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“Eddie, this is Cade.” She motions to me and continues, “Cade, this is my older brother, Eddie.”
Eddie steps to Lola and places an arm around her shoulder. “It’s nice to meet you.”
That’s a big fuck you. There’s no way Eddie thinks it’s nice to meet me. “Nice to meet you, as well. I’d better be going. I don’t want to intrude on family time.” I glance at Lola. “I’d better get to work. Do you want me to tell Truman you won’t be in today?”
Her hurt expression almost has me dropping to my knees and begging her to let me stay, but I’m not a fool or a dreamer. I’m a realist and thankful for the interruption before we ended up doing something that she’d regret.
“I guess it’s late enough that there isn’t much point in going in today. Let Mr. Truman know I’ll be in tomorrow.”
I nod and open the door for a speedy exit. “I will. Have a good chat.”
Shit. My stomach clenches. The only reason she’s going to come into the office is to clean her desk and leave. Even though it feels like a punch in the balls, it’s better if she leaves now. There’ll be no awkward break-up when she finds out I’m not what she’s looking for in a long-term relationship.
***
Lola
My heart stings as I wait for Cade to shut the door. It isn’t the first time a potential suitor has seen one of my brothers and sprinted for the exit. Unfortunately, I was foolish enough to think he’d be one who stood his ground and supported me instead of running for the exit.
Damn it, I was wrong. It’s better to find out now he’s no better than the rest before I fall head over heels in love with anything more than his dimples. And his hair. And his lips. Stop.
“Who was that man, and what was he doing here in the middle of the day?”
“Eddie, cut out the dramatics. Would you prefer he was here in the middle of the night?” I sigh. Damn it. I still want him, and it doesn’t matter what time of day it is.
“No,” he sputters and falls onto the sofa. The cushions whoosh under his weight. “You didn’t answer my question.”
“He’s one of my co-workers. My car is broken down, and he took me to a pet shelter and brought me home so I could change.” I walk into the kitchen. I need something to drink.
For the first time, I wish I had something stronger than tea. I grab a glass, fill it with ice, and pour the golden liquid into the glass. Maybe I should do the dishes. Yeah, I’m avoiding my brother. Sue me.
When I glance into the mirror, I cringe. Lipstick is smeared at the corner of my lips, and my shirt is half untucked. I grab a napkin and wipe the smudge off, and shove my shirt into the waistband of my skirt. No wonder Eddie is putting on one of his classic displays of barbaric, macho, he-man routines. It’s a small miracle he didn’t beat his fists on his chest or challenge Cade to a duel.
“Do you want anything to drink?” I speak loud enough for my voice to carry into the adjoining room.
“Sure. What’s up with the shelter?” Some of the anger has dissipated, so I contemplate giving him a little more time to cool off. I could go for a jog or get a facial. Nah, just get it over with. It’s not like he’s going to toss you over his shoulder and drag you home. It’s illegal, and he works for the FBI. He’s not going to risk his job to do something stupid.
I pour his drink and return to the living room. “I found a dog.”
“Now, why doesn’t that surprise me.” He grabs the glass from my outstretched hand. “I don’t suppose it is a cute, tiny little thing.”
I elevate the drink to my lips. “Nope.”
He rolls his eyes. “I’m not even going there.” Seconds later, he tilts his head and frowns. “Just a second. What’s wrong with your car? Did you wreck the Jag? You didn’t wreck it, did you?” He shakes his head. “You drive like shit.”
I frown and sit across from him. “Thank you for the vote of confidence. No, I didn’t wreck anything, and I didn’t take the Jag. I bought a used car from a car lot here in town, and the alternator went out of it.” His fingers dig into the glass, and I’m slightly afraid he’s going to bust the glass and cut his hand. “Eddie, calm down.”
“Why didn’t you take your vehicle?”
“You wouldn’t understand.”
“Try me.”
I study my oldest brother. Will he understand? “Did you know Dad wanted me to marry Trenton?”
He shakes his head. “No, I mean, I saw the tabloids, but I thought they were full of shit.”
I chuckle as the images of my brother and Cade reading the tabloids gives me a momentary reprieve from feeling sorry for myself. “You, too?”
