Page 10 of Tangled Hearts (Mended Hearts #4)

Nic

I skirt around Eli, heart pounding, and into the parking lot. Holy shit.

What was that? Have I really been arguing with him through text messages about a jacket he is literally wearing on his body? Insane. When the door closes behind me, I chance a glance backward and find Eli still standing in the same spot.

Why did I say that? It looks far better on you than it does on me.

I mean… it does. But that’s not just something you say to people. I walk to my car, actively berating myself for flirting with my brother’s fucking nephew. Not only that, but my brother’s twenty-year-old nephew. Why why why did it have to be him? I hate this for me.

No. I will not spiral. I’m a grown man. I have control of myself and my body. I can function like a well-adjusted human being. I climb into my car, the arguably delicious scone I ate for breakfast settling in my stomach like a block of concrete.

I let my head fall forward, resting my forehead against the steering wheel.

I don’t even have words for the dread that coursed through me when my phone went off last night.

I had spent ten minutes typing and deleting a text message to Silas about my day, and part of me had panicked when it dinged from the shitty hotel end table.

I was just sure that Si had caught me typing and was responding to ask me what the fuck.

What I wasn’t prepared for was a text message from Eli.

Nor was I prepared for the conversation that followed.

Despite my best attempts to fight it, my lips curl into a smile. He’s so damn adorable. I know I shouldn’t think that, but as long as I don’t verbalize it, we should be okay, yeah?

Although, didn’t I actually kind of already do that? Not really. Not in so many words. I can’t do this. A knock on my window catches my attention, and I’m met with concerned green eyes. Fuck me. Eli taps the window, so I roll it down and plaster on a fake smile. “Yeah?”

“Are you okay?”

I nod quickly. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

Eli eyes me warily. His eyes bore into mine, and I have to resist the urge to look away. I’m not about to be intimidated by someone eight years younger than me. Finally, he grins. “Do you like boba?”

Was that English? “What is boba?”

He slow blinks at me. “Please tell me you’re joking.”

What’s the right answer here? Am I about to get yelled at again? I smirk at the idea. “No. I’ve never heard of it.”

“We have to fix that.” He steps back, gesturing to the bakery. “Out.”

“Out?” I ask, slightly perplexed.

“Yeah, we’re going inside to get boba.”

I can’t do that, can I? What would Holden think? Probably nothing because he doesn’t know you’re a fucking idiot who thinks his nephew is the most beautiful man you’ve ever seen. Probably still not great to tempt fate. “I can’t. ”

His face falls, and I want to take the words back, but he recovers quickly. “Oh. Of course. Sorry, I’ll just—” He stops talking mid-sentence, looking around like he’s not sure what he should be doing, and then he takes a quick step away from my car.

Fuck. “Wait,” I mumble. I push the door open and roll up my window. “We can get boba, I guess.”

His eyes light up. “Really?”

Oh God, I think I’ll do anything he asks me to, and that’s going to be a real fucking problem. “Yes, really. But I hope it’s better than coffee.”

He rolls his eyes. “It’s so good. Just you wait.”

I walk back inside the bakery, with Eli in front of me. He heads straight to the counter and gives Mia a bright smile. At least I’m assuming it’s Mia, based on Holden and Eli’s description. They talked this place up so much I knew I had to give it a try.

Mia smiles back at Eli and then shifts her focus to me. “Back so soon? Everything okay?”

Eli looks between the two of us. “You didn’t tell her who you were?”

Uh, no. I shake my head.

Eli gasps. “Nicolas!”

“That’s not my name,” I try to interject, but Eli rambles over me, grabbing my arm and pulling me closer to the counter.

“This is Nic. Holden’s brother. I can’t believe he didn’t tell you who he was.”

Mia’s eyebrows shoot up, and she turns to me in surprise.

“Holden’s brother? This is new. I’m so out of the loop these days.

” She gives me a slow once-over, like she’s taking in all my features, then she nods.

“Yeah, I should have known. Must be something in those genes. You boys are too pretty for your own damn good. ”

My ears are burning in embarrassment. “Can’t believe you didn’t tell her,” Eli says under his breath.

