Page 64 of Bragg's Match

“What is your obsession with me and jerking off? No, I did not fall in the bathtub.”

“Did you forget you had your headphones on when you walked away from your computer again?”

I sigh. “One time. I forgot my headphones one time.” Probably because I’ve since bought wireless headphones.

Elder throws his hands in the air. “I give up. Tell us now.”

Miller grunts in agreement.

I search for an escape, and Riley wags a finger at me. “Don’t think you can run away. Your scrawny non-running ass wouldn’t make it far.”

“I am not scrawny.” I refuse to be the runt of the Bragg litter. There’s a reason I lift weights when I’m stuck on a coding problem.

“And Miller’s biceps aren’t the size of your waist either.”

Miller flexes his biceps in case I get any ideas.

“Fine. I fell off the couch and hit my head on the coffee table. Are you happy now?”

Riley groans. “I’m not happy. I had you and Soleil getting together as a couple this week, which isn’t going to happen if you’re sleeping on the couch.”

“Excellent. I’m winning this bet.” Elder smiles. “What’s the best way to lose some pounds? Have a gambling problem in the UK.” He laughs at his own joke while everyone else groans.

“I swear his jokes are getting worse now he has a wife and daughter,” I say.

“But I do have a wife and daughter while you’re still working on your grand gesture.” Elder motions toward the shed.

“I need to get back to it.”

“This is disappointing,” someone shouts. I groan when I notice who it is. The entire gossip gal crew has arrived.

“I thought they’d all be shirtless by now,” Feather says.

“I told you we should wait until it warmed up,” Cayenne says.

“Don’t fight it. It only makes it worse,” Peace whispers before strolling toward the group. “Ladies, how can I help you today?”

“By removing your shirt for starters,” Clove demands.

“You’re on your own.” Elder strolls off and Miller follows him.

“Don’t break any of my tools,” Riley orders before leaving as well.

The gossip gals are now sitting in the chairs my brothers abandoned and Peace is nowhere to be seen.

“Don’t mind us,” Sage hollers. “We’ll be as quiet as church mice.”

I know a lost cause when I see it. I run a hand down my face before returning to my plans.

Chapter 22

Since when does Brody know what a vacuum cleaner is? ~ Message from Elder to the Bragg brothers

My body aches as I walk home after yet another day of working at the community center. Don’t get me wrong. I’m glad I have some equipment there so I can continue to work, but the kiln at the center is small. It’s going to take me months to catch up with the outstanding orders I have. Orders I’ve already been paid for.

And there’s no new money coming in until I catch up. Except for one buyer who is apparently willing to wait several months for her pottery. She’s been buying a piece every single day since the fire. I’ve made a few of them but most of them are at the bottom of my very long to-do list.

I hear a buzz coming from inside my house as I climb the stairs. I groan. Great. Brody the prankster is up to no good. Again. So much for a relaxing evening with a glass of wine.

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