Page 70 of Crazy In Love
But I wouldn’t mind hugging Emilia Taylor.
“Congratulations. It’s about time this stubborn ass decorated this place,” my brother said as he pulled back and thrust his thumb in my direction.
“Oh, I need to get going. I have a lot of work to do tonight. My first client is a tyrant,” she said, turning to look at me with a big grin on her face. “You guys have a nice dinner.”
“I haven’t even agreed to go with you to dinner.” I glared at Rafe.
“You’re a sure thing. This guy gets hangry, like a little child, and all hell breaks loose.” He laughed loudly, and I had a strong desire to punch him in the dick.
Emilia pulled her backpack up on her shoulder and reached for her keys. “Okay, Bridger, thank you for the opportunity. I’ll have a formal contract for you to sign tomorrow, and we’ll come up with a plan.”
“That works.” I followed her to the door and pulled it open. She hurried outside before slipping into her car.
I waited until she’d pulled out of my driveway before I closed the door and walked back to where my brother was standing. He was waiting for me with one eyebrow arched and a devious smile on his face.
“Do you have something to tell me, brother?” he asked.
“Yes. You look like a fucking creamsicle. Who the fuck dresses you?”
He looked down at his outfit. “This is called ‘hipster,’ dude. Have you ever heard of personal style? You dress like a rich dude who just got home from a business meeting.”
“I am a rich dude who just got home from a business meeting. You look like you should be driving an ice cream truck.”
His head fell back in laughter. “Is there anyone who is better at derailing a conversation than you? How come you didn’t mention that you were hiring Emilia Taylor to decorate your house?”
“Because I hired Emilia to decorate my house five minutes ago, right before you barged in here, you shithead.” I crossed my arms over my chest.
“Touché. Well, I need to talk to you, and you weren’t answering your phone. I texted Easton, Axel, and Archer to meet us at Rosewood’s. I’ve got news,” he said. “Clark and Emerson are going to FaceTime while we’re at the restaurant.”
Rosewood’s was the nicest steakhouse in town, and obviously if he’d called us all together, he had something he needed to share.
But Rafe always had something to share.
“You’ve got them FaceTiming us at the restaurant? This is clearly serious. Mom and Dad are all right?”
“Yes, you big softy,” he said with a laugh as he bumped me with his shoulder. “I love when you remind me that you’re just a big teddy bear beneath that toxic jackass demeanor.”
I rolled my eyes as I slipped on my jacket. “Nothing soft about me, brother. You’re driving—I’m in the mood for a few drinks.”
“Great. Let’s go.”
He drove the short distance to the restaurant, where the guys were already sitting at a table. This meant Archer had to have gotten someone to watch Melody so he could be here.
What the fuck is going on?
We said our quick hellos, all of these sappy bastards hugging one another as I quickly patted them each on the shoulder and took my seat.
Rafe insisted we place our orders so we could FaceTime with Emerson and Clark, as he didn’t want to be interrupted.
“For fuck’s sake, what is going on?” I demanded.
My chest tightened at the thought of something being wrong, because this was over the top even for Rafe.
He handed his phone to Easton and told him to hold it so that Clark and Emerson could see him.
My brother was a theatrical motherfucker, and he was clearly dropping something big.
“Patience,” he said with a wicked grin on his face as he looked at me. “I’ve already spoken to Mom and Dad, and I wanted to share the biggest news of my life with you all here together.”
