Too Sweet (Hayes Brothers #3)(49)

“A toy?” I repeat, my voice barely a whisper. My mind races at the speed of light, connecting the dots, and suddenly, everything comes to a grinding halt. “You made me think Cody’s in love with her, so I’d stay away? Why did you even think I’d be interested? She’s—”

“Not what you usually go for? That’s what I told Cody, but then I saw you with her when you taught her self-defense, and I understood why Cody did what he did.”

“He fucking lied.”

“Yeah, he did. To you and to us.” He points between him and Conor. “He made us think he’s in love with her, too. Took us two weeks to get the truth out of him. He panicked when he saw you eyeing her up at the party and did the first thing that came to mind.”

Jesus... I’m not an asshole, after all.

I wasn’t fantasizing about my brother’s girl.

“You’re absolute jerks,” Theo booms, sporting a supersized grin. “But I got to say, I’m glad you care about someone so much you took drastic measures to keep her from getting hurt. I sure as shit wasn’t as considerate at your age.”

Cody enters the room, two shirt buttons undone, empty bottle of wine in hand, and a satisfied gleam in his brown eyes. I know that look on him... it means he got lucky.

“Where the fuck were you?”

“Probably fucking the waitress,” Colt supplies. “Someone’s got a confession to make,” he adds, pointing his chin at me, and Cody meets my gaze.

“I want her,” I say, cutting right to the chase. “And she wants me, so I’m taking her.”

“I know,” he sighs, plopping down on the seat across from me. “I knew I couldn’t keep this up much longer. I know you like her, Nico, but—”

“They kissed,” Colt cuts in, beaming. I’ve no idea what’s so amusing. “Mia started it.”

Cody’s face pales. “You kissed my girl?”

“She’s not your girl.”

“Calm down.” Theo pats his shoulder, handing him a shot glass, and proceeds to fill all five. “He felt adequately bad before Colt told us you’re not into Mia. Give him a break.”

Cody downs his shot before we grab ours. “Hurt her, and I’ll make you bleed, bro.”

“You should bleed. All three of you should. We’re brothers. We talk. You should’ve told me you don’t want me around Mia instead of playing stupid games.”

The four of them scoff in sync.

“Sure, we talk, but be real. You kissed her thinking Cody wants her,” Theo says. “You’d get your dick wet and flee like always.”

He might be right. If Mia was available right off the bat, I wouldn’t have stopped to get to know her.

“She likes you,” Cody says, sounding like he can’t comprehend why. “And I know you care, which is why I won’t tell you to stay away from her, but you better think your next move through very carefully.”

“Time to stop thinking every woman’s like Kaya,” Theo adds. “Mia’s seems like a pleasant change. I like her. I approve this match.” He laughs, pouring another round.

Colt rakes his hand through his dark brown hair, forcing it back. “Mia’s a great girl. Out of control at times, but lovely. She keeps us in check, and we keep her safe.”

“I know she’s nothing like Kaya. I also know she’s ten years younger and way out of my league.”

“That won’t stop you,” Conor mumbles, his mouth stuffed with grapes since that’s the only thing left on the table. “It shouldn’t stop you, bro. You’re already way over your head. Now that you know you’re in the clear, don’t fuck it up.”

Two bottles of vodka later, we stumble out the building. It’s close to four in the morning, and we’re all trashed as we get into a cab. I can’t remember when I was this drunk.

I also can’t remember when I talked to my brothers like this. We’ve been chasing our lives lately, forgetting to take time for ourselves.

Sure, we go out drinking every couple of months, but we’ve not had a heart-to-heart in ages. Theo spent half an hour gushing about his blissful life with Thalia and how excited he is about becoming a dad, and the triplets told us about their after-graduation plans.

Cody had his career path figured out years ago. He wants to work for Stone and Oak with Logan, but in a more hands-on way: leading the construction teams. Conor’s diving deeper into becoming a production sound mixer, and Colt’s all about business management.

When they were younger, I thought they’d choose the path of least resistance and open a business together, delegating tasks among themselves, but despite being identical on the outside, they’re completely different inside.

∞

Mia

Summer holidays before middle school

“No wonder nobody likes you, Mia. Look at yourself!” my mother huffs, shoving me in front of a mirror, touching my hair like it’s rotten and disgusting. “You’re ugly. God, why do you wear glasses?!”

She takes them off, and my vision blurs too much to move around the house unassisted.

“I can’t see,” I say, twirling the hem of my sweater. “I need them.”

“Nonsense. You need laser eye surgery. Why do you think kids call you four eyes? Because you’ve got four eyes, Mia. Those glasses are thicker than the bottom of those Nutella jars you stuff yourself with.”