Page 28 of Tangled Hearts

He shakes his head. “Uh, no. Why would he?”

“Because… well, he’s your brother. I just figured you told him.”

I watch his throat bob with his heavy swallow. “No. I’m not exactly proud of it, you know.”

That makes me feel funny inside. I don’t like it at all. I shift a little, trying to shake off the strange feelings. “You can’t stay here,” I mumble.

Nic lets out an incredulous laugh. “Well, I am. In case you haven’t noticed, this town isn’t exactly brimming with options.”

“Uncle Holden would never be okay with you staying here. You have to know that.”

He scoffs. “How the fuck would I know that, Eli? And better yet, how ishegonna know?” I raise an eyebrow at him, and he narrows his eyes at me. “Don’t tell me you’re going to go tattle.”

I shrug. “Well, I can’t keep it from him.”

“You can, though,” Nic insists. “You don’thaveto tell him. He doesn’t need to know.”

I almost laugh at that. “And then what? He finds out anyway, then finds out that I alreadyknew?Then he’s gonna be pissed at both of us. No thanks.” I sigh, rubbing a hand over Kassie’s belly, when a stupid idea hits me. It hits me too quick for my brain-to-mouth filter to kick in, and the words, “You can come stay with me,” fly out of my mouth.

Nic’s eyes widen, and I’m pretty sure mine do too, but then he’s shaking his head. “No. I can’t do that.”

Okay, so I didn’t fully mean to offer it, but now that I’m thinking about it, it makes sense. I have plenty of room, plus it’s kind of like the wholebe friends with himthing. If I keep him close, I can make sure he’s not trying to take my family from me. God, I’m fucking stupid. How many times am I going to have to tell myself there’s no way that will happen? “You can,” I say. “You will. Pack up. Let’s go.”

His mouth opens and closes. “You’re a bossy little shit. But I’m serious. I can’t.”

“Why not?” Now I’m getting offended because, truly, what the hell is so wrong with me that he doesn’t want to live with me instead of in this shitty-ass hotel?

Nic jumps to his feet, holding his hands out in front of him. “You don’t evenlikeme, Eli. In what world is it a good idea for me to live in your house?”

He thinks I don’t like him? I hate that, but I guess I haven’t given him any reason to think I do. “I don’t dislike you,” I argue, giving Kassie a final pet before standing up. “Besides, you saved my dog and basically shut my brain down by calling me a good boy. We’re practically best friends now.”

Nic’s entire body goes still. “Don’t bring that up. If anything, that’s just further proof that this is a terrible idea.”

“It’s a great idea, actually. I have a three-bedroom house, and the two extras are empty. You’re living in this shithole. It’s the least I can do.”

Nic sighs, running a hand over his face. “I’m not a charity case, Eli. I’m fine here.”

“Fine.” I reach into my pocket and pull my phone out. “I’ll just call Holden.”

Nic drops his hand from his face. “You wouldn’t.”

Ignoring him, I bring up Uncle Holden’s contact and hit the call button, putting the phone on speaker. At the first ring, Nic takes a step toward me, his eyes widening. “Eli,” he hisses, grabbing for the phone.

I hold it back out of his reach, and it rings again. In seconds, Nic’s arm is wrapped around my waist, and he’s tugging me against him while grabbing at the phone and trying to pry it from my hand.

His entire body is pressed against mine as he tries to get the phone from me, lighting up nerve endings I didn’t even know I had. Holyshit. Abort mission. I let go of the phone, and he takes it from my hand with a sigh. He hangs up before Holden’s voicemail has a chance to pick up. “What the hell, Eli?”

I truly don’t know. All I know is that the warm, solid length of him is pressing into my body and his arm is still wrapped around me, and he smellsso fucking good. “Uh—” I swallow hard, my throat going a little dry. “I—um…”

Just as quick as he grabbed me, Nic lets go and takes a step back. “Fine. Okay. Fine.” He drags his hands through his unruly hair while I work on calming myself back down. My heart is going about a mile a minute, and my stomach is in knots. What the hell?

“Fine?” I croak out, surprised at how rough my voice sounds. “You’ll come stay with me?” Nic starts mumbling under his breath, but all I pick out is,bad idea,andwhat will Holden think?“Holden will think you needed a place to stay, and I offered. I’m a big boy. I can make my own choices.”

He sighs. “Yes. Fine. Just… promise me that if you want me to leave, you’ll tell me.”

I shrug because, really, it might actually be nice to not be alone all the time. I really fucking hate being alone.

“Also,” Nic adds, studying me. “If I’m staying with you, I want to pay half your rent.” I laugh out loud at that, and he shoots me an exasperated look. “I’m serious, Eli. It’s important to me.”