When Hailey left, he’d had to fight the urge to quit on the spot. The guilt he carried over making one huge decision without his brothers was enough to stop him from doing it again. But he did make it clear to Ana that he’d never wanted her that way. It had always been business. Hailey was gone when he got to the parking lot so he’d headed home.
He could still picture her, standing tall, standing up for herself. She was amazing. He’d tried phoning her but got voicemail. Hopefully, she’d be at his home shortly after he arrived.
When he got there and let himself inside his apartment, he had visitors. Just not who he’d hoped.
“The keys were for emergencies,” Wes said to his brothers, putting his own key in its spot on the table by the door.
Noah and Chris were sitting on his couch, beer in hand, watching sports.
“Make yourselves at home,” he said, tucking his shoes in the closet, shrugging off his jacket. “Maybe it’s better you’re here. I need to talk to you guys.” Time to spill his guts. He’d thought he could help everyone along, smooth out all the red tape, then do a “big reveal,” but now it just felt like keeping secrets.
Chris looked at him but Noah practically snarled, “About fucking time. Better late than never, I guess?”
Chris sent Noah a warning look. “Knock it off.”
Something was up. He grabbed a beer of his own, started into the living room when the buzzer went for his apartment. “That’s Hailey.”
Noah started to swear, increasing Wes’s own irritation tenfold. “I don’t know what your problem is but hang on to it for a minute.” He buzzed Hailey in, meeting his brother’s gaze, glare for glare.
He opened the door in time to see Hailey step off the elevator. His rib cage shrank, making his breath tight. She looked gorgeous, with that auburn hair still slightly damp around her shoulders, a cute pair of patterned leggings, and a long off-the-shoulder gray shirt.
“Hi.” Her smile when she saw him made him feel ten feet tall. What was it about her?
Wes leaned in, overwhelmed with how happy he was to see her. He kissed her, pulled back, then leaned in for more. When he pulled back, she looked up at him with a confused, blinking gaze.
“Are you okay?” Her hand rested on his stomach.
“I should be asking you. I’m so sorry about earlier.”
She shook her head, moved around him to go in. “Not your fault. Oh. Hi, guys.”
Wes shut the door behind them and followed her into the living area. Both Chris and Noah stood, offered their spots. Hailey laughed, shook her head, and sat cross-legged on his huge ottoman, dropping her bag beside it on the floor.
“I’m good here. How are you guys? I had brownies and coffee with Everly and Grace today. I met Grace’s friend Rosie.”
Both of his brothers shook off some of their moods and engaged with Hailey. It made him happy they all got along well.
“The patio around the pool is just about finished. We’ll have a BBQ when it’s all done,” Noah said. “You guys can stay over.”
Wes nodded. That would be great. Hailey looked at him questioningly. He smiled at her but answered Noah. “That sounds good.”
He didn’t know where to start. Clearly his brothers were here for a reason but he didn’t want to get into his own confessions with Hailey here. Not yet. Plus, he wanted to see if she was really okay about Ana.
Chris and Noah exchanged a glance. Of course, it was Noah who threw the bold statement at them. “I’m guessing you two are serious?”
Hailey’s gaze widened.
“Goddamn it, Noah. Have some tact. We’re not doing this now.”
“What’s going on?” Hailey’s voice was nearly timid. It didn’t suit her.
Noah stood, gesturing back and forth between them. “I’m not waiting. This isn’t about tact, it’s about honesty. What the hell, Wes?”
To his credit, Chris winced, shrugged an “I’m sorry” at Wes, but he stood, moved next to Noah.
“You guys know.” Son of a bitch. He should have just told them.
“Know what?” Hailey asked, looking at him.
“There’s construction going on at your place?” Noah asked Hailey.
She nodded uncertainly. “Yes. The new owner is remodeling. I think she’s planning on a huge apartment or something. I’m not sure. Tara always knows more than me.”
Noah and Chris looked at Wes. He set his beer down on the coffee table, refusing to squirm under their censure. He opened the patio door, stood by it for a minute.