Page 183 of If Our Hearts Collide

Nic intercepts her container and passes her another one from a pharmacy bag that he happens to be holding. “Take these instead.”

“Why?”

“More folic acid.”

Claire turns to me and cups a hand to her mouth as if Nic can’t hear her. “See what I’m dealing with?” She nudges her elbow toward him as if he isn’t in the room. “He knows more about how to carry a baby than I do.”

“Oh, trust me. I get it.” Punk hired Collins to shadow my every movement and not actually tell me about it. So, nothing surprises me with him.

“It’s a full-time job micromanaging his expectations.”

I spare my brother a glance, and he manages to look innocent.

Faker.

“You both done ganging up on me?”

Claire shakes her head no and stands up. “This boy”—she pokes him in the chest which gets him to smirk—“made me an online profile so he can use my account to garner fake likes and support on social media.”

“Oh yeah? What is your screen name?” I really should make popcorn for this.

“Oh, he kept it totally classy. Wait for it… Notyomomma.”

“Wow.”

“It helps me stay relevant and up-to-date with all the parenting trends,” Nic defends.

Claire gives me a look. “He needs a hobby before I make myself a fake profile just to stir up shit and red flag all his lame-ass posts.”

“You wouldn’t,” Nic says with a scoff.

“I would.”

“She would,” I agree.

He lets out a sigh. “I’ll get blocked. Those hormone-fueled admins scare me.”

Claire shakes her head at him. “You called a bunch of moms self-cannibals for eating their placentas.”

I choke on my own spit.

Yup.

Nic straightens his posture. “I said what I said.”

“It was a step too far,” Claire says, looking resigned. “Just stick to your lane, Nic Hoffman.”

He holds his hands up. “Fine, fine.”

My brother has gone from overprotective to overbearing with this pregnancy. I can tell he is worried over his girl, but he needs to lighten up some or risk Claire feeling suffocated.

I think some of his fears for his girl are also exaggerating his fears for me. He has a huge heart, and not being able to control every single situation probably eats at him.

Making sure the people he loves are protected—the way he sees fit—must give him the freedom to live his life.

Men like Collins and my brothers thrive on this control.

They need it to function.

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