Page 46 of Power Play with My Brother's Irish Friends

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CHARLIE

Ichecked my reflection in the Camaro’s rear view mirror one last time and adjusted my tie so the knot rested in the center of my throat. I’d dragged the gray suit out from the back of the closet and put on the cologne Miranda bought me years ago as a Christmas gift. A groove appeared between my eyebrows, and I ran my thumb over the dent to smooth it out while taking a soothing breath. “Austin’s not here. He’s on a date with Samantha.” He’d told everyone about his plans to take Samantha to the water for a day of sailing and a night out at a fancy restaurant. I’d pestered him into telling me the name of the restaurant so I didn’t stumble into him if things went according to plan. The white mansion had never been intimidating to me until the moment I stepped out of the car and realized that the woman of my dreams waited just out of reach. A few steps, a press of the doorbell, and a single question. That was all that stood between my happily ever after.

A lump of uncertainty nestled in my heart. It wasn’t right for me to go behind Austin’s back like this, especially after he made it clear how he felt about us spending time romantically with Miranda. I had no choice. Our one night together became the driving force that pushed me every single day. I’d waited, I’d worried, and I’d come to the conclusion that Miranda deserved a say so in her romantic future. The way she looked at me after the game yesterday left a lingering impression that she had feelings for me. I’d never forgive myself if I didn’t at least ask her out on a date. I picked up the bouquet of flowers I’d had the local shop make special for Miranda and tucked it into my elbow. “Talk to her. Tell her how you feel. Be open and honest. If she shuts you down, then at least you know you tried.”

Twin engines roared behind me, engines I recognized. “Are you fucking kidding me?” I spun to face Patrick’s SUV and Duncan’s Mustang. Tires squealed as they both braked to a hard stop on either side of my Camaro. Duncan emerged first, his black suit a perfect contrast to the rabble-rouser routine we’d all come to expect from him. Patrick stepped out next, straightening his dark gray pinstriped suit and tucking his tie into a gold clip before buttoning the jacket. He caught me staring and grinned behind black sunglasses.

“What are you doing here?” The question came out harsh and accusatory, and I didn’t give two fucks if the whole world heard me.

“Miranda’s here?” Duncan pulled out a bouquet of roses from the passenger seat and stomped over to stand in front of me.

“She should be.” I shook my head. “Fuck, man. She said she was staying here for the weekend, but it’s not like I called and asked before I showed up. It was supposed to be a surprise.”

“She’ll be surprised all right.” His Irish kicked in, making the all right lose the ‘l’ sound and turn harsh on the ‘r’. “What I want to know is why you’re here.” He jammed a finger in my chest, then Patrick’s. “And you.”

Damn it. The three of us were more alike than I cared to admit. We’d all shown up in suits and carrying bouquets, anxious to woo Miranda during her short stay. No doubt they hoped to convince her to turn the weekend trip into forever, but I stopped myself from traveling across that slippery slope and threw myself down another. “So we’re all trying to pursue Miranda behind Austin’s back.” I raised a hand but lowered it before I dug it through my hair and messed up the styling gel. “Some friends.”

“It’s only a problem if we make it a problem.” Patrick’s smirk remained firmly in place. He tapped the bouquet of sunflowers against his chest. “I told her a month ago that I was willing to hide this from Austin.”

“But nothing happened.” I’d have known. I’d have seen it if the two of them were together before she headed back to New York.

Patrick slid his sunglasses down his nose and peered at me over the rim. “As far as you know. I’m not the kiss and tell kind of guy.”

“Yeah, you are.” I scoffed at his sudden turn of morals. “You love nothing more than to tell the whole team about the woman you’ve fucked that night and how you can’t wait to find the next one. Miranda deserves better than that.” My grip on the flowers tightened. “You know what she’s been through. I won’t let you hurt her.”

“I’m not going to.” Patrick sounded so sincere, so righteous, that it stopped me a split second before I pushed him.

Duncan held out a hand between us. “Who says you’re right for her?” He challenged me with a glare, his eyes cold and hard as I’d ever seen them. “Because you’ve known her longer does not give you the right to choose for her.”

“No.” I agreed easily enough. “But it does mean I know her better than both of you. She’s not going to fall for your bullshit.” I aimed the barb at Patrick before swinging back around to Duncan. “And she’s not going to waste all her time on a man she has to coach through every social interaction.”

Duncan’s fist balled up into a knot. His teeth clacked together, his nostrils flaring with that look of brutal anger taking over. “Then why is she expecting me for a date tonight?” He capped a hand over his wrist and checked the time. “In five minutes, to be exact. Why’s that, if she’s not interested in a man like me?” He palmed his chest, the coldness seeping out of him and pushing me back a step.

“You have a date?” The flowers in my grasp drooped toward the ground.

Patrick edged closer to Duncan. “When did you ask her out?”

“At the game.” Duncan bit out the words without looking away from me. “She agreed and I texted her to set up a time.”

“Damn.” Patrick ran a hand along his cheek. “That’s surprising.”

“Why?” Duncan asked.

Patrick shot a look at the house. “Because we had a little chat yesterday too. And she showed interest in me too.”

“You’re both bloody insane.” I couldn’t handle this.

“Maybe.” Duncan shrugged. “But I’m not quitting because the two of you want her.”

“Me either.” Patrick continued to stroke his cheek and stared at the house. A shrewd look twisted his mouth to the side. “We all know the solution. We compete.”

Competition was one thing, but competing for Miranda’s affection felt wrong, dirty. But I was behind on this one. They’d started the game without me and already scored points in her affections. I had a lot of ground to cover and not much time. “I’m the best man for her.” I thumbed my chest. “But we should let her decide.” I couldn’t be the guy who took that choice away from her.

“Okay. Rules.” Patrick finally broke his intense stare and turned his back on the house.

I held up one finger. “We each take her on a date. One date. May the best man win.”

“No interfering with the other men’s dates.” Duncan arched a brow. He pointed his bouquet toward the front door. “I’m almost late. You two need to leave.”

“No interference.” I agreed because I didn’t want either of them horning in on my time once I’d set things up.

Patrick held out his hand. “May the best man win.”

We all bumped fists and took a step back. The deal was struck, the rules set. All that was left was to play the game to the best of our abilities and see who won.

I tried not to think about how pissed Miranda would be if she knew we’d been outside bargaining with her love life. She had to know it would come down to this. Three guys on the same team, falling for the same girl. She would have to choose one of us. Or none of us.

I climbed back into my Camaro and started the engine but kept it in park until Patrick backed out ahead of me and started down the long drive. Reluctance knotted in my gut and almost stopped me from following, but I’d given my word and after breaking it once with Austin, I hesitated to break it again by reneging on our deal.

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