by Elks, Carrie
She covered her face with her palms. “I can’t believe I let you talk me into this.”
He slowly peeled her fingers away. “Babe?”
“Yes?”
“They’re my brothers. They’re not going to care what we’ve been doing. They might make a few jokes to see you blush, but they love you. So, go take that shower and come down to say hello, because they’ll be happy to see you.”
She took a deep breath, her eyes meeting his. “Okay.”
God, she was amazing. He’d do anything for her, he really would. She didn’t just fight her own demons, she helped him fight his, too. She was his person, the one he’d been searching for forever, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
* * *
When he made it downstairs, his brothers had already made themselves at home. It made his heart swell to see the three of them sitting around his kitchen island, drinking beers that Cam had discovered in the refrigerator.
“Hey.” He grinned at them as he walked in. “Is there a bottle for me?”
“Hey, bro. Of course. There’s always beer for you.” Cam slid an opened bottle down the counter, and Gray caught it with an open palm, beer sloshing over his skin.
“How was your trip?”
“It was good. Except for Cam’s snoring,” Logan told him.
“I don’t snore.”
“Yeah, bro, you do. Why do you think I used to stay in my girlfriend’s dorm when we were at college?”
Tanner shook his head, his eyes meeting Gray’s. “Your house is beautiful. You guys did a great job.”
“Thanks.” Gray took a sip of beer. “I’ll show you around when Maddie comes down.”
“Where is she?” Cam asked, looking around as though she was crouching in the corner.
“Taking a shower.”
Logan laughed. “Did we interrupt something?”
“The oldest Heartbreak brother strikes again.” Cam lifted his bottle up.
“Guys, pipe down. She’s been working all day and wanted to clean up before you arrived.” Gray shook his head. “You had to be early for once.”
“Don’t tell me we interrupted you before the end,” Tanner said, laughing. “Cam, I told you we should have waited for somebody to open the door.”
“No way.” Cam grinned. “Remember the time Gray caught me with Ellie Maynard in the summer house? This is payback time.”
“You were twelve,” Gray told him. “And Ellie was Logan’s girl. And the summer house wasn’t yours either.”
“I’m a twin.” Cam shrugged. “I was born to share.”
Gray opened his mouth to reply when a loud knock came from the back door. “Hold that thought.” He walked over to open it, a grin spreading across his face when he saw his little sister standing there.
“Becca. You’re the only one in this family who has manners, do you know that?” he asked, ushering her in. “See, guys, this is how to be polite. You knock, wait for somebody to answer, then walk in when invited.”
Becca grinned at him. “Now that you’ve invited me in once I’ll probably let myself in from now on, like a vampire.” She hugged him then ran over to where her other brothers were sitting, letting them hug her and rag on her and everything else the Hartson family always did. “Thanks,” she said to Tanner when he opened her a beer. “And by the way, guess who’s back in town?”
“Shady?” Cam suggested.
“Shut up. I’m talking to Tanner.”
Cam pretended to be shot in the chest, grasping his pecs as he keeled to the side.
“I’ll bite,” Tanner said, smiling at his little sister. “Who’s back?”
“Savannah Reid.”
For an almost imperceptible moment, Tanner’s eyes widened. Then he took a mouthful of beer and carefully rearranged his expression. “She is?” he asked, his voice nonchalant.
“Who’s Savannah Reid?” Gray asked.
“She was called Van at school,” Becca told him.
Gray blinked. “Van as in Tanner’s best friend, Van?”
Becca grinned. “Yep. I saw her at the diner yesterday. She didn’t say much but I get the impression she’s back for good.”
Tanner emptied his bottle and put it on the table, saying nothing.
“Little Van is back,” Cam said, grinning. “Damn, she was a fireball. Anything we could do, she could do better. Skim stones, play football, she even won a few fights.” They all joined in with stories of their childhood. All except Tanner. Gray noticed his brother staring into the distance, his expression thoughtful.
“You okay?” he asked Tanner.
“Yeah, I’m good. I think I’ll get another beer. You want one?”
“Still drinking this one.” Gray held up his bottle.
“Has the party started already?” Maddie asked, walking down the stairs into the huge kitchen. “I thought it was tomorrow.”
“Maddie’s here,” Becca squealed, running over to hug her. “Thank god, I was getting choked by all the testosterone.”
After greeting his brothers with hugs, Maddie slid her arm around Gray’s waist and kissed his cheek. “Everything okay?” she murmured.
“More than okay.” He turned to kiss her lips. Every word was true. He was surrounded by his family. The ones he was born with and the one he was making, and he couldn’t think of anything more perfect. Cameron opened another beer and passed it to her. Gray pulled her into his lap, the breakfast stool standing steadfast against their weight.
He curled his arms around her and breathed in the fresh scent of her shampoo, feeling like he’d finally made it home.
As far as Gray was concerned, there was no place he’d rather be.
THE END
Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this story, be sure to look out for STILL THE ONE, the second book in the Heartbreak Brothers series, featuring Gray’s brother, Tanner.
CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER NOW!
Dear Reader
Thank you so much for reading Maddie and Gray’s story. If you enjoyed it and you get a chance, I’d be so grateful if you can leave a review. And don’t forget to keep an eye out for STILL THE ONE, the second book in the series, coming out in August!
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About the Author
Carrie Elks writes contemporary romance with a sizzling edge. Her first book, Fix You, has been translated into eight languages and made a surprise appearance on Big Brother in Brazil. Luckily for her, it wasn’t voted out.
Carrie lives with her husband, two lovely children and a larger-than-life black pug called Plato. When she isn’t writing or reading, she can be found baking, drinking an occasional (!) glass of wine, or chatting on social media.
You can find Carrie in all these places
www.carrieelks.com
[email protected]
Also by Carrie Elks
THE HEARTBREAK BROTHERS SERIES
Take Me Home
Still The One (Coming Aug 2020)
ANGEL SANDS SERIES
Let Me Burn
She’s Like the Wind
Sweet Little Lies
Just A Kiss
Baby I’m Yours
Pieces of Us (Coming in June 2020)
THE SHAKESPEARE SISTERS SERIES
Summer’s Lease
A Winter’s Tale
Absent in the Spring
By Virtue Fall
THE LOVE IN LONDON SERIES
Coming Down
Broken Chords
Canada Square
STANDALONE
Fix You
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Acknowledgments
First thanks always go to my lovely family. Ash, Ella, Olly and Plato the pug. I love you guys.
So many thanks and much love to Meire Dias, my agent and my friend. Your unstinting support is amazing. To Flavia, Hannah and Jackie at the Bookcase Agency, thank you for all you do. I’m so proud to be represented by you.
My editor Rose David and my proofreader, Mich, always work tirelessly to make my words shine. Thank you for all you do.
Najla Qamber is a kick-ass designer, and she hit this cover out of the park. You’re amazing, lady!
Bloggers have always been such an important part of my book journey. Thanks to each and every one of you who shows me support in so many ways – sharing covers and release days, promoting sales, reading and reviewing books. You’re the engine that keeps the book world going, and I appreciate you so much.
Finally, to my lovely facebook group members (The Water Cooler - COME AND JOIN US!), thank you! We have so much fun – you make Facebook a great place to be. You help with ideas, inspiration and most of all you put a smile on my face. Thanks for being so amazing.