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Braxton stared up at him. Nothing but an occasional cricket and the crackle of the fire filled the night. Zach clenched his fists, more than ready to take out his frustrations on someone. Damn it, he hated violence.
Unfortunately, that thread of evil was in his genes. Another reason the fairy-tale daydream of him and Sophie was utterly absurd.
“Sit down,” Braxton said in that low, controlled tone. “I’m not fighting you, and you don’t want to fight me. You know I’d kick your ass.”
Zach couldn’t help but smirk. “Bullshit,” he said, falling back into his chair. “You’d mess up that pretty-boy hair of yours.”
“Don’t let the hair fool you. I could still kick your ass and my hair would still look better than your mountain-man appearance.”
Tension eased from Zach’s shoulders at the quick way they always fell back into bantering. He missed that with Liam—not that he’d ever admit that to his older brother. Zach didn’t blame Liam one bit for hating him.
“Why don’t you just tell Sophie how you feel?”
Groaning, Zach dropped his head against the back of the chair. “Stop beating the dead horse.”
“That’s not a reason.”
“She’s dating someone.”
“Martin is boring. That won’t last.”
Zach swallowed, hating how he could get so swept up into thinking of Sophie that he actually fantasized about having something with her. “Even if it doesn’t, we are polar opposites. Throw in the accident and we have absolutely nothing to build on.”
“You never know until you try.” Braxton sank back into his chair. “I can’t believe I’m doling out relationship advice. Anna ripped my heart to shreds, but I’m not letting that stop me from being open to another relationship. Well, as soon as I feel like it.”
Braxton’s heart got stomped on, and he’d turned into a playboy, refusing to get too close to another woman. One sleepover per woman had been the max lately for his once calm, family-seeking brother.
Braxton had always stated he wanted a wife, children, and a life like the one he’d had growing up with the Monroes, but after what happened with his ex, who knew what Braxton wanted now. The man had officially closed himself off from letting women in. Zach, on the other hand, refused to ever allow a woman to get so close that he had to reveal his dark childhood. And no way in hell would he pass those genes down to any innocent child.
Keeping people at a distance was the best decision for everyone involved. Besides, getting close to someone would only open his heart to emotions he knew he wasn’t strong enough to handle. He didn’t want the inevitable hurt to seep in. First his biological parents had damaged him so deeply he honestly would probably never recover. Then his adopted parents passed away, and now Chelsea. Letting anyone else in would just be emotional, soul-crushing suicide.
Zach eased forward on the end of his chair. He grabbed the poker from the edge of the pit and prodded the wood, sending orange sparks flying.
“You know I never want a relationship, let alone something long-term. So, whatever Sophie does or doesn’t do with her life is none of my business.”
“Why don’t you make it your business? Maybe she’s unsure because of you. Did you ever think of that? Maybe she doesn’t want long-term, or maybe she could be the one to change your mind on relations
hips.”
Resting his elbows on his knees, Zach shook his head. “You’re not making sense and your babbling is giving me a headache.”
“Maybe I’m wrong,” Braxton went on, obviously not caring about the headache. “Maybe she does pick up on your vibes. What if she reads through your gruff attitude and sees the truth?” Braxton paused, really letting the words sink in before he continued. “Can you blame her for not wanting to confront you about her feelings? You’ve not exactly been easy to be around.”
Zach gritted his teeth, willing Braxton to shut the hell up. The last thing Zach wanted was to think about what Sophie might or might not feel toward him. The last thing he needed was false hope where she was concerned. Opening his heart to bleed out again wasn’t an option or a risk he was willing to take.
“I can’t,” he muttered.
Braxton came to his feet, staring down until Zach glanced up. “You mean you won’t,” Braxton corrected. “Live your life miserably if you want. But one day you’re going to wake up and wonder why the hell you didn’t grow a set and just take a chance.”
Chapter Five
Braxton entered Sophie’s office Friday afternoon. She’d been eagerly waiting all day. She’d had a closing that morning, but had told her assistant if any of the Monroe boys called to make sure to get ahold of her. For several reasons, Chelsea’s property was taking top priority.
Sophie wasn’t a bit surprised the middleman of the trio had been the one sent to deliver the message.
Braxton eased his tall, broad frame into the same seat he’d sat in last Friday. The dark jeans and pale blue button-up showcased his tanned skin, his broad shoulders, and masculine physique. Today he wore his glasses, which only made him look more studious. No doubt the young girls on the campus were halfway in love with him.
“So, what did you decide?” she asked, lacing her fingers together and resting them on her desk. “And please, tell me you all came to a mutual agreement without black eyes and busted knuckles.”
