Happily Enemy After (Hawthorne Brothers 2)

“I didn’t know you were married, Glenn,” Ryker says.

I didn’t either, but I don’t think he was making any of that stuff up.

I give Ethan a pat on the shoulder. “It looks like you’re in for a hell of a ride, big brother.”

He frowns. “Thanks, Glenn.”

“And don’t even get me started about women in labor,” Glenn says. “They’re the most unreasonable kind.”

Ryker shrugs. “I think anyone would be unreasonable if they’re pushing a little human out through their—”

“Okay. That’s enough,” Ethan cuts him off.

“I agree,” I say as I try to push the image out of my mind. “You know what? How about we not talk about women while we drink?”

“You started it,” Ryker points out.

“And you have no right to complain about not being able to talk about women since you don’t have any to talk about,” I tell him as I lift my glass to my lips. “Unless you’ve decided to make a move on your best friend’s cute sister.”

“What best friend’s sister?” Ethan asks.

“Claire Parker,” Ryker answers. “Joel’s sister. And no, I am not making a move on her or whatever it is your festering mind thinks I should do.”

I make a face at his choice of adjective. “‘Festering’, is it? I really wonder why you haven’t found yourself a girlfriend when you’re obviously such a cunning linguist.”

“You know, that right there pretty much proves my point,” Ryker responds.

“I don’t mind,” Ethan breaks in. “The new rule about not talking about women, I mean. But I thought you wanted to know all about what’s going on between me and Stella.”

“That was when the two of you had an exciting relationship,” I tell him. “Now, the two of you just have sex all the time, which is boring.”

Ethan grins. “Trust me. It never is.”

“And something I’d rather not have an image of in my head,” I add.

“Same here,” Ryker seconds.

“Fine.” Ethan sets his glass down. “No talking about women, though I doubt you’ll be able to follow that rule.”

“He won’t,” Ryker agrees. “The only way Asher will stop talking about women is if he stays away from them, and that’s one thing he’ll never do, no matter how much women drive him crazy.” He looks at me. “Who’s the one who doesn’t make sense now?”

I take a sip of my martini instead of answering. Ryker’s right. I’m not right in the head, either. As frustrating as Violet is—and she’s the most frustrating person I’ve ever met in my life—what’s even more frustrating is that I’m still attracted to her. I told myself I would stop caring about her and yet I still do. She’s a problem without an answer and yet I still can’t help wanting to figure her out.

I guess we’re both impossible.

“I’ll stop talking about women as long as Ethan shows up every Friday night like he used to,” I say before popping an olive into my mouth.

“You know I can’t make any promises,” Ethan says.

Glenn shakes his head. “His life isn’t his own anymore, boys.”

Poor Ethan.

I let out a sigh before finishing my last olive. “Fine.” I signal to Glenn to make me another one.

Ethan asks for another glass of whiskey as well. “By the way,” he says. “How’s your apartment?”

I narrow my eyes at him. “I thought we weren’t going to talk about women.”

“I asked about your apartment.”

Yeah, right.

“What’s wrong with his apartment?” Ryker asks.

I guess he still doesn’t know Violet and I are neighbors.

“Nothing,” I answer. “I was thinking about moving somewhere else, but I do like The Mistral. Maybe you should move in.”

“And be your neighbor?” Ryker shakes his head. “No way.”

I give him a puzzled look. Why not? It’s not like I have a pet skunk or throw orgies every night.

That threesome last week doesn’t count as an orgy, does it?

“You grew up in the room next to mine,” I remind him.

Which means he was my first neighbor. Ethan was in the room at the end of the hall.

“Exactly,” Ryker says. “I’ve had enough of living next to you.”

I snort. This brat.

“Besides, I like my apartment,” he adds. “Not too big. Not too small.”

“Oh, are we making dick jokes now?” I tease him. “Because I thought we weren’t drunk enough for that yet.”

Ryker frowns. “Well, some of us aren’t.”

“So you’re staying in your apartment?” Ethan asks me.

“Yes,” I answer.

I was there first. There’s no reason why I should leave.

“Happy now?” I ask him.

Before Ethan can answer, his phone rings. He takes it out of his pocket.

“I thought no phones,” I say.

He ignores me and answers the call. A second later, he leaves the stool beside me and heads out to the balcony.

“That must be Stella,” Ryker says what I’m thinking.

I turn my attention back to my drink. “So he shows up but he’d rather be at home with her.”

“Just be grateful he did show up. Isn’t that what you wanted?”