Page 38 of Don’t Say You’re Sorry (Hawthorne University #2)

EASTON

Easton

It’s my twenty-first birthday tomorrow. Any chance you’re gonna show up with a cupcake for me?

Guess not.

L ater, we’re at The Hideaway again. Adam’s working behind the bar, and I’m sitting on one of the leather couches in the corner, watching him from afar.

His turn on the podium ended about a half hour ago.

Mick, the owner, took one look at his chest and shook his head, not saying a word.

Megan laughed as if she thought it was the greatest thing ever.

She told him he’d get tips coming out of his ass tonight, and she was right.

People have been lining up at Adam’s section of the bar just to get another look at him.

Something’s changed in him tonight. He looks happier. More relaxed and carefree. And I don’t think it’s because I fucked him. Well, it’s not just that. It’s something else. Something more. It makes me want to march over there and kiss the shit out of him.

Just as I’m contemplating doing that, imagining what his reaction would be, Axel steps in front of me, blocking my view of his brother.

Cockblocking fucker ruins everything.

“Don’t even think about it,” he warns.

“What?”

“You’re not gonna go over there and stake your claim in front of all these people.”

I smile smugly and lean back in my seat. “I could if I wanted to.”

“Don’t fuck with me, E. I’ll tackle you.”

I laugh at the thought.

He rolls his eyes and drops down next to me. As he joins me in keeping watch over his brother, I take a sip of my cocktail. Adam said it was called a Wray of Sunshine. I smiled as he put a little umbrella on top.

“I know you hate me,” I say conversationally, twisting the umbrella between my fingers.

Axel sighs. “I don’t hate you. I love you, you idiot. Both of you. You’re my little brothers. All I ever wanted to do was protect you.”

“Protect us from what?”

“This.” He gestures between me and Adam. “The two of you together. It’s a disaster waiting to happen.”

“You still think that?”

“Yeah,” he says. “I’m sorry, but it’ll never work.”

I shrug. “You’re wrong. I’m gonna prove you wrong.” Wrapping my arm around his shoulders, I tap his nose with my finger, my drink in his face. “You’ll see.”

“Okay. No more of these.” He takes my cocktail and places it on the table out of reach.

“Why?”

“Because your eyes are starting to cross. It makes you look ugly as fuck.”

I bark out a laugh and lean my head against his. “I still hate you for what you did, but I love you too, you know?”

“Yeah, I know.”

“What were you and Axel talking about tonight?” Adam asks when we get home.

I follow him inside and lock the front door, turning off the lights Nate left on for us. “He told me I’m his little brother and he loves me.”

Adam squints at me. “Really?”

“Yep. It was really heartwarming.”

“I’m sure it was,” he deadpans. “You gonna tell me what he really said?”

“That is what he really said. Among other, less important things.”

“Like?”

Like the fact that he thinks we’re doomed and destined to be alone forever.

Fuck if I’m telling Adam that, though. I’m not about to let Axel’s stupid opinions spook him into leaving me again.

“He also called me ugly.”

Adam laughs. “What? Seriously?”

I nod.

“Well, he’s wrong.”

I smile. “I know. That’s what I told him.”

When we get to the upstairs hallway, I take his hand and turn him to face me. “Want to sleep in my bed again?”

He grins and follows me into my room.