Page 12 of Can't Take My Eyes Off You

‘Ugh,’ he groans like I’m the frustrating one. ‘What do I gotta do, little brother?’ He lies next to me, repeatedly jabbing me in the side, his elbow pinning my head to my pillow.

I swing his way but don’t get a good hit. ‘Why don’t you crawl up my ass and die?’ I shove him over, dumping the beer still in his hand all over us.

He laughs, shoving my head into the puddle of beer on my pillow like the bully he’s always been. ‘He’s feisty when he’s heartbroken, eh?’

Bryce is leaning against my door frame with his arms crossed over his chest, watching this scene play out with a blank face. ‘He asked you to leave.’ He repeats my request.

‘Not leaving. I’ll drag his ass to our new place if I have to.’

‘And I’llkickyour ass if you try it,’ I respond.

‘Fine,’ he huffs, finally leaving my bed. ‘You want to do this the awkward way. I’ll play. I called her.’

This gets my attention. I roll over and sit up, turning to him. ‘You didwhat?’

‘I called Berkley. Told her it was an emergency – asked her to come over urgently.’

I drop back onto my wet pillow, dragging a hand over my face. This asshole. ‘What is with this fucking family constantly being in my business?!’ I yell. ‘Why would you do that?’

‘Because it’s her fault you’re like this. So she needs to come over here, show you her tits, forgive you, do you, whatever, and drag your ass out of the pit of despair you’re in so you don’t fuck this up for me.’

Forhim. Nice.

‘First of all, it’smyfault I’m like this, not hers. Second,nevertalk about her tits again. Third, you’re a selfish prick.’

His slimy laugh irritates me. ‘If you’re trying to insult me, say something I don’t hear daily.’

‘People regularly call you a selfish prick?’

He smiles smugly, like he’s proud of what he’s about to say. ‘Not everyone loves a loaded, handsome, important man.’

I roll my eyes. Please. Important? To who? ‘That’s very humble of you; now leave, assbag.’

Once again, he does not leave, just laughs as he paces in front of me before yanking the comforter from me and tossing it on the floor across the room.

‘Mike,’ I growl. ‘You’re such a bitch.’

‘Now, is that any way to talk to your brother who just convinced your bimbo to race over here and save you from yourself? I suggest you drag your rank ass to the shower before she gets here. You smell like beer and BO.’

This time I jump out of bed. She’s racing over? No.

‘She said the words she’s coming over?’ I ask, glancing at my phone. ‘’Cause she should be closing up the shop right now.’

He nods his head, lifting a single shoulder. ‘Apparently, you’re worth dodging out of work for. Who fucking knew?’

That’s all it takes. I’m in the shower two minutes later, and Mike’s throwing my shit into the boxes accumulating in my room like I’m actually moving into this condo. I’ve barely got pants on when I hear a frantic knocking at the front door. I glance into the living room as I search my dresser for a T-shirt, but it’s empty, and my clothes are strewn all over my room. I grab one randomly from the bed, sliding it over my head.

‘Why are you knocking?’ Bryce asks as he opens the door for her. ‘You have a key.’

‘We’re not exactly a thing anymore so using the key felt wrong. Is he OK?’ she asks, talking quickly, her voice panicky. ‘Why didn’tyoucall me? The last thing I wanted to hear – without warning – was assbag’s voice,’ she snaps at Bryce.

‘Thanks!’ Mike yells from my room like he’s offended.

She sighs in relief when she sees me walking out of my room, shoving past Bryce and practically running to me, throwing her arms around my neck. Jesus. I wrap my arms around her, lifting her off the floor, kissing her cheek and holding her to me tightly, finally feeling complete again. I didn’t expect this greeting, but I feel exactly the same way, sweet girl.

‘You’re alright,’ she says into my ear. ‘Mike said you were hurt?’

‘He said what?’ I set her down, allowing her to inspect me carefully.

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