I shrug. “It didn’t feel important.”

Eli turns sharp eyes on me. “Of course it’s important.” There’s a little heat in his voice, a little fire burning in his gaze. “Family is everything, Nic. Everything. You can’t just go around pretending you’re not a part of it.”

I’m not, though. Doesn’t he see that? Holden and I may share blood, but blood doesn’t make a family.

What they have makes them a family. I have some shared DNA.

He has a whole life, a friendship, mutual understanding and love.

Maybe I’ll get there one day, but I’m not family just because two people made a couple of kids.

I don’t even know what to say to that, so I say nothing. Eli studies me for a second, and finally he turns and looks back at Mia. “My usual, please.”

She grins. “You Harts and your damn predictable orders.”

Eli shrugs. “I know what I like.”

“I’ll have whatever he’s having,” I say, since I don’t know a thing about boba. I hope it’s not disgusting.

“I bet you’ve never had an original thought in your life,” Eli says, glancing at me over his shoulder.

I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. “I’ve never had boba. I don’t even know what it is. How am I supposed to know what to order?”

Mia chuckles as she starts getting our order together. Eli shrugs, dropping a twenty-dollar bill on the counter. “You’re in luck with this one. He’s been drinking the same thing since he was fifteen, but before that he tried literally every flavor combination.”

Eli turns to me with earnest eyes. “Chocolate boba is a crime against humanity, and I’ll die on that hill. ”

Mia sets the drinks down on the counter, so I reach past Eli, my chest brushing his upper arm, and grab the two cups. He inhales a quick breath, but before I can linger on it, I’m stepping back and leading him to a corner table.

When we sit down, I glance at the drink. “What the hell is this?”

Eli lets out a giggle. “Just try it.”

My first sip almost chokes me, the little balls in the bottom rushing up my straw and straight to the back of my throat. I cough hard, and Eli snickers. “You’re supposed to chew it, not inhale it.”

“Chew it? Do you hear yourself right now? You don’t chew drinks.”

On my second sip, I get a mouthful of little balls and pop them between my teeth.

Juice rushes out, surprising me. Eli’s watching me like he’s entirely too invested in my boba experience.

It’s good. Even if it is a little strange.

I’m not sure I’m going to be a boba fanatic anytime soon, but it’s alright.

“It’s not bad,” I say when I’ve swallowed.

“Not bad,” he grumbles. “My favorite drink in the world is ‘not bad.’ I’ve changed my mind. You’re not welcome to the family.”

The words are a joke. I know they are, but they still slam right into my chest and take my breath away. I clear my throat and then clear it again, trying to dislodge the lump stuck there. I take another sip of my drink, but my throat is so tight I can hardly swallow.

“Oh,” Eli says softly, and I force my gaze to his. Force myself to take a breath and look normal. “I didn’t mean that. It was a joke. A really tasteless joke, actually. I’m so sorry. I think I’d probably break down in hysterics if someone said that to me.”

Really? I don’t think I’m far off from that. I laugh, trying to lighten the mood. My issues are not his problem, and it’s not his job to tiptoe around them. “It’s okay. I know you didn’t mean it badly.”

He chews on his bottom lip, his gaze on the table in front of him.

I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t stop looking at him.

He’s not wearing any makeup today, but he doesn’t look any less stunning.

His lashes are long and dark, and his skin is dewy and perfect.

His bottom lip looks slightly chapped, and the way he’s nibbling on it probably isn’t helping anything.

I can’t actually be attracted to him. My stomach sinks.

I just found my brother. He’d never forgive me if he found out.

Not that he ever would. No. Those thoughts are staying locked in the vault, never to see the light of day.

“Eli.” He glances at me. “It’s really okay.” I try for a smile, but the way he’s looking at me tells me I’m not hitting the mark.

He lets out a heavy sigh. “Promise?” The question is quiet and loaded with some emotion I can’t even begin to unravel.

“I promise.”

