Page 55 of One Little Victory

Crack.

“You need to get the fuck out of her life now.”

Crack.

“I will not stand for anyone hurting Jenna or anyone important to her,” Mark finished, slashing his hand across the air in finality.

“Big Red rocks,” Miller said. “Move the fuck on if you don’t agree.”

I swallowed and met each of their eyes, nodding before moving to the next. There was a time for bullshit excuses, and there was a time to lay it on the line. These three—well, four if you counted Maverick—deserved to know the truth. Maverick stayed against the railing, but his jaw was firm and his eyes glinted, taking in every word. I’d never betray my Pop Rock’s trust and admit this started as a ruse, but I could bend the truth.

“Jenna and Addison are lucky to have so many people who care about them. By now, it’s common knowledge we went public because of the article, but honestly, I’m glad it happened. I wouldn’t have known what an amazing person Addison is if it hadn’t. She’s been reluctant to take things to the next level, and I’d never push her. But I can promise the four of you this: if she ever chooses me, if I ever think she’ll choose me, I’ll grab her with both hands and never fucking let go.”

I nodded at Mark and stuck out my hand, waiting for his reaction. He looked at my outstretched hand, then up to my eyes, repeating the gesture twice and letting the silence stretch. Classic intimidation tactic. He wasn’t breaking eye contact, and neither was I. After another few seconds—or an hour, I couldn’t be sure—his calloused palm gripped mine, and I let out the breath I didn’t know I’d been holding.

“Ugh,” he said, sounding more like a caveman grunt than actual approval. But since I wasn’t being forcibly removed from the premises, I’d take it as a win.

A tiny meow came from Miller’s front pack, and all eyes went to the pair of ears that peaked over his hand.

“Oh, do you agree, Princess Banana-Hammock? Does he get your squeak of approval?” Mark snatched her out of the front pack with a rumbled ha and punched Miller square in the chest, making him stagger back with a groan. “Serves you right for breaking into my house, dick.”

“It’s not breaking in if I know where the key is. And I’m totally telling Mom to knit Phoebe a new sweater with the name Princess Banana-Hammock on it. Maybe order her a matching monogrammed collar. I knew her original name would stick.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“I would so. Now give me back my niece and help me figure out what to order for lunch.”

Mark grumbled but reluctantly handed the feline back to Miller before turning on his heel and walking through the sliding glass door.

“So Addison told us a lot of the lighting upgrade ideas were yours.”

Magnum hadn’t asked a question, so I nodded, unsure what he wanted me to say. Graphic design was completely different from interior or exterior design, but the more time I spent with Addison, the more she unlocked my creativity. Or maybe it had always been there but was now coming out because I was finally happy. Because Addison made me happy.

“Have you ever thought about doing a little free-lancing? You should come by our office. The three of us talked the other week and would love your take on a couple of jobs.”

“Are you serious?” I asked, rubbing my chin and glancing at Maverick, who gave a barely-there shake of his head.

“Yeah, I am. What do you do?”

Damn.

“Oh. Well, I do estate management, sort of. I mean, I have time, but my experience was in graphic design. Websites and logos, that kind of stuff. Fuck, I sound like a flake.”

I ran one hand through my hair and pulled at my Windsor, loosening the tie more and clenching my fist.

“No, man. You don’t sound like a flake. You sound like a guy trying to find his way,” Maverick said, stepping away from the railing to stand beside Magnum.

“You know, I hadn’t drawn anything in months before meeting her? Then we were here, and I took her iPad and started sketching like I’d never stopped.”

Fuck, where had that come from?I barely knew these guys, and here I was sharing my feelings like we were sitting around in silk pajamas drinking hot chocolate, about to have a pillow fight and watch Sixteen Candles.

I felt a bead of sweat drip between my shoulder blades and flexed with the uncomfortable sensation, pinching my lips together. Addison would have to understand my sudden departure. Both brothers were looking at me with blank expressions, and my usual mask of indifference was nowhere to be found. Probably left somewhere at her place, along with my Mont Blanc watch and fucking heart.

I’d come back later when they were gone and take pictures of the progress and anything else she needed, but for now, I took a step back and turned around, prepared to hightail it to my car.

“Dude, wait.” A hand clapped my shoulder, and I cursed under my breath, tapping the fingers of my left hand together to release the excess energy thrumming through my system.

“Don’t be ashamed that your girl makes you better.”