Take Me Home (The Heartbreak Brothers 1)

Her mom’s smile faltered. “Should I ask where you’re going?”

“Probably not,” Maddie admitted.

“Okay. Well, be safe.” Her eyes were soft. “Ashleigh invited me over for dinner on Sunday. I thought maybe I could talk to her. See if we can build some bridges.” She twisted her glasses in her hands. “There has to be a way for you girls to get along.”

“Try not to worry about us,” Maddie told her, hating the way her mom sounded so forlorn. “None of this is your fault, and it’s not your job to repair things.”

“But I do worry. You and Ashleigh are my world. It breaks my heart that you’re not speaking to each other.”

Another heart broken. Maddie was leaving a trail of them. And all because she didn’t want to break her own. Look how that turned out, her chest felt like it was being pulled apart.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

Her mom attempted a smile. “Go and have a good time doing whatever it is you’re doing. You’ll work it out. I know you will.”

Taking a deep breath, Maddie managed to conjure her own smile. “Thank you. Sleep tight.”

She closed the door softly and glanced at her phone again. Her messages with Gray were still on the screen.

I’ll pick you up at eight. Wear flats and bring a change of clothes – G.

A change of clothes? Why? Are you planning on throwing me in the creek? – M.

Something like that. I’ll see you tonight. – G.

She felt a sense of relief now that the journalist had returned to L.A. and things were going back to normal. As far as she knew, he hadn’t contacted Ashleigh – thank God. At least she’d managed to dodge a bullet there.

But more than anything, the relief came from being able to see Gray again. It had only been a couple of days since they were last together, but it felt like so much longer.

At exactly eight, a black car pulled up outside the house. She grabbed the canvas bag she’d stuffed with a spare pair of jeans and t-shirt before she checked herself in the mirror, fluffing up the back of her hair with her free hand.

As she walked outside, to her surprise, the passenger door opened and Gray climbed out, a smile curling his lips.

“Aren’t you driving?” she asked him, bemused.

“I hired a car for the night instead.” He reached the steps, his eyes soft as he stopped in front of her. “God, I’ve missed you.” He curled his hand around her waist and pulled her against him. She sighed at the feeling of his strong, lean body pressing into hers. And for the first time in days it felt like she could breathe easy again.

“Where are we going?” she asked as he took the bag from her and slung it over his shoulder.

“It’s a surprise. You’ll see.”

She climbed into the backseat, and he followed, pulling the door closed behind him. As soon as they were buckled in, he grabbed her hand, enfolding it in his own.

“You okay?” he asked her, his gaze catching hers.

“I am now.”

He grinned. “My sentiments exactly.” Still holding her hands, he leaned forward. “Okay, we’re good to go.”

The sun was setting over the mountains to the west, casting a warm orange glow across the peaks. The driver switched on some music – a soft country song that had been playing non-stop on the radio for weeks, and she felt her body relax into the soft leather seats.

Gray slid his arm around her, pulling her close until her head rested on his broad shoulder. She felt him press his lips against her hair, then he slid his hands under her chin, angling her head until her face was a whisper away from his.

“Hey,” he said softly. She could feel the warmth of his breath against her skin.

“Hey.” Her chest contracted at his closeness. At the need she felt shooting through her body.

He cupped her chin with his palm and brushed the sweetest of kisses against her lips. “I’ve missed you.”