Gage snorted.
“What?”
“Women never act like that around you. They’re too busy falling at your feet.”
“But that’s part of the Warren charm.” Derrick didn’t understand it. He and Brittney had had fun, nothing serious. She’d taken their breakup six months ago with calm acceptance, mostly. Sure she’d cried and tried to talk him out of it, then thrown a hissy fit when he failed to give into her demands. But a few days later when he’d run into her, she’d been peaches-and-cream nice. So why had she turned into a crying mess with a nasty streak last week? And just when he’d finally had the delectable Sydney Fields to himself.
It had been three long-ass months of phone conversations and a few random meetings with Gage or Hailey—Gage’s fiancée and Sydney’s best friend—always present. Conflicting schedules had played havoc with their social lives, and then like magic, a free Saturday night had appeared on both their calendars. Time for Derrick to get Sydney Fields into his bed. And then Brittany and her rotten timing had fucked up everything.
Gage shook his head. “You’re screwed. Sydney told Hailey all about it. She overheard it all.”
Derrick tried to remember just what Brittney had said. Most of the night was a blur, except the part where Sydney had taken off after dumping his wine in his lap.
Christ. What a mess.
Gage continued, “Your ex wanted to know why you, of all people, had lowered yourself to date a bad dye-job with a fat ass and saggy tits. Then she asked if maybe Sydney was pregnant, because you’re the type to always do the right thing, which apparently made sense to her, because she hated to think you’d lowered your standards all that much. So is she?”
He’d been so concerned Sydney might return from the restroom to see Brittney fawning all over him that he hadn’t paid much attention to her. And then her sudden tears had stunned him to immobility. “Is who what?”
“Is Sydney in the family way? Should I tell Mom? You know how much she wants grandkids.”
“You’re not funny, Gage.” Derrick stewed. “Shit. Brittney really said all that?”
“Yep. Hailey told me. She heard it word for word from Sydney.” He paused and shook his head. “I can’t believe you were flirting with Brittney Adams of all people. Why the hell did you agree to a date with Sydney if you still have a thing for Brittney?”
“Damn it, I don’t! I was yessing Brittney to death to get her the hell away from the table before she caused an even bigger scene.”
Gage chuckled. “I hear Sydney did that all on her own.”
“She threw her glass of wine in Brittney’s face, then dumped mine in my lap.” Derrick grimaced. Unfortunately, Sydney had stormed out of the place so fast he hadn’t had a chance to catch her before she’d left. Now she wouldn’t answer his calls. Hailey wasn’t talking to him either. God help him if his mother got wind of what had happened.
“Dylan thinks you intentionally sabotaged yourself,” Gage said, kicking back in his chair.
“What? You told Dylan?” His twin brother knew him pretty well, but when he used his psychiatric degree to overanalyze, he turned downright obnoxious.
“Hell yes, I told him. Wine thrown in your lap by a hot chick at one of the most exclusive restaurants in town? Classic!”
“Fuck you.”
“Back at ya, bro, because you aren’t getting it from the hot redhead.” Gage snickered. “Dylan thinks Sydney threatens you on some level. So when Brittney screwed up your date, you took it in stride.”
“Gage, I’ve been calling the woman all week. She won’t talk to me.”
“Have you tried seeing her face to face?” Dylan asked from the open doorway.
“Shit. Don’t you have patients to screw with? I have a business to run. And shut the door. You’re letting all the cold air in.” Warren Construction Company was his baby—well, his and Gage’s. Derrick designed the homes that Gage and their crew built. Their small trailer currently sat on the lot of the new complex he and Gage had commissioned.
Dylan closed the door behind him. “Well, have you?”
“Have I what?”
Dylan sighed. “Have you seen her in person, Derrick?”
“Not yet. Don’t look at me like that. Hell, the way she threw that wine, I’m sure a punch or two is next. I figure if I can get her to talk to me on the phone, she might be more receptive to a second date.”
Both of his brothers regarded him with amusement.
“This isn’t funny.”
Dylan had the nerve to laugh. “It sure is. You haven’t had a woman turn you down since, well, never. Nice to know there’s one out there who’s immune.”
“Bullshit. I’ve had plenty of women turn me down.”
Gage shook his head. “You and Dylan never have a problem with the opposite sex.” He glanced at Dylan. “Or even the same sex. Which is it this week, Dylan? You doing dudes or chicks?”
“I’m not doing anyone. Not that it’s any of your business, but I’m between partners at the moment. You know, it still amazes me Hailey puts up with you. You sure she said yes and not take your proposal and shove it up your ass?”
Derrick snorted.
“Say what you want, but I have a hot fiancée. Prince Charming over there can’t even get Sydney to return his calls.” Gage nodded at Derrick.
Dylan shook his head, eyeing Derrick with pity. “Derrick, you’re giving us a bad name. The Warren twins have a reputation to uphold.”
Derrick swore. “What the hell do I do? She won’t take my calls, and she sounded way too nice to someone in her office. No doubt some guy trying to charm his way into her pants.” Jealousy reared its head as he imagined all the men after her. He wished to hell he’d never seen Sydney Fields. He didn’t do jealousy, rage or frustration when dating. Sydney was tying him in knots.
“You’re bothering her at work?” Dylan asked as he sat next to Gage.
Derrick didn’t want to answer, wondering why today of all days his brothers seemed to have nothing at all to do. “I’m not bothering her. I’m trying to open a channel of communication,” he said, quoting his mother’s favorite line.
Dylan gaped. “You must be desperate if you’re asking Mom for advice. Did she sit you down on the couch?”
“I’m not a patient of hers, asswipe. I’m her favorite son.” Derrick ignored Gage’s huff. The little snot. Just because he’d snagged a woman first, their mother thought he could do no wrong. Of course, it helped that Hailey had brains, beauty and a heart under that killer rack.
“Favorite, my ass. She pities you. Gage is nothing more than a baby-maker. I’m the favorite.” Dylan preened, pulling at the cuffs on his designer shirt. “Culture, charm, good looks and a real occupation. What’s not to love?”
Gage flipped him off.
Derrick had come to the end of his rope. “You going to help me or not?”
“I guess. My advice would be to surprise Sydney at home. Force her to listen to you.”
“No, no, no,” Barbara Warren said from where she leaned in the doorway.
The three of them jumped as if they’d been scalded. They needed to put a goddamn bell on the door.
“Mom, when did you get here?” Derrick asked. The woman moved around like a friggin’ cat. And she had a way of looking at him that made him want to run in the other direction. Despite his thirty-six years, he felt all of five again.
Barbara didn’t look pleased. “I had an interesting talk with Hailey and rescheduled my appointments for this morning. You, Derrick Christian Warren, are coming with me.”