How to Handle a Heartbreaker

by Marie Harte

  “Sure you don’t want stick around for the second half?”

  “I don’t think I have the energy.”

  “Lightweight. Don’t worry. I know you’re just scared.”

  She had reached down to grab her bags and stopped. “Scared?” She straightened and faced him with a frown.

  “Of falling for me.” He brushed off the idea like it was a done deal, which annoyed her, because it kind of was.

  “Please.”

  He shook his head. “Yep. There it is. Starts with the begging.”

  “Don’t be an ass.”

  “And there. Your inability to stop fixating on my body parts. In particular, my ass.”

  “God. Stop.”

  “Prayers, begging. Abby, honey. Make it easy on yourself. Meet me Sunday and I’ll help you handle your growing love for my amazingness.”

  Now amused as much as annoyed, she stepped into his personal space. Looking up at him—and my, how that grated—she poked him in the chest. “I don’t think so. See, if I’m so perfect, then you’ll be falling for me. My amazing breasts, my firm ass.” Saggy, but who was she to point out that flaw? “My fuckable mouth.” Oh yeah, he stared at her lips and swallowed hard on that one. “Like you said. I’m smart, funny, and sexy. I can have any man I want wrapped around my finger. Better be careful I don’t set my sights on you.”

  He gave a harsh laugh. “Abby, sweetie, don’t beat yourself up for falling for the old Brody charm. If anyone’s gonna fall, it’s you.”

  “Oh? Bring it, Jethro.”

  “Fine. Consider it brought.”

  They stared at each other in silence. Then she stood on tiptoe and dragged his mouth to hers. She kissed him until his thick erection told her he’d had enough. Before he could yank her back into sex land—and yeah, her panties would totally need a good cleaning—she pulled away. “See you Sunday, Slick.”

  “Fine.” He licked his lips. “Pleasant dreams.”

  “Back at you.” She turned on a shaky heel, shrugged into her coat, grabbed her stuff, and left the house. She hurried through the cold bite of midnight and shoved her things into her car. Once in the driver’s seat, she saw him at the window, peering out his front curtain, only his face in view. He continued to watch her until she drove away.

  During her trip home, she wondered what she’d just done and why. Did I really bet I could make him fall for me? To protect myself? Great move, Abby. You are such a fool. She groaned and kept talking herself out of feeling any excitement for their stupid challenge, a contest she’d make sure to end on Sunday. When they met to bowl and talk about his website. At a public place, where nothing sexual could happen. No dark corners or tables there. Just bowling balls, pins, weird shoes, and open lanes.

  No challenge. No more attachment. She needed to put a stop to her growing feelings. In the past, avoidance had been the key. Time to reinforce her shields, because tonight had been much, much scarier than she’d anticipated. She’d started to step off that cliff, and if she fell this time, she didn’t think she’d recover.

  Chapter 10

  Cameron McCauley stood over the lump that was his burden for the day. Brody—Flynn’s twin. Twin idiots, more like. The dog glanced up at him before settling back down across Brody’s feet. How the guy could sleep with half a ton over his lower legs was anyone’s guess.

  “Hey. Brody.”

  Nothing, just some soft breathing. Brody never snored, never drank to excess, and never had a problem with women. Sometimes it was hard to like the guy.

  He stared at the dog, who let out a loud sigh. I know, buddy. Sorry it has to be this way.

  It was past noon, and Brody had agreed to lunch with the family. Everyone at Mom and Dad’s to celebrate Colin’s birthday. So what that the scamp had already had a party last week? He’d insisted on his uncles and grandparents celebrating again now that Ubie was home.

  Instead of settling back into his condo after a few hellacious months spent out East, Cam had been bullied into taking on the responsibility for seeing that Brody arrived on time. Mike was apparently too good to do it because he’d fathered the birthday boy. And Flynn was too busy getting laid or having a tea party with Maddie, some lame excuse to get out of handling the blond lunk refusing to move.

  “Hey Princess, I know you worked hard. Like, maybe five whole days in a row, and need your beauty sleep. But Mom and Dad are expecting you for Colin’s party. You know, the one I texted you about twice yesterday?”

