Ross 02 Rock Me by Cherrie Lynn Read Free Book Online

were turning sarcastic.
    He managed to get through dinner without insulting anyone or starting another fight, so he supposed it could be considered a successful evening. And Kelsey had been wrong; her shrimp manicotti rivaled his mom’s in every way. He told her as much as quietly as he could when she hugged him goodnight, and she practically beamed.
    Knowing he’d be the first to leave, he’d parked a bit down the driveway. The gravel crunched under his feet as he hitched up his itchy shirtsleeves and breathed deep the muggy night air with its tinge of floral sweetness from Kelsey’s rose bushes. He felt like a caged animal that had finally been given its freedom. Now to get home, jump into a T-shirt, watch a movie, whatever the fuck he wanted. Only he’d be by himself, and despite how penned up he’d felt in that houseful of people, he didn’t really care for that idea too much.
    It really would be nice to have someone who didn’t drive him nuts. Someone to laugh with over what a miserable ordeal that had been, someone to curl up with and enjoy the hell out of a good slasher flick. His ideal woman, right there.
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    Rock Me
    As he popped open the door of his truck, Candace’s face swam through his mind. He wondered if she liked horror movies. As much as they’d hung out together, he still had no idea.
    “Are you all right?”
    The delicate features and clear blue eyes dissipated, and Brian turned around from staring blankly into the dark depths of his truck to find his brother standing behind him.
    “Why wouldn’t I be?”
    Evan shrugged and walked closer. “All that talk about us moving away…I was thinking back. You had a pretty rough time of it when I left for college.”
    “It didn’t have anything to do with you.”
    “Really?”
    “Nope. Don’t flatter yourself. Plus I’m not fourteen anymore, don’t forget.”
    Evan didn’t look convinced. “Like it or not, I’m always going to see you as my kid brother.”
    “Well. I don’t like it.”
    “You know you’re going to miss me.”
    “Dude, if you’re trying to get me to squeeze out a tear for you, you can—”
    “Have you ever thought about getting out of here?”
    “What?”
    Evan shoved his hands deep into the pockets of his jeans. “I’ve always thought you’d do well to get away from here, from some of the people you know.”
    “What’s wrong with my people?”
    “Come on, Brian, I’ve been on the other side of the courtroom from half the guys you associate with. It’s only a matter of time before you’re in their spot.”
    “No, man, I don’t run with those guys anymore. I finally got my place off the ground; I work and I go home. That’s my life right now.”
    “Really?” Evan asked, one eyebrow raised. The skeptical look on his face pissed Brian off even more.
    “I’m not quite the fuck-up I once was. I don’t go out and get trashed anymore. I don’t do drugs and I never have, no matter how hard a time you have believing me.” It was probably the hundredth time he’d gone down the laundry list.
    “I’ve always believed you. I’ve seen enough that I would know if you were lying about that.” Evan was silent for a moment, and the only sounds surrounding them were the crickets and some distant chatter. The party must’ve moved around back to the pool. “But if you wanted to come with us, wherever we end up… I mean, you’d be welcome. Kelsey says so too.”
    “I appreciate that, but things are finally working out for me. You have a family now, and you don’t need me tagging along. It would be lame.”
    “I’ll worry about you.”
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    Cherrie Lynn
    “I’ll worry about me too. Without you here, I might finally go commit that armed robbery I’ve been dreaming about.” He grinned to show he was joking, and Evan laughed. Truthfully, he didn’t know how he felt about his brother moving away. He could certainly deal with it without going ass-out wild