Breaking The Bro Code (Hawthorne Brothers 3)

Christy pouts. “I’m so sorry, Claire.”

“Hey, just go.” I pat her arm. “It’s not like I’m leaving town right away. I’m here a while, so we can still spend more time together, get drunk, go to the Pier, watch trashy movies, see who can try on more clothes in five minutes.”

Christy chuckles.

“I’ll be fine. Really. I’ll just have a drink and then leave.”

She still doesn’t budge.

“I promise I won’t do anything stupid,” I tell her. “Happy now?”

“Do you promise you’ll talk to that guy you were staring at?” she asks.

I narrow my eyes at her. “Isn’t that kind of stupid?”

“I think it’s kind of why you wanted to go to a bar,” Christy reminds me. “Plus, did I mention he’s hot?”

“Yes, you did.” I give her a shove. “Now, go.”

Finally, she walks off. I order a whiskey sour. As I sip it, I find myself glancing repeatedly at Ryker. He’s talking to another woman now. Tall with dark curls. And then he’s with his brothers. It’s nice to know they still get along so well.

With each sip, I try to summon enough courage to carry out Christy’s suggestion, but by the time I’ve finished two glasses—I know I told Christy I’d just have one drink, but I needed another—I still haven’t found any.

I’m just… terrified. What if Ryker doesn’t remember me? What if he says something mean and sends me away? What if he leaves because of me? He did disappear from the party that night.

I don’t want that to happen. I don’t want him to leave because of me, not when he’s having fun. Besides, he was here first.

I decide to leave. I pay for my drinks and head towards the exit. I’m almost at the door when I hear a voice.

“Claire.”

My heart stops. It’s Ryker. I know it is.

I draw a deep breath before turning around.

“Ryker.”

I give him a smile—just a small one so I don’t look too happy to see him even though my heart is on the verge of bursting out of my chest.

“You’re…”

Gorgeous? Perfect?

“Here. You’re here. In the flesh. In this bar that… I also happen to be in, although I didn’t notice you because I was at the bar and I had my back turned…”

Alright. I’ve said too much.

“What are you doing here?”

“Having some holiday fun with my brothers and their girlfriends—well, Ethan’s fiancée and Asher’s girlfriend.”

My eyes grow wide. “Asher has a girlfriend?”

Ryker nods. “Hard to believe, I know, but true.”

He glances over his shoulder.

“See that woman with the dark curls?”

“Yup.”

So that’s Asher’s girlfriend. And the pregnant woman must be Ethan’s fiancée.

“And you’re still single?” The question spills out of my mouth.

Ryker’s eyebrows arch. Shit.

“I mean… I don’t… I…”

God, I can’t believe I’ve turned into a babbling mess.

“Yes, I’m still single,” Ryker tells me.

Relief fills my chest, but only for a moment. Now what? What do I say? Do I say I’m single, too? And then what? Do I ask him if he wants to be my boyfriend?

“I’m… going,” I say.

When in doubt, do without. When you’re not sure how to advance, it’s best to retreat.

Ryker doesn’t try to stop me, so I start to walk off, even though every drop of my blood, every inch of my skin is screaming for me to stay.

Tell me to stay.

“Wait.”

As soon as he says the word, I stop. He grips my arm and I look over my shoulder as I wait for what he’ll say next. He looks around.

“Let’s go somewhere quieter,” he says.

I say nothing. I just let Ryker lead me out of the bar and towards the far end of the lobby, to a quiet spot under the staircase next to a giant golden harp.

I wonder why we’re hiding. Is he afraid someone from the press or an important guest staying at this hotel might recognize him? Is he trying to keep me away from his brothers? I don’t really care.

“You’re not in a hurry to leave, are you?” Ryker asks.

I see the hopeful gleam in his eyes.

“No,” I answer. “I just… felt a little tired.”

“Sure you don’t have a boyfriend waiting?”

Now he’s teasing me. Or is he testing the waters?

“No,” I say. “It’s just me back here in Chicago.”

“Since when?”

“Yesterday.”

“For how long?”

He sure is asking a lot of questions.

“Until after Joel’s wedding, at least,” I reply.

“Right.” Ryker nods. “I can’t believe he’s getting married, either.”

“She’s amazing. Natalie, I mean. His bride-to-be. That’s probably why he doesn’t want to let her go.”

“I’m sure she is,” Ryker says. “I haven’t met her yet, but I think I will soon. He said he’ll be spending Christmas here in Chicago.”

“Yeah.”

“Is he here already?”

“No. He still had some stuff to finish at work, but he’ll be here soon. I’m sure he’ll call you as soon as he arrives. Or maybe after he and Nat have their reunion kiss.”