Page 108 of Hound Dog
“Deal,” Liam and I said together.
That was surprisingly easier than I’d expected it to be. But if I was going to stand there and lecture my brothers about being honest, maybe now was the time to come clean about Hound Dog.
“You guys? I need to tell you something,” I said.
Immediately, every one of my siblings grew suspicious. Neil’s grip on my shoulder tightened. Liam drummed his fingers against the table. And Addy’s eyes narrowed into a glare and a smirk kicked up on her lips.
“Is it about Haylee? Because we already know you’re in love with her.”
“What? No. Well, yes. I am in love with her…” I let loose a frustrated grunt and dropped my head into my hands.
But before I could spill it, the door to the bakery swung open. I didn’t bother looking up. Hell, this wasn’t my day to work here. Liam and Neil could handle whoever this customer was.
“Can’t you read? We’re closed,” Liam said, barely looking at the guy.
“I’m sorry,” a low voice said. “But… please. Ireallyneed a cake. One that saysI’m sorryandhappy birthdayall in one.”
I snorted. “You want a birthdayapologycake?”
Who was this asshole?
I looked up to find the tall, blond man standing in the doorway. Expensive-looking sunglasses perched on the end of his nose.
He was handsome. Too fucking handsome.
And I recognized him immediately from the small handful of photos on Haylee’s Facebook page.
Red-hot jealousy blistered across my flesh.
Because fucking Ben washere. Buying Haylee a cake.MyHaylee.
And there wasn’t a damn thing I could do about it.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Haylee
Finn was nowhereto be seen at my birthday party.
I’d been texting him all afternoon and hadn’t heard anything in return. But could I really blame him?
This morning, I’d basically yelled at him, kicked him out of my room, and berated him for not calling his dad.
That wasn’t at all how I really felt. I was just upset. Now, he wouldn’t even text me back to let me apologize.
“Hello?” Addy whistled and snapped her fingers in front of my face to get my attention. “Earth to the birthday girl! Are you ready for your surprise?”
I blinked, shaking off the disorientation. “More of a surprise than you guys throwing me a birthday party full of people I barely know?”
Enzo dropped her cheek to Simon’s shoulder and pulled a wine glass from behind the bar. “You knowus. And Meryl.”
I smiled at how adorable she was, cuddling up to her new man and decided to go easy on her.
“And don’t forget Tim! You know Tim.” Addy pointed at her karaoke emcee.
Enzo popped the cork off the wine bottle and poured us two generous glasses. “Not to mention Finn.”
Heat bloomed across my cheeks at the mention of his name, and I looked down at my wedge heels, scuffing them against the hardwood floors so they wouldn’t notice my blush.