“Okay.” He nods slightly, not looking convinced. “I just… I know how important this is to Holden. I—I don’t want you to think I don’t like you.” He pauses, blowing out a sharp breath before meeting my eyes. “I think it would be nice if we could be friends?”

I can’t help but smile at the way he words it like a question. “Of course. I’d love to be your friend. Especially if we’re going to be family.”

I shoot him a wink, and he turns his nose up at me. “Friends.”

Ouch. Okay, then. “Friends,” I echo. I’m starting to get the feeling Eli is going to be a tough nut to crack.

I get the tiniest bit forward with him, and he shoves me forcibly back.

I’m not opposed to that. I’ve fought for worse things.

Things that didn’t serve me. Things that brought me nothing but heartache and pain.

Things that made me question myself and my worth.

This feels like something worth fighting for.

And I’ll fight. I won’t give up. “That’s fine with me.

” I try for a smile, hoping it hits the mark.

Eli studies me for a second. “Well, I better get home. Thank you for the boba. ”

I nod. He’s so hot and cold. I know I shouldn’t expect anything else. Hell, he barely knows me, but I just… was hoping for something different, I guess. Was hoping that maybe we could find some common ground. “Thank you for the boba. You paid.”

He smiles, breathtaking and raw, and it makes my heart beat faster. Maybe I shouldn’t be trying to get closer to him. Maybe this has bad fucking news written all over it.

“You can get it next time, yeah?” Eli asks as he stands, clutching his cup in his hand.

I’m smart enough to accept an olive branch when one is extended. “Of course. When?”

When surprise flashes across his face, I’m sure he’s going to blow me off, but then he shrugs. “Tomorrow?”

There’s something… hopeful in his voice, and the same hope tries to worm its way into my heart. “Tomorrow is perfect. What time?”

“I’m working tomorrow, but I could meet you here before. Like eight?”

I’m nodding before he’s even done talking. “Holden has to work for the next few days, and I’ll probably just be alone, so that’s perfect.”

He blinks at me. “Wow.”

“What?”

He groans, all frustrated. I have no idea if that frustration is at me or himself, but after pinching the bridge of his nose like he’s contemplating all his life choices, he brings his gaze back to mine.

“If you like volunteering, we can always use people at the center. I… I don’t really like the idea of you being alone. ”

My stomach does a wild tumble. I’ve grown pretty used to being on my own, but I’m not going to turn down an offer to be around other people. “Your dad works at the center, right?”

Eli nods. “Yeah, he owns it. It’s his non-profit. ”

“Right… I’d love to help, but I’m worried about possibly upsetting Holden. Isn’t your dad his best friend?”

“Yes?” Eli narrows his eyes at me. “Why does that matter?”

“What if he doesn’t want me to meet him unless he’s the one who introduces us?”

“That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard,” Eli says, words dripping with disdain, but he sobers quickly, understanding flashing across his face.

“But I get the concern.” He nibbles his lower lip.

“It’s a loophole, right? We’re friends, you and I?

We agreed. That means I can introduce you to my dad if I want to. ”

I’m not sure that’s sound logic, but again, it would be nice to not be sitting in that shitty hotel by myself for the next three days.

Plus, I really do like helping. Hell, back home—or, I guess, not home anymore—I volunteered at the animal shelter all the time.

“You’re on. Boba first, then I’ll go with you to volunteer. ”

He shifts on his feet, his eyes brightening. “Really?”

Again, I think I’d probably do anything he asked me to do. How am I already so fucked up about this? Am I truly that starved for human connection? “Yes.”

Eli bounces a little on his toes, clearly excited. “Okay. Awesome.”

He doesn’t even wait for a response; he just turns and leaves the bakery, a lightness and pep to his step that I think I’d like to see more of. I chuckle a little to myself. Maybe this won’t be so bad after all. Mia’s cackling laughter has me dragging my gaze from the door to her.

She’s got a shit-eating grin on her face, and when I don’t say anything, she shakes her head with a sigh. “I think I’ve seen this film before.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Did you just quote Taylor Swift at me?”

“And if I did?” she asks with a shrug .

I’m not sure what she even means by that, but something about her expression makes me laugh.