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We think Maci’s seeing someone
She’s been distracted and walking around the office all giddy and shit
Look into it so we can pay the asshole a visit
“There’s our no,” Maci said as she read the messages with me, her voice holding a certainty I felt in my gut, and I hated it. All of it.
The pain and sadness that replaced her anticipation and joy. The fear of when her brothers would find out and what they would do. The hiding, and most importantly, the way it felt like we couldn’t win whenever we were slammed with the reality of our situation.
And yet, for her, I knew I’d find a way to make sure we did.
“Never said no,” I muttered, even as I tapped out a response to her brother.
Me
Will do.
* * *
I took three deep breaths the next night and tried telling myself this would go in my favor. It had to. They knew me. They trusted me. They would trust me with their sister.
Right?
Opening the door, I walked into our favorite sports bar and looked around for Dakota and Dylan. But once I saw them, my steps faltered, and I nearly walked right back outside when I saw Sam drinking with them.
It was one thing to tell my best friends I was seeing their sister. It was another to tell one of their older brothers at the same time.
But I had to do this now. We were all going to Mammoth tomorrow, and there was no way Maci and I could stay away from each other for a week under one roof. Not with how we spent every spare moment wrapped up in each other. Not with the way everything only seemed to heighten with every passing day.
And on the chance this confession wasn’t well-received, I didn’t want Maci around for whatever followed.
With another steeling breath, I squared my shoulders and headed over to their table.
“Connor,” Dylan called out as Dakota sent away a girl I had no doubt he’d be going home with later. “What is this? You couldn’t even take off the detective getup to have a beer with us?”
I forced a smirk and held out my hands as if I didn’t have an excuse when the reality was, I knew I wouldn’t be able to force myself to leave again once I got home because Maci was there.
Sam grabbed my arm and pulled me in to clap my shoulder, and I faked a cough to cover the way I’d flinched out of his grasp.
Jesus...fucking breathe.
“Good to see you, Sam,” I managed to say, and was thankful he didn’t seem to notice the awkward maneuver. “How’s the family?”
“Really good. Caden is almost two, and Jessica just found out she’s pregnant again...which is why I am here,” he joked even as he held up his empty beer glass, looking for the waitress.
“Congrats, man. I’m excited for you.”
His smile showed how happy he really was when he focused on me again. “We are too. So, what about you? I know these two aren’t settling down anytime soon,” he said as he smacked at Dylan, “but I always took you for an old soul. Figured you would’ve found a girl and gone the family route by now.”
I had to be careful how I answered because what I said then could determine how they reacted later. Not that I was thinking about marrying Maci yet, but I knew down to my soul we would eventually find ourselves going in that direction.
There was just one problem though...she wasn’t Cassidy.
Not that I wanted Maci to be anyone other than the feisty, obnoxious, stubborn woman she was. And not that I had any lingering feelings for Cassidy...but a part of me still felt restless without that piece only a girl like Cassidy could’ve offered. Understanding of everything I had gone through as a child. Zero judgment of my fears now.
And I still couldn’t bring myself to tell Maci.
I’d heard my sister last week and the numerous times she’d texted me since. I knew I wasn’t giving Maci the chance she deserved to know me and surprise me with her reaction. But panic gripped at my lungs, making it impossible to breathe every time I even thought about baring all that shame to her.
