Deal Makers (Dealing with Love 3)

CHAPTER FORTY

DREW

Charlee left about an hour ago because I wanted to talk to Brody alone. He’s not usually an early bird, but I decide to text him so my message will be there when he wakes up.

Me: You wanna grab some breakfast later? I need to talk to you about something.

To my surprise, he responds only a minute later.

Brody: No shit, Sherlock. I just parked in front of your building. Be up in a few.

He’s here? The sun is barely up. Shit, I need coffee for this. As I watch the dark roast drip into my cup, a single knock hits my front door.

Here we go.

I step aside as I open the door, gesturing for him to follow me into the kitchen. “You want some coffee?”

“No, asshole,” he grinds out. “I want answers. What the fuck is going on with you and Charlotte?”

“I—”

He points a stern finger at me, interrupting. “And don’t even try to tell me nothing. That shit on the dance floor last night was the opposite of nothing.”

“Dude, sit down.”

Brody widens his stance and folds his arms over his chest. “I’d rather stand.”

“Fine, you stubborn fuck. I’ll sit.” I round the kitchen counter and take a seat at the breakfast bar.

He grips the counter directly across from me and stares expectantly. “Well?”

I take a moment to choose my words carefully. I thought I’d have a little more time to prepare a speech or something, but clearly he had other plans. If the way he’s clenching his jaw is any indication, I’m running out of time, so I say the first thing that comes to mind.

I look him straight in the eye. “I’m in love with her, man.” Huh. I didn’t exactly realize that until the words flew out of my mouth but it makes sense. I wouldn’t know how else to describe what I’m feeling.

Brody blinks rapidly, obviously not expecting this. “Are you fucking kidding me? How did that happen? You barely know her.”

“That’s not exactly...true.” I wince. “I know enough.”

He narrows his eyes at me. “How long?”

“How long, what?”

Brody’s fists clench. “How long have you been fucking my sister behind my back?”

“Since Vegas,” I admit. “But I’ve had feelings for her a lot longer than that.”

“Jesus Christ, Drew!” He throws his hands up. “I explicitly forbid you to go near her! Many times! Yet, you fucking did it anyway?”

“I tried not to.” I jump off the stool and hold my hands up in peace. “I swear on my fucking nuts, I tried not to. But I finally broke down and quite frankly, I don’t want to go back if it means not having her.”

He grits his teeth and scrubs a hand over his face. “I can’t fucking believe this. How could you do this to me?”

I rub the back of my neck. “This has nothing to do with you, Brody.”

“The fuck it doesn’t,” he scoffs. “And if you actually believed that, you wouldn’t have been hiding this shit.”

He’s got a point.