“That would be awesome,” Brecken says. “Thank you. Your brothers won’t mind?”
I laugh. “I won’t give them a choice. But no, they won’t mind. You live only a few blocks away.”
Brecken takes my hand, and we go down the stairs together but before I can open the door, he grabs Twilight from the coffee table, offering me a smirk. “I’m still trying to learn how to speak woman.”
I cock an eyebrow.
“Fine. I like it, but let’s put it in your bag so your brothers don’t think I’m a pussy.”
I grab the book and slide it inside, zipping it back up. “Done. You ready to meet a fleet of overprotective brothers?”
Only I don’t wait for his reply as I open the door to find Carter bundled up in his wool coat with a gray beany tugged low over his head. “Hey,” he greets me with a warm smile. “Who is this other person coming with us?” I glance over my shoulder as Brecken tosses on his B’s hat, zipping up his coat. Then he steps out behind me, and Carter’s eyes go wide.
“Brecken Davenport. We met once a few years back. Nice to see you again.” Brecken extends his hand to Carter who eyes it, then me, then him, studying his face intently while trying to come off as foreboding.
“Carter Fritz. I’m the easy one.” He grabs Brecken’s hand, shaking it firmly. “You were the guy in New York. Oliver mentioned you were back in town. I just hadn’t realized things were like this now.” His eyes rove over to mine as he continues to squeeze Brecken’s hand to the point where his knuckles are turning white.
Brecken’s charming smile doesn’t so much as slip an inch.
Finally, Carter releases Brecken who instantly throws his arm over my shoulder, squeezing me against his side. Oh boy. This is going to be rough.
“They are definitely at this point and will stay that way for as long as Rina allows me to stick around,” Brecken says with a gleam to his eyes.
Carter nods. “Well played. Let’s go. I’m freezing my balls off.”
“One down, four more to go,” I grouse, making both Carter and Brecken laugh. “Oh, we have to stop by Brecken’s before we head out. He lives a couple streets over.”
“Whatever. You’re sitting in the middle.” Carter points to me as we amble toward Kaplan’s idling SUV.
“Holy shit,” Brecken exclaims, clenching my shoulder tighter. “That’s a sweet Land Rover Discovery.”
“Sure is,” Carter drawls. “Big family equals big cars and Kaplan had this thing customized to the max. If you’re smart, you’ll compliment his baby to his face. He’s more likely to let you live if you do. He’s the hard one.”
I shove the back of Carter’s jacket, eliciting a chuckle from him. “You guys better go easy on him. I’m not a little girl anymore and this is too new for your bullshit antics.”
Carter opens the back door, flashing me a wolfish grin. “Yeah. But you’re the one who brought him so that’s really on you. Guess what Rina brought for us to toy with?”
I groan, casting a fleeting glance at Brecken who seems way too amused for what’s headed his way. “It’s not too late to back out.”
“Never show fear, Rina. Besides, how bad can they be?”
“You’ll see.” Carter hops in the third row, scooting all the way over and I get in next beside him. Kaplan pushes a button and the second-row seat returns to its place for Brecken to get in.
“Who’s this asshole?” Kaplan asks without preamble. Christ, this was a mistake. Did I say that already? I think that’s going to be cycling through my head for the next however long I’m stuck with all these men.
“Clearly he has a death wish,” Luca drawls, twisting in his seat to take in Brecken, his expression promising murder and mayhem.
I lean forward, grabbing Brecken’s shoulder. “Brecken, that’s Kaplan and Luca. Oliver you met in New York and again at Aria’s dinner.” I point to each one in turn. “Dickheads, this is Brecken. He and I are… whatever. Just don’t be your normal dickish selves and you can stop the stupid baby sister comments now. It’s tired material.”
“S’up man.” Oliver gives him a fist pound. “I liked you better when you weren’t walking out of my sister’s place at nine in the morning.”
“Brecken. You got into the wrong car, brother,” Kaplan goes on. “Did you know there are infinite ways to kill a person, but only a doctor and an assassin can kill you and make it look like an accident? In case Rina didn’t clue you in, you’re in a car full of doctors.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” My hands cover my face.
“Did you know there are only three people in this world who can properly screw you? Your investment banker, your lawyer, and your lover. I happen to be the first.”
The car is silent as each of my brothers stares at Brecken before they simultaneously crack up.
“Did you know my car has smaht pahk?”
Brecken gleams at Kaplan. “Smaht pahk?”
“Smaht pahk,” they all say together, each putting on their thickest Boston accents that none of them actually have in real life.
“You’ve got a seriously dope ride. I have a BMW X6 M. If you ever want to take it out for a spin with me, let me know.” Brecken offers Kaplan his fist without hesitation.
“Sweet.” Kaplan gives him a pound. “This is my big boat. I also have a Mercedes Roadster. Oliver has a stunning vintage Porsche 911 Carrera GTS and Luca has an Aston Martin Vanquish he won’t let anyone touch. Selfish bastard.”
Brecken whistles through his teeth. “Shit. Those are legit. I don’t think I’d let anyone touch those either.”
Luca shoots him with his finger and just like that, they have some sort of weird male bond or understanding or whatever. I don’t know. You’d think after growing up in a houseful of guys I’d have learned to speak the language, but just as they don’t understand Pride and Prejudice or Twilight, I don’t get them.
Then again, Brecken can charm the pants off just about anyone. Obviously.
I’m also starting to think it’s better that I don’t understand them because for the rest of the ride out to my parents’ compound they talk cars and all things Boston sports. Brecken invites my brothers to his season tickets for the Bs. Luca invites Brecken to our box at Gillette to watch the Pats. At some point, Oliver spins in his seat and gives me the thumbs up.
A freaking thumbs up! Like we’re five years old. What the absolute fuck is going on?
I can’t even with all this man love flowing through the car right now.
Don’t they know Brecken is temporary? Don’t they understand the mountain of issues sleeping with him will drop on my life? Don’t they get that they can’t fall in love with him because I can’t either?
My brothers never liked Harrison. They always thought he was a pompous douche. Their exact words. But Brecken is suddenly a natural extension of them, slipping in easily and effortlessly into their fold in a matter of minutes. One car ride.
What do I do with that?
I can’t even go to my friends and say hey, guess what, I met this amazing guy who seems to like me, and our sex is out of this world incredible and I’m scared.