“Lucky guy?” His eyes narrowed as he took another drink. “I’m confused.”
“You’re gay,” I announced in a defeated voice.
Rum and Coke sprayed all over the counter. Handsome Stranger proceeded to choke on what I could only assume was an overly large tongue as he continued to cough and then finished his entire drink, slamming the glass back onto the countertop.
“Did Max put you up to this?” he rasped.
“Ah, lover boy has a name.” I winked. “Max. Sounds . . . flimsy. He the chick in this relationship?”
“Holy hell, I’m going to kill him.” He shook his head. “See, this is what happens when he tells me to take a chance!”
“To be fair”—I gave him a polite nod—“he was probably trying to encourage you to live a little.”
He glared. “I live just fine . . . in a penthouse.”
“Didn’t ask.” I held up my hands in defense.
“With floor-to-ceiling windows.”
“Awesome.” I started to scoot slowly away.
“Oh, no you don’t.” Mr. Handsome hooked his foot into my stool and jerked it toward him. I nearly collapsed into his lap. “What did Max tell you?”
“Is this a game?” I whispered. “Because I don’t think I know how to play.”
“Game.” He bit down hard on his full bottom lip. “If it was a game, I’d be losing.”
“O-okay.” I tried to inch away again, but this time his hand came down on my arm, holding me still.
“I’m not gay.”
“Then who’s Max?”
“My brother.”
“Whoa.” I laughed. “Okay, that’s a little too much crazy for one night. Thanks for the drink, but I think I’ll . . .” I held up my hands and waved into the air. “I’ll pass on whatever game you and your lover are playing. Have a good night.”
“But—”
“See ya!” I grabbed my coat and darn near collided with a wall in order to get away.
The minute I walked outside it started pouring rain.
I tried to hail a cab and only succeeded in getting drenched from head to toe. Hanging my head, I finally decided to walk back to my apartment. Was it wrong to wish to get mugged? Because that would at least prove to the universe that I wasn’t invisible.
Or that the only people that hit on me were either gay or crazy or—lucky me—both.
CHAPTER THREE
REID
“So?” Max barked into the phone. “How’d it go?”
I stared blankly ahead as the sound of the TV filled my large apartment. “Just tell me why you did it.”
Max sighed. “I seriously have no idea what you’re talking about, but could you please get there faster so I can go have sex?”
“Too much information.”
“Then talk faster, bitch!”
I must have been a real bastard in another life to get cursed with a brother like Max, one who would try the patience of ALL nuns, not just one of them—all of them. Even the old senile ones with hearts of gold.
“She knew I was hitting on her.”
Max was silent, then whispered, “Isn’t that the point?”
“No,” I roared. “She was in on it! You planted her!”
“I did no such thing!” Max argued back. “Why the hell would I do that? I wanted you to get on the horse, go for a ride, slap the pony, get yours—”
“I get it.” My temples throbbed.
“So, what would lead you to assume I planted the ass I wanted you to tap?”
“You kiss your fiancée with that mouth?”
“I do more than kiss her. Last night, I—”
“I’m sorry I asked,” I interrupted. “And the girl you planted accused me of being gay!”
Max burst out laughing.
I growled.
“Oh.” A few more chuckles. “I’m sorry. I was laughing with you, not at you.”
“I wasn’t laughing.”
“Why the hell not? It’s hilarious!”
“Good-bye, Max.”
“No, wait!” Max laughed louder. “See! This is what I was saying earlier! Your charm is misfiring. It’s like you’ve discovered the unlucky penny. You have to get out there and settle down. It’s time, man. At least the universe proved it to you so I wouldn’t have to.”
“Whatever.” I licked my lips. “I’ve got an early call time in the morning, so I’m going to bed.”
“Did you at least get her number?”
“Dude, she ran away from me.”
Silence.
I waited. “Max, you still there?”
“It’s sad when your balls start to work against you by rejecting all traces of females in your vicinity. I’ll add them to my prayer list.”
“Please don’t pray for my balls at the dinner table.”
“Silly, we pray for them in bed.”
“Good night, Max!”
“Night, Reid! Remember, get on the horse!”
“Right.”
I pressed “End” and threw the phone against the black leather couch. Max was the confused one, the deranged one. I was happy! I was just fine living the high life of a bachelor!
Hell, I was an actor, well known on Broadway and soon to be all over the media, especially considering I’d just been cast in the film role of the century playing opposite A-lister Mona James.
I didn’t need a woman.