  Still nothing. The dog, however, raised his head and thumped his tail on the comforter.

  Cam grimaced at the rundown house. He knew Brody had been slowly renovating. But from what Cam could see, the outdated wallpaper, stained wooden floors, and crappy-ass furniture screamed condemned each and every time he stepped into the place. But try telling that to Mr. Know It All. Brody was a McCauley in every sense of the word, and if it had been up to his parents, they would have adopted him into the clan years ago.

  Cam loved the guy, but God forbid he admit having real emotions. Like the rest of the McCauley men, Brody would make fun of him for being overly sensitive. Cam’s lot in life, apparently.

  With a sigh, he nudged the dog off the bed. For all that Brody claimed the thing was untrainable, the dog seemed to listen to everyone but Brody and Flynn. So naturally Cam and the dog got along famously. The unappreciated younger brother and the unappreciated guard dog.

  Then again, Mutt hadn’t reacted when Cam had knocked, walked in after using Flynn’s spare key, or after he’d closed the door behind him with a solid thunk. Must have been because Mutt had smelled Cam, his favorite McCauley.

  Cam and the dog looked at each other, then Cam went into the attached bath. Ensuite? More like horror from hell. The bathroom had a nasty tub and shower that appeared to be clean, just old and ugly. The toilet and sink, brass-framed mirror, and broadway lights over said mirror put Cam in mind of a funhouse. But he didn’t think Brody would appreciate the comparison.

  After filling a paper cup with water, he returned to the big bed, the only decent piece of furniture in the entire house. Wishing he’d thought to bring his cell phone to record this instead of leaving it in the car, he pulled the covers down from Brody’s head.

  The big bastard still didn’t move. Even though Cam had been hitting the gym regularly, he didn’t have Brody’s mass. Mike was a powerhouse—an inhuman freak who should have been a pro wrestler named Manic Mike. Big brother didn’t like that name or the inference that only men on steroids grew that huge. Flynn and Brody had about the same build. Both were large and broad shouldered. Cam, for all that he tried, had a more slender build, but he could outrun any of the bozos in his family, as well as out-lift Flynn.

  Ah well. Cam tried once more, just so he could say he’d given it his best shot. “Brody?”

  Brody opened his eyes and swore at him.

  Too late. Cam doused him with water straight to the face. “Oh, sorry. You’re up?”

  More swearing and sputtering. Of the four of them, Brody could be the most creative when assigning body parts to certain orifices.

  “Oh man. Is that even possible?”

  Another finger, a recommendation to kiss an ass or two, and some more talk about being a dickhead as Brody wiped the water from his eyes.

  “So can we talk or do you need another liquid wake-up? Hungover, big guy?” Cam had never, ever, seen Brody drunk. He didn’t think the guy had ever been that out of control. Brody at most drank two or three beers before sobering up to drive. The proverbial designated driver, hence his status as Mr. Popular when it came to a night out on the town.

  “I’m up, I’m up. And when I’m outta this bed, I’m going to kick your candy ass all over the place.” Brody paused. “What did you do to my dog?”

  Cam stood petting Mutt, who tilted his head and whined for more. “It’s called affection. Try it sometim
e.”

  Brody scowled. “I give him affection and he decks me for it. Hit me right in the balls last night.” He sat up in bed and pulled his blankets tighter around his waist.

  “Good dog,” Cam crooned.

  “Hey.”

  “What? He’s obviously in charge. I’m just praising him for being a good boy.”

  Brody’s jaw clenched, and Cam smirked. Brody always clenched his jaw when trying to remain patient. “Why the fuck are you here?”

  “Concise, if not polite. Fine.” He held up a hand to stop Brody’s inevitable rant. “Today is the party. You know, Colin’s sixth b-day?”

  Brody shook his head. “He had a party the day I left. Mike told me. Colin and a few miscreants from around the neighborhood had cake and ice cream at Bitsy’s.”

  “Nice. Can you spell miscreants?”

  “Without a dictionary? Probably not.”

  “Too much to hope for. Anyway, this party is Colin’s idea because he missed you at his other one.”

  “Did Flynn go? Did you?”

  “No, but that’s beside the point. The kid wants more presents. Obviously this is your influence over the poor boy rearing its ugly head. Not mine.”

