I laugh at his forlorn expression. “So what? If I cut it you aren’t gonna find me attractive anymore?”
“Like that would ever happen,” he mutters, running a finger down my cheek. “You don’t know just how beautiful you are, Summer. Why do you think I call you beauty? You are something else, something special. A f**king treasure.”
I get goose bumps from his words.
“Listen, I…”
I stop talking when I see a group of people walk in, the moment ruined.
*****
“I don’t like it,” Xander says for the tenth time.
“Can you act your age? And not like my father?” I scowl, pulling up the sweetheart neckline of my black dress. I run my fingers through my freshly trimmed hair, loving the softness and the texture of the layers.
“I’m your brother, it’s my job to look after you. What if this ass**le tries something?” he demands, looking like he’s about to lose his cool.
“It’s just a date! I’ll be back in a couple of hours. I’m not gonna bone him on the first date, Xander!” I explain, rolling my eyes.
Xander laughs, breaking the tension. “Keep your phone on you. Is it charged?”
“Yes, I will, and yes, it is. Calm down, baby brother,” I say, leaning up on my tip toes and kissing him on the cheek.
“I’m never having daughters,” he sulks, pouring himself a scotch.
I shake my head. “You’re an old soul, Xander. Must have been that time you did in jail,” I joke.
“Oh, come on. It was just one night,” he says, his lip twitching.
“Well, you sure know how to make a first impression,” I say dryly, causing his body to shake with laughter.
“Reid’s not gonna like this,” he states when his laughter subsides.
“Not his business,” I say, my voice wavering a little.
“There’s things about Reid you don’t know, I don’t think you should give up on him,” he says in a gentle tone.
“I thought you weren’t a fan of Reid and me?”
“I wasn’t. But he’s different around you. And he’s a scary mofo, he'll always protect you. I need my sister safe,” he says.
The doorbell rings, and Xander rushes to answer it. Everyone is hinting about Reid, but no one will give me answers. It’s driving me bat shit crazy. When I see it’s my dad at the door and not my date, Lyle, I frown.
“Good, I caught you before your date arrives,” my dad says, smiling evilly.
“This isn’t prom, you guys,” I say, rubbing my temples. I swear I feel a headache coming on.
“Yeah, but this is our first time sending you off with another man,” Xander scoffs.
“You look beautiful, Summer Ray,” Jack says, smiling happily.
“Please don’t use my middle name again,” I beg, causing both of them to laugh. “I’m serious. Summer Ray, come on,” I groan.
“It suits you.”
“Yeah, if I was a hippie.” I slip my feet into my hot pink stilettos and put on a black cardigan.
“You ready to go, Xander?” dad asks him.
“Where are you two going?”
“We have some business on tonight,” my dad answers. I walk into my bedroom to get my bag. When I walk back out I can hear them both whispering. I lean against the door straining to hear.
“Reid doesn’t know about her going on a date, right?” Jack asks Xander.
“Nope.”
“Good, he needs to be on his game tonight,” dad says, sounding worried.
“He'll probably come here tonight, though. He did last time,” Xander adds. I walk out, narrowing my eyes at the two of them.
“What’s going on tonight?” I demand. The doorbell rings, and they both look relieved. When they both head to try and answer the door, I grab onto their shirts.
“No way. Goodnight, both of you. You have some explaining to do when I get back.” I kiss them both on the cheek and then open the door. Lyle stands there, in dark denim jeans and a tight white top. I guess I’m a little overdressed.
“Hey, Lyle,” I say smiling. He returns my smile, but then it suddenly drops. I glance behind me to see dad standing there, an intimidating aura surrounding him.
“I’m Jack Kane, you heard of me, boy?” he asks Lyle. Lyle swallows and nods twice. “Right. Take care of my girl.”
“Yes, sir,” Lyle says, swallowing so hard I can actually see the bob of his Adam’s apple.
“Good,” dad says, the tension clearing. We walk to Lyle’s car, and I frown when he doesn’t even bother to open the door for me.
“Where are we going?” I ask him once we both get in.
“I was gonna take you out to dinner. But I got an invite for an event, so you’re coming with,” he says, glancing over at me like I should be happy.
“Okay.”
“After meeting your father, I know you’re gonna like it. Fuck, I can’t believe I’m rocking up with Jack Kane’s daughter,” he says, sounding almost giddy.
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“What? Oh, nothing.”
“Explain,” I demand.
“It’s a surprise,” he says, turning up the music so I can’t talk.
Douchelord.
We stop at one of Lyle’s friends’ houses, where he makes me sit in the car for fifteen minutes. This is the worst date ever. I didn’t even have dinner. Lyle finally returns and we drive to a dodgy looking warehouse.