“Like that matters. He acts as if I’m not there. I swear you’d think he hated me or something.”
“I don’t think that’s true.” Nadia laughs, shaking her head. “I think he’s very much aware you’re there. He just knows Dean would lose his shit if he knew he saw you as anything but his sister.”
Which brings me to why it’s a curse. Any chance of Maverick seeing me as more than his best friend’s sister goes out the window. I know he would never do anything to put their friendship in jeopardy.
I can keep a secret and what Dean doesn’t know won’t hurt him.
Nadia whips the car into the driveway, pulling in behind Dean’s beat-up Ford truck. The thing has seen better days, but he refuses to replace it.
“Text me when you can and let me know the damage,” she mutters, clearly concerned our plans for tomorrow could be ruined.
I push the door of the car open and lean the seat forward, pulling out my skateboard from the backseat. I sling my backpack over my shoulder and readjust my hat on my head.
“Wish me luck,” I groan, as I move the seat back in place.
We say our goodbyes as I head toward the front of my house.
My mom is in the kitchen loading the dishwasher when I enter the house. She doesn’t bother to look at me, which I know can’t be good. Kicking my shoes off near the door, I prop my board against the wall.
I spot Dean and Maverick lounging in the living room. Dean has his leg draped across the coffee table and a grin on his face, knowing what’s about to come. Maverick grimaces and I know this can’t be good.
“Welcome home,” my mother says, the force of the dishwasher closing draws my attention away from him.
“Ryan, this is the second time you’ve been late this month. Before you even try to argue, I want to point out your birthday is in less than two hours, and I know you have plans with Nadia.”
Dropping my bag down on the bench near the door, I slide the hat off my head and toss it on top before facing my mom.
“I’m sorry,” I sigh, knowing nothing good will come from me saying anything more. “I’m going to bed.”
I walk through the kitchen and into the living room. The urge to junk punch Dean has returned when I see the arrogant smirk on his face.
“Keep it up, fucker,” I mutter under my breath, careful to not let my mom overhear us as I flash him the finger.
“What’s that?” he retorts, turning his head to peer over the back of the couch.
Spinning around, I find both of their eyes on me. Seeing that my mom has since made her way out of the kitchen, likely retreating to our parents’ bedroom, I don’t hold back.
“I said keep it up, fucker. I should be the one laughin’ at you, sitting at home like a bum on a Friday night,” I snap, sounding bored as I lean against the wall.
There are about seven minutes separating the two of us. My parents were expecting to bring home two baby boys when I was born. What they didn’t expect was for the second child to be born a girl. My name is evidence of that.
Dean turns around, facing the TV and lets out an annoyed grunt, “Fuck off, Ry.”
My eyes bounce from Dean to Maverick and I’m surprised when I find Maverick’s are already on me. They shine bright with amusement, as he bites his lower lip in an attempt to hide the grin lining his mouth. Crossing his arms over his chest, he runs his hand over his jaw as he glances over to make sure Dean isn’t paying attention.
The thick muscles are tanned from all his days outside without his T-shirt on. His dark-brown hair is longer on top. The wayward strands give the appearance like he has ran his fingers through them one too many times.
The sleeves of my white T-shirt are cut off, giving it more of a muscle-shirt look. You can see my black sports bra from the side and a hint of my sun-kissed skin underneath.
My heart starts to pound as I relish the thought of him struggling to take his eyes off me. Taking two steps backward, I keep my eyes trained on him. I think back to my conversation with Nadia in the car when she said it’s Dean that’s holding him back.
The bold side of me wants to test her theory and see if it’s true.
Standing outside my bedroom door, I keep my eyes focused on Maverick as I grab the hem of my shirt and pull the cotton material over my head. I roll my shirt into a ball before tossing it in the direction of my dirty clothes but not bothering to check if it made it.
I watch as Maverick’s jaw clenches as his eyes travel over the length of my body, resting longer on my chest than necessary before finally bringing his eyes up to meet mine. He leans forward, pressing his elbows to his knees. Even then, he doesn’t take his eyes off me.
“D, I’m gonna use your bathroom quick and head out. I should’ve been home a little while ago.”
I can hear Dean mumble out a response, but I have no idea what he says. I’m too lost in the look on Maverick’s face to pay much attention to what is going on around me.
Bracing his palms on his knees, Maverick moves to stand. He’s so tall, standing over six feet. He’s athletic, but whereas my brother is stockier from his time in football, Maverick is lean.
I can hear my heart pounding in my ears as he stalks toward me with a slight tic in his jaw. The closer he gets to me, the more my body comes alive with his presence.
“A little bold of you. Wouldn’t you say, Rebel?”
It isn’t the first time I’ve heard him use the nickname, but the tone in his voice is deeper. I can feel the words roll through me, crashing over me like waves as he stands close leaving only an inch between us.
I’m not able to think properly as I stare up at his gray eyes. They’re so dark, it’s almost like a storm is brewing in their depths.
Raising his hand up, he runs his knuckle along the soft skin of my shoulder as I force a step away from him. I need to gain some semblance of sanity, but the move causes his lip to curl in a small grin.
“You have nothing to say now? I didn’t think that was possible.” His quiet chuckle does crazy things to my heart.
“Aren’t you supposed to be leaving now?” I retort, hating how he can look so unaffected knowing the way he’s making me feel.
“Yeah, I am. Are you sure it’s what you want though?”
