Page 24 of My Three Hometown Hard Hats
“My turn,” Brooks says, tugging me over toward him. His smile makes me smile. His kiss is passionate yet playful, just like him.
I look between them, shaking my head but incapable of doing anything other than smiling. How could I not, when both men are looking at me like that?
Brooks sets his fork down on his plate with a clank. “Thanks for dinner, Maggie.”
My mom laughs. “I didn’t even have to cook. You three did all the work.” Both guys shrug. “Maybe you should come over more often.”
“That could be arranged,” Conrad says, clearly trying to keep his straight face in place.
Brooks has no such control as he smirks at me and winks.Oh, good lord.
My mom already thought it was suspicious when we came downstairs together with wet hair. Even as I explained what happened, the knowing look on her face never wavered.
“Well, I’m going to turn in for the night,” she says, using her cane to help her stand.
Both guys are immediately standing and by her side. The sight warms my heart.
“Oh, I’m just fine, you two,” she scolds them, and they take a small step back. She gives each of them a hug before stepping over to me. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. Or maybe anything I wouldn’t have done back in the day,” she says, patting my shoulder.
“Mom,” I holler after her, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks. Her shoulders shake as she makes her way to her room, closing the door behind her.
“I love your mom,” Brooks says and moves toward me. “Anyone who can make you blush like this,” he says, grazing his finger down my cheek, “is okay in my book.”
Knowing I need to move or we are going to end up reenacting what happened in the bathroom upstairs earlier, I step away and head to the laundry room. I retrieve all our now-dry clothes, and they each grab their stuff from my arms.
“I’ll be right back,” Brooks says, ducking into the bathroom just off the kitchen.
I stare after him, half-shocked that he didn’t just change here in the middle of the kitchen, but I guess he respects my mom enough not to do that.
Conrad sets his clothes on the table and pulls me into his arms. Leaning my head against his chest, I wrap my arms around his waist.
“I was an idiot for not getting your number or even your name before we got off that flight,” he says. I tilt my head back slightly so I can see his face. “I regretted it immediately and spent the next few days moping around thinking I’d never see you again.”
“I could have asked for your info, too.”
He shrugs, his hands moving up and down my back over my sweatshirt.
“I honestly don’t know why I didn’t. I guess I just froze after what happened. It was just…” He goes quiet, clearly not knowing how to finish his sentence.
“I know. Same.”
Brooks walks out of the bathroom as his brother kisses me on the forehead. Conrad grabs his stack of clothes off the table, taking his turn in the bathroom to change.
Brooks doesn’t wait a second, sliding his fingers into my hair and kissing me. I’m quickly realizing kissing Brooks makes my soul feel like a warm sunny day.
The kiss seems to last forever, but not nearly long enough. When Conrad steps out in his own clothes, Brooks gives me one last kiss before stepping away.
They both turn down the hallway, retrieving their shoes. Brooks slides into his without lacing them up while Conrad bends down, taking the time to tie his.
I follow them out into the garage, pressing the button to open the door. The concrete is freezing under my bare feet, but I continue after them. They come to a halt just before leaving the dry space in the garage.
Each one takes their turn giving me a brief kiss before walking to their work truck. Conrad slides into the driver’s seat, while Brooks leans out the passenger window.
“Get inside, Trouble.” He looks down at my scrunched-up toes. “Don’t want you freezing those cute toes off.”
Conrad starts up the truck, so I shout, “Do you have a foot fetish, Mr. Thompson?”
“I think I have a Hadley fetish.”
