Page 66 of Hart Breaker

“Not sure you Harts noticed, but for some reason, I didn’t get that message.” Boone yawns as he heads to the kitchen. “Which is some bullshit.”

“Any of you send that to him, and I’ll put you on a three-day no-contact?—”

Boone’s laughter booming from the kitchen tells me it’s already done.

I eye them all, and Rome’s girl, CeCe, holds up her phone, saying, “Oops, sorry.”

I look to Rome. “Why does your girl have Boone’s number?”

He clears his throat. “Why not?”

CeCe elbows him and explains, “Rome messaged him from my phone when he couldn’t get a hold of you before Vegas.”

“I gave it to Rome,” Boone calls from the kitchen.

Jillian links her arm through mine. “Consider us your support staff. We’re all team Hudson and Riley.”

“Daddy Boone’s manning the grill. Gonna make some breakfast. If you’re hungry, get on in here.”

“We love him, even when he talks about himself in the third person,” Jillian says as she leads the way.

“You do realize that you just talked about yourself in the third, right?” Nour asks.

“Yes, yes, we do.” She smiles.

After the text I sent Riley that made no sense, she didn’t reply, but I sure did.

Me:

Sorry about that. What’s up?

Nothing back.

Me:

Gonna rest a bit. If you’re up to doing something tonight, let me know. I’ll come to you.

Nothing, not even those dots telling me she was there. So, I lie in bed, replaying everything she said while trying to figure out what I did to make her stop replying.

This is too important to fuck up or fumble. I need to come up with a plan. As luck would have it, I have one of those lightbulb moments and realize I need a playbook.

But first, a nap.

After my nap and a shower, I give a quick thanks to the big guy that my balls are no longer throbbing, grab a brand-new notebook, and head down the hall.

Heading down the stairs, I see the foyer littered with suitcases and hear laughter from the kitchen.

When I walk in, I see Mom, Jillian, CeCe, and Jade Brooks sitting around the island, sipping cups of coffee. A little bitch in me wants to retreat because I am sure this is a trap, but Jillian spots me and I have no choice but to man up.

“Good afternoon.” I head to Mom and give her a kiss on the cheek. “You all heading out?”

“We are, and you’re coming down. Boone’s going to visit Max Steel?”

“That was the plan.” I nod.

“And it’s not now?” Jillian harrumphs.

I run my fingers through my wet hair. “I mean, yeah?”

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