  Brody puffed up with pride. “Kid’s a genius. Takes after me.”

  “Let’s hope not. You can’t even control your own dog.”

  Brody glared at him and pushed the covers away.

  “Ack. God. Stop. I don’t want to see your hairy ass. I’ll wait in what you call a living room. More like a dying room where taste has been long gone since the nineties. Although seeing that couch, make that the seventies.”

  “Scared of my big dick. I thought so. It’s okay, Cam. Someday you’ll hit puberty and might grow a pair. Gee, maybe your voice will drop too. One can only hope.”

  Cam shot him a dirty look, for which Brody, the big dick, sneered back.

  As Brody rose from the bed, Cam darted out of the bedroom to the stairs. Seeing a naked brother did not a great Saturday make. “I’ll be out here,” he yelled. “Making coffee if I can wrestle the roaches for it.”

  “Hey, I heard that! I don’t have bugs. Ask Abby. She can vouch for me. So can Vanessa!” Brody yelled from the bathroom.

  Cam froze on the stairs. “Why was Vanessa here?”

  But the shower had started, so Brody didn’t hear him.

  Fuming at the thought of Brody making a move on Mike’s neighbors, he slammed cabinets and drawers while he searched for the coffee filters and coffee. He brewed a pot and then sipped from a cup, more alarmed to see the kitchen clean. Vanessa had indeed been by.

  Brody tromped down the steps with Mutt by his side. The dog might not see Brody as his owner yet, but the dog loved him. They made a pair, those two. Both mongrels with blustery outsides and warm insides.

  “Ah, good. Java.” Brody inhaled and let out a pleased sigh. Then he poured himself a cup and added a liberal dose of creamer and sugar.

  Cam asked Brody what he really wanted to know. “Why the hell is Vanessa cleaning your kitchen?” He couldn’t see her and Brody together, no matter how much he tried. Vanessa wore class and decorum like a second skin. Unlike Brody, who considered fart jokes and tits-and-ass magazines fine art.

  Brody smirked, and Cam fought the urge to put his fist in Brody’s face.

  “I’m waiting.” Best to remain calm. His brothers loved nothing more than to pull his chain. Brody in particular had never felt a qualm about reducing Cam to near tears if he thought it amusing. Cam had grown up the “emotional McCauley,” so he did his best to always school his expressions.

  “Don’t get your panties in a twist, Cam. After me and the girls had our threesome, Vanessa decided to clean my house in payment for my manly prowess.”

  Cam gritted his teeth but didn’t otherwise react.

  Brody burst out laughing. “You look annoyed. Why is that, I wonder?”

  “Please. You salivate anytime Abby’s anywhere near.”

  Brody shrugged. “She’s sexy. Vanessa scares me.”

  The woman had it all going on. Looks, finances, esteem, smarts. It would take a very assured and collected man to handle her. Cam gave Brody a wide smile. “She scares everyone.” But not him. “Seriously, what’s with the nice smells and clean kitchen? If it wasn’t for the Norman Bates décor, I might think I was somewhere else.”

  Brody flipped him off.

  “That’s all you’ve got?”

  “You are so annoying. Still the little brother from hell.” But Brody smiled while saying it, and Cam felt the affection his pseudo-sibling had for him. It was too bad Brody was just like Flynn, because he’d have been an ideal ally against the others. Between his lying, cheating ways and Cam’s intelligence, they might have run rings around Mike and Flynn. Alas, Cam was left constantly defending himself for having feelings and not being afraid to show them. Thank God his mother saw his value to the family. His father and the others often looked at him like a three-headed PMSing goat.

  Brody finished his coffee and slicked back his damp hair. “Since I know you won’t let this go, Abby watched Mutt while I was in Anacortes on a job.”

  “Oh?”

  Brody shrugged, but Cam saw a lot he didn’t say. “Mike flat-out refused to watch the dog.”

  “He’s afraid Mutt will eat Colin.”

  Mutt whined at his name, and Brody reached down to scratch him between his ears. “Not funny.”

  Cam smirked. “Why didn’t Flynn want him?”

  “He’s afraid the dog will eat Maddie, okay?”

