Page 48 of Take My Name

He mimics zipping his lips and throwing away the key.

“I’m not Bellamy. That doesn’t work on me.”

“Oh, c’mon! I’m your favorite brother.”

I scoff. He wishes.

“I bet you use that on Bellamy, too.”

“Well, obviously. I’m her twin, so she has to say it’s me. But I swear I won’t tell ’em.”

“Fine.”

He follows me into my office and sits in the chair in front of my desk. I log into my computer and click my emails tab.

“I don’t have all day, man. Spill it already.”

Rolling my head back on my shoulders, I give my neck a few cracks.

“Text me an embarrassin’ pic first.”

“Wait, what?”

“I need leverage. You spill the beans, I plaster your photo all over a datin’ app of my choosin’.”

His jaw drops in shock. “So much for beingmyfavorite brother.” Instead of arguing like I assumed, he pulls out his phone and sends me a shirtless mirror selfie of him in a cowboy hat. Except, he looks good.

“This is the worst ya got?”

“Yeah, I ate carbs that day.” He pats his abs like he doesn’t always have a six-pack.

I roll my eyes. “Fine, whatever.”

Instead of drawing it out, I share every single detail of our seven-day deal and what happens once the week is over. I tell him about each date we’ve had so far and what I have planned for the rest of the five days.

Shit, that feels good to get off my chest.

When I stop talking, Bodie’s expression is frozen.

“Gonna tell me what you’re thinkin’ or keep starin’?”

He mimics reaching down to pick up his jaw off the floor, and I lean back in my chair, crossing my arms while I wait for his dramatics to be over.

“Well, that…was unexpected. She’s engaged, though?”

“So? What does that matter when she’smarriedto me?”

“Do you truly think she’ll change her mind?” His face softens, concern etched in his features.

“I-I dunno. We’re gettin’ along as well as we always have, minus the touching or intimacy. I’m not pushin’ for any of that anyway. I just want her to realize what she’s givin’ up before she does.”

He nods, squeezing the back of his neck. “And if she doesn’t? You’ll finally move on?”

I lift a shoulder because who’s to say at this point? “I’ll have to.”

“You know I want you to be happy. If you two get a second chance, I’ll support y’all and be the ring bearer again at your vow renewal.”

I laugh at that. Considering he was thirteen at the time.