Page 61 of Love's Hot

“Our damn workaholic brother, that’s who!” We both rush out of the office to the boardroom.

I walk in as casually as I can. Taking a seat and saying good morning like nothing is wrong. The boys sit silently looking at us both.

Luke can’t help himself and breaks the silence. “It’s nice of you to finally join us. Working on Lilly time again today, are we?” He smiles across the table at me.

Don’t pick on me today, Luke, it’s the wrong day.

“Nope, we had a wedding dress fitting which was booked in before the email sent on a Sunday night, which doesn’t count as notification for the next morning, by the way.” I smugly cross my arms over my chest. I can stare these boys down any day. They’re my brothers, I’m not afraid of them.

“Likely story,” Grant says rolling his eyes. “Just admit you’re hopeless with time and were too busy attending to your hair and make-up. One day you will be on time.”

I go to defend myself, but Alesha is all over it, having my back against our brothers. “Shut up, Grant. We’re getting over last night’s frigging hangovers. Trying to forget sex with a guy like Kane takes lots of alcohol.” Her hand flies to her mouth as she realizes she just exposed me to my brothers.

“Oh. Shit. Lilly, I’m sorry. My head is muddled. I’m so sorry.” The words come rambling out of Alesha’s mouth so quickly as she tries to backtrack.

“Goddammit!” Grant bangs his hand on the table, frustrated. He better not start a big brother lecture, because today I will stab him with my pen so hard I draw blood.

I glare at Alesha. I can’t be mad at her, though, because it’s not like my brain is functioning any better than hers is today.

Luke starts to laugh loudly. One of those deep-down belly laughs that make everyone look to see what’s so funny.

“Pay up, big brother. Called it. I told you they were together. You too, Zach, you both owe me. A bet’s a bet.”

“What the fuck? You all had bets if I was sleeping with Kane or not? You boys suck. Seriously, I’m done with you all.” I go to leave when Luke jumps up and comes to put his arm around me.

“Hey, we’re just brothers being silly. So, what happened that you and little miss goody-two-shoes over there are suffering hangovers?” He’s still trying to be funny but there’s a small part of him that cares.

“Like you care, you’re just happy you won your bet. Jerk.” I slap his chest, but it just means he draws me into his chest and hugs me tighter.

“Seriously, Lil, are you okay? Do we need to go and sort him out?” All the witty tone has left his voice, and he sounds genuinely concerned.

“No, it’s okay. It’s over now. Mutual agreement. All good. Can we just forget about it? Not something I want to discuss with my brothers.”

He squeezes me a little tighter and then Grant breaks the moment. “Okay, good, let’s get some work done, can we? Enough of the family melodramas. Now let’s talk about the dramas down in the river district job.”

“Good to know you care, Grant.” I sneer as I sit back down, and Zach leans over to kiss me on the head as he gives me a warm hug.

“Always here if you need to talk. I know Emily is too. Come and stay for a few days, the kids’ll make you laugh,” he whispers to me.

There’s something so calming about Zach. Grant is the controlling, bossy brother. Luke is the comedian, but Zach is the caring and gentle soul. He is the level head that always manages to know just what to say and when to be there.

“Thank you. Could be what I need. I’ll let you know,” I whisper back.

“Are you two finished down there? Can we start the damn meeting now please? Some of us have work to do today, funnily enough.”

“Whatever,” I grumble, and everyone laughs.

That’s what we do best in this family. Love, laugh and protect. No matter what I’m going through, I know they will all be there in their own ways. Even Grant, who knows that what I need is to be busy and to be pushed to think about work instead of Kane.

One day at a time.

It has to get easier.

It can’t feel any worse.

***

Today was the longest day in history, between my hangover headache that never left, Alesha who couldn’t stop apologizing all day and the damn phone on my desk that never stopped ringing. I’m not a violent person but I really wanted to smash that phone against the wall.

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