Page 13 of Room Twenty-Eight: Her Beautiful Surrender

Me: Leon is so angry.

Big Bro: Seriously, you’re just going to ignore me? Fucking hell Asta.

Crazy BFF: What for? He’s been trying to get you to go out with Drake for a year!

“Hey there, sweet girl.” A shudder rips through me at Colton’s hungry tone from behind me. His voice like a caress on the back of my neck. “Why are you hiding?”

Closing my eyes, my phone vibrates again, and I’m afraid to look, but I know I have to. I need to answer Leon before I leave this building, or I’ll ruin our relationship forever.

“Not hiding,” I whisper as I glance down to see Leon has messaged again.

Big Bro: A, you need to fucking answer me. This isn’t cool.

“Who the hell is talking to you like that?” Flattening the phone to my chest, I spin around to see fire in his eyes.

“It’s, uhm, my brother,” I tell him. The stupid thing vibrates again. I peek to see a message from Cecily asking if I prefer Drake.

“Who the fuck is Drake?” Diesel’s voice startles me into spinning again, my back hitting the wall as they cage me in.

“I…” have no idea what to say. This is all so much at once.

“Who’s your brother, sweet girl?” Colton brushes a finger gently along my jaw, his eyes soft and encouraging.

Licking my dry lips, I whisper my answer. “Leon Broussard.” His gaze flashes over to Diesel’s, and I wonder if that ruined things with them. I saw how Diesel and Leon were going at it on the ice tonight and for years before this.

“I’ve known Leon since we were drafted. He doesn’t have a little sister, certainly not one as enticing and gorgeous as you.” Diesel’s voice is accusing. “If you’re his girl, just say so.”

Overwhelmed by everything that happened tonight, the tears I’ve been holding back fall just as Major comes over to stand with his arms crossed. Features unreadable, he waits on my answer, too.

“I’m not lying. Leon is my brother. You didn’t know because I’m the stain on the family. Their dirty little secret, the black sheep of the Broussards, who is wanted by no one and was tossed aside like trash before I even knew what betrayal felt like.” The familiar panic when talking about my family wraps around my heart and lungs, squeezing until I begin hyperventilating.

Lowering myself to squat between the three of them, my phone falls out of my hand, next to my foot, and I drop my head between my knees, trying and failing to draw a deep breath. This is too much. I thought I could do this, I thought I could have something for myself. I should have stayed home. Should have never come to New Orleans. This was all a mistake.

* * *

Colton

Sliding down the wall next to Asta, I ignore the way I’m being watched by the arena staff, coaches, and other players. Dragging her into my lap, her knees on either side of my hips, she buries her face and body into me, disregarding the sweat and stench coming off me and my gear or maybe not noticing in her panicked state.

“Sweet girl,” I whisper in her ear. “Ain’t nothing to be worried about here,” I say, trying to get her attention as Diesel snarls at everyone coming near enough to get a look at our girl.

“What the fuck happened?” Major barks. She jumps at the sharp tone in his voice.

“Not completely sure,” Diesel begins as he bends down to pick up her phone, making no effort to hide that he’s reading her messages. “But I’m certain it has to do with Leon Broussard. She says he’s her brother.” Passing the phone to Major, the skepticism remains in Diesel’s eyes as he watches her, but I see his craving to touch her.

“She’s mid-panic attack,” I tell them, brushing my hands under her jersey and up her bare back, groaning when I realize she’s not wearing a bra. “You look fine as fuck in Diesel’s number. You know that, sweet girl?” She shakes her head. “I’d like to see you in mine next time.”

I feel her head move as she looks up at me beneath long, long, thick, dark-as-night lashes. “You don’t mean that,” she whimpers, and I want to eat up all her pain.

“I’ve heard the Broussard rumors,” Major finally admits, and the sadness enters her eyes again. She really meant what she said. People disregard her, cast her aside because she isn’t seen as an equal in that fucked up family.

Major reaches down, stroking her hair like the treasured little pet she’s going to be, before grabbing a chunk of the silky locks, dragging her head back, and forcing her to her feet. She’s spun around so they’re chest to chest, and his eyes roam across her face and body like a rough caress before he picks her up.

Her legs immediately wrap around his waist. “I don’t give a fuck who your brother is.” He pushes her back into Diesel’s chest. “I don’t give a fuck about anything before last night.” His lips suction to her neck, making her melt into their bodies and whimper as Major leaves a mark on her. “I don’t give a fuck about who your family is except to show them they’ve lost the most amazing woman in the world because you’re ours now.”

Her gasp echoes around the now-empty tunnels. “But…” she starts.

Diesel grips her hair the same way Major had to get her on her feet so she can look him in the eye. “No fucking buts,” he barks. “Major is right; you’re ours. Nothing is going to change that now or ever.”

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