Page 30 of Stay for Me
Connor grins, clearly knowing what call I’m referencing because, of course, I called him to let him know his wife might need psychiatric help. He laughed and said that was what we missed out on not having a sister.
He’s a real helpful bastard.
Sean shrugs. “Maybe, but she didn’t have to plan a wedding.”
“Yeah, you took that from her.”
Declan laughs. “Who knew Jacob was the authority on women?”
“Oh, you are? Please, you three don’t know your asses from your elbows. Yeah, yeah,” I cut them off before their stupid retorts can fly from their mouths, “I know you’re married, I’m not. All that shit is great, but you fools don’t know a damn thing. You”—I point to Connor—“were going to fuck it all up until Declan and Sean booted you in the ass and gave you advice you needed.” I turn to Declan. “Don’t even get me started on you. You’re the royal fuckup in relationships, and if the three of us didn’t know how to handle you, you wouldn’t have handled anything.” Then my gaze goes to Sean. “And you were going to let Devney go untilIreminded you that there are baseball teams in Pennsylvania.” I feel proud at this little tirade. “None of you should give any advice.”
“That doesn’t change the fact that it feels different,” Sean says with a shake of his head.
“Maybe because itisdifferent, you jackass. You’re like a goddamn freight train. You went from being her best friend to her husband in like seven months. Plus, she’s now a mom? Give the girl a break and maybe take some advice from the master of women.”
I don’t think I’m a genius, but it doesn’t take one to see what’s going on.
Sean rolls his eyes. “If you’re a master of women, why the hell are you alone?”
“Because I choose to be.”
“You say that,” Connor’s voice is low. “I just wonder if it’s really a choice or a safety thing.”
“My life is filled with paparazzi, rumors, scandal, and drama, and that’s before I spend countless hours prepping and filming. Bringing a woman into that isn’t fair. Not to mention, I’m never going to find women like you have. Ever. That shit doesn’t exist in the land of plastic.”
I don’t want an actress or a model. I’ve been there, done that, and got a lot of autographs. What my brothers have, that’s real. Each of them has a woman who my mother would be proud to call a daughter.
A woman like Brenna.
Stop it, Jacob.
“You’re here for five more months,” Connor says with a smirk. “There’s time.”
I’m about to respond with how I have no intention of dating or ever finding love here when a car pulls up, causing all three of their heads to turn in that direction.
The white sedan stops, and a smile forms on my lips because I’m a fucking fool.
Why am I smiling? Why does the idea of seeing her make my heart beat just a little faster?
Because I’m a fucking idiot, that’s why. She is sweet, funny, and each time she blushes, I have to force my hands not to touch her. She doesn’t ask me stupid questions or try to get some inside information, and it makes me want to talk to her for hours.
I stop myself from going there, willing my head and heart to prove that, when I actually get my eyes on her, it will be different. It’s all just some stupid infatuation that isn’t real. That, when I see her today, she won’t affect me and that gut check, want-to-weep-and-fall-at-her-feet bullshit won’t be there. Once it happens, I can prove that it was just in my head or because I was taken off guard or she’s not really all I remember at night when I’m alone.
“Who is that?” Declan asks.
“Brenna,” I reply, not moving my eyes from her car. I should look away, appear as if I don’t care, but the pull to see her emerge is too strong.
“Oh,” Declan says. “I didn’t know she was coming.”
Sean gets to his feet, and I do the same. “Devney invited her.”
“That was nice,” Connor says from behind me.
The doors open and Sebastian is out first. He waves enthusiastically, and I lift my hand as well.
“Sebastian is the kid, he’s awesome and happens to adore me.”
“Oh, great, just what we need.” Connor laughs. “Another person to inflate your ego.”
