Come Back for Me (Arrowood Brothers #1)(14)

Because you two are idiots who like to use knowledge to make your stupid jokes and not understand what that night was for me.

“Both of you can suck my dick.”

As much as these two drive me nuts, I’m going to miss this. The brotherhood, the camaraderie that only a team like ours builds. I would die for these two and any other SEAL. We live by a code, one that reminds me of how it is with my own brothers.

“That offer doesn’t appeal to me. What about you, Quinn?”

“Nope. I’m very happy with my girl.”

“Yeah. Now.” I roll my eyes.

A year ago, Quinn was not as buoyant as he is right now. In fact, I don’t think I’d ever seen a man that low. I’m still not sure how he endured the hell he went through.

I also don’t know why I agreed to have drinks with them. I have no one to blame but myself for this conversation. When they’re each on their own, they’re bad enough, but put them together and they’re a damn tsunami, wiping out everything in its path.

“And tell us,” Liam’s voice is conspiratorial, “are you going to find her?”

“Like I’m going to tell you two assholes anything?”

“He already did,” Quinn tells Liam without looking at me. “See that face? He’s haunted. He probably saw her when he went back, maybe a girlfriend from high school?”

“I’m guessing she was his first,” Liam adds on.

“Could be. I mean, he looks pathetic. I’ve looked around, and there’s not a line of girls willing to drop their panties for him.”

Liam shrugs. “Maybe he has a small wanker? That could be it.”

“I’m thinking it’s the pathetic thing. No girl wants a man who is that broken.”

“I’m right here!” I growl the words at Quinn.

They both keep talking as though I said nothing.

Liam looks over at me as his voice fills with amusement. “Could be the attitude. He is a bit hostile.”

“I bet she snubbed him because, look at him, he’s not all that good looking.” Quinn shrugs.

“Who wants to deal with a grumpy, ugly, and unemployed former SEAL? It’s the whole damn package.”

I huff.

“Who wants to deal with you two?” I say under my breath.

“Well, we happen to have two gorgeous women in our lives that do,” Quinn answers. “But, seriously, did you see her?”

“Yeah, and I also saw her kid and she has a husband.”

Liam lets out a whistle. “Well, that definitely fucks that one up.”

“No shit.”

“Kid cute?” Quinn asks.

“Yeah, she is. She got hurt and hid on my farm. I found her and brought her home. Didn’t know who her mom was until I walked up to the house.”

The whole situation with Hadley still has me on edge. I don’t know what it is, but that day, the things she said, still has my hackles up. The thing is, I can’t tell if it’s because I fucking hate that Ellie is married or if my instincts are right about the injury.

“My advice? Stay away. Don’t be that guy.”

“I have no plans on fucking up a marriage and a family, Liam, but thanks for the vote of confidence.”

He shakes his head. “I don’t think anyone ever sets out to do it. I also don’t think you’re a bad guy, Connor, but I think things happen. I’ve seen lines get crossed, and if this woman means anything to you, your heart is going to talk before your head.”

“Or his dick.”

I roll my eyes. They act as though I haven’t had a lifetime of using restraint. I have never crossed a line like that. Doing so would make me closer to being a dirtbag like my father. He was selfish and did what was best for him, not caring about the damage left in his wake and expecting others to clean it up. I will never be like him.

“Thanks for all this unsolicited advice. I really appreciate the confidence and trust you two have shown.”

“Don’t take it that way,” Liam says quickly.

Quinn nods. “We just get it. We’ve loved a woman past the point of reason.”

Jesus. They’re like a bunch of old ladies. “I don’t love her. I don’t fucking know her. All I know is that what feels like a million years ago, we had a night. One night that . . . why the fuck am I telling you this?”

Liam chuckles. “Because whether it was one night or a lifetime, it meant something and you’re fucked in the head over it.”

Yeah, it meant something . . . that I’m going to need to immerse myself in fixing that house and getting out with as little contact as possible. That’s all it can ever mean.





I’m standing in this rundown barn, in the only spot that I can get a signal. I move one inch to the right, I lose Declan. I’ve been back here for two days, and I hate this place more than ever.

Sure, the house is quiet and no one is threatening to punch anyone, but it feels as though something is always lurking. My brothers and I spent five days cleaning as much as we could after the funeral, and Declan agreed, well, was forced, to buy all new shit.

I wanted every shred of my father gone. The bedroom furniture he slept in, the couches, the kitchen plates, all of it is gone.

We bought a few new appliances, since the old washing machine couldn’t be fixed if it broke, new beds, and furniture. I didn’t feel bad at all spending Declan’s money.