Page 68 of Touchdowns and Temptations

“No,” I say. “It's not that.”

I set the glass down in front of me and bite my bottom lip nervously.

“Noah is your brother and I... I messed up...”

“You broke his heart,” Alex says what I don't want to hear. I bow my head in shame. “And yes, that hurts me too. He's my brother, Cara. You can't treat him like your horny little toy because you want to get fucked.”

“I never did,” I hiss and look at him. “Don't ever say that again.”

“You didn't, but that's how he feels,” Alex adds. “Listen... I shouldn't be having this conversation with you, but Noah is unbearable. Really obnoxious, and I can't put up with that for weeks and months. So, I suggest that you ask him to forgive you.”

“That easy?” I ask skeptically and he laughs.

“Of course not,” Alex says. “He won't forgive you.”

My shoulders slump sadly. My little glimmer of hope that it might not be so hard after all is extinguished.

“Then why are we talking?” I ask. “What do I do if he doesn't forgive me?”

“You have to apologize and ask him to forgive you,” he advises me. “And it's hard to believe I'm saying this, but you're probably the best thing that's happened to us two idiots in the last few months.”

I can't help but laugh.

“I heard what you said to Noah - about Daisy.”

I bite my lips and lower my eyes. I did mean it, but it wasn't meant for his ears. Alex is a grown man and he knows what he's doing.

“And it's true. Daisy is taking advantage of me.”

“Do you still love her?”

“Daisy?” Alex laughs. “No. I like her and I have fond memories of my time with her, but I don't love her anymore. We're friends with benefits.”

“Friends with benefits?” I raise my eyebrows. “I don’t know. I should go.”

“Why?” he asks.

“I don't want to wait hours for him.” Alex nods and I push my glass across the bar to him. “Thanks for the water and the conversation.” I smile at him.

“Gladly,” he says and nods. I slide off the barstool and turn to go to the front door as it opens. Noah walks in, kicking off his running shoes.

“I'm back,” he says tiredly. You can see the strain of the last few hours on his face. “The run was really good, thanks, and...”

When he sees me, he stops immediately. His previously tired but gentle gaze hardens and makes my blood run cold.

“Get out!” I am completely unable to follow his words. “Go on, get out!”

“Noah, I...” I stammer, searching for the right words, but unfortunately, I can't find them. “Let's talk?”

“No,” he says, grabbing me roughly by the arm. “I'm done with you.”

“You're hurting me,” I try to stall, but he rolls his eyes and drags me to the door behind him.

“Noah!” Alex interrupts. “Listen to her?”

I smile gratefully at him, but unfortunately it only seems to make Noah angrier.

“No need,” he grumbles at his brother. “It would be nice if you stay out of my hookups in the future, like I've been doing with you and Daisy for years.”

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