Page 73 of Can't Get Over You
But Jude already was on the move, greeting his two brothers. “What’re you guys doing here? Does anybody have ajob?”
“Not a lot of forest fires in the dead of winter,” Boone said.
“We’re not set up for company,” Jude said.
“That’s why we’re here, big brother.” Boone clapped him on the shoulder.
Wyatt approached her. “Heard fuckface took most of the furniture, so we got some stuff.”
“Well, I mean, he took what he owned,” Finlay said, painfully self-conscious. Was her hair a tangled mess? Did her lips look red? Could they tell what she’d been doing?
And why did she find it more thrilling than embarrassing?
Because I’ve never had that just-fucked look.
And I think I like it.
“How’d you hear about that?” Jude asked.
Wyatt pointed down the street. “Bernese Mountain dog got into it with a snowmobile. Owner saw your ex take his couch.”
“So you brought me a new one?” She couldn’t believe it.
“Yeah,” Boone said. “But also, Miss Marlee’s son’s a probie, and she told him she saw a bunch of frat guys clearing out the house. She said you could land a plane on that big screen TV.” He tipped his chin to the back of his truck. “So we got you an even bigger one.”
“You guys.” She was unbelievably touched. “Thank you. This is so nice.” Across the street, curtains parted, and her neighbor peered out. Finlay didn’t know what they’d think of the big, scary men with tattoos and black trucks, but Jude’s family was so wonderful, she’d be damned if anyone made them feel unwelcome.
The passenger door on the box truck opened, and yet another brother came out. He was big, muscular, and rough-looking.
Jude headed toward him. “What the hell’re you doing here? You’ve got a game tomorrow.”
“Oh shit. You’re right. Thanks for the reminder.” Even though he wasn’t as tall, the quarterback pulled his older brother into a hug, lifting his feet off the ground.
Jude got free and shoved his younger brother. “You get kicked off the team?”
“No. But you’ve got a lot going on, and I wanted to see how you’re doing, meet the kid.”
“I’m fine.” Jude gestured to his family. “These clowns shouldn’t have involved you.”
“Hey, who’re you calling a clown?” Boone grinned.
“You’re going to pay a big-ass fine for leaving your team,” Jude grumbled.
“Since when is money more important than family?” the football player asked.
Jude stood back to let her into the circle. “Finlay, this is my baby brother, Decker.”
Never in her life had she felt petite—until she stood beside these giant, rugged men.
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you, too. Now, I know you stepped in to be his fake fiancée, but I don’t know how you two know each other.” Decker wagged a finger between Jude and her.
“We were friends in high school,” she said. “And now, I’m helping with Cody. I’m the nanny.”
“But we’re not talking about the fake part, okay?” Jude asked. “I already have enough shit stacked against me with the judge. That can’t get out.”
“Got it,” Decker said with a nod.
