Chapter 7
~Bro Code~
An ungodly racket wakes me out of a sound sleep. I roll over and pull the pillow over my head. Loud voices cut through the down covering my ears, and then a jackhammer starts up.
I lift the edge of the pillow and open one eye to see what time it is. Six freakin' ten in the morning! I roll off the edge of the bed and stalk over to the window, pushing it up roughly. It's still fucking dark out, but I can discern several people wearing hardhats with lights on them across the street.
"Yo! What the hell are you doing?"
One burly guy in an orange vest turns to glare up at me. "What does it look like, buddy?"
"It sounds like you're violating the noise ordinance!"
Burly McSmartmouth turns his headlamp off and scoffs. "Town ordinance states no loud decibel work shall be performed before eight a.m. except in the event of an emergency, which includes interruption of vital services or utilities. Now why don't you run along and put some clothes on, ink boy?"
A few of his co-workers turn around to see what Burly is yelling about. Some of them whistle.
Fuck these tall windows. Thankfully, I'm not naked, but apparently, I'm visible from the thighs up in my underwear and bare-chested, tattooed glory.
"God damn it!" I snarl, slamming the window and yanking the shade down. So much for a solid night of rest.
There's no way I can go back to sleep now, so I decide to go for a run. After dressing, I leave by the back entrance to avoid the noisy utility workers. I run a few blocks to Toga Park—not sure who named it, but there's an annual toga party—and follow winding paths through lush trees and grass and exit at the other end. I stop at Buns to get a coffee and a glazed donut, walking and noshing the rest of the way to Inkspiration.
When I did construction on the second floor, I left an old bathroom intact for staff to use. Climbing up the back stairs, I unlock the door to the private rooms.
I strip and take a shower, allowing the hot water to soothe my muscles. I step out, wrapping a towel around my waist, and head for the battered, old dresser used for storing extra clothes and toiletries that belong to the staff.
I tug open the top drawer and rifle through my clothing, choosing a well-worn pair of acid wash jeans and a gray Henley.
"Are you gay?" Rose's voice startles me. I drop my clothes and nearly my towel too.
I whip my head toward her voice. She leans against the wall several feet away, wearing sneakers, leggings, and a hoodie. Her blond waves flow from under a burgundy beanie, framing her makeupless face. Most women look washed-out barefaced, but Rose is still next-level beautiful.
"What?"
She stalks forward slowly. "Are. You. Gay?" Her voice is low and soft. She rakes her intense blue eyes over me without shame, reaching out and tracing her index finger over my bare chest.
I grab her wrist. "No."
"No, you're not gay, or no, don't touch you?"
"Both."
Rose tugs her wrist from my grasp. "Why don't you want me?"
I sigh, leaning to pick up my clothes. I yank the shirt over my head. "Look, you're fucking beautiful, and any guy would be lucky to—"
"But not you."
"I'm sorry, but not me. First off, I don't fuck where I eat."
"How crude." The left side of her lip lifts in distaste.
"What the fuck, Rose? You accosted me while I'm standing here half naked. So sorry if you don't like my choice of phrase."
She crosses her arms, her tongue peeking out to flick her viper bites. "Is there a non-frat policy here?"
"Not as long as it doesn't affect business. Due to past experiences, I have adopted a non-frat policy for myself."
"Guess I have to drown my sorrows at Denali's with Dina tonight."
I groan. "Come on, Rose! There's no sorrow to drown."
Rose unzips her hoodie, showing off her red, front-zip sports bra, which is halfway undone. Her tits are dangerously close to spilling out. She slides one of her red nails along the edge of the bra, dipping low enough to scrape her nipple.
Her nipple isn't the only thing standing at attention now.
Rose's frank gaze lands on my tented towel. "So you aren't immune." Satisfied, she zips her hoodie back up, hiding the erection-inducing sight.
"I'm not dead, Rose."
She starts walking away and then turns back. "Is there anything else stopping you?" When I hesitate, she asks again with more force.
"Bro code."
Rose smiles like a Cheshire cat. "See you at work . . . boss." She saunters away, an extra sway to her hips.
"Emmett, you fucking owe me," I mutter.
oOo
I'm at my station by eight thirty. I look over my client list and prepare for a great day, thankful I have a few complex pieces to work on.
The bells over the door jingle at eight forty. I'm confused, since we don't open until nine.
I hear Emmett's booming voice. "My man! And who is this?"
The responses are muffled.
"Ace! Your first client is here!"
Rose's station is all the way in the back, and I don't think she heard Emmett, loud as he is. I'm curious who she's starting early for, so I walk up front.
Jimmy is leaning on the front desk. Emmett's sizable bulk eclipses the other person.
"Jimbo!"
"Hey, man!" He comes over and grips my hand, giving me a one-armed hug.
"You brought Ace a client?"
"Yeah. Me!" Jimmy holds his arms wide.
I laugh. "You're getting hardware?"
"I am."
Rose comes up behind me. "Hey, Jim! I'm all ready for you. Come on back."
Jimmy smiles. "Good morning, Rose. Before we go in, I want to introduce you to someone."
Emmett turns and gravitates toward Rose, giving me a view of the other person in the room.
She's fair-skinned with long, chestnut waves and feminine curves. Soulful brown eyes meet mine, and my breath hitches. She smiles shyly, a blush staining her cheeks. My heart starts beating harder, and something inside me stirs.
Is it possible Jimmy is already making good on his promise to find a match for me? I haven't been instantly attracted to anyone in a long time.
"Hey" is what comes out of my mouth as my feet propel me in her direction.
"You must be Edward." She steps forward and takes my hand, looking up at me. A cute smattering of freckles dusts her nose and cheeks. "Jim's told me so much about you." There's something so familiar about her voice.
Jimmy comes to stand next to us, placing his arm around her shoulders. "I'm so excited for two of my favorite people to finally meet." He looks toward Emmett and Rose. "You already met Emmett. Edward, Rose, I'd like you to introduce you to my girlfriend Bella."
The smile freezes on my face. I release the soft, warm hand that feels so good in mine and pray my expression doesn't give away the shock I'm feeling.
Bella walks over to Rose and strikes up a conversation with her and Emmett.
Jimmy nudges his shoulder against mine. "Isn't this great?"
"Yeah! Absolutely." It's always great to have insta-attraction to the girl who belongs to your friend and business partner.
"Things are finally coming together. Bella is here, and I'm getting my first piercing."
I jump all over talk of the piercing. "What are you getting done?"
He smirks and wiggles his eyebrows. "My nipples."
"Cool." I nod.
"You don't mind keeping Bella company while Ace has her way with me, do you?"
His words elicit inappropriate thoughts that I immediately squelch. "No, of course not."
By this time, Seth has arrived, so I introduce him to Jimmy and Bella.
Everyone is talking and laughing. I participate, but it's as if someone else is in control, and I'm in the background hoping what I say and do make sense. Then Rose tells Jimmy it's time to enter her lair.
Jimmy cups Bella's face and kisses her. "Be back soon. You can hang out and get to know Edward."
He walks off with Rose, and Emmett is right behind them. Seth chats quietly with Bella by the front desk.
Suddenly it's nine, and Seth gets busy. My first client isn't until nine-thirty, so I offer to show Bella around.
As I walk toward the back with Jimmy's girl following me, a phrase keeps going through my mind over and over.
Bro code.
oOo
A/N: You finally got to meet Bella! Would love your thoughts. The path between Edward and Bella is going to be a slow burn, so please be patient.
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