Breaking Bro Code (The Line Up #4) - Misti Murphy Page 0,7

him at the same time. It’s the best way to cuddle a boa constrictor. While they’re not able to squeeze the living daylights out of you. “Is this for me?”

“Um, yeah, sure.” He hands the other Goose Island to Vale and glances toward the kitchen. “Let’s head outside. The doctor put Jane on bedrest so she’s going out of her mind. She’ll be happy to have your company.”

“Lead the way.” Condensation moistens my fingers from the drink in my hand as I follow him through the house with Vale on my heels.

My heart does its usual palpitating. I’ll have to remember to eat a banana after dinner because the sensation is really annoying.

Jane, my brother’s pregnant fiancée, is sitting on their cushioned wicker lounge, her feet propped up. A glass of what appears to be sparkling water and raspberries is balanced on her baby bump. Twenty weeks in and she’s adorably cute with her already growing belly. “Wow. You look—”

“Like a beached whale,” she says with a groan as she adjusts positions to rub her lower back.

“I was going to say you look great.” I take a seat in one of the chairs opposite her while Hudson and Vale congregate at the grill and talk over sizzling rib eyes and burgers and little skewers of wilted basil, tomato, and mozzarella. “You’re not even big yet.”

“I can’t breathe and my ankles are swollen and I’m pretty sure my vagina is going to fall out before it’s time for these babies to come out.” She makes a motion with both hands that indicates, I presume, her vagina exiting her body between her legs. “Just pop right out. Never mind that I keep peeing myself every time one of these boys bounces on my bladder.”

“Wow. That’s an image.” I don’t know what else to say. Adjusting the silk hem of my handkerchief dress, I cross my legs and settle in. “Do you need anything for the babies?”

“I don’t think so. Hudson has stocked up on every baby product imaginable. He bought three different breast pumps.”

“I have all bases covered,” he says, joining us. He takes her hand and leans in to kiss her cheek.

“I only have two boobs,” she says dryly. “And even then, one of those pumps will cover both.”

“I wanted to make sure you and our babies were taken care of without you having to worry.” He beams down at her.

They’re so cute together. Adorable. It’s sweet to see my brother so happy, but it’s kind of nauseating too. “Well, let me know if you think of anything you don’t have yet. I’d love to help out.”

“Thanks,” Jane says.

“Do you want to eat here or at the table?” he asks her.

“I’d rather not move.” She holds out her hand to him. “But since I need to pee anyway, we might as well act like we’re civilized and dine at the table.”

He grasps her hand as she swings her legs off the couch and then takes her weight so she can get to her feet. He watches her like a hawk the whole time, protective and completely devoted. They’re both a bit skittish about this pregnancy since it wasn’t easy to get pregnant in the first place.

I glance at Vale who is still watching over the grill. He rolls his gaze at me in a silent, I know. Relationships are for suckers.

It’s been years since I’ve fantasized that the man by the grill could be anything more than my big fake brother. Silly crushes are best left in the past where they belong. The guy is as unattainable as they come. A heartbreaker. A bad boy. A guy who promises a panty melting good time with his eyes and his lips, but only for a few hours. And only if you have red hair.

I play with a couple of tendrils of my own violet hair. The purple is fading and needs to be redone. It no longer hides the blonde that is a few shades paler than my brother’s.

I’m sure there’s an origin story behind the redhead fetish, but I have no clue what it is. I’ve never heard the tale, and if Hud knows it he’s somehow kept it quiet around me. Which means it has to be super juicy, right?

Getting to my feet, I follow Hudson over to the grill. “Shall I start setting the table?”

“That would be great.” He flips the steaks. “There’s a salad in the fridge and you know where the plates are. Oh, and condiments. Napkins.