Breaking Bro Code (The Line Up #4) - Misti Murphy Page 0,93

to hear what he has to say.”

“Hmm.” She must read the card, because she comes back to place it in front of me. “You might want to read it.”

I glare at the folded bit of card. What can he possibly have to say that will make this situation better? I sit up and chew my lip. I just want to know why. I pick the card up like it might turn on me.

Hey there, pretty girl. I know that I hurt you and that right now you probably don’t even want to see me.

But you asked me why I chased you to L.A. Why I kissed you. Why I broke your heart despite my best intentions. It’s a complicated story. I started to tell you a while ago, but I never quite knew how to tell you about Jessa. So let me start out by telling you that I don’t love Jessa Kincaid. Not now. And if I’m honest, not then. But it’s an important story, and you should have all the pieces of it before I ask for your forgiveness. Unfortunately, it’s not a story that can be told in its entirety in one card so I hope you will stick with me while I tell you my origin story.

I throw the card back on the coffee table. Wipe my trembling fingers under my weepy eyes as I get to my feet. He’s finally ready to tell me his origin story when it’s too late? I wanted so much to be with him that I was ready to give up my goals for him. But that was yesterday. Today I’m moving to L.A. That’s what I need to focus on.

***

“Oh thank God.” Hud pulls me into a bear hug the minute he opens the door. “I was starting to think you were never going to forgive me.”

“The constant supply of donuts helped,” I say. “But I’m still angry that you felt the need to get involved in my love life.”

“I’m sorry, Lily. It’s been hard for me to realize that you’re all grown up.”

“Well, maybe not all grown up,” I say as he shuts the door and ushers me into the kitchen with his arm wrapped around my shoulder. “I should never have gotten involved with Vale. I don’t want you to give up your friendship for me. Especially when I’ll be all the way out in California.”

“So you took the partnership?”

I nod as I slide onto a stool. “I need to get away from here for a while and the job is exactly what I’d hoped to get here. But I’m going to miss seeing my nephews grow. You as a dad.” I smile. “They’re going to be so lucky.”

“Don’t cry, Lil.” He touches my face. “You’ll make me cry. Neither of us need those waterworks.”

I widen my eyes in an attempt to dry up the excess moisture. “I’m sorry. It’s just been a really difficult couple of weeks.”

“I know, kiddo.” He smiles at me as he fills us each a glass of water. “I wish I could have been there for you.”

“I missed you too,” I say.

“If it helps, you’re not the only one suffering,” he says. “Have you read the letters?”

“You know about the letters?” A new one has arrived each day since the first one. I haven’t been able to bring myself to read them yet. Ten unopened envelopes are piled up on the console next to the door. Staring at me every time I walk past them. Ripping open my wounded heart each time.

He covers my hands with his own. “Lil, you have to read them, okay? It’s important.”

“Why don’t you just give me the gist of them?” I sip my water. “He won’t come to L.A. with me. He doesn’t want me to stay. Either way, it’s over.”

“It’s not my place to tell you what’s in them,” he says. “You’re going to have to brave it on your own. But if you love him as much as I think you do, you have to give him this chance.”

“I’ll think about it.” It’s the best I can do right now. Thinking about him hurts. Talking about him makes my heart ache. Reading those letters is going to leave me raw. I just know it. “How about we enjoy this last family dinner, huh?”

“All right.” He pats my hand as he moves to the stove to check whatever delicious thing he’s in the middle of cooking. “We’re having a going away party at the bar,