Page 1 of What About Now

PROLOGUE

Maddox

I’ve been looking forward to today. Not because I get to hang out with my best friends, who are also my business partners, and their families. Not even because my guy Forrest is falling hard and fast for the single mom of twin girls. And not just because Roman’s daughter, Lilly, is getting older, and she’s sure to be a ball of fun, and Uncle Maddox is here for it. All of that is a bonus. But today, I’m looking forward to seeing her.

Brogan Pearce.

She’s all tanned legs, and big green eyes. Those cutoff jean shorts she’s wearing ought to be illegal. Thankfully, I’m wearing dark sunglasses to hide the fact that I can’t stop watching her. It’s like this every single time we all get together. It’s as if I have no control over my eyes, as they drift toward her time and time again.

Just Brogan.

She’s all I can see.

Hell, for the first time in my life, she’s all I want to see.

I’ve been around beautiful women. She’s not the first, but she is the first I can’t seem to be able to look away from. I don’tknow what it is about Brogan, but I can’t get enough . I gravitate toward her every single time.

But it’s complicated.

First of all, Forrest is head over ass for her twin sister, Briar. They’re taking things slow, but we can all see it: they’re endgame. Then you have me. I’ve never had a serious relationship.

I’ve never wanted one.

There has never been someone who has come into my life to make me think about more.

Until now.

Until Brogan.

I’ve been biding my time, getting to know her at the same time as everyone else, but to me, it’s more.She’smore. That’s why, as I sit here on this blanket, staring up at the fireworks display, I reach over and link her fingers through mine. It’s dark, and no one is paying any attention to us. She stiffens but doesn’t try to pull away. I take that as a good sign. I need to remember to do something special for Rayne and River. My little wing ladies who helped me gain this spot on their aunt’s blanket.

I’d give anything to be able to hold Brogan, not just her hand. The moment feels right, and suddenly, I have clarity.

I want more, but only with her. I want to know her dreams, her fears, and everything in between. I want her in my arms on nights like tonight, hell, every night. Is this what the guys felt like when they found their girls? Is this what Forrest is going through as he falls for her sister, Briar, and her daughters?

This feeling is intense. Just thinking about us together makes my heart race. I haven’t noticed a single woman since the moment I met her. It’s just been Brogan. She’s holding my hand, and that’s a small step, but I need more. Iwantmore.

I want her to be mine.

Brogan Pearce is my endgame. She just doesn’t know it yet.

CHAPTER

ONE

Brogan

My body aches, my head is pounding, and I’m burning up. Why is it so hot? I reach for the covers and freeze when I feel an arm. At least, I think it’s an arm. My mind starts racing, and my heart matches its rhythm. Fear grips at my throat, making it hard to swallow. I force myself to take a deep breath and evaluate my current situation.

Not again.

Please, God. Not again.

I take a few deep breaths, trying to calm myself down. I need to get myself together and get out of this bed. I don’t even know where I am. How could I let this happen? Squeezing my eyes closed, I try to remember how I ended up here and who I’m with, all the while trying to keep my panic at bay.

Yesterday, my little sister, yes, little… I was born two minutes earlier. It’s just facts. Anyway, my little sister married the man of her dreams. A man who has shown my sister and her daughters so much love and patience, it makes my heart happy. Forrest Huntley is one of the good ones.

They got married, we all celebrated, and when the newlyweds went up to their room, Roman and Emerson took the girls to play with Lilly. Maggie and I hung out with Maddox and Lachlan, and that’s where things start to get fuzzy.

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