Page 83 of Trusting Tanner
Juliana rushed to open the door before Tanner heard the knock. “Hey, guys, thanks for coming.” She stepped aside to let Ryder and Xander enter the room.
“We were shocked to get your call,” Ryder said. “After the way we acted last night, we didn’t think you’d want to talk to us ever again.” He laughed nervously.
“Yeah, where is Tanner anyway?” Xander looked around the hotel room.
“What the…? Is that my brother?” Tanner walked out of the bathroom with a towel slung low around his waist. “What the fuck are you two doing here?”
“I called them.” Jules shut the door. “I thought we could all hang out. Maybe order some room service or something.” She tucked her hands into her pockets and rocked on her heels. “You don’t mind, do you?”
“No, of course not.” He walked over and placed a tender kiss on her forehead. “You’re amazing, you know that?” he whispered.
“Look, we’re cool with hanging out, but I’m not watching you two go at it.” Xander laughed. “Go cover your ugly ass with some clothes, would ya?”
Tanner chuckled and flipped him off, then retreated to the bedroom. Jules took a deep breath. She hadn’t been alone with or spoken to Xander and Ryder since the bowling alley, and she prayed things wouldn’t go as they had the last time. She wanted to get along with them because she knew it meant a lot to Tanner.
“I’m sorry about the way I yelled at you and then ran out of the bowling alley,” she said. “I wasn’t expecting all those questions, and I didn’t know how to answer them.”
“No.” Ryder shook his head. “We’re the ones who owe you an apology. We shouldn’t have pushed so hard, and we’re sorry.” He turned to Xander and raised a brow.
“Yeah, we’re sorry,” Xander agreed. “Ryder can be a real asshole sometimes. I’m embarrassed to call him my brother.”
Ryder hauled off and punched Xander’s arm, knocking him off balance. “You’reembarrassed? Have you heard yourself talk?”
Jules laughed. They really did like to harass each other, didn’t they? It made her long for a sibling of her own, someone she could tease and love and always count on.
“Seriously, though, we were dicks last night, and that wasn’t cool,” Xander said, rubbing his arm.
“And if we get out of line again, tell us,” Ryder said with a smile.
“Thanks.” Her heart warmed. All the fears and doubts and anger she’d had toward them dissipated. “I know you were just looking out for your brother. I can respect that.”
“Dude, I like her,” Ryder said.
Xander nodded in agreement. “You’re like the sister we never had.” He grinned. “Tanner better not fuck this up.”
Wow.She was struck speechless. Of everything he could have said, him referring to her as family had never crossed her mind. It was no wonder Tanner was so close to his brothers—they were funny and forgiving and easy to like.
“But if you try to steal all his money, we will hunt you down.” Ryder winked.
Juliana laughed. “Thanks for the heads up.”
“What’s so funny?” Tanner walked out dressed in shorts and a T-shirt. He looked between the three of them, his lips thinned as if he didn’t know whether to smile or frown.
She slid her arm around his waist. “Your brothers and I were just making amends.”
Tanner glanced down at her, eyes wide, a surprised smile tugging at his lips. “Really?”
“Don’t make a big deal out of it,” Ryder said, sitting on the couch. “Let’s get busy hanging out. Where’s the room service menu?”
“Forget the food. Where’s the mini-bar?” Xander asked.
Jules shook her head. Tanner was right about them—they were definitely a handful. But she liked them, and she hoped they liked her, too.
“Thank you,” Tanner mouthed a second before kissing her.
“You’re welcome.” She took his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
…
