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“MJ and Dad would be hurt that you think they’re not family.”
“Did you not invite them?” I raise an eyebrow. He steps aside and beckons me in with a flourish.
“MJ is having a date night with Bash, and Dad said he’d rather watch the Thrashers’ basketball game in his underwear.” Sounds about right, on both accounts. My dad has always been on the antisocial side, but after Mom passed away a decade ago he basically became a hermit except for when we come to his place.
I nod in acknowledgment of his statement and walk to the stairs that lead down to his basement. It’s the one area of the house that resembles the bachelor he is. With a pool table, dart boards, and a massive TV, it’s a true man cave. Every time I’ve been over, we end up down there playing some sort of game, so I suspect that’s where my brothers are now.
Maverick and Levi are playing pool when we get down there. There’s money on the edge of the table, which is a mistake on Mav’s part. Levi rarely ever loses at pool,especiallyif there’s money on the line.
“Who’s winning?” I ask, studying the table. There are a lot more solids than stripes.
“Levi,” Maverick grumbles, and a smile tugs at the edge of my mouth.
“You know better, man,” I tell him and he shrugs before lining up his shot. He sinks one, but he still has a long way to go if he’s going to catch up with Levi.
“It’s almost sad how easy it is,” Levi smirks as Maverick misses his next shot.
“So, why are we all here?” Maverick asks, leaning against the wall nearby while Levi takes his turn.
“Adrian called and said he wanted to hang out,” Grayson says and Levi’s grip slips, making him miss the ball.
“What’s wrong?” Levi asks, straightening to look me in the eye.
“Why can’t I just want to hang out?”
“Because you don’t like people,” Maverick says and I shoot him a glare. “What? It’s true. We know you love us deep down, but you’re never going to be the one to make plans.”
“Unless something’s wrong,” Levi adds.
Maverick nods. “Unless something’s wrong,” he repeats.
They all stare at me from their spots around the room. Maverick looks concerned, Levi is searching my face for clues–he will find none–and Grayson’s eyes are dancing with amusement like he already knows.
“It’s about Juliette, isn’t it?” Grayson asks, confirming my suspicion. I tense involuntarily and Grayson points at me. “Ha! You tensed up. I’m right.”
I rarely ever slip up like that, but hearing Juliette’s name triggered something within me. Another reason I shouldn’t be involved with her. She’s a weakness.
“The cute neighbor girl?” Levi’s brow crinkles. “Are you dating her?”
“No.” They all wait with expectant faces for me to continue. I swipe a hand over my face and sigh. “We’re … acquaintances. And I offended her. I probably overstepped, but I wasright.”
“What happened?” Curiosity laces Grayson’s tone.
“Not important.” I grit my teeth. “I just need to figure out what to do now.”
Maverick laughs. “Apologize. You’re making this too complicated.”
“I’ve already hurt her feelings once, you were there. I had to apologize after that, too.” I leave out the detail that I brought the cookies he gave me to her. They would incorrectly interpret that for sure.
“Do you think you only get one apology in a friendship?” Maverick asks and bends down to take another shot. He misses, grumbles something under his breath, then faces me again. “I’ve had to apologize to my best friend Drew a million times.”
“I’m hurt that I’m not your best friend,” Grayson says, laying a hand over his heart. I roll my eyes.
“We’re brothers,” I remind him and he shakes his head.
“Family doesn’t equal friendship. I’d like to know that we’re best friendsandbrothers.”
“Back to the problem at hand,” Levi says with a pointed look at Grayson.
