Me:He’s better in person than in my fantasies. How’s that possible? No one is supposed to be better in real life.
Hollis:That’s good. Right?
Me:Also, I flirted a little. Somehow, it came naturally after dinner, and I didn’t even have wine. Maybe I was channeling you?
Hollis:Again, this is good. Why am I hearing “this is bad” energy in your texting tone?
Me:Because it IS bad. I don’t want to like anyone.
At the sound of chatter coming from the lodge, I assumed that meant my brother had arrived.
Me:I gotta go. Stay safe wherever you are now.
Hollis:On a beach in Bali. Tomorrow? Who knows. But I should be there with you.
Me:No, no. I’m sure everything is fine.
That was a total lie. Trevor was keeping secrets from me, which meant that so-called “random break-in” hadn’t been random at all.
But I had to admit, now I was a little grateful he’d kept me in the dark yesterday. Chase was able to have a relaxing and normal day because of it.
Me:No need to stress. Talk later. Love ya.
“Is that Uncle Ryder I hear?” Chase sat upright, tossing the covers aside as I shoved my phone in my back pocket.
“Why don’t we go see?” I offered him my hand like he was still only six, and we made our way downstairs.
My brother was by the two front doors with his beautiful fiancée, Seraphina.
Reed and Alex were also with him. Trevor too.
Alex gave me a small nod hello, and yup, things were still awkward.And why wouldn’t they be, after the last twenty-plus hours of our interactions so far?Kicking things off with him seeing me buck naked and ending with me wishing he’d give me a good-night kiss before bed last night?
He had on all black again today. From his boots to his jeans and long-sleeved shirt. A sexy combination with that scruff on his jaw, midnight-dark eyes, and matching black hair.
I forced myself to look away from the ridiculously handsome man and over to my brother, who was lifting my son up into the air.
I have a brother. I have a brother.Some days I really did have to repeat that mantra a few times. The shock and awe of it had yet to wear off.
Seraphina rubbed Chase’s back as he remained glued to his uncle’s large frame, hugging him. She peeked over at me as I joined them, an infectious smile lighting her face. “Hey, you.” She strode over and wrapped me in her arms. And you know what? Yeah, I needed that hug more than I knew I did.
A handshake from Reed next, before my brother untangled Chase from his arms so he could pull me in for a hug.
“How are you?” he whispered as I kept hold of him, nearly crying into his shoulder at the comfort of having someone there who I knew wanted nothing from me. Just cared. Just loved me even though he didn’t have to.
“I’m okay.” Like Chase, I wasn’t ready to let go.
I was also too afraid I’d face reality and break down if he untangled me from his arms. It was only now, in this moment, that I realized I never did cry after the break-in.
Because I’m okay, right? Minus being a head case yesterday, I really am—so that’s what I have to focus on. Be strong.
“Sorry it took me so long to get here. Hope Alex took good care of you for me,” Ryder said into my ear.
“Great care,” I choked out, finally breaking free of him, accidentally catching Alex’s eyes in the process. I looked back at my brother, who was sporting a small, nervous smile while patting his chest. “Hi.”
“Hi.” Ryder took hold of my cheeks and rested his forehead against mine. “Can’t lose you, sis. Just got you.”
Yeah, keep talking like that and I’m going to ugly-cry.A shiver rolled right on through me as he lifted his head and locked eyes with me.
