When We Run (Mason Brothers Book #4)

Chapter 23

CADE

“Do you think we have it in our budget to replace that third oven? I know we’ve been dealing with two, but it would be really nice to have that third up and running.”

“I’m sorry, what?” I look up from the papers in front of me, hearing Damon talk, but not really listening to what he was saying.

“Third oven.”

I shake the cobwebs from my head, “What about it?”

Damon tosses his pen on the table, “Jesus, Cade, where the fuck is your brain this morning, man?”

“Sorry, I just didn’t sleep well.” I go for another sip of coffee, only to find it empty, “Let me get another cup of coffee and I’ll be on top of it, I swear.”

Damon shakes his head, “That’s your third since we’ve been here. You’re never this out of it, dude. What’s up?”

“Nothing,” I insist, walking into the kitchen and pouring myself another cup, “like I said, I didn’t sleep well.”

“Well, I would imagine sleep comes hard when you’ve got a little thing prancing around your place.”

I roll my eyes, of course, he wouldn’t understand. “She doesn’t prance. And it isn’t like you think it is with her.”

“Care to explain? I mean, I don’t need to know all the details,” he cringes, “but if there is something bigger going on, feel free to explain.”

“There are no details like that, Damon. She’s just been with me for a couple of days and it has been pretty fun. I’m not sleeping in as much anymore because we’re getting up to do things together. As I said, I just like spending time with her.”

“Are you okay being the rebound guy? That’s probably a dumb question, it screams no strings, which is totally your thing.”

Frustration begins to build up, I don’t know how many times I have to explain the same thing over and over again. “I’m not a rebound guy,” I bite back a bit too strongly. Not that it is any of your business, but we haven’t even hooked up. It probably isn’t even in the cards.”

“What the hell?” He seems genuinely shocked, “we all thought you would have by now.”

“Who is we?” I ask. “Please don’t talk about my sex life like it is some huge gossip topic.” Damon leans over and puts the back of his hand against my forehead. I swat it away and back up. “What the hell? Don’t touch me.”

“I’m just checking to see if you have a fever because you have got to be sick.”

“I’m not sick. I’m feeling just fine,” I insist.

“Honestly, I don’t know who you are right now. Usually, you have zero issues telling us about your sexcapades, and now all of a sudden you’re NOT getting laid and you don’t want us talking to her like you are.”

“Maybe I’m finally doing that growing up thing that y’all keep talking about. We don’t need to talk about what I am or am not doing with Dans.”

Damon snickers, “Dans? You gave her a damn nickname and everything. Shit, Cade.”

“What?” I throw my hands up.

“You like her.”

“I already told you that I do. She’s a cool chick and we have fun together.”

“No, no,” he grins, “You like her, like her.”

“Don’t be stupid,” I try to brush him off, but he keeps going.