Breaking The Bro Code (Hawthorne Brothers 3)

Oh. He thought I was jumping ship.

“I’m not moving to that company. Like you said, they’re the competition. What made you think I would go and join them? I’d never do that to Ethan, to Dad, to you.”

“Aw.”

Asher tries to pinch my cheek. I slap his hand away.

“Did you really think I could do that?”

“I thought maybe you’d like to travel around Asia like your girlfriend does.”

That part he got right.

“But you’re right.” He lets out a breath. “You can’t do it. You’d miss me too much.”

I snort.

“Besides, you’re basically Ethan’s puppy.”

“Excuse me?”

“You used to follow him around. You worship him. You do as he tells you. You clean up his mess sometimes. You’re loyal to him.”

“Aren’t you?” I ask him in annoyance.

“I’m more of a bear,” Asher says. “Or a lion.”

And I’m a helpless puppy that wags its tail for attention and shows its belly when intimidated?

“Get out,” I tell Asher.

Before I throw something at him.

He starts to walk away, then stops and glances over his shoulder.

“Oh, thanks for the report.”

Right. If he was really grateful, he could have showed it by not insulting me.

“And just in case I don’t see you for the rest of the week, remember you better be there on Friday.”

“I will be,” I tell him again before he disappears out the door.

Hopefully by then, I’ll have told Ethan about my plans and he’ll be too happy for me to whine about anything.

~

I haven’t.

I tried to tell Ethan until Wednesday, but there didn’t seem to be a good opportunity, and then I told myself I’d just tell him tonight when we’re drinking. At least, here, he’s all ears. And he isn’t going to yell at me. Or so I hope.

But maybe I’ll wait until he’s had a few sips of scotch.

“How’s Stella?” I ask him first.

Only when Asher glares at me do I realize that maybe I shouldn’t have asked that. If he starts whining about her, how am I supposed to tell him about my plans for the Foundation?

But he doesn’t.

“She’s fine,” he says after sipping his scotch. “She’s getting bigger by the week. But she’s still beautiful, of course.”

Why do I get the feeling that Stella recently threw something at him because he hinted that she wasn’t?

“That’s good, right?” I say. “I mean, the baby’s developing properly?”

“Yeah.”

“Do you know what you’re having yet?”

Ethan shakes his head. “Stella doesn’t want to know.”

“Okay.”

He looks at me. “How are you? How’s Claire?”

“Good,” I answer.

He brings his glass of scotch to his lips. I take a sip of my gin tonic as I gather my courage.

Now’s my chance. I should just tell Ethan what I’ve been planning, what I’ve been trying to tell him all week.

I set down my glass and open my mouth, but before I can say a word, he does.

“Actually, I have something to tell you and Asher.”

And he sounds so serious that I can’t help but start to worry.

“What?” I ask him.

“Are you and Stella calling off your engagement?” Asher asks.

I throw a glare at him.

“No,” Ethan answers as he sets down his glass. “We’re having a baby.”

My eyebrows furrow. I glance at Asher, who has the same confused expression.

Yes, we already know Stella’s pregnant. Has Ethan forgotten? Wasn’t he just talking about it?

“And I’ve decided I want to be there for the baby,” Ethan goes on. “And for Stella. So I’m going to take a few weeks off work.”

I nod. “Okay.”

I didn’t think Ethan would do that, but I guess it’s understandable.

“And while I’m not in the office, I need the two of you to step up and take the reins,” he adds.

Asher puts down his drink on the counter with a thud. “What?”

I can understand his reaction. Even I’m surprised. No. Shocked. And disappointed.

Ethan wants Asher and I to step into his shoes. He’s taking a few weeks off. That means I can’t tell him about my plans for the Foundation. I can’t establish the Foundation. I can’t leave Chicago.

Fuck. Why didn’t I see this coming?

“Can I count on both of you?” Ethan asks.

Asher sighs. “Fine. I guess Violet can head my department for a while. In fact, I think she’d love that. But I can’t do everything you do.”

“That’s why I asked both of you.” Ethan looks at me. “Ryker?”

I find no other choice but to nod. Maybe Asher is right. Maybe I’m Ethan’s puppy. But how can I say no when this is the first thing he’s actually asked of me? When his request is perfectly reasonable?

“Yeah. Sure,” I tell him. “You should go be with your family.”

Ethan smiles. “Thanks.”

I try to smile as well. This isn’t the end of the world. Or the end of my plans. I’ll just have to set them aside for a while. Then when Ethan comes back, I’ll tell him. And he won’t be able to turn me away then because I helped him.