Breaking Bro Code (The Line Up #4) - Misti Murphy Page 0,73
guy though. She makes me better.”
With Jessa I couldn’t see beyond what I thought I wanted, and I hurt her and destroyed any chance of a relationship with my brother. I took a leaf from my old man’s play book and lied and cheated my way out of a situation that we would never have been in if it wasn’t for him. I broke her heart and Ryder broke my nose while my mother watched with horror in her eyes. And my father said nothing. Not one word. Because he knew we were the same. We both break people to get what we want.
It’s the reason I haven’t told Lily how I feel about her yet. Haven’t labelled this thing between us. Haven’t told her everything. Because when I do, I’ll hurt her. She’ll finally see that I’m not the guy she wants me to be.
“I get that.” Cal smiles softly, no doubt thinking about Hayley who is home with their daughter Luna. “If you need an ear, you can bend mine any time.”
“Thanks.” I might need it at some point. It’s not like I can talk to my best friend about my love life. Nerves fill my belly. Dread settles like a weight in my chest. “Don’t tell Hud. I’m going to tell him. I just need a little more time.”
“All right,” he says, putting his hands up. “I’ll keep this to myself.”
“Thanks.”
“But all the time in the world isn’t going to stop that crazy bastard from trying to kill you.”
“I’m aware,” I say as Hud and Fleetwood head in our direction. “I hope when I do tell him that he’ll be able to come to terms with the idea.”
“What idea?” Hud asks.
“That one of those babies is mine,” I quip. Christ, I’m blurting out the first thing that comes to mind now like Lily does.
“In your dreams, bud.” He claps me on the shoulder. “You’re going to have to find your own baby momma.”
“I might just do that,” I say.
Cal shakes his head and calls me an idiot with his eyes.
***
Violet Queen: Knock. Knock.
Cap’N Crunch: Who’s there?
Violet Queen: I’m at your door.
“Hey.” She tucks a strand of her violet hair behind her ear with a white-satin-gloved hand. One red heeled shoe comes up to rub her calf. There’s a glimmer of a thin gold headband across her forehead.
“Hey yourself.” My gaze drifts over the cream trench coat that covers her to mid-thigh. “Are you cold? Or are all my dreams coming true?”
“Are you going to invite me in?” She curls her fingers in the cotton of my shirt and presses her lips to mine. “Because I’m feeling a little awkward, actually, standing out here.”
“Get your sexy ass in here.” I grab her waist and lift her off her feet. Claim the mouth I craved so fucking much while we were apart. Her taste. Her tropical summer scent that I missed so badly I went and stocked up on her expensive bath products and washed my pillow cases in them. Yeah, I’ve got her under my skin now. Lowering her to her feet slowly, I slide her over every inch of my body because I don’t want to let her go for a minute.
“You missed me, Captain?” She giggles.
“I fucking missed you, Lil. So much.”
“Good.” She steps back with her hand to my chest so I can’t automatically close the gap.
I take the hint. Give her the distance. Barely. It’s been a long week without her. Now that she’s here all I want to do is touch her.
She fidgets with one of the buttons on her coat.
I narrow in on that button like it holds the secret to the universe. Or at least one hell of a view. “What are you wearing under that coat?”
“Why don’t you undress me and find out?” She spins one end of the jacket’s sash like the tempting little tease she is.
I growl like a feral animal. Lurch and grab her by the belt. Tug the ends apart and pull the lapels of the coat wide. Reveal the form-fitting Sailor Mars costume underneath with its little red frill and big blue bow. It barely covers her.
She curls her hand around my jaw and shuts my mouth. “You’ll catch flies.”
“That’s it,” I say. “You really are trying to kill me. I’m going to have a stroke or a heart attack, because you look…” I shake my head. I can’t believe that I can be so lucky as to be with her. “Incredible, Lil. Sexy. Beautiful.”