As wind blasts me in the face, I realize I’m so goddamn happy to be back home. I plan to gorge myself on Gloria’s delicious meals and get back into the routine of designing video games after I find my little peach and tie her to me for life.
The brothers love to give me shit for my career choice, but I ignore the fuckers. My love of computers and video games combined with my desire to rebel against convention, and I ended up with an unorthodox nine-to-five. So, sue me.
Pulling up in front of the clubhouse, I look around and see it hasn’t changed at all. I step inside and hear Gloria giving Rulie hell. “Get your dirty boots off before you make a mess of my clean floor.”
I step into the kitchen and laugh, watching her smack him with a dish towel. “Hey.” The older man pulls his wife into his arms. “I don’t have time for foreplay right now. Cash needs me to stop by the ranch on my way to the office, but I’ll give you a rain check.”
Gloria glances up and sees me in the doorway. “Oh my God.” She rushes over to draw me in for a hug. “I’m so happy you’re home.”
“Good to have you home.” Rulie slaps me on the back. “I heard you already fell victim to the water.”
“What?” Gloria screeches. “And you didn’t tell me?” She smacks her husband on the arm. “You’re in big trouble, mister.”
“I’ll give you something big when I get home.” He wiggles his eyebrows at his wife, and I hear Giant gag behind me.
“Hey, hey, hey.” Giant walks over to the coffeemaker. “Young, impressionable ears here. You need to watch yourselves.”
“You haven’t been young or impressionable since you were in diapers.” Rulie shakes his head, then glances down at his watch. “I have to go.” He gives Gloria another kiss. “I’ll see you later for that raincheck.” Then he turns to me. “I’ll see you at church.”
Gloria smiles at me. “Do you want me to fix you some breakfast?”
“I’d kill for some real food,” I tell her. My brother’s chef is excellent, but nothing matches Gloria’s cooking.
“Give me ten minutes.” She waves us off.
I follow Giant out onto the back patio. “Please tell me you have info for me,” I beg.
“You need to sit down for this.” Fuck me. I don’t care if she’s taken; I’m going to steal her away. I drop into one of the chairs and set my coffee mug on the glass-top table.
“Remember how I said you’re fucked?” he asks, and my heart drops.
“Just tell me,” I growl, unable to wait a second longer to find out about my curvy little peach.
“I found out why she drenched your sorry ass.” Giant is taking his sweet goddamn time.
“Who the fuck is she?” My impatience wins and I cut the slow fucker off.
“Hold your horses and let me explain,” he grumbles and sighs when I slam my fist down on the table. “She’s Camille Delacour. Evidently, she came to town to check out your sorry ass.” Fuck me with a stick. “I guess the little firecracker didn’t like your comment about having to marry her. Good luck soothing that shit over.” Giant smirks, and I flip off the fucker.
“I’m happy you’re enjoying my suffering.”
The back door opens, and Gloria steps out with two plates in her hands. “I thought you guys might want to eat out here.” She sets the overflowing plates in front of us. “Let me know if you boys need anything else.” Gloria steps back into the house and shuts the door.
“Fucking with you is the highlight of my day.” Giant shovels a huge bite of eggs into his mouth. “You might want to hurry up and eat.” He points at my untouched plate. “My intel says your girl is going to leave town this morning.”
I hop to my feet. “Why the fuck didn’t you tell me that first?” Forgetting all about the first homecooked meal I’ve had in months sitting untouched on the glass table, I head for the door.
“‘Cause I wanted to have a chance to eat my breakfast.” He shrugs and picks up his plate.
“Let’s go.” Giant rolls his eyes. “You drive us in my SUV so I can finish breakfast on the way to town.”
“I should make your dumbass eat it riding bitch on my bike,” I threaten.
“Did you talk to your brother last night?” Giant shovels another forkful into his fucking mouth as I drive.
“No, thank God.” At least my brother will never know I accidentally insulted my intended bride. “Belldonnia is six hours ahead of us, so he was at a reception by the time I had the chance to call him.”
CHAPTERSIXTY-ONE