his expression go slack for a moment, then snap into a smile.
“See, he doesn’t hate you.” He waggled a finger at me. “He was just probing to see if you thought he had a right to hate you. That’s not the same thing.”
I blinked. “Not everyone will like me, and I can live with that, but he does have a reason to hate me.” I cleared my throat, trying to get the bitter taste that sat in the back to go away.
“I know your split back in the day wasn’t easy, but you’re not that young woman anymore, and he’s not the same young man.” Max’s knowing smile made me wonder what he wasn’t sharing.
“You’re right.”
“I know.” He laughed out loud, the sound of his deep rumble ringing off the pavement. The trees shifted in the breeze, and the movement and sunlight made shadows dance on the green grass. A car drove past on the quiet street, and we both waved because that was expected in a small town.
Max gave me a serious expression. “Obviously, that guy wasn’t the right one.” He nodded at my belly, and I crossed my arms protectively under my ribs.
“Nope, you’re right.”
“Maybe now that you’re home, you can find the right one. Who knows,” he said, tilting his head, “maybe you already have.”
“Well, you’re fantastic, Max, you really are, but you’re married and a bit old for me.”
He threw his head back and laughed before saying, “I wasn’t talking about me.”
I knew Max thought the right man was Noah, and I couldn’t help but wish it were true.
Chapter Seven
Noah
“I’m freaking starving, and I hate Mondays.” Quinn gave a hangry shake of his head while Ethan stared at him.
“What does Monday have to do with you being hungry?” Ethan’s suspicious tone seemed to offend Quinn, and when I groaned, both my brothers looked at me.
“Now you’re engaging in the conversation because he’s complaining?”
I glanced toward Bayden’s truck and saw he wasn’t in it. I hadn’t seen him out and about among the crew working either.
Quinn crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes, scanning the area. He, too, must have been looking for Bayden. It was unlike our brother to pull a disappearing act without telling anyone where he went.
“It’s Monday, and Mondays always suck. Only bad things happen on this day,” Quinn complained.
“No, they don’t, why would you say that?” I thought about losing Dad and about Kandra breaking my heart. Then my thoughts went to Kandra coming back. None of those things happened on a Monday.
Quinn sighed, but before he could answer, out of nowhere, Bayden walked past us.
“I forgot my lunch.” His angry tone was unmistakable, and Quinn’s arms broke out of their crossed position as he swept his right hand at his twin’s receding form. “See, it’s because it’s Monday.”
Ethan shook his head, and I turned to walk away. Might as well see what had Bayden all twisted up.
Quinn might be the glue that held this brotherhood together, but he would sabotage a situation just to prove that Mondays were evil.
I sped to a light jog to catch up with Bayden. “Yo, what’s up?”
He turned to look at me, and his expression was as dark as thunderclouds. “Nothing’s up.”
Coming to a halt in front of him, I lifted both hands in a gesture of defeat. “I’m not going to pry.” If he didn’t want to talk about it, I wouldn’t push. “But I’m here if you need to talk, okay? Things are rough right now. I get it.”
He shrugged my hand off and looked to his right. “No, you don’t, but thanks.” Without another word, he left.
Quinn rushed forward, stopping at my side. “What did you say to him?” He shielded the sun from his eyes with one hand and stared after Bayden.
“Nothing.” I turned to leave. Someone had to work while we were on-site, and it sure as hell wouldn’t be Quinn because he hated Mondays.
“Bayden!” Quinn shouted through cupped hands.
I kept walking.
“Creekside Diner for lunch. I’ll buy yours,” he yelled. “We don’t want to starve to death.”
I glanced back in time to see Bayden flip him the bird before storming into the bathroom.
I chuckled. Yep, those were my brothers.
A moment later, the sound of quickly approaching footsteps warned me that Quinn was coming in fast.
“Touch me, and I’ll drop you,” I growled.
“Don’t worry; I don’t want to touch you.” He clapped a hand on my shoulder.
I stared at it, then gave him a look that I hoped said drop it or