The Last Hard Boy (The Hard Boys 3)

He had, but she hadn’t expected to fall in love with them as well.

Chapter Seven

Rome pulled up into the spare parking space inside his brother’s garage. Caleb Hard was the best mechanic in town, and everyone knew it.

After climbing out of his car, he headed inside the main shop and found his brother’s legs sticking out from underneath a car.

“I don’t know how you do it,” he said.

Caleb’s hand appeared as he gripped the edge of the car, pushing himself out from under the car.

“Hey, man, I had no idea you were dropping by.”

“I got you lunch. Figured you needed your strength.”

“I could certainly eat.” He got to his feet, wiping the grease off his hands with a cloth.

“You look tired.”

“Baby didn’t sleep well last night, and we’re learning on the job. I wasn’t exactly baby duty for you growing up,” Caleb said.

“Are you loving it?”

“Hell, yeah, it’s the best.”

They walked through to Caleb’s office.

Rome placed the sack of food he’d gotten for his brother, taking a seat opposite him and opening his own bag.

“How is Andy’s car coming along?” Rome asked.

“I told you it was fixed days ago. You’ve asked me to keep it in the shop. I don’t know how much longer I can keep it.”

Rome winced. “You haven’t told Andy that, have you?”

“What? That my brother asked as a favor to him, to keep her car in the shop so he’d have a reason to be at her house, early, when we all know you’re staying over.”

“Don’t judge.”

“I’m not judging. Why don’t you tell her about the car, and then tell her you like waking up with her in the morning.”

“How do you know that?” Rome asked.

“I’ve got a wife I’m madly in love with, who I wake up to every single morning. It’s the best feeling in the world.”

“I’m in love with Andy,” Rome said.

“I know. The whole family knows.”

“I haven’t told her.”

“We know that as well.” Caleb shoved a fry into his mouth.

“You’re not helping this conversation at all.”

“If you want advice, you’re going to have to ask for it. I’m not a mind reader, Rome. You’ve never been the forthcoming brother.”

Rome glared at Caleb. “I want to ask Andy to marry me.”

Caleb must have swallowed a fry as he began to clear his throat, rubbing at his chest and groaning.

He put his food on the desk and went to his brother, rubbing his back. “You okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. You took me by surprise.”

“Why?”

“Coming to me. Isn’t this a James thing?” Caleb asked.

“I haven’t talked to James yet. I wanted to see you.”

“What do you want to know?”

Rome shrugged. He took a seat, picking up his bag of food. “I don’t know, to be honest. How do I tell the woman I love that I want to marry her?”

“Why don’t you start with the love parts?” Caleb asked. “I don’t know Andy. She looked nervous as hell the other day.”

“We’re a lot to take in.”

“I’m going to be clear with you on this because I think you do need it, and I don’t want you to be pissed. I’m still on your side and all that.”

“Just give it to me real.”

“You’ve been with this woman a week, two at best?” Caleb asked.

“You know I’ve had feelings for her longer than that.”

“Yeah, I do. I know you’ve been obsessed with her, but you’ve got to talk to Andy about how you’re feeling.”

Rome glared at his brother. “You’ve been no help to me at all.”

Caleb sighed. “You’re right. I feel so fucking tired. I didn’t sleep at all, and our kid isn’t even feeding from my tits.”

He laughed. “Who would have thought, the rebellious Hard boy, talking breastfeeding and tired nights.”

“Thank you for the food, Rome. I wish I could be more help, but there are some things you’ve got to do on your own.”

Rome had already finished his food. He got to his feet and left. With spare time on his hands, seeing as he only had half a day, he went to James, who was way too busy to be having a conversation.

He got nothing, which meant he had no choice but to go find his dad, who was sitting in the kitchen. His mother was out shopping, hunting for Christmas presents. With a hot coffee and cookie in front of him, he sat opposite his father.

“Caleb and James already called,” Theodore said.

“Damn it. What is with them constantly doing this?” He ran fingers through his hair.

“They care about you.”

“Not enough to help me out,” he said. “They had no advice for me at all.”

“Who do you think they came to?” Theodore asked.

“You?”

“Yeah, me, or your mom. It’s what parents do.”

“I know. I know. I’m sorry.”

“Rome, you don’t have to keep apologizing.”

“It feels weird to me to come and ask you about this stuff.”

“Son, you do know you were born the natural way. We didn’t adopt you. Your mother and I had to have sex to have you and your brothers.”