  Cam laughed. “So you suckered poor Abby into it?”

  “Nah. It’s an exchange. She ah—” Brody abruptly cut off.

  Cam leaned closer. “She what?”

  Brody coughed and put his mug in the sink. When he started washing it, Cam knew the guy wanted desperately to change the subject. Brody never washed dishes until they practically crawled out of the sink themselves.

  “Tell me, or I’ll tell Flynn and Mike you’re harassing poor little Abby.” Cam noticed the glare Brody shot him, one filled not just with anger, but with worry too. “What’s up, man?”

  “Shit.” Brody turned and wiped his wet hands on a dishtowel. He put it back on the counter, but as he spoke, Mutt put his big face close and dragged the cloth to the floor. Then he quietly moved under the table with his new prize.

  Cam shook his head. “Well?”

  “You can’t tell anyone.”

  I knew it. They had sex. “I won’t.”

  Brody sighed and sat with Cam at the table. “Abby’s going to do the McSons website for her usual going rate.”

  “How’s that a deal?”

  “I’m helping her with some research for her book.”

  Cam frowned. “She writes steamy romance, right? How exactly are you helping with that? Telling her how you best like a blow job?”

  “It’s not like that.” Brody seemed genuinely angry.

  “Whoa. I’m just kidding. I like Abby.”

  “And how the hell do you know what she writes?”

  Cam shook his head. “Bro, I know everything. I met Abby and the others months before you and Flynn knew their names. Abby’s smart, but all those books on her shelves by the same author kind of gave it away.”

  “You’ve been in her bedroom?” Brody’s eyes widened, then narrowed with rage.

  “Jesus. Leap to a conclusion, why don’t you. No, dumbass. She has a bunch of her titles in her office on the ground floor. Hello? We’ve all been in there at one time or another since they moved in.” Cam paused. “Why would you ask me about her bedroom?”

  “No reason.”

  “Oh, come on. I’m the smart McCauley, remember? You’ve obviously been in her bedroom. She’s needing you for research? Yeah right. You’re totally having sex with Abby Dunn, aren’t you?�
��

  “No.”

  Cam read the lie for what it was. He couldn’t wait to talk to Flynn and Mike about Brody and Abby. But he’d let Brody off the hook for now. “Okay, then explain yourself.” Brody opened his mouth, no doubt to protest, and Cam added, “Better me than Mike and Flynn. I mean, the old Flynn might have kept his mouth shut. But the new, Maddie-and-Flynn Flynn, who knows what secrets he shares in the heat of the night?”

  Brody blinked at him, then laughed. “You’re such an idiot. Heat of the night? Fine. You want to know, I’ll tell you. Abby writes sexy books. Like, about sex and love and stuff.”

  “And stuff,” Cam parroted, realizing how funny the situation was. The biggest liar of the bunch was doing a terrible job of hiding his feelings for Abby. Fascinating. “Go on.”

  “So she wanted some help from a guy’s perspective. Not about sex, but how guys talk to each other and shit.”

  “And shit.”

  “Did I stutter? Why are you repeating me?” Brody scowled. “So anyway, I help her with research, she does our website and agreed to watch Mutt for me last week. Vanessa came over to hang with her, I guess. I mean, God forbid poor Mutt spend a second at their pristine house.”

  The dog heard his name and walked out from under the table, strings of the dishtowel hanging from his jowls.

  How Cam kept a straight face he didn’t know. “God forbid.”

  Brody looked at the dog, then put his head in his hands. “Fuck. I don’t know how she did it, but Abby had him trained. He didn’t jump on other people and listened to her. To me, he walks around like he’s the man.”

  Cam chuckled. “You’re too soft on him. And you know, we really need to get to Mom and Dad’s. You can bring him. Dad said.”

  “Great. I’ll grab his leash. Can you get some food for him from the pantry? If I don’t bring it, we’ll end up being there forever. If I do, we’ll probably have a short party.”

  “For Colin? Are you kidding? The kid will milk today for as long as he can.”

  “Oh, right. Speaking of that, I guess we need to make a stop at a toy store on the way. Hey, don’t give me that look. I just got home last night, and it was a bitch of a job.”