Page 38 of Bragg's Match

Why would he help? It makes no sense. Except Harmony and Elder are married. He’s not helping me. He’s helping his brother. Now, it makes sense.

“I guess all of the Bragg brothers will probably come to help.”

“I don’t give a shit about my brothers. I care about you. I’m not letting you go out in the middle of the night all alone.”

“But this is Winter Falls. It’s perfectly safe.” I’m beginning to sound like a broken record.

“I wouldn’t care if you had a team of bodyguards with you. You aren’t going out in the middle of the night on your own.”

At his words, a crack forms in the wall around my heart designed to keep him out. If I’m being totally honest with myself – something I prefer not to do when it comes to Brody Bragg – there are already several cracks in the wall. I don’t know how long I can keep this wall erect.

Or how longI wantto keep this wall erect.

Lucy’s not the only one in trouble.

Chapter 14

Is Xanax a prescription drug? Or can I pick some up at the drugstore? ~ Text from Brody to the Bragg brothers

Brody

“What the hell are you doing?” Soleil asks.

I groan and roll to my back. “What do I appear to be doing?”

She scans the spare bedroom. There isn’t much to see. I got rid of any remnants of the bed.

“Building a blanket fort?”

A blanket fort sounds fun. Gathering every extra blanket in the house to build a mattress to cushion sleeping on the floor is not.

“Why are you sleeping on the floor?”

“What other option do I have?” I get to my feet and stretch my back. “You don’t want me sleeping with you.”

And there was no way I’d continue sleeping in her bed when it makes her uncomfortable. She should be comfortable in her own home.

She motions toward the blankets. “I didn’t expect you to sleep on the floor.”

“I’m not sleeping on your miniature couch.”

She scowls. “I told you. My couch is designer. It’s not miniature.”

I’m not having this argument again.

“What do you need?” I ask instead.

Her eyes flare with heat for a moment and I silently beg her to admit what we both know – she wants me. She clears her throat and the flames die. I sigh.

“I… um… woke up and you weren’t there and I got worried something happened to you.”

I scratch my stomach – my bare stomach – and she licks her lips. “I’m perfectly fine.”

Her gaze stops on the clock on the dresser. “Shit. I need to hurry. Today is Lammas.” She rushes away.

I quickly dress while Soleil showers. By the time she’s dressed, I have breakfast ready for her.

“Good morning,” I greet when she flies into the kitchen.

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