Consolation Prize (Forbidden Men #9)(106)

My relief made Julianna squint. “You weren’t really worried about that, were you?”

I shrugged, not really able to lie. “There might have been some occasions where I thought I was the only one feeling it. I gotta admit, it’s not cool wondering if you’re falling hopelessly for a woman who might still be hung up on your brother.”

“Colton David Gamble.” She tsked and shook her head with reproach. “How in God’s name could you ever think I could ever focus on anyone else whenever you’re in the room?”

“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “I’m used to coming in second place.”

“Not with me you don’t,” she said seriously.

“God, I love you,” I admitted just before my mouth sank against hers.

She clutched two fistfuls of my hair and kissed me back. But I think she could taste the desperation and worry on my lips because she pulled away to say, “Okay, I know you want to chase after him. Go ahead. And tell him I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t have shoved his traumatic experience in his face like that.”

“Okay,” I answered breathlessly. “Will do. And thank you for defending me, by the way. Hottest thing ever.” I touched her cheek one last time before flying out the door.

Brandt was long gone by the time I reached the parking lot. So I hurried to my truck and climbed behind the wheel. I drove to his place first. But Sarah, who answered the door, reported he wasn’t home. Curious as to what was going on because he’d blown out of there without telling her anything, she made me stick around long enough to explain what had happened.

“He went to your house,” she decided, knowing her husband’s mind better than anyone. “Probably trying to convince Noel to side with him.”

I rolled my eyes. That did sound about right. “Thanks, Sarah,” I started, only to pause and cock her a glance. “What’re your thoughts about the whole thing? Do you not like me being with Juli?”

“Oh, I think it’s great,” she exploded with a big grin. “I’ve always liked her. I just didn’t like her with Brandt. But if you and she click, then I’m more than happy for you.”

I kissed her on the forehead. “We click,” I said. We clicked perfectly if I did say so myself.

She swatted at my hip. “Then go convince my husband of that.”

I nodded and raced out the door.

Brandt’s truck sat at the curb when I reached home. The Tennings’ SUV sat right behind it. Great. Caroline’s crew was still here.

I rolled my eyes. Let the family drama begin.

Brandt was railing at Noel as soon as I stepped through the back door.

“I’m telling you, you need to put a stop to this. Those two don’t belong together.”

Noel gave an uneasy laugh and lifted his hands. “What exactly do you expect me to do? Ground him? He’s a legal adult now. Besides, why can’t he see whoever the f*ck he wants?”

Brandt gurgled out an incredulous sound. “You sure as f*ck didn’t feel that way when you found out Caroline and Ten were hooking up when she was eighteen.”

“He has a point,” Ten said, surprising me because I hadn’t seen him sitting on the kitchen counter with his feet swinging as he ate…what the f*ck was he eating? String cheese?

Neither of my sisters or their children were present. At least it was just us guys I had to deal with.

Noel was slicing Ten a dry glance before he turned back to Brandt. “Well, I’d like to think I learned a lesson from that, just like you should have. If Colton and this girl are happy together and she treats him right, I don’t see a problem with it.”

“Thank you,” I told my older brother, which made Brandt spin around and nail me with a glare.

I eyed him levelly, not sure how to approach this. I wanted to apologize for unintentionally letting the cat out of the bag to Julianna about his past, but I wasn’t f*cking backing down about seeing her. It was too late for that shit, even if I was desperate to do anything to get him to forgive me.

“I’m sorry you don’t approve of me being with Julianna,” I said slowly. “But I’m not going to stop. Not even for you.”

He opened his mouth to probably argue, but Ten lifted his string cheese.

“Wait. Did you say Julianna? Holy shit, you scored the hot bartender, Rihanna? Dude! Nice work. How the f*ck did a pathetic f*ck stick like you catch something that classy?”

“He didn’t,” Brandt muttered dryly. “She f*cking settled for him or is using him or something to get close to me. I’m the one she wants.”

That declaration kind of set me off. “Will you stop?” I charged at him and I pushed him full in the chest with both hands, making him stumble backward. “She doesn’t want revenge against you. And she did not settle for me because I’m the one she really wants.”

“I don’t know what she did to make you believe that, but—”

“She made me fall in love with her,” I roared. “And she fell in love with me. Now back the f*ck down before I put you down.”

“Hey,” Noel boomed, lifting an arm between us to keep us from coming to blows.

But Brandt pushed his arm down and stepped toward me, eyes narrowed. “What is wrong with you? You don’t love her. She doesn’t love you. You were at my wedding reception, weren’t you? You saw the way she stared at me.”