Page 70 of Tempting Promises
The door chime rings and in walks all three Whitlock brothers, laughing and pushing each other as they talk.
Great. There goes my nice lunch break.
Which isn’t even really a break, it’s more of a bribe for Donny to fix my truck and do an IOU. Right now I’m riding an ATV around town and telling everyone it’s to conserve gas. However, if it rains tomorrow, I’m taking the tractor. I don’t even care.
“Well, well, if it isn’t our little sister and...Charlotte.” Rowan approaches and Brynn points her finger at him.
“Be nice, asshat,” Brynn warns.
“Nice, please, he wouldn’t know nice if it kicked him in the balls,” Asher says, kissing his sister’s cheek. “Hey, Charlotte.”
“Hey,” I say back.
Grady wraps his arm around Brynn and kisses her other cheek. “We all know he doesn’t have any balls. Good to see you, Charlotte.”
“You too, Grady.”
Then it’s Rowan who practically lifts Brynn out of her chair to hug her. “You’re both just jealous because I’m the only one who hasn’t been castrated by a woman. Besides, it’s not about the size of the balls, it’s about the length of the bat. Right, Charlotte?”
I hate him.
“I wouldn’t know, I’m sure you’re batting with a T-ball size anyway,” I say, knowing damn well he’s in the majors.
Both of his brothers laugh, and Grady slaps his chest. “Damn, brother. You walked into that one.”
Brynn sighs heavily. “I was having a nice lunch and talking to a friend, but it seems you three are going to ruin our day. Might as well sit.”
Each of them does and I feel really fucking uncomfortable. I keep trying to make eye contact with anyone other than Rowan. I haven’t seen him in days. Other than each night when I close my eyes and feel his hands skimming across my skin or hear his voice as he slammed into me, keeping my body exactly where he wanted to hit the perfect angle.
“Charlotte was just telling me a little about the hiking trip where she and Rowan managed not to kill each other,” Brynn says in our awkward silence.
“I won’t lie, I was shocked,” Asher says with a smile. “I thought for sure we were coming to get his body. My money was on you.” He elbows me and winks.
“Thank you.”
Grady nods. “Mine too. Brynn was the only one betting on Rowan.”
“Hey! I didn’t bet at all! You two were the ones acting like idiots,” Brynn corrects them.
Rowan shakes his head, looking at his two brothers. “Both of you are traitors.”
“Maybe, but even with an injury, I think Charlotte could take you,” Grady says.
I like his brothers. They’re kind of fun and they’re right. I could totally kick his ass if my ankle wasn’t sprained. “You’re both very smart.”
“Could you tell our wives that?” Asher asks.
“Wives? When did either of you get married?” Brynn cuts in.
“Almost wives, whatever,” Grady snaps back. “Asher and I could use the support.”
I smile, thinking of how Phoebe must keep Asher on his toes and Addison with Grady. I didn’t really know the brothers that well since Brynlee moved here when we were in middle school. Asher didn’t move to town until his mother died and Rowan came around the same time. Grady never did until his wife passed away and he moved here to be near family.
“I’ll be happy to put in a good word.”
Brynn scoffs. “Please, they all know better. What brings you boys to Sugarlips?”
“It’s our weekly brothers’ lunch where we talk about you,” Rowan answers and Brynn playfully slaps his chest. “Ow, that hurt.”
