Page 5 of The Hookup Situation (Billionaire Situation #5)

NICK

I sit in the Range Rover outside Hollow Manor—the black mansion that overlooks Cozy Creek—for a full minute with the engine off. I’m still trying to convince myself that being here is a good idea, even if I have nowhere else I’d rather be.

The house looks exactly how I remember it from when we were teenagers, before Zane’s mother passed away.

There are new additions though. Dark wood flower boxes are now under the windows, full of orange and deep purple flowers.

A sparkling wreath made of golden autumn leaves hangs on the oversize door, and pumpkins are lined up on the steps.

It’s the little details that show signs of the life Zane has built while I was hiding in my Manhattan office.

He’s made this place a home, and I’m happy that he’s found true love. He deserves it.

I suck in a deep breath, trying to get my shit together before I get out. We’re on the mend, but it’s still hard because I carry so much guilt.

In January, I flew here so Zane and I could reconcile. We’ve gotten together a few times when he’s visited the city, and we text occasionally. We’re trying, now that his dad married my mother. It’s impossible to avoid one another during the holidays .

The last time I was here, I ran into Julie again and learned she was Autumn’s best friend.

My phone dings with a text. I unlock it.

Asher

Did you make it there okay?

Nick

Sitting outside of Zane’s as we speak.

Asher

Good. Quit being a chickenshit and go inside.

I shake my head, wondering how my brother knew. Before I go inside, I text another one of my old hockey friends, Patterson Cross, knowing I have to make an effort with the people who care about me.

Nick

Have to take a rain check for our drinks next Friday. I’m in Cozy Creek until November.

Patterson

What the hell? Why?

Nick

Asher said I needed a vacation. If you get bored, you should come check out the harvest festival. Got a place for you to stay.

Patterson

Might take you up on that. Tell Zane I said sup.

Nick

Will do.

I force myself out of the Range Rover and up the steps to the door.

I give three knocks. Seconds later, Zane opens the door, and we look at each other for a moment.

He’s in jeans and a flannel, and the gold of his wedding ring catches the light.

Happy suits him in a way that makes me proud.

He found what he’d always been searching for—love and happiness.

“Nick.” His voice is neutral.

He’s not surprised. I texted him and let him know I was heading to Colorado for the season.

“Zane.” I try for casual. “You always this excited to see me?”

Something in his face shifts. It’s a smile. “Honestly? I halfway expected you to bail on the way to the airport. You weren’t always a flake.”

“Yeah, you’re right.” The admission comes out easier than I thought.

“My manners. Welcome in.” He steps to the side, letting me enter. “Want a beer?”

“Yeah. I’ll have one. Thanks.”

The dark wall is lined with wedding photos of Zane and Autumn laughing, dancing, looking at each other like the rest of the world doesn’t exist. There’s one of my mom and Zane’s dad—our parents—and they’re beaming at the camera. I missed one of the happiest moments of his life, and that hurts.

My eyes slide to the fridge.

Zane pops open two beers and hands me one.

“You look happy,” I say.

“I am,” he tells me. “Life is great.”

I glance down at the label wrapped around the dark bottle and see it’s a local craft beer that probably has an interesting story behind it. We drink in silence for a moment, the kitchen feeling too normal.

“Marriage suits you,” I say, watching him subconsciously twist his wedding ring. “Never pictured you so domesticated.”

“Never pictured you apologizing.” He leans against the counter, smirking. “Guess we’ve both changed.”

“You do have a point …” I trail off. “I have a lot of regrets in life. I’ll never be able to apologize enough. ”

He smirks. “Save it. I’ve forgiven you. I’m ready to get back to how things used to be. Doesn’t mean it’s not still weird though.”

“Which part?”

“All of it. You fucking my ex. Our parents getting married. You being here. Us talking like adults. Me not wanting to punch you in the face.”

I raise my beer. “Progress. I’ll toast to that.”

“I have missed you,” he admits. “I sometimes think about the old days, when we didn’t have to worry about anything but where we’d be skiing for the upcoming season. The slopes here were great last season.”

I grin. “Remember when you thought a black diamond meant to go as fast as possible?”

He smirks. “Remember your backflip attempt off the lift?”

“Hey, I landed that shit with flying colors.”

“Yeah. You landed on your face in front of all those college girls.” He grins.

“Didn’t stop them from coming to my room,” I say, waggling my brows. “We were fearless idiots. Sometimes, I wonder how we survived half of that.”

“You were an idiot. I was following your lead every single time.”

It feels good to chat and laugh, like old times. It makes me believe that we can salvage something from the wreckage.

