Page 21 of Oathbreaker

“They’re out of a box, but brownies are better than no brownies, am I right?”

“Atlas and I brought wine,” Lily volunteers, shooting Jade a look. “For those of us who can drink.”

Jade’s cheeks go pink, but neither she nor Royal comment on Lily’s probing.

“It’s from Oak Ridge Vineyards, and it’s delicious,” Atlas says, setting the bottles on the counter and then turning toward me, his expression full of concern. “Briar?—”

“We brought some vegetable thing,” Dash grumbles. “But again, that shit isn’t going to fill me up.”

“It’s not shit!” Willow exclaims. “It’s delicious and I worked hard to learn this recipe, Hudson!”

He wrinkles his nose. “It’s only vegetables. Vegetables aren’t a meal.”

“I think vegetarians would disagree with that,” Lily says dryly.

Dash rolls his eyes. “Well, clearly they’ve got a screw loose because they’re not eating meat.” A beat. “Which I need. Because I’m a growing boy.”

Banks snorts and sets Maisie’s car seat on the counter, starts unbuckling her. “So, Briar didn’t cook for us. We’ll order some pizzas. Meat lovers,” he adds. “And anyway, leave our sister alone. She looks exhausted.”

Aspen cocks her head to the side. “You’re right. Briar does look exhausted.”

Willow crosses over to me and takes my hand. “Are you feeling sick, honey? You should go lay down.”

“Yes,” Jade says. “We can feed Frankie and then get out of your hair.”

“Is this like that time you got food poisoning in high school, and you spent forty-eight hours puking your guts up? Ow!” He glares at Atlas, who punched him hard in the chest.

“Stop being the annoying older brother and focus,” he growls. “Briar isn’t feeling well.” His eyes come to mine. “I know I shouldn't have left you alone yesterday to deal with that shit. Dammit, you’re pushing yourself too hard.”

My temple throbs. “I’m fine?—”

“You need to lie down,” he says, moving straight into fix it mode. “Forget the pizzas. We’re ordering chicken noodle soup and…” He snaps his fingers. “Saltines and ginger ale. That’s like the trifecta of sick people food.”

“And cold medicine,” Banks says. “Oh, and Pepto, if she’s got a tummy ache.”

God, normally hearing the hot hockey star who is Banks talking about tummy aches would have cracked me up.

Tonight, I’m too stressed to enjoy the hilarity.

“Guys—”

“Did you and West have a fight?”

I glare at Lily as the air in the room goes taut. Christ, is there another question that could prickle all of their overprotective brotherly energy all at once? No. Absolutely not.

And worse?

Yes, there’s a problem with West all right.

Mainly me forgetting he existed as I dealt with the man I used to love.

A man who’s currently sleeping in the freaking guest room!

“Guys,” I begin again.

“No,” Banks says. “I saw West at practice this morning. He said that she”—a nod in my direction—“worked late but they were going to catch up when he comes over tonight.”

First, comes the horror over the fact that Banks and West are talking about me.