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“I forgot I was supposed to drive you back to your car later.” I hold up the empty champagne bottle and glance at her, and we both laugh obnoxiously. “Looks like you might be stuck here overnight, Reed.”
She groans but still has a smile on her face. Frankly, I’m shocked she’s not freaking out or at least calling someone to give her a ride home. “Fine, but I’m not putting out until you hold up your end of the deal.”
My eyebrows go up sharply. She’s got my full attention now. “Which was …”
She gets up and walks around with her wine glass, settling down in the chair beside me. “You promised to tell me how your bro complex has developed over the years, remember?”
“Oh, that. That’s nothing.”
“A deal’s a deal, Gus-Gus,” she declares, leaning over to poke me in the chest. My skin burns where she touches me, even through the fabric of my shirt, and I have to take a second to compose myself before I do something embarrassing with her so close.
“There’s nothing to tell. It’s the same as it was when we were kids. My brother’s still perfect, and I’m not, but I wish I were. End of story.”
She scoffs. “No one’s perfect.”
“No, but he’s still the Golden Boy. I was the first born, but he’s ‘Joseph Drake the Third.’ I was the quarterback, but he got the football scholarship. I graduated from law school, just like my dad and his dad, and JD became the town favorite because he gave up playing in the pros to coach freaking high school football.” I clear my throat as my voice gets thick. “Not that there’s anything wrong with that,” I add.
I look up to find her staring at me intently, not with pity, but with empathy. Then I wipe my hand over my face when I feel my eyes getting watery. “I’m sorry, please forget I said any of that.”
“No,” she says quickly, stopping me by placing a hand on my forearm. “I get it.”
“Do you?”
She smirks. “Youhavemet my older siblings before, right?”
I roll my eyes, remembering that they’re both doctors now. “Fair enough.”
“I’m sure you remember Landry being especially insufferable,” she adds with a light laugh.
“But you still love him, right?”
“I do.”
“I love my brother too. He’s genuinely the best human on the planet. I know Tenley makes him happy, and I’m extremely proud of the way he’s stepped up for Ethan. JD deserves everything he’s ever gotten and more.” I sigh before I begin again. “But none of that means it’s not hard to watch him move on while I’m still … stuck.”
She nods knowingly, reaching over to slide her hand over mine now.
“And then I feel guilty for being jealous of him, especially about something as stupid as a name, something out of his control. It feels like I’ll never do anything as well as he does. And this is just another example of him one-upping me, because I know he’s going to be the best husband and father ever, and I’m never going to be either of those.” I pull my hand away and rub the back of my neck, overcome with embarrassment. “God, I’m so pathetic. Complaining about living in my brother’s shadow on his wedding day? Geez.”
“Blake,” she begins, her voice soft, “you’re allowed to have feelings. And I’m sure growing up with JD wasn’t easy. Don’t get me wrong, he’s great, but he can be a lot.”
Then I remember that, despite getting along so well, neither of them seemed to have felt any chemistry. For once, I’ve managed something JD hasn’t. Because Loren and I have had chemistry before, and there’s definitely something happening right now.
“Andyouare great for completely different reasons. I hear you’re a fantastic lawyer, and I know for a fact you’re an amazing coach in your own right. You’re smart and funny. I mean, women flock to you, right? You have such great hair, and I’m willing to bet you’re hiding a very spicy set of abs under your shirt right now.” Her voice quiets, and she gulps as if she’s embarrassed.
Our eyes meet, and a current of electricity crackles between us. My breathing quickens as I stare back at her. “There’s an easy way to find out, if you’re really curious,” I murmur, my fingers already finding their way to the buttons of my shirt.
But she throws her head back and laughs, breaking the connection.
Shit.
I should have known that line wouldn’t work on her.
“Oh, man,” she says, wiping her eyes as her laughter dies down. “I’m sorry about that. I didn’t mean to get so heavy-handed with the compliments.”
I lick my lips. “I don’t mind.”
“I was just trying to lift your spirits, at least for now.”
