Tough Love (Hidden Secrets) by P. J. Belden Read Free Book Online Page B

of her hair. Damn, if she didn’t smell good and feel even better in my arms. My arms tightened around her and I sighed. Lost in the moment for a second. Then reality hit me like a ton of bricks as images from four years ago danced in my head.
    Pulling back and putting on a smile, “Things will get easier, but you’ve got to give yourself time to mourn. It’ll eat at you if you don’t.”
    I turn to the guys. “Okay guys. Game time over. Jake and I need to go and Captain and Roo need to eat. Remember be good for your sister so you can get both your prizes, okay?”
    The boys hug us and we walk out the door. Neither of us really said anything to each other until we were headed down the road.
    “Those kids are amazing.” Jake said quietly. “Sebastian asked me if I liked him. He said because no one likes him, but you, his brother and his sister. That hit home.”
    “Yeah I know man. I’ve invited them to Mary’s on Friday.”
    “What’s the deal with you guys? You like her?”
    Silence is both a good thing and a bad thing. At this particular moment, it was a bad thing. Jake saw it as a sign that I was infatuated with Shannon. I wasn’t. I couldn’t be. Sometimes, I hated my brother coming into town.
    “Are you staying at my house?” I bit out.
    “If I’m still welcomed,” he says with a smirk.
    Pulling into the parking garage for the building of my condo, we climbed out and walked to the elevator. My mind kept going over everything that Jake had said. Was I looking at Shannon longingly? Did I overreact when it came to her or the boys?
    The elevator ride to the top floor left far too much time for me to think. By the time we arrived, I was tense and needed something to break the confusion and heartache that was settling deep within me.
    “I’m going to take a shower. You can have your usual room.” I threw over my shoulder.
    Just as I was about to make it to my bedroom, my buzzer went off. Turning around grumbling under my breath, I made my way back to my door. When I saw Nate on the screen, my problems vanished. Nate took over my concern.
    “Jake , get out here man!” I yelled as I pressed the buzzer to let him in.
    “What? What’s up?”
    “Nate’s on his way up and he doesn’t look good,” I said sadly.
    “Shit,” Jake mumbled, shaking his head.
    Nate was like a brother to us all. He came into our life as a partner trying to save Kayla, but has stuck as part of the family since. During the time he had helped Jason, Nate fell in love with Mary. Happily Ever After as far as we were all concerned. We wanted our out of control sister to settle down. There was no better man than Nate to us. But then Mary met Tobey. Nate tried to win Mary over. In the end, Mary’s heart belonged to Tobey. Tobey’s a good guy and he is great to my sister, but Nate isn’t handling it well.
    Just then the elevator pinged, the door opening and Nate fell out. I mean he literally fell out of the doors and onto the floor. Honestly, I was shocked that he even made it into the elevator.
    “Nate how’d you get here?” I ask.
    “Drivshed,” he slurred.
    Jake and I exchanged looks, then pulled Nate into the living room dropping him on the couch. Nate slumped to the side laughing. His normal alert blue eyes were cloudy. His smiling baby face as we always said he had was pale and I can’t remember the last time I saw him smile. Nate’s hair has grown out as well as his facial hair. To sum it up he looks rough.
    “Nate, you’re a detective. What the hell are you doing driving drunk?” I hissed.
    He drunkenly points his finger at me, “You, you letsh hersh leavsh me.”
    “I didn’t let her do anything, Nate. I don’t control her.”
    “You allsh helpsh him winsh hersh back,” he slurred.
    Sitting next to him, I placed my hand on his shoulder. “Nate, she’s happy with Tobey. Don’t you want her happy?”
    He nods awkwardly, “With me.” He attempts to point a finger at his chest.
    “But she loves Tobey.