself. “If your dad asks, then yes—definitely a date.”
“Will I be getting lucky tonight?”
A giggle bubbled from her chest. “Sorry.”
“But I don’t have to tell my dad that, right?”
“I’d be disappointed if you did.”
*
“Jills, get your ass down here. I need to hit something.”
Jillian rolled her eyes, smirking as she slipped off her shoes. “Let me change my clothes, Jacks.” After a quick change, she joined her brother downstairs for some friendly sparring.
“My four o’clock student raped my piano. I didn’t think it was possible for such a hideous sound to come out of Black Beauty.”
“You named your piano?”
“Yes. Hit me.”
Jillian pulled one arm across her body then the other, stretching her shoulders. “Anxious?”
“Restless … agitated … I don’t know.” Jackson rolled his neck.
“You need to get out of the house, have some fun. Get drunk with purpose.”
“And what purpose would that be?”
She jabbed at him, but he was too quick for her. “To get laid. You’re much more charming once you’ve had a few beers.”
Jackson landed a kick just below her ribs. “I think I wrote the book on getting laid.”
She swept his leg, landing him on his ass. “Don’t be cocky.”
He jumped back up. “You and I. We’re going out tonight.”
Jillian ducked and weaved to avoid the knuckles aiming for her jaw. “Can’t…” she breathed “…I already have plans.”
“Plans?”
“A date of sorts.”
He T’d his hands. “Timeout. A date?”
“Of sorts.” She guzzled down half her glass of water.
“With whom?”
“Cage.”
“The neighbor boy?”
“He’s a young man, but yes.” Jillian could see the lecture being composed in her brother’s incessantly churning brain. “And before you go off about it, I can assure you it’s nothing. He’s just showing me around town.”
Jackson cocked his head, hands rested on his hips. “Did he ask you?”
She shrugged. “I don’t remember.” Her grin called her out before Jackson had the chance.
“Liar. You asked him, didn’t you? Why? There has to be a reason. He’s not your type.”
Jillian shot him a scowl. “Then what type is he?”