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Garrick took his eyes off the road for a second and looked at me. “Yeah, me too.”

His phone started ringing, and when I saw that it was Carter, I winced again.

Garrick sighed, then hit the accept button on his steering wheel, “Brother.”

Then Carter growled, “Want to tell me what the fuck just happened? Who the fuck thinks that Harlee isn’t’ good enough for me?”

I sighed, “We don’t think that, Carter. Far from it.

I saw the way she looked at you at the last party.

I saw the way your eyes tracked her every move.

And then I started paying attention. I thought that I was helping by showing her guys that were all wrong for her, so she would see what was right in front of her face.

And I was letting you know every time we went out so you would pull your head out of your ass and fulfill one of my dreams.”

I heard him sigh through the speakers, “And what dream would that be?”

“For her to be my sister in real life. I’ve always hated how girls at school treated me after they found out about my brothers, but Harlee never did that.

She didn’t care that my brothers were gorgeous.

She didn’t care that half of the county would give their entire life for one night with one of you.

No, all she cared about was when Molly Watson tripped me in the fourth grade. ”

“And you, well, you're my big brother. I remember the day you told me that if a man doesn’t seem like it’s hard for him to breathe when I walk in a room, then he doesn’t deserve me. And if he reacts like that and is too stupid to make a move, then he’s not worthy of my love.”

He was quiet, and at first, I worried that I had pushed too far, but I knew I was right. And I knew that he knew it too.

Besides, if I didn’t push, I wouldn’t be worthy of being called his little sister.

“I hear what you're throwing down,” he said.

Then I heard someone in the background say, “Time to suit up, Griggs.”

And with that, Carter said, “Love you, guys.”

“Love you too, big bro.” I hurriedly said.

Garrick jerked his chin, totally a guy thing, “Back at you, fucker. Stay safe, yeah?”

“Yeah,” Carter replied, and then the cab was silent.

Garrick

After I parked my truck in front of Harlee’s house, I debated on what I should do.

Was this the right move?

I honestly didn’t know.

Hell, I didn’t have any experience in relationships personally, but I had seen what a good woman could do for a man. And I had seen what a good man could do for a woman.

And other than my dad, and Dominik, Carter was the only other man I truly respected.

I sighed, then watched as Harlee’s front porch light came on, and I saw her open her door.

She recognized my truck, then ran her hand through her hair, and said, “Well, you coming in to plead your brother’s case or are you going to show the town that Maise Albright was right and you're nothing but a creepy stalker?”

I chuckled then, “Fuck me.”

Then I climbed out of my cab, shut the door, and walked to her front porch.

The moment I reached her, I pulled my phone and scrolled to the video I had taken one night when Carter was plastered.

Now that I really think about it, it was the same night that Talia and Harlee had agreed to go on a double date when they were both twenty and on break from school.

And Carter’s gaze was narrowed on the little punk who was lucky to still be breathing, who had his arm around her shoulders.

“Watch this, then when he gets back, have that conversation, alright?” I asked as I handed her my phone.

Harlee

I narrowed my eyes up at Garrick and then sighed.

On the walk home, I had thought about everything and knew that I was partially in the wrong for blowing up like I did.

But still, I would hear Garrick out.

So, I took his phone, and pressed play.

“My man, what are you talking about?” Garrick asked.

Carter sighed, “I’m talking about Harlee Belle. Harlee Griggs. Damn, but that has a nice ring to it.”

“Uh, last time I checked that wasn’t her last name.” Ethan chimed in.

“Yeah, but it could be, if I was a decade younger.” Carter sighed.

“The fuck does age have to do with it?” Garrick asked.

Carter rolled his head to the side, “Fucking everything. Fuck. The way she lights up a room, the way she twirls a strand of hair when she’s concentrating on something. The way she shows her love with her eyes. Give anything to be worthy of that woman.”

“You are,” Garrick said.

Carter shook his head, “Nah. Won’t do it. She’s got her whole life ahead of her.

“What are you going to do when she gets serious about someone else?” Garrick asked.

“Fucking be there in the shadows, making sure he treats her right,” I could hear the seriousness in his tone.

Ethan chimed in then, “And what are you going to tell the woman you fall for?”

“Remember what Mom told us. Everyone has their true Darling. The one person who can read deep inside our souls and will always be our safe place?”

I guess they both nodded because Carter continued, “That’s what Harlee is to me. She’s my Darling.”

I felt my breath catch.

I recalled all the times Carter would call me Darling. And the one time I got a peek at his phone and was curious that he had my name saved as. It had read Darling.

At the time, I had been on cloud nine when I had seen that... and now.... I felt tears prick at the corner of my eyes.