Page 67 of Implode

“My brother has made it clear to anyone in employment at HH to stay the hell away from you. That coupled with how he couldn’t stay away from you in Vegas was easy for me to make my own conclusions. Even our sister noticed his change in demeanor, and she isn’t even around him regularly. Nic and I went sparring today while you were meeting with our mom, and while he would not admit that he is pursuing you, I can read between the lines. But, Claire?”

“Yeah?” I am still trying to figure out if he knows I am pregnant. Maybe my secret is still concealed, at least until I can figure out what the hell I am doing.

“I need to warn you about a few things.” Graham moves hair off his forehead and runs his hand down the side of his face. “My brother is scarred from his past relationship where his fiancée was caught cheating on him. He has made it clear to our entire family that he is a commitment-phobe. He is not the type of man who wants to settle down and have a family.”

“I’m sure you know that said ex visited your building last week to try to win Nic back?”

“I am very aware.”

“So then why are you telling me this?” I ask, my tone serious. “Do you think I am oblivious to the risk of dating your brother?”

“Because the last thing you need is to look for aforeverwith a guy who just wants afor now.”

I nod. Graham is right, except for the fact that Nic has changed. It is understandable for other people close to him to have a hard time believing the change, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. Even though Nic is trying to start a relationship with me, he doesn’t know that I am pregnant. No one knows.

“You know that Nic is the one making all the moves, right? I am not chasing after afor now.” Like my tattoo represents, I am looking toward the sun and the things that bring me joy. Right now, I am focusing on my growing baby who needs me more than anyone else does.

“I love my brother; I swear I do. But I also love my soon-to-be-wife. If you get hurt, she gets hurt. Please just be wise if you want to pursue him.”

I take a few bites of my soup and a sip from my tea. I need to cut my ties and focus on this baby. When the truth finally comes out, I’ll have a whole lot of explaining to do to Angie. Hopefully she’ll be back from her honeymoon and still living in marital bliss and won’t allow my drama to stress her out.

I clear my throat and try to keep my emotions at bay. “Now that you have gotten that off your chest,” I say, “then how about I get something off mine?”

Graham leans back in his chair and crosses his arms over his chest. “Let’s hear it.”

“The tracking of me needs to stop.” My words come out of my mouth as blunt as I intended.

His eyes narrow at me, testing my expression for truth. “It’s for safety purposes.”

“It’s intrusive, illegal, and inappropriate.”

Graham gives me a single nod. “You missed the one thing in your list that makes this all okay, though.”

“Oh, yeah?” I challenge.

“It’snecessary.”

I scoff over his casual reaction. “Have either of you Hoffman boys learned the definition ofconsent? I am not Angie. I am not anybody’s.”

“But anyone close to my future wife needs to know the score when it comes to being around her. Her safety is my utmost priority. So the protective measures I instituted for her, trickle down to you.”

“Consent, Graham. That’s all it would have taken and this would not be a discussion. Surely, you have learned something over the last year.”

“I did learn a lot,” he says blankly. “I refuse to take anything for granted. But take this complaint up with Nic. He’s in charge of this.”

“Oh, I plan to.”

“I just want you to be careful about your romantic choices when it comes to my brother. You deserve someone who can give you everything you need. I can’t help but look out for you, too, Claire. I have known you for as long as I have known Angie. Despite what my past actions have been toward you, I do care a great deal about you.”

I give a weak smile. I know he cares. We wouldn’t be here now if he didn’t care. “I’ll make it clear to Nic tomorrow that we can’t ever be. We want two different things.”

Graham nods and presses his lips together. “Believe it or not, your happiness matters to me.”

His words make me sad. They are another reminder of how tough life can be. But it is in the direst of conditions that something beautiful can grow.

18

NIC

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