Page 106 of Tell Me Something

“Hi, there,” he greeted, entirely too chipper for someone who should be good and hungover this morning.

“Hi, yourself. What brings you by?”

“Well, I wanted to talk to you for a minute. Mind if I come in?”

“Uh, I’m on my way down to the gym, but we can talk on the way.”

“Sure. Sounds good.”

“Let me grab my iPod and I’ll be right out.”

Unfortunately, I underestimated him. As I turned and went toward the desk to grab my music, he put his foot in the door and let himself in. I spun around and flushed.

“Whatcha hiding, Haylee?” he asked, smirking.

I rolled my eyes, trying to play it off. “Nothing. I’m simply old-fashioned about having a man I barely know in my hotel room.”

“Mm hmm. You know, it’s funny. I went by my brother’s room this morning, and he didn’t answer the door.”

“Maybe he’s sleeping,” I said dryly.

“Perhaps, but I was kind of hoping I’d find him here. That possibly you two were together.”

“Why? So that you can make bang-the-secretary jokes and comment on my qualifications?” I did air quotes and moved again toward the door, ready to leave.

“I heard enough about your qualifications last night, actually, while talking with Brian and Josh.”

“Please don’t make me hit you again,” I threatened and watched his smile.

“I like you, Haylee. You don’t put up with crap. And for the record, I was being sincere. But all right, I’ll walk you downstairs. If my brother isn’t man enough to come out of the bathroom and tell me, his only brother who he should trust, that he’s in fact with you, then I think I may have to do my best to convince you to give me a shot, after all.”

The bathroom door slammed.

I didn’t bother to turn around. Instead, I watched Colby’s eyes light up with the satisfaction of being right.

“I’ll be down at the gym,” I muttered, feeling annoyed and embarrassed.

I felt Josh’s hand on my shoulder. “Haylee, wait—”

“No, you two talk or whatever. I have stuff to do. See ya, Colby.”

Colby moved in front of the door. “Haylee, I didn’t call his bluff to shame you. I’m sorry.”

His eyes reflected sincerity, but I still wasn’t ready to talk about it.

“She has nothing to feel ashamed about.” Josh’s voice was angry.

I faced him, putting a hand on his chest where I felt the hum of fury.

“I’m not ashamed. This is just awkward. I’m heading downstairs and will be up later.”

That seemed to calm him down some as I left the brothers to hash it out.

JOSH WAS GONE by the time I returned to my room, and there was no note. Sighing, I took a shower and started packing. My flight was leaving in a couple of hours, and I needed to check out. I was about to text him goodbye when I heard a knock at my door.

Opening it, I was surprised to see Colby again.

“He’s not here this time.” I didn’t bother hiding my annoyance.