Razed (Barnes Brothers #2)(44)

“That’s because neither of us seem to know what to say to each other anymore,” she said softly. “That’s my fault. But—”

“Maybe it’s our fault.” Zach glanced at his brother and then back at her. “You’re like a sister to me and you . . . well. You threw me for a loop, but that doesn’t mean I had to keep spinning, even after you went back to acting normal. I’m the one who kept putting the distance between us.”

One of those little knots in her heart started to unravel. Moving forward, she reached out.

He didn’t take her hand.

He caught her up in his arms and before she could prepare herself, she was trapped in a hug so tight, she couldn’t breathe. But she didn’t really care. She hadn’t realized how much she missed this. Missed her friend, one of the first she’d really let herself have—let herself count on. Eyes burning, she pressed her face against his chest as she wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him back.


*

Zane didn’t say anything, even as she slid out the door.

Once more, Zach shut the door and then he stood there, staring at the large black-and-white block tiles for a long while.

After a few minutes, he looked up, opened his mouth. Then he closed it without saying anything.

Zane moved to the battered leather chair and dropped into it.

Zach’s eyes went devilish.

“When Abby came back after we had that fight, we had sex in that chair. I thought about bronzing it, but figured I’d keep it here so I could look at it and remember whenever I was in a bad mood.”

Zane pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m pretty sure your germs are gone by now, man. Although I’ll be sure to let Abby know you’re sharing details of your personal life.” He watched as Zach went white, waited a few seconds. “Or maybe not. I’d hate to have to see her get arrested over your sorry ass.”

“What I want to know is why everybody thinks you are the nice one of the bunch,” Zach muttered, throwing himself into the chair behind his desk.

“Maybe because I somehow managed to grow up?” Zane shrugged.

There was no answer but the silence between them was no longer so strained.

A minute or two passed and then Zach looked over at him. “If Keelie doesn’t offer to let you do the pictures on her own, let it go.”

Zane frowned.

“I mean it,” Zach said, his voice low, brows coming together in a hard line over his eyes. “She’s weird about having pictures taken and it’s not just because she doesn’t like having them done. If she doesn’t offer, don’t ask. I’m asking you to let it go.”

Studying his brother’s face, Zane found himself fighting a world of questions, his curiosity biting at him.

But he nodded.

They’d found a peace and they were fine, but now wasn’t the time for the questions.

“Okay.” He nodded again. “Okay.”

“Thanks.” Zach propped his booted feet on the desk, swiping his phone from the edge. “I’m on until four, but there were a few places Abby wanted me to show you if you had time. Do you?”

“I’ve got some.” Zane shrugged. “Anything in particular?”

“Two places. One of them . . .” Zach grimaced. “I think she just likes the space herself. But the other one? Yeah. I can see it. She said it fell in your price range and it’s in a decent area of town. Sounds like it’s got enough space for you.”

“Okay.” Rising, he shot the chair a look and then shook his head. “You better not tell anybody else about that chair, man. Abby will kick your ass.”

Zach flipped him off. “Wanna do dinner tonight?”

On his way to the door, Zane shook his head. “We can try lunch tomorrow or something. Since you kind of shot last night to hell, I’m cooking for Keelie tonight.”

He paused before he opened the door, looked back.

Zach had a grim look on his face. “I am sorry.”

“I know that. I’m still trying to figure out what the hell the problem was, though.”

Zach’s gaze moved to his. “If I could figure it out as easy as that, I’d . . . well. Maybe I’d tell you. But nothing has felt right with you, or Keelie, for a while. What happened . . .”

“It was a kiss,” Zane said, his voice brusque. “And I hate to tell you this, Casanova, but I don’t think you rocked her world. If that’s what it took for her to understand you’re not for her? Fine.” As Zach’s gaze moved to his, Zane opened the door. “Doesn’t mean I didn’t want to hit you over it.”

“Didn’t rock her world.” Zach chuckled. “And have you?”

Zane snorted. “Fuck you, man.”


*

He found Keelie in the front of the shop.

She had on a pair of black-and-white striped jeans that clung to her long, slim legs—they were so tight, he imagined he’d have to peel them off her. He was even fantasizing about doing just that. It was a pretty beautiful fantasy, too. He would take his time, watch each inch of skin as he bared it, the curls between her thighs—

“Hi, Zane!”

He looked up as a petite, pierced version of Tinker Bell appeared in front of him. Anais, with the rings running from her lobe to the curve of her left ear, a rainbow of glittery makeup on her eyes, and a wide, wicked smile, popped in front of him and smiled.