Enchanter by Kristy Centeno Page B

work.” Duke smiled. “I’m
working the graveyard shift tonight and my stupid car won’t start.”
    “Something’s wrong at the factory?” Brandon asked.
    “No, why you ask?” Duke frowned.
    “Because you’re working the graveyard shift and you never do
that.”
    “Oh, that’s because I requested Sunday off because of a
basketball game.”
    “You play basketball?” The words slipped out of my mouth
before I could stop them.
    “Don’t let my looks fool you, I play sports a lot.” He
winked.
    “I’ll drop you off at work after I take Leah home.”
    “Why take her home at all?” Duke’s mischievous grin was
priceless.
    “Before you get the wrong idea, you demented pervert,”
Brandon said, “we were just working on that project I told you about.”
    “Yeah, sure.” Duke dropped down on the couch, keeping his
eyes on Brandon as he said, “That was the impression I got when I walked in.”
    Brandon and I exchanged brief, but very uncomfortable looks
before he started toward his bedroom. “I’ll be right back.”
    “We’ll be right here.” Duke laughed at Brandon’s low growl.
    When our host had disappeared through the wooden door of his
bedroom, Duke smiled and patted the cushion next to the one he was sitting on.
Hesitantly, I ambled toward the couch and sat next to him, picked up my purse
from the floor, and held it on my lap as a protective shield.
    “So, how long have you known Brandon?”
    “Since kindergarten.”
    “Oh, wow. And yet, this is the first time I see you.”
    “Well, we… um… stopped talking a long time ago.”
    “I’ve heard a lot about you, though.” “You have?”
    “Yep.” He nodded. “And I have to say that Brandon is right, you’re
beautiful.”
    He said I am beautiful?
    “Oh?” I swallowed hard. “Are you making that up?
    “No.” Duke’s tone seemed sincere. “Brandon has spoken a lot about
you over the years.”
    “How long have you known him?”
    “For about three years, since he started dating my sister.”
    I blanched at those words.
    “He has a girlfriend?” I was horrified by the thought that I
might have made out with some other girl’s boyfriend.
    “No.” Duke laughed at my expression. “Don’t you know that
Brandon is not the heartbreaking type?”
    “Apparently not.”
    “They dated for a while, but Brandon’s heart wasn’t in the
relationship, so they called it quits soon after.”
    “Oh.”
    “Yeah, it has belonged to someone else for a while now.”
    “Who—”
    “I’m ready.” Brandon reemerged from his bedroom, dressed in
his usual jeans, black sweatshirt and black boots.
    “Let’s go then.” Duke shot off the couch and headed for the
door.
    “I’m ready too.” I fumbled with my purse a bit as I caught
Brandon’s brief stare.
    I have to find out if he’s interested in anyone else,
because if he is, this can’t happen again. With that thought, I hurried out
behind Duke.
    Within a couple of minutes we were outside, and Brandon had
unlocked his car. Duke opened the passenger door, but stopped from climbing in when
Brandon’s voice boomed from the other side, “It’s the back seat for you.”
    “Okay, okay.” Duke shot me a quick look and grinned before
doing as he was told.
    As soon as I was inside, I glanced over my shoulder at Duke
and said, “Why do I have a feeling you’re never serious about anything.”
    Duke laughed and reached forward to pat Brandon’s bicep.
    “You hear that, she’s only been around me for a few minutes
and she can already read that much into me.”
    “It’s impossible not to notice you’re a big goof.”
    This time it was Brandon’s turn to laugh.
    “Ah, come on,” Duke protested. “I can be very charming too.
Just get to know me and you’ll see.”
    “You’re earning a five mile hike to the factory, Duke,”
Brandon warned, which only amused him more.
    “Jealous much?”
    “Of you?” Brandon scoffed. “I don’t think so.”
    “You’re not official, are