The Bromance Book Club (Bromance Book Club, #1)(37)

The girls let out a cheer. At least they would have fun today.

Gavin pulled along the curb in front of Del’s house. A ribbon of nervous tension tightened around Thea’s chest. This would normally be the time when she would adopt her perfect WAG smile and pretend to love every minute of this.

Screw that this year. She and Gavin unbuckled the girls and sent them running up the sidewalk. Just as they reached the front portico, the door swung open. Del’s wife, Nessa, walked out looking stunning, as usual. She wore wide-legged black slacks and a slim camel turtleneck. It was the kind of effortlessly classy outfit that only tall people like her and Liv could actually look stylish in. Nessa gathered the girls against her legs for a quick hug and then looked up with a smile and a wave.

Thea waved and leaned into the back to grab one of the pies. Gavin did the same, and he followed her up the sidewalk. Nessa shooed the girls inside and took the pie from Gavin.

“I’ll help Thea carry stuff. You go out back and stop Del from killing himself.”

“What’s he doing?” Gavin asked.

“That fool bought a turkey fryer.”

“Oh, shit.” Gavin took off at a jog.

Nessa turned back to Thea. “I’m so glad you’re here,” she said, nodding for Thea to come in. “Del said there was a chance you guys might go to Gavin’s parents’ this year. It wouldn’t be the same without you.”

Thea didn’t know what to say to that, so she said nothing as she followed Nessa into their massive, gleaming white kitchen. The heavenly aroma of the turkey in the oven mixed with the scent of spiced cider in a slow cooker. Sage and garlic from the stuffing made her mouth pool with spit. It smelled just like Gran Gran’s house used to. Those three Thanksgivings when she and Liv had lived there were the best of her life.

The girls ran through on their way to the stairs, chasing after Del and Nessa’s daughter, Jo-Jo. “She’s been bouncing off the walls, waiting for you guys to get here,” Nessa laughed, lifting the pie high in the air to avoid a collision. Then she set it down on the counter with a dramatic sigh. “I swear, she woke me up before dawn asking if you were here yet.”

Thea laughed. “The girls have been excited too.”

And, honestly, if it were just going to be their two families, today wouldn’t be so bad. Nessa was genuine and kind and funny, the only one of the other wives and girlfriends that Thea would remotely call a friend. Mostly because Del and Gavin were such good friends. And the twins adored playing with Jo-Jo. Today could have been OK. But it wouldn’t be. Because pretty soon, she’d be swimming with the sharks.

Nessa took the other pie from Thea and set it on the counter. Thea could tell just from the way her eyes pinched at the corners what was coming next.

“So . . .” Nessa said, leaning closer. “I hope you don’t mind, but Del told me that Gavin has moved home. Are things going OK?”

“Great,” Thea said automatically. Wait. No. She wasn’t going to do that anymore. Thea straightened her spine. “Actually, it’s not going great. He came home last night, and we haven’t stopped fighting since.”

“Del saw Gavin last week. He said he’s never seen Gavin so broken up.”

Thea bristled. Gavin was broken up? “It hasn’t been a picnic for me, either.”

“Of course not,” Nessa said quickly. “I just . . . I know a little about what you’re going through. These men of ours, they’re not great at expressing themselves. Give it time.”

Thea wanted to press her—because how could Nessa know anything about marital trouble? She and Del had the perfect marriage. But she was cut off by a knock at the front door, which was followed immediately by an impatient dinging of the doorbell. Nessa swore and rolled her eyes again. “Lord give me strength. I have no idea why Del invited him.”

“Invited who?”

“Well, well, you must be Mrs. Thea Scott.”

Thea turned around and came face-to-chest with an impressive set of pecs beneath a tight white T-shirt. She looked up and was nearly blinded by a sparkling smile that may or may not have brought a little whimper from her mouth. Her eyes catalogued the gloriousness of thick dark hair, mischievous brown eyes, and a jawline that could cut glass. He winked, and angels began to sing.

“Braden Mack,” he said, lifting Thea’s mouth toward his lips. “Pleasure to finally meet you.”

His lips brushed her knuckles, and Thea’s mouth went dry.

“I— How do you know who I am?”

“I know your husband, but obviously not well enough because he failed to mention how beautiful you are.”

Thea tried to respond but could only squeak.

Nessa cleared her throat. “Mack, it’s too early for your brand of charm. Why don’t you go out back and help the men?”

Braden stroked Thea’s wrist with his thumb. “They need advice about women?”

“No, they’re trying to fry a turkey.”

Braden dropped the act and Thea’s hand. “Oh, shit.” He took off through the back door.

Thea swallowed and shivered. “Whoa. I feel like I just met the god of seduction.”

“Lord, don’t tell him that. His ego doesn’t need any help.”

Thea and Nessa wandered to the glass doors to watch him walk. She licked her lips and then looked up. Her eyes collided with Gavin’s unmistakably jealous glare. “Oh, crap.”