Page 96 of My Broken Mate

“I am just saying that our families are friends,” Joel points out.

Evander blinks. “Are they?”

“Could you, for once, back me up, Sandwich!” Joel huffs.

Evander is completely unfazed by Joel. It amazes me how none of them are afraid of Joel at all. All his quirkiness and silly attitude aside, he is a strong, bulky man, standing tall overmost others. He might be smiling, but he could easily hurt those around him. Yet, they aren’t scared.

“It’s just the first time I heard about our families being friends. We are business partners and allies, but—”

“Well, Kata is friends with Remy. You are friends with Gabriel. And obviously Sean is my buddy, so—”

“This means we as individuals are personal friends with one family member,” Evander argues. “But it doesn’t mean the whole family is friends. Kata has barely talked to Alpha Sean or Gabriel, and vice versa. And I don’t know Alpha Sean much either.”

“Time to change it then,” Joel says. “I just had a brilliant idea.”

“Oh no,” Kata mutters.

“Oh yes!” Joel smirks. “Let’s invite them over.”

Evander blinks. “With them, you mean—”

“The holy threesome of hot brothers,” Joel says, as if I am not here to hear him.

Evander frowns. “I guess it’s not the worst idea you ever had.” He turns to look at Kata and me. “What do you two think?”

I know Kata wouldn’t mind, but she knows my stance and my complicated feelings towards my brothers. I can barely contain my chest from tightening painfully when I think about them. I haven’t spent an evening out with them in what feels like… I’m actually not sure we ever did that. We don’t hang out. I am sure they both have better things to do than to spend their time with me, especially considering how much of a disappointment my existence is.

Seeing how Joel and Evander look at me, though, and Kata clearly doesn’t dare to say anything, I clear my throat. “I guess it is worth a try,” I mutter.

“Yeah,” Kata agrees, not sounding too happy either. “I mean, if you think it’s a good idea.”

“I think it is,” Joel says, grinning at me. “All three of you have to come, especially your hot brother.”

“Did you just really say that?” Evander mutters.

I stare at him, completely shocked. “My hot brother?”

“The one with the cute dimples when he smiles.”

“Cute, which one of them is supposed to be cute?” Kata asks, stunned.

“Sean!”

“He has dimples?” Evander asks. “Never noticed.”

“He smiles?” I ask.

Joel takes a spoonful of his food, munching on it with a dorky grin. “Well, in my mind he does!”

“I would love to have your imagination,” Evander mutters. “And this coming from the artist here. Oh, talking about art—”

“Goddess, another one?” Joel mutters.

I can barely keep track of these chaotic siblings and the way they change the topic of their conversation so fast, but I admit, it’s fun to be around them.

Joel still frowns at his brother, looking highly skeptical when Evander pulls forward a canvas. It’s a black and white painting of a deer’s corpse with an ugly huge worm gnawing on it. While Joel is obviously still searching for words, and I am hoping no one will ask for my opinion, Kata squeals.

“Amazing!” Kata exclaims. “I love it.”