Page 26 of Lethal Attraction

“We are!” She shakes my hand excitedly before her lips thin. “After you talk to your brothers.”

I throw my head back. “Ugh! Can’t it wait?”

She gives me a pointed stare. “Whatever is happening with Bailey is big, and I know Rowan is probably going crazy right now with your radio silence.”

“He’s going to yell at me,” I pout.

“Put on your big-girl panties and get it over with.”

“Fine,” I yank my hand out of hers. “I can’t believe you’re throwing me to the wolves.”

“Don’t be dramatic.” She deadpans.

“All so you can probably get laid!” I slouch cinematically, throwing my arm over my head. “The betrayal!”

She snorts. “Connor does love this nightie.”

I giggle. “Get you some, bestie. I’ll see ya.”

“See ya. I’ll get Dr. Bellamy’s new address and send it to you.” She waves me out the door as I mentally hype myself up to talk to Atlas first. He’s the least likely to lose his mind, and the sibling I find the most in common with.

As I trudge across the compound, the night creeps around me. The gentle buzz of bugs fill the air, and I hear the occasional frog as I bound up the front steps of my brother’s cottage. I don’t bother breaking in as I knock loudly on the door.

Atlas is the lightest sleeper I’ve ever met. He’s probably already awake, gazing down at his slumbering wife like a total freak. The dude has been whipped since high school, and there’s no doubt in my mind that he’s going to remain wrapped around Loxley and Sophia’s little fingers until he dies.

Heavy footsteps near the door before it’s yanked open and the large figure of Atlas takes up the doorway. He scowls down at me through the screen door. “You’re fucked.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I wave a hand.

He crosses his arms over his chest, bunching his t-shirt. “You missed the baby shower.”

My shoulders hunch as disappointment pierces me. “Don’t remind me…”

He softens a fraction, running a hand through his hair. “Are you okay? How’s your shoulder?”

I move it, only slightly bothered by the pain now. “It’s fine.”

“But how are you feeling?” He probes. “I know you wanted to be there, Thal.”

My eyes turn glassy as I sniffle. “I’m upset that I missed it.”

He opens the screen door before crushing me into his chest. I wrap my arms around him as he smooths a hand over my back. “I know. We’re just glad you’re okay.”

I close my eyes, letting the last few days roll off me as I sit in my brother’s comfort. “Was Loxley pissed?”

He chuckles. “She was more pissed that you wouldn’t pick up your phone. We were worried sick about you.”

I pull away from him as I wipe my tears. “I still haven’t finished Sophia’s gift.”

He waves me off. “We’ve got plenty of time. She won’t be here for another month. You should worry about Rowan. He was about to tear up the whole East Coast looking for you.”

I wince. “How bad is it?”

“Have you ever seen a grown man turn red in the face?”

I snort. “Plenty of times.”

“Well, he turned purple.”