Page 86 of The Heartbreaker

Cooper looked at Rowan and smiled, adjusting his tie before he said, “That’s because things are getting serious between you two, aren’t they?”

“Things aren’t getting serious,” I told them. “At least not in the way I want them to. But I’m working on it.”

“You caved,” Rhett said, slapping his hand on the table. “It only took you a fucking second, and you’re already talking about her.”

I laughed. “I barely said anything.”

“But you said something,” Rhett shot back. “And these fucking vultures will eat up even the smallest morsel, which you just gave them.”

“Vultures? That’s the best you’ve got?” Brady barked. “Because this group—minus Rowan and Jo—is far worse than a bird of prey, you motherfucker.” He looked at me. “Why aren’t things serious yet? I thought you would have locked her down by now.”

I glanced at my brother, who was rolling his eyes at me. “We have some logistics we need to work out first,” I voiced to the group, “and then we should be good.”

“You’re telling me she hasn’t quit the strip club yet?” Cooper asked. “Is that still the issue?”

Nothing was a secret within this crew. Once a brother or sister or cousin found out something, shit spread like goddamn wildfire.

I shook my head. “She’ll be quitting soon. In the meantime, we’ve been spending more time together, and things are certainly progressing in the right direction.”

“Has Jana met her?” Macon asked.

“She will tonight.” I gripped the edge of the table. “We have a parent-teacher conference at school.”

“You mean, the two of you have a meeting with just Addison,” Rhett clarified. “Am I right?”

“Yes,” I replied. “It’ll just be the three of us.”

Rowan’s back shot up straight. “Wait, you’re not going to introduce Addison as your girlfriend during the meeting … are you?”

“Shit no,” I huffed. “I’m not going to say a fucking word to Jana about what’s happening between Addison and me. I’m just saying, the two women are going to meet. That’s step one.” I swiveled in the chair. “Addison suggested that maybe we should wait until the end of the school year to tell Jana or even during the summer—you know, so we don’t rock the boat.”

“Do you want to know what I think of that?” Rowan asked.

I laughed. “I’m sure I know, but go ahead.” I nodded toward her. “Hit me with it.”

“I hate that idea,” my sister said.

“Me too,” Jo agreed.

“Honestly, I do too,” I said. “I’ll have the conversation with Jana once things are sealed between Addison and me.”

“Which means it’ll be happening very soon,” Rhett said.

“Probably,” I voiced.

“Now, it’s my turn to be honest with you,” Brady said, leaning his arms on the table. “Hear me out. I’m glad it’s you needing to have that conversation and not me.” He smiled.

“Why?” I pressed.

“Because it’s going to suck. And I don’t envy you one bit.”

Addison

I wasn’t naked in those dreams … but I can be in the future.

Shit, now, you’ve got my brain going a million miles per hour, thinking ALL the things.

Me