Take Me Home (The Heartbreak Brothers 1)

“Karaoke at the Moonlight is the best,” Tanner said, his face serious. “You’re gonna love it.”

Becca clapped her hands together. “It’s going to be amazing. All my brothers in one place.”

“Are you sure I should go?” Gray felt like he was pissing on her parade. “I don’t want to cause any more problems like I did at church.”

“It’ll be fine,” Tanner told him. “They won’t let teenage girls in. And Sam who runs it is as straight as they come. He’ll have our backs.”

“Come on, Gray,” Becca urged. “We’ve never been to a bar together. I want to dance with my big brother.”

“He can’t dance,” Tanner said, grinning. “But it would be good to have you there.”

“I don’t know…” Gray pressed his lips together.

“Just say yes. We’ll look after you. So will Logan and Cam.” Becca squeezed his arm.

“Maybe he’s scared.” Tanner winked. “What if he loses at Karaoke? He’ll never live it down.”

Gray groaned. “I’ll come. But I won’t be singing Karaoke.” He looked at his sister. “And I won’t be dancing, unless I’m full of whiskey.”

Becca raised her eyebrows. “That sounds like a challenge.” She leaned forward to kiss him on the cheek. “I’m so happy you’re here. You’re the best.”

Chapter Ten

Gray couldn’t remember the last time he’d ached this much. It was only eight in the evening, yet his muscles were begging him to put them to bed and let them sleep for a good twelve hours. And he would’ve, if he didn’t have a damn album to write. While he’d spent the past few days with his body contorted into crazy positions to work on the plumbing, he spent the evenings in his dad’s old summerhouse with his guitar and blank sheet music, determined to write at least one song a week and be ready for the recording studio in two months.

He’d almost flooded the kitchen on the first day he’d started. Cue panic from Becca and loud groaning from his father as he mopped up the water and tried to determine where he’d gone wrong. Everything seemed to take twice the time he thought it would.

“Damn, I’ll be glad to get home,” Tanner said, circling his head as though trying to work out the knots in his neck. “Why did I say I’d help you again?”

“Because otherwise I would’ve kicked your ass,” Gray told him as he dried a plate and passed it to his younger brother. “And that would’ve hurt more.”

“Yeah, right.” Tanner grinned. “You can barely hold that dish towel, let alone inflict bodily damage on me. Besides, I heard what your manager said to you about your hands. Keep the gloves on at all times, no cuts, no nicks. Those pretty fingers are worth too much.”

Gray rolled his eyes. “You always had a smart mouth.”

“It’s only getting smarter.” Tanner winked. “Man, I’m pooped. You want to come with me to the Moonlight? You can buy me a beer to thank me for my hard work.”

“I’ll buy you a beer on Saturday,” Gray told him. “We can toast your leaving.”

Tanner laughed. “Are you that desperate to get rid of me?”

Nope. Gray was dreading his brother leaving. Not just because he’d been helping him with the remodeling, but because he’d enjoyed having this time to connect with Tanner. At three years younger than him, his little brother had been a pain in his ass for most of their childhood. Yet he’d protected him as best he could – first from the pain of their mom’s death, then from the anger their dad could never shake.

Tanner had been almost seventeen when Gray left for L.A. Still a kid, despite his protestations. But now he was a man, and Gray was connecting with him on a new level.

It was going to be quiet here without him.

“I’m going to work on some music tonight,” Gray told his brother. “But I’ll definitely be there on Saturday.”

Tanner’s eyes softened. “That means a lot. Thanks, bro.”

Gray made a mental note to put his card behind the bar. Saturday night was on him. “And if you get drunk tonight, avoid the third step. Otherwise dad will hear you come home.”

“Ah, the old third step trick. Don’t worry, Logan taught me that one,” Tanner told him. “Good luck with the music.”

“Thanks.” Gray watched his brother grab his jacket and call goodbye to Aunt Gina and Becca, who were watching an old movie in the living room. Then he walked down the hallway, planning on grabbing his guitar and music before heading out to the summer house.

“That you, Gray?” his father called out as he passed the study. For a moment, Gray considered ignoring him. What could he do, anyway? It wasn’t as though he was going to chase him up the stairs the way he’d done when Gray was a kid.