Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 85270 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85270 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
“Ah, the plot thickens.” Ryder rubs his hands together.
“She’s not my girl.”
“You sure about that?” Maverick asks.
“Yeah, I mean she let you kiss her,” Merrick chimes in.
“Oh, it was just a little peck on the cheek,” Mom explains. “Come on in and eat.”
Mom walks away, leaving us all standing on the back porch. “Can we not?” I plead with my brothers.
“Admit you like her, and we’ll drop it,” Rushton states.
“Of course I like her. She’s Ramsey’s best friend and Deacon’s little sister.”
“Try again, brother.” Sterling gives a look that tells me he can read through my bullshit. They all can.
We promised we would keep this a secret, and I’m a man of my word. No matter how badly I want to tell them all about her. Hell, I could use some advice on how I’ve been feeling, but I won’t break a promise to Palmer. “Fine. There might be a little something, but it’s all on me.” I’m quick to keep her out of this. I can take their teasing. I don’t want them harassing her. “Can we please just keep this between us?”
“We have to tell Orrin,” Archer tells me. “We can’t keep this from him.”
“It’s not like I’m dying. It’s a crush. She’s beautiful.” I shrug.
“And we’re your brothers,” Declan reminds me.
“Fine. We can tell Orrin when Jade’s not around, and not while Ramsey and Palmer are here. Can you keep your big mouths shut?”
“Bro.” Maverick slings his arm around Merrick’s shoulders and points at each of them. “Wingmen.”
“I’m all set,” I say, not able to hide my humor with my little brothers.
“We’re not going to say anything,” Sterling speaks up. “Right, fellas?” My brothers nod, and I feel my shoulders relax. “But that doesn’t mean we won’t encourage you to make your move.”
“She’s not just a hookup.” I can hear the strain in my voice.
Declan holds up his hands. “No one said that she was.”
“Maybe it’s in the water,” Rushton muses. “First Deacon, then Orrin, and now you.”
“Stop.” I shake my head at him. “We’re keeping this between us, and yes, you blabbermouths can tell Orrin, but he can’t tell Jade. Now, let’s go eat. I’m starving.”
Turning on my heel, I head to the house. I know my brothers are following me, and I also know they’re all going to be watching me. Even Orrin, and he wasn’t here for my confession.
Pulling open the door, I hear Blakely telling my parents and Orrin all about her day with the girls. Her words, not mine. Stepping into the laundry room, I wash my hands in the huge sink before going to the kitchen and making myself a plate. I move to the living room and take a seat on the large sectional. Ramsey, Jade, Palmer, Piper, Orrin, and my parents are all in the dining room, and I just can’t be in there right now. I’m going to want to sit next to her. I’m going to want to touch her, and well, that’s not a good idea. Not with all eyes on us, and I know Palmer would hate that.
So, instead, I get settled on the couch, and eventually, all my brothers, minus Orrin, join me. I know I’ll have to talk to her in front of them before she leaves here today, but I need a minute. I need to steel my resolve and hide the fact that I’m falling hard for her.
CHAPTER
SIXTEEN
Palmer
It’s Sunday night, and Ramsey just dropped me off at my apartment. Today was awkward, fun, and unnerving all rolled into one. I knew that there was a good chance I was going to run into Brooks at his parents’ place. I knew he was going to be there. What I didn’t expect was to feel a pull to him so strong that I almost blew this little secret of ours out of the water.
It wasn’t just me. I could see it in his eyes. After what we shared last night, it’s hard to keep our hands to ourselves. Our chemistry is unlike anything I’ve ever felt before. Tossing my purse on the chair, I plop down on the couch, and of course my phone rings. Scrambling from the couch, I dig it out of my purse and quickly glance at the screen to see Brooks’s name.
“Hey,” I greet him. My tone is light and casual, not at all showing the storm brewing inside of me.
“That sucked.”
“What?” I know what he’s saying, but I want him to spell it out for me.
“Not being able to touch you.”’
“That’s risky, Kincaid,” I tease.
I can hear him blow out a heavy breath. “I know. That’s why when we were eating, I stayed in the living room. I wasn’t ignoring you. Well, I guess I was, but not maliciously. I just knew my brothers, hell, everyone there would have been able to see right through me.”