Around lunchtime, Billie opens the door, but when she starts to step inside, Connor stops her. He steps around her, his brows pulled together in concern.
“What happened here?”
“Flood,” I tell him.
“Wait.” Billie holds up a hand and eyes her husband. “You know, it’s really hard to have a conversation with my brothers when you won’t let menearmy brothers.”
“I won’t let you inhere,” Connor counters. “That’s different entirely.”
“I’m pregnant, not a freaking invalid.” She shakes her head. “Anyway, Brooks, if you guys are helping Jules, does that mean that you two aren’t enemies anymore?”
I scowl at my baby sister. “We weren’t enemies.”
“Bullshit,” Bridger says, making it sound like a sneeze in his hand, and I reach over and clip the back of his head with my hand. “Ouch. Fucker.”
“We’re working on it,” I reply simply, and Billie hops up and down on the balls of her feet with excitement.
“ThankGod.It was so hard not to be extra warm and fuzzy with her because I love her, Brooks. And I want her at book club meetings, and all of the things.”
“I felt guilty as fuck for eating in here,” Blake agrees. “And the food is awesome. My woman craves it every day, and if my pregnant fiancée wants to eat here, she’ll eat here. Still feel guilty for it, though.”
“I love you guys.” I sigh. “And I appreciate the loyalty. I don’t want you to feel any sort of way about being friends with her. I shouldn’t have expected that.”
“I mean, shedidleave,” Beckett reminds me. “There’s history there. But, if you’re okay, then we’re okay.”
“Where is she now?” Connor asks.
“At my place, sleeping.”
Billie’s eyebrows climb into her hairline. “WHAT? Jesus, you work fast, big brother.”
“She’s exhausted.” My voice is as dry as sandpaper. “And her apartment is shit. I don’t want her living there.”
“Like while this is happening orever?” Billie asks, that grin still firmly on her face. “Because I vote for ever. Who’s with me?”
The guys chuckle at our little sister. Connor reaches over to drag his finger down her cheek.
“You’re the sweetest thing, Bumble.”
“One day at a time,” I say, shaking my head. “First things first. This place needs a lot of repairs, and she’s on a budget.”
I don’t want her using a fucking dime of that asshole’s money. Not if I can help it.
“I’ll make some calls,” Connor says simply, pulling his phone out of his pocket. “Angel, you need to get out of here. I don’t want you breathing this in. I’m going to stay and help.”
“You’re going to stay?” That surprises me. Connor’s a billionaire. He doesn’t do demo day. He hires people for that. The man owns hundreds of hotels and resorts all over the world.
“Am I not welcome?” he asks, lifting an eyebrow.
“You’re welcome wherever we are.” I shrug a shoulder. “Be my guest. The more, the merrier.”
“I’m so happy,” Billie says as Connor backs her out of the doorway. “I just want them to be happy.”
“Freaking hormones make all the women in this family cry,” Beck mutters. “Between Danijusthaving a baby earlier this year, and now the rest of the girls being pregnant, it’s nothing but tears around here.”
“It’s not forever,” Blake reminds him. “Just a few more months.”
“Until someone else gets pregnant again,” Bridger says.
