Page 136 of Breaking the Rules
He looks so much like Mom.
Same deep eyes. Same dark locks. Same vicious stare.
Wes turns to our older brother. "Hate to break it to you, Chase, but you haven't mastered telepathy yet."
Chase's stare deepens.
"You know this tension is bad for your heart." Wes taps his chest. "Why don't you take him outside, hit him, get over it?"
"No." I take a step backward. "I get it."
"Fuck that. You're looking buff as hell, Hunter. Don't tell me you're still afraid of your big brother," Wes says.
Of him? No. Of disappointing him—I could write an essay about that.
"You do look good," Griffin says. "Even without the eyeliner."
"You got any I can borrow?" I try to tease, but it doesn't land.
Wes is the only one laughing.
And it's hollow.
Fuck, if Wes can't pretend everything is okay—
This really is dire.
"Are you here for a reason?" Chase's deep voice echoes through the room. It drowns out the thrashing guitars. The hum of the air-conditioning. The pounding of my heart.
"I want to apologize." It's not what he wants to hear. He wants something he can fix, something that will get me out of here. A last paycheck. A sketchbook I forgot. A client who needs a referral.
He's willing to deal with Hunter Keating, tattoo artist.
Not Hunter Keating, brother.
Fuck, I shouldn't be here. Even if it's my only option. "I am sorry."
"That's great, right, Chase?" Wes shoots Chase a look.
Chase stays firm.
Wes's shoulders rise with frustration.
I'm going to fix this.
That means giving my brother room. "I should go."
"Fuck that. Stay. Help me with this mock-up." Wes motions to his sketchbook. "The perspective is off."
"Not my strong suit," I say.
Wes struggles to fight a frown. "Then tell me what you want for your birthday. It's next week. And I can't exactly buy you a bottle of Jim Beam this year."
Griffin shakes his headfuck, did you really say that?He turns back to his client and picks up his gun. "I'll see you around."
"I'm good," I say. "Really."
"Fuck that. I'm getting you something," Wes says. "If you want it to be appropriate—"
