Staring into the darkness, I see that people are starting to clear out of the bar. I watch the door for Brighton. I sent him a text, but he didn’t reply. I’m sure he’s pissed that I walked away from his date and her friend like that. All I know is that I couldn’t listen to Nicole replay Kensington and Lance out on the dance floor.

I finally spot Bright and the girls… and Lance. They are walking toward a silver Honda. I don’t want to watch what happens. I am so off-kilter tonight, that I don’t know how I will react if I see him touching her again. This is not me. I’m not that guy, but tonight with her, I am. I squeeze my eyes shut and try to wrap my brain around why her turning me down, and not him, affects me so much. It has to be because this is my first night out in months.

I hear the truck door open and Bright climbs in. “You good, man?” he questions.

I know what he’s asking. He wants to make sure I’m okay to drive. I’ve sobered up and I’m golden. A night full of rejection will do that to you. Well, technically, the blonde didn’t reject me, but she did walk away as soon as I pulled out. Becoming a dedicated business owner has softened me up. I’ve lost my appeal to women. Shit! Now I’m gonna have to work for it.

“Yeah, I’m good.” I start the truck and head toward our house.

As soon as we make it home, I head straight to my room, strip down, and take a steaming hot shower. Something about being with the blonde… damn, I should have gotten her name. I just want to wash the night away, forget the entire night ever happened.

Twenty minutes later, I’m on the back deck, beer in hand, just watching the night sky. The weather will turn cold before long and sitting out here will not be as pleasant. I hear the patio door slide open.

Bright walks out, hands me another beer, and takes the lounge next to me. His phone beeps and he fumbles to check it. I watch in fascination as his face lights up once he reads the message.

“That her?” My voice is loud against the calm of the night.

Smiling like a fool, he answers, “Yeah. They’re home.” I nod my head, tip my beer back, and take a long drink. “I’m glad we were able to hang out tonight. Not sure what happened, but I wish you could have spent more time with her. I like her.”

Bright and I don’t really talk hearts and flowers. It’s not our thing. We’ve been best friends our entire lives and we just know the other well enough it’s not needed. For him to volunteer that he’s into this girl is a huge deal. I feel like an ass that I didn’t take the opportunity to get to know her better. I need to make it up to him.

“Tonight… was… odd for me. I guess I still have a ton on my mind with the new renovation and the next step for Cooper’s.” I don’t want to tell him that multiple rejections will do that to a guy. I don’t want to hear him tell me how big of an ass I was. We both know it to be true, so talking about it seems pointless. Besides, I can’t handle that after the night I’ve had.

Brighton doesn’t respond; he just smiles as his fingers fly over the screen of his phone. I watch my best friend in fascination. I never thought I would see the day. He’s let this one get under his skin. His phone beeps and his face lights up.

“Invite her over tomorrow night; we can throw some steaks on the grill. I have a feeling I’m going to be seeing her around a lot.”

“I hope so,” he says.

“Let me know. I have to be at the bar in the morning, but I can stop by the store on my way home. That’s the least I can do for how I acted tonight. I was just… off my game.”

“All right, man, I’ll check with Nicole,” he says, his fingers again flying across the screen. “See ya in the morning.” He climbs from his chair, holding his fist out. I push mine against his, and then it’s just me and the stillness of the night. I chug back the rest of my beer and decide to head off to bed. Putting this day behind me cannot happen soon enough.

The next morning, just as I’m walking out the door, Bright yells for me.

“Max!” he says as he comes rushing into the kitchen, phone in his hand. “I just talked to Nicole; she’ll be here at seven. She’s bringing Kensington as well. Please be nice,” he pleads.

I nod. “I’ll stop by and pick up what we need on the way home.” With that, I walk out the door wondering how my second interaction with the sexy Kensington is going to go. I tell myself that I’m just going to ignore her and her rejection. Bright is counting on me to not fuck this up for him.

AS WE WALK up the front steps of their house, I wonder how I got myself into this. I glance over and see the smile that has been permanently etched on my best friends face for the last twenty-four hours and I admit defeat. Nicole has been there for me more than I can count. When she asked me late last night, as I was drifting off to sleep, if I would come to Brighton’s with her tonight for an impromptu barbecue, I said yes at the sound of the joy in her voice. I also said yes, because I just wanted to go to sleep. Ready to put the day behind me. In the light of day, as I watch Nicole knock on the front door, I question my sanity.

Before she even finishes knocking on the door, it flies open, revealing the glimmering eyes of Brighton. His face is lit up just like my best friend’s. I can’t help but feel lighter about the night, just seeing how they both feel the same way about each other. I want her to be happy. She deserves nothing but that, true happiness. “Hey ladies,” Brighton says as he leans in and kisses Nic on the corner of her mouth.

“Thanks for having us,” I say, because Nicole seems too busy cheesing from ear to ear to speak at the moment.

“I’m glad you could make it. Come on in. Max is on the back deck starting the grill. I hope you brought your suits for a swim later,” he says. I follow behind and watch in fascination as he reaches for Nic’s hand and laces their fingers together. Good man.

Max turns to face us when he hears the patio door open. I turn my head and take in my surroundings. This place is really beautiful. It’s not at all what I expected of two bachelors. The back of the house is like a private oasis. A huge multi-tiered deck leads down to a concreted area and the in-ground pool. One of the sections of the deck also holds a hot tub. I walk to the edge of the deck, we are on the upper most level, and peer out below. There are lots of trees surrounding the property and a decent size pond with a gazebo toward the back of the property. I hate to admit it, but I’m impressed.

“Kens!” I hear Nicole yell my name. I whip my head around to see all three of them watching me. “I’ve been saying your name over and over,” she tells me. I see the concern in her eyes.

Taking a deep breath, I push off the railing and head back over to be sociable. “Sorry, I was just enjoying the view.”

“I’ll give you all a tour later. He’s done a great job with it,” Brighton tells me.

Even though I try to fight it, my eyes find Maxton. He’s staring right at me. “It’s beautiful.” I decide to keep the compliments to a minimum. This is yet another side that I never would have guessed would be a part of the great Maxton Cooper. I guess it’s possible he was just not having a good night.

He studies me. “I have all sorts of… special skills.” He smirks at me.

Gah! And I was actually trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe there is a twin around here, the nice twin. I have to be missing something with this guy.

Brighton hands Nicole and I both a bottle of water. “Can we do anything to help?” Nicole asks.

“Yes, we are at your disposal,” I tell Brighton.

“Nope, we’ve got it all taken care of. You ladies just have a seat and relax. It should be ready in about fifteen minutes.” He winks at Nic before heading into the house.