On the Rocks (Mixology #2)(21)
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

“Yeah… I know that.”

“Wait. Do you guys know each other?” He looked between us.

“She’s my roommate.” I forced down the ‘you idiot’ part I wanted to add. Mouthing off to my boss’s son probably wasn’t the best idea. It was hard not to when he was practically breathing down Carly’s throat, and worse yet she didn’t seem to mind. Either she had really bad taste, or she was trying to annoy me more. I hoped it was the latter and decided to test it. “But I’ll leave you two to continue your conversation. I’m sure it’s been stimulating.”

“It has been.” She smiled. “But thanks for stopping by.”

I tried to get a read. Did she actually like Caleb?

I reluctantly walked away, but I still kept them in view. I knew she could take care of herself, but I didn’t want her getting hurt. Caleb didn’t date much, but he always seemed to go for the younger girls when he did. Getting mixed up with a rich boy with way too much time on his hands wasn’t good for anyone, especially not a girl as cool as Carly.

“You make me sick.” Brody rolled his eyes at me.

“I know I do, but is there a particular reason why I do at the moment?”

“You’re staring at her like a puppy or something. Either you like her or you don’t. And as much as I’d rather not have roommates who are dating, if you do like her I’d move fast. She’s not going to stay single long.”

“We’re just friends. Completely and utterly friends.”

“If you say so.”

“I do.” We had to stay friends whether I liked it or not. I couldn’t go down that road with Carly and screw things up for everyone.

“Then why are you over here alone staring at her like that?”

“Shut up.”

“I’m just saying…”

“I’m taking Carly home. I promised her I wouldn’t ditch her.”

Brody sipped his Coke. He rarely drank alcohol. “But I could easily drive her home too. I also live with her.”

I glared at him. “I’m driving her home, and I’m doing it soon.”

“She’s not going home with him, just watch the body language.”

“I’m watching.”

“She’s leaning away. He’s the one in her space, not the other way around.”

My body relaxed. “Good. If she wants to date I could hook her up with someone better than that.”

“Oh yeah? Who would that be? You?”

“Maybe it’s you, Brody. You seem to talk about her just as much.”

“Oh yeah? You’d be okay with me dating her?”

“If she weren’t our roommate.”

“Yeah… it’s all because of the roommate thing.” He turned to leave. “Keep telling yourself that, maybe eventually you’ll believe it.”

“Go to hell.”

“Nah, I’m just going to get another Coke.”

Chapter Thirteen

Carly

I had to get ready for work. After lazing around at the beach half the day I’d taken a pre-dinner nap. I’d have probably slept all night if Maddy hadn’t texted to see if I could pick her up. I got dressed quickly and searched around for my brush so I could at least attempt to make something of my wind blown hair. I realized I’d left it in the bathroom.

I heard the water in the sink running, and I assumed someone was brushing their teeth. I knocked while pushing open the door. “I just need my—”

The rest of my words were lost as Macon turned toward me. There he was holding a toothbrush and wearing nothing. Absolutely nothing.

“Oh my god. I am so sorry.” I backed out without finding my brush.

“Can I help you?” His voice was amused. How was he amused?

“Why are you naked?”

“Because I just got out of the shower.”

I kept looking down. “But you were brushing your teeth.”

“I like to dry off before I get dressed. You should try it sometime.”

“That’s what a towel is for.” I heard the ping of the towel bar. I glanced up, half hoping he’d be covered and half hoping he wouldn’t be. He had a towel tied around his waist.

“I guess we’re even then.”

“Even?” I could barely think straight. I was still picturing Macon naked.

“Yeah, I walked in on you in a towel, now you’ve seen me baring it all. We’re good to go.”

“I wasn’t naked.”

He grinned. “So what you’re saying is now I’m the one with the extra points. Nice.”

“You’re crazy.”

“I am? You’re the one who opened the door without waiting for an answer, and what did you need anyway?”

“My brush,” I answered sheepishly. He was right, I did pretty much barge right in.

“Here you go,” he held out the brush.

I took it, and my hand brushed against his in the process. Even tiny touches from him got me. “Thanks, and sorry.”

“Not a problem, roomie.”

“Okay.”

“Is there anything else?”

“Oh, no. Nothing.” I backed out the rest of the way and closed the door. Could I get more embarrassing?

With my hair halfway decent, I slipped on my shoes and grabbed my purse. I made it to Maddy’s with no time to spare. I got us there minutes before our shifts started. Luckily I was getting used to the job and was able to jump right in. A week in and I might as well have been working at the Grille for years. The mix of customers was different, but otherwise nothing really changed. I knew I wasn’t being paid much, but it gave me something to do, and any money was better than nothing. I worked about five nights a week, and if it were up to me I’d have switched to seven. I liked staying busy; it helped keep my mind off other things.

“Carly?” Max strode over. He generally only did that when there was a crowd of guys around. He was protective that way.

“Hi, Max.”

“I was hoping to talk to you about something.”

“Oh?” My stomach sunk. Was he going to fire me?

“You’re doing a great job as a hostess, but would you be interested in doing something that would get you more in tips?”

“Absolutely!” Phew, he definitely wasn’t firing me.

“I’m looking to hire another bartender. I’m going to be reopening the upstairs bar.”

“There’s a bar up there?” I’d seen the stairs leading to the upstairs, but I hadn’t actually been up there.