He presses the palm of his hand against my hip as he moves to step closer in the narrow hallway. I’m standing so close to the wall, I know there’s plenty of room for him to pass by.
His thumb lightly traces my exposed skin, as he takes a step around me. His body is pressed against mine, bringing us closer than we’ve ever been.
The move forces the air out of my chest and I know he can feel my body tremble beneath his touch.
“I didn’t think so,” he whispers against the shell of my ear.
As soon as he passes by me and the bathroom, he glances back at me. His eyes travel down to where my chest heaves with every struggled breath before looking back up at me. Flashing me a wink, he turns and walks down the hallway and out the front door without another word.
Holy shit.
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Brix Playlist
(Brooke’s writing inspiration mixed in with Brix and Ivy’s favorites.)
I Hate Everything About You by Three Days Grace
Gives You Hell by The All-American Rejects
Numb by Linkin Park
Say Something by A Great Big World
Unsteady by X Ambassadors
In the End by Linkin Park
Here Without You by 3 Doors Down
Scars by Papa Roach
Highway to Hell by AC/DC
Bad At Love by Halsey
Listen to the Playlist on Spotify.
Other Books by Brooke O’Brien
Heart’s Compass Series
Where I Found You
Lost Before You
Until I Found You
Now That I Found You
Tattered Heart Duet
Torn
Tatte
red
A Rebels Havoc Series
Brix
Learn more and purchase your copy at:
www.authorbrookeobrien.com/booksbybrooke
Acknowledgments
My Boys – I love you more than anything on this earth. Everything I do is for our family.
Mom, Gram, & Ash – Thanks for always being supportive of this journey. You’ve pushed me to go after everything I want in life. Love you!
To my AMAZING beta readers – Kristen, Candyce, Ana, Danielle, and Cheryl. Thank you for reading Brix & Ivy’s story before anyone else, for your honest feedback, and helping me make their story better. I’m so grateful for you! <3
My Rebels Babes – I flove being able to connect with all of you in my Reader Group. I feel like I’ve found a place where I can share with you my triumphs and crazy ideas, as well as catching up with you about everything going on in our daily lives. I’m so grateful to have all your support.
To my Rebel Release Team, thank you for being a part of this one. I’m excited to hear what you think of Brix.
Lyssa Cole – I’m so glad I have you as a friend. I can’t wait to see where this year takes us! You know I’ll always be here with ya, supporting you however I can along the way.
Kristen – You keep it real with me, always! It’s what I love about you. Thanks for riding my ass when I need it, but also reminding me to be patient with myself too. Girl, you’re stuck with me now! LOL! Not even sorry about it either.
Candyce – You’ve helped me in so many ways since we’ve first met. I’m so appreciative for all you do behind the scenes. Thank you for everything!
Kim Cermak – Thank you SO much for everything! You’ve been a good friend to me and have supported me in so many ways throughout this journey. We make a heck of a team!
Kate Jessop – What would I do without you? I don’t want to find out. Thank you for being there for me when I need to brainstorm an idea or tell me it’s going to be okay when I need to hear it.
My editor, Roxane LeBlanc. I always enjoy working with you. Thank you for being honest, patient, and so very helpful to me.
My proofreader, Julie Deaton. You have a fantastic eye for detail, and I appreciate all your help in getting this book polished off. Thank you for everything!
Dee Garcia with Black Widow Designs, you are so incredibly talented and blow me away with your work. Thank you for designing the most beautiful cover.
Ashlee with Ashes & Vellichor – You’re so talented! I’m in LOVEEEE with the trailer you created for this story.
To Jennifer with Wildfire Marketing, thank you for your support and helping me promote my work. I’m forever grateful!
Lastly, to all the fantastic bloggers and authors who have shown me support throughout this journey. I hope you know how grateful I am for every one of you.
About the Author
Brooke O'Brien is the Author of the Heart's Compass series, the Tattered Heart duet, and BRIX.
Growing up Brooke always had a love of writing; she started out writing poetry when she was young and began journaling her thoughts as she grew older. Diving headfirst into a good book has always been therapeutic for her. Now her two passions have collided.
Brooke believes you can cure any bad day with chocolate or by going on a long drive with the windows down and the music turned up! She's found that's when her characters talk to her the most! If she's not reading or writing, you'll probably find her spending time with her family and friends, watching Hawkeye football or NBA basketball, going to the movies, or collecting signed paperbacks.
She LOVES to interact with readers! Keep in touch with Brooke by following her on Social Media and join her exclusive Reader Group:
www.authorbrookeobrien.com/followbrooke
Copyright
BRIX: A Rebels Havoc Novel
Copyright © 2020 by Brooke O’Brien
All Rights Reserved
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permissions of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which has been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with or sponsored by the trademark owners.
Visit my website at www.authorbrookeobrien.com.
Cover Art and Interior Formatting © Dee Garcia, Black Widow Designs
Cover Photo © Shutterstock
Edited by Rox LeBlanc, Roxs Reads
Proofread by Julie Deaton, Deaton Author Services
Table of Contents
Brix
Dedication
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
Sixteen
Seventeen
Eighteen
Nineteen
Twenty
Twenty-One
Twenty-Two
Twenty-Three
Twenty-Four
Twenty-Five
Twenty-Six
Twenty-Seven
Twenty-Eight
Epilogue
Sneak Peek of Torn
One
Brix Playlist
Other Books by Brooke O’Brien
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Copyright
BRIX: A Stepbrother Bully Romance (A Rebels Havoc Book 1) Page 19