Come Back for Me (Arrowood Brothers #1)(85)

“And it is all going to be fine. It’s a family barbeque where you are going to meet them and everyone can put their fears to rest.”

Easy for him to say. He isn’t the one who’s about to meet the three most important people in his life.

I’m freaking the hell out.

At least Hadley is over at her friend’s house for a few hours so we could set up and I can, hopefully, get the initial introductions out of the way. Not that it would change anything if she were here, but I feel like the five of us need a little time first.

“What fears do they have?”

“That you really haven’t forgiven them.”

I sigh. “Clearly, I have. I mean, I planned the party and invited them.”

“I know this, you know this, but they’re idiots who also want to alleviate their guilt a bit.”

I guess I get that, but it isn’t making my anxiety any better.

“Well, there are things to be done, and I need to do them.”

I can’t stand here, or I’ll freak out. I head into the living room, straightening up a little more and moving the balloons—again. There really is no place to put them that doesn’t seem strange. I go to the window, fluff the curtains a bit before trying to make them sit perfectly on the floor. I hear him chuckle behind me.

“It’s not funny,” I say with a tinge of hostility in my voice.

He walks up, wrapping his arms around me from behind and swaying gently. “It kind of is.”

“You being charming isn’t going to work.”

“If I had more time, I bet it would.”

I shake my head as I lean it back against his solid chest and exhale.

“Do you have to go see Nate this week?” Connor asks.

“Yup.” Every-freaking-day it seems I have to go in. The court date is coming up, and it’s been non-stop going over details and mock cross-examinations. “I can’t wait for this to be over.”

He kisses the top of my head. “Me too. But it’s almost over and then we can move forward.”

I like that idea. “Yeah, if I don’t have a heart attack after meeting your brothers.”

Connor’s chest vibrates, and before I can turn to chastise him for laughing at me, I see dirt start to kick up on the driveway. Immediately, I jerk out of his arms.

“Ellie, relax, I promise, my brothers are going to love you.”

It isn’t just that, which is a huge part, it’s that they know I know. They are here to talk to me about it, and that’s . . . a lot of pressure. I want them to like me. I want this family to maybe start to repair itself a little.

Connor takes my hand and squeezes it. “I wish it didn’t have to be this nerve-wracking. I mean, I’ve met Declan, but your other brothers are famous. It might have been better had you not told them all how I reacted when you told me.”

“I know, and I’m sorry for that, but I also told them that you have a huge heart and clearly love me. The sooner we get this over with, the sooner they’ll let you in on every fucking secret that I never wanted you to know about me.”

“Like your irrational fear of ducks?”

His brows furrow. “Ducks are weird and have eyes on the sides of their heads. Not to mention, they just stare . . . out of the side.”

That gets me to laugh, and I know it was meant to, but it’s a slight relief.

We walk out onto the porch as three men exit a jeep.

“Well, well, if Duckie hasn’t fixed the place up,” one of the Arrowood brothers says.

Connor ignores him and guides us to where they’re all starting to congregate.

“Jackass, I mean, Jacob, this is Ellie.”

Jacob removes his sunglasses and smiles at me warmly. “Ellie, I’m very glad to meet you. I want to tell you how sorry we all are.”

Well, that was quick.

“Jacob, geez, give her a second.” Connor slaps his brother’s arm.

“No, I appreciate getting it out of the way now. Thank you,” I say and look away.

Other than the shaved head, Jacob is almost identical to Connor in appearance. I can see why he does so well in Hollywood.

“This is Sean.” Connor motions. Sean looks nothing like Connor, other than the eyes. Sydney wasn’t kidding when she said it was a trait. Still, his hair is a bit longer and a shade or two lighter but he’s no less good-looking.

Sean moves toward me and pulls me into his arms. “I’m so sorry, Ellie. I wish we were meeting you when apologies weren’t in order, but it really is nice to meet you.”

I hug him back and fight against the new wave of emotions that hit me. These guys are all amazing. How they can come here and welcome me and be so honorable is beyond me.

“I’m honestly happy to meet you,” I say as I rub his back.

He disentangles himself from around me and then Connor looks to his oldest brother. “And you know Declan already.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you when I was here before. I’m sorry about all of it. You have no idea how glad we are that Connor found you and Hadley.”

And now I can’t stop myself. I burst out in tears, overcome by it all. The anxiety leading up to this was almost too much, but now that the moment is here, I feel like I can breathe.

Connor immediately takes me into his arms. “What the hell did you do, Dec?”