“So,” Zane says too casually, “how long are you staying?”

“Until November first. I’m on permanent vacation until Asher lets me return.”

“Uh-oh. Do I even want to know what you did?” His eyebrows rise.

“I crashed out in a meeting about the human experience,” I admit, not regretting it. “CEO was a punk. Asher said I needed a break. So, here I am.”

I’m not ready to admit my brother thinks I’m a ghost.

Zane smirks. “Good choice. When I showed up last season, I wore the same expression you did. Now look at me. ”

I pick at the beer label. “Yeah, this time, I’m hoping to deal with shit instead of running from it.”

“Plan to see Jules?”

My hand stills. “I invited her to have dinner with me.”

He considers me for a long moment, then grabs two more beers. “You know that’s Autumn’s bestie …”

“I’m not here to use her. It’s not like that with us. We just … talk .”

“Good.” He slides the beer across the counter. “Because Autumn will make you regret your life choices, and I won’t be able to stop her.”

As if summoned by her name, the front door swings open.

Bags rustle, and Autumn immediately speaks. “Zane, my love! I was just at the coffee shop, and you’ll never believe who—” Autumn rounds the corner and stops dead in her tracks. “Oh. You’re here.”

“Long time no see,” I offer.

Autumn stalks into the kitchen with determination, setting everything down on the counter. She kisses Zane hello, but her eyes assess me.

“You’re back,” she says.

“Here I am.”

She grabs a beer from the fridge, pops it open, and takes a sip. “For how long this time? Please say longer than three days because that was very annoying.”

“Six weeks. I can’t return to the city until after November first. Per my asshole little brother.”

“Hmm.” She hops up on the counter. “You look tired.”

I wasn’t expecting that. “I’m exhausted by everything.”

Autumn studies me, then seems to make a decision. “Look, I’m going to be straight with you.”

My brows lift, and I glance at Zane, who chugs his beer. “Okay …”

“Jules is my person. My bestie since we were kids. My chosen sister in every way that matters.” She swallows hard. “And you, Nick Banks, have a very bad reputation. I googled you.”

“Happy to know you’ve done your research,” I offer, smirking.

She sets down her beer and meets my eyes. “The universe is invested in the two of you because you keep popping up at the right time.”

Zane groans. “Autumn, don’t start with the universe stuff.”

“I’m just saying.” She turns to me. “Maybe you and Julie can help each other.”

“Really? How?” I take two gulps of my beer.

“Well, for starters, she needs a fake boyfriend to slide in when her shitty ex tries to win her back.”

Zane glares at her. “Craig is back?”

“I assume Craig is the ex?” I ask.

“Yes,” they both say, annoyingly, at the same time.

“Tell me about him,” I say.

Autumn groans. “He’s Julie’s really shitty, sorry excuse of an ex. She has a hard time resisting him, and he just uses her. Promises her the world, gets what he wants, then leaves again. It’s a toxic cycle that has to stop. I do not want her in his arms this fall.”

I take several gulps of my beer. “How can I help?”

“Be aware.” She hops off the counter. “Craig will try to win her back. Julie needs someone who will keep her away from that son of a bitch.” Autumn looks annoyed.

“He always treated her like she was too much and not enough. That’s Craig Downer.

He’s his namesake.” Her jaw tightens. “I want her to forget he exists.”

“Autumn, I can’t commit to anything,” I say.

“My bestie doesn’t need a commitment.” She sighs. “She needs a distraction.”

Zane stands and pulls some chopped watermelon from the fridge. “He asked her to dinner tonight.”

Autumn’s eyes widen. “Yes!”

“It’s a friendly dinner. That’s it. I owe her an apology for being a dickhead and not responding to her texts. ”

“That’s a start.” She grabs some fruit. “Want a piece of advice?”

“I bet you’re going to give it to me anyway.”

She grins and heads toward the stairs. “You’re right. You have six weeks, Nick. Make them count. The universe doesn’t give fourth chances.”

Seconds later, she disappears, leaving me with Zane.

“Is she trying to hook me up with her best friend?” I ask, surprised.

“I have no idea,” he offers. “But you two would be good together.”

I check the time. “Shit. I should probably get going. I’m cooking penne alla vodka.”

“Really?” He’s smirking.

“What?”

He shakes his head. “Nothing.”

Zane walks me to the door.

“Let’s not be strangers while I’m here, okay?”

“You’re the one who left early in January,” he says. “But I’m glad you’re back. The mountain air has a way of healing someone. I came here last year and found myself.”

I chuckle. “I hope I’m as lucky.”