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Someone knocks on the door and I glance up at it before setting my book down and standing up from the couch. I’m thankful for the interruption since I was having a hard time focusing on the words in front of me. Sighing, I walk across the living room and pull the door open, my eyes widening.

“Can we talk?” Tucker asks, his hands shoved into his pockets as he peeks up at me. It reminds me of when he used to get in trouble with Mom and Dad as a kid and I wonder what the hell they’re doing here. I haven’t spoken a word to either one of them in two weeks, which is especially impressive when you consider that I work with Trey most days. Not that I didn’t try but he could barely look at me. They even went as far as avoiding Sunday dinners so they didn’t have to see me. A move that stung like hell.

“What is it that you want?” I ask, a bite to my tone as my gaze drifts over to Trey. I’ve missed the hell out of my brothers but I will not give into their demands. Tucker sighs.

“Emma, can we just come in and talk?”

I bite my lip, watching them for a moment before I nod. They shuffle past me into the house and sit down on the couch. I take a seat in the recliner and face them.

“What do you want?” My voice comes out harsher than I intended but there is still so much hurt from their actions. I know I need to steel myself against what they might say to me. If they came here to badger me further, it might break me.

“We came to apologize,” Tucker states and I flick my eyes to him and gawk. This might be a first.

“What?”

“We were wrong. We shouldn’t have given you an ultimatum,” Trey says.

“I still don’t agree with you marrying him, and I pray that we’re wrong about him, but if we’re not then you’re going to need us and we’ll be here for you,” Tucker adds.

“I always need you.”

“Em, we’re really sorry. Dad straightened our asses out,” Trey explains.

Oh, now it makes sense.

Dad had a come to Jesus moment with them and forced them to come over here.

“Is that the only reason you’re here?” Even as I ask the question, I hope that I’m wrong.

“No, Dad just made some valid points that I hadn’t considered before but we really missed you,” Tucker clarifies.

“I really missed you guys, too.” I jump up to hug him.

“There’s one more thing though,” Tucker says. I look over at him, waiting for him to continue. “I love you but if you choose to marry him, I’m still not coming to your wedding.”

“Tucker,” I gasp, feeling heartbroken all over again.

“I’m sorry, sis. But I can’t stand there and act like I like the guy.”

“No one is asking you to! You’re my brothers, you’re supposed to be there for me!”

Trey stands and wraps an arm around my shoulder. “I’ll be there, Em.” I give him an appreciative smile and loop my arm around his waist. I watch as Tucker’s face cracks, the toll this is taking on him evident.

“Tucker, you don’t have to worry about me. Ryan loves me.”

He shakes his head and runs a hand over his short hair. “There is something off about that guy, Emma. I don’t trust him.”

A throat clearing behind me catches my attention and I turn to find Ryan standing there, a thunderous expression on his face.

“Emma,” he growls and I know I’m in trouble. I turn back to my brothers and try to plaster a smile on my face.

“I’ll see you guys at brunch tomorrow, okay?”

They look at each other, seemingly having a silent conversation. Trey and Tucker were always like that. They have always just known what the other was thinking.

“Em, I don’t think we should leave,” Trey whispers in my ear so Ryan can’t hear.

“I’m fine. I promise. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”