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My head lolls back against the couch. I stare at the ceiling as the room grows darker. My phone rings a couple of times, but it’s not Corinne. I don’t give a fuck who else is calling.
I’m not even sure how much time has passed when someone starts pounding on my door. Whoever it is doesn’t bother with the doorbell. This isn’t a delicate knock, but a ham-fisted banging without any consideration for the fact my head is fucking throbbing.
Cursing, I lurch to my feet, swaying more than standing, and somehow manage to stumble to the front door. Pouring back more booze before I even managed to get sober probably wasn’t my best idea, but at least I don’t feel like someone reached their bare hand into my chest and yanked out my heart anymore. Well, not totally.
The knocking thunders through the house, reverberating in my head again. If this is a door-to-door solicitor, I’m going to kick some ass.
“Xavian? Open up!”
I’d know that voice anywhere. “Jesus, hold your horses, Maxon. I’m getting there.”
Not in a straight line and not quickly, but whatever.
After a couple of missed tries, I finally grab the knob, unlock my front door, and wrench it open. Not only is my oldest brother standing on my porch wearing a scowl that tells me he’s pissed, but a very unhappy Griff stands beside him. Harlow scowls at me from between them.
There’s going to be yelling. My head is ready to revolt. My stomach… Probably better not to think about that.
“What?” I bark.
One thing I know about this family? Everyone is passionate, opinionated, and temperamental. If I can’t find the balls to hold my own against whatever’s brought them here, they’ll run me over until I’m nothing but a stain on the asphalt. Then they’ll tell me it’s for my own good.
“What the hell happened?” Harlow demands, shoving me back so she can step into my foyer.
I nearly stumble onto my ass. “Why don’t you just come on in?”
“Fuck, he’s drunk,” Griff mutters.
“What was your first clue?” I slur back.
Maxon sighs and lets himself in. “We need to talk.”
Griff follows suit, then shuts the door behind him. “Now.”
Hell, no. “If you’re here about what happened at the club last night, rest assured I’ve already had my ass chewed.”
“Bethany told us,” Maxon clarifies. “She feels bad. So do we. I know Griff and I told you to take Corinne out and show her off, but we didn’t tell you to simulate sex in a booth where the whole damn club could roll video.”
“I already know I took it too far. Corinne agrees. That’s why she fucking left me.”
Griff winces. “We saw. It’s all over social media. Someone caught footage of her racing through the lobby of the Aston at two o’clock this morning with Riley’s arm around her. Speculation is everywhere that she’s gone back to him.”
“Her engagement ring is on the kitchen counter,” Harlow calls across the house.
When the hell did my sister disappear to start snooping?
“Yep. I ruined everyone’s life. But she’s convinced now that everything turned out rosy since her ex is going to loan her the money she needs.” I snort. “So she said hasta la vista. Our fake engagement is over. And poof, she’s gone.”
“It was fake?” Harlow pops her head around the corner, brow raised.
Shit. I forgot my sister didn’t know, but hiding the truth isn’t important anymore. “All of it.”
“Except the part where you fell in love with her?” Griff asks.
“How the hell did you know?” I scowl.
Maxon snorts. “Experience. Besides, there’s no other reason a guy gets as shitfaced as you are after a woman leaves.”
“What’s worse is that she left me for an asshole who doesn’t love her, who’s bought and paid for by that fucking brother of hers.” I explain the situation, trying not to stumble over my words. “Not that she’ll ever know because”—I glance at my phone again, which still doesn’t show my message was ever delivered—“yep, she blocked me.”
Maxon and Griff exchange a scowl.
Harlow merely snorts and saunters toward us. “So that’s it? You’re just going to give up?”
“Corinne made herself pretty clear. She. Doesn’t. Want. Me. She doesn’t love me, either. So you three should take your judgmental, sanctimonious stares some fucking place else and let me wallow in peace.”
Maxon sighs. “You’re usually a witty drunk. Funny. Happy. Now you’re just sappy, sloppy, and sad.”
“Pardon me for not living up to your expectations. It was only a matter of time before I disappointed you, too. It’s why Corinne didn’t want me. Hadley didn’t, either. Hell, even the old man blew me off before I came into the world.”
My oldest brother grabs me by my hastily donned shirt, which I apparently put on backward some drunken hours ago, then pulls me into a tight hug. “Everyone who matters in this family wants you. That’s why we fucking hired an investigator to find you. That’s why we persuaded you to move to Maui. That’s why we pursued going into business with you.”
