“Come on, man. It’s our family motto,” Declan adds. “Work hard, love harder. Don’t fight it.”
Archer again raises his hands in defense. “I’m not fighting anything. I’m just enjoying my time being single. Besides, I get bored easily. It’s going to take someone with spirit to tame me.”
“Oh, I can’t wait.” Orrin rubs his hands together.
“You’ve got some time,” Archer tells him.
“I agree,” Palmer adds.
“Me too,” Jade says.
“Yeah, we all know that Sterling is the next to fall,” Ramsey says, causing Sterling to choke on the piece of bacon he just shoved in his mouth.
I watch as Merrick smacks him on the back harder than necessary. Sterling grabs his glass of milk and takes a hefty drink. I find myself watching the column of his throat as he swallows. How have I never noticed how sexy that was before?
“What are you talking about, Rams?” Sterling manages to ask, still dazed by her proclamation.
Ramsey shrugs as if her statement is no big deal. She can’t see what her words are doing to me. My heart is racing, and my hands are clammy. I don’t know if it’s the thought of losing my best friend to the love of his life or the thoughts she and the rest of the ladies have put into my head that maybe, just maybe that person could be me.
“I think you’re next.”
“Why do you think that?” Sterling gives her his full attention as if the answer that she gives will dictate his entire future.
“Just a feeling.”
“You scared?” Declan taunts him.
“No.” Sterling’s voice is firm. “Just not sure why out of all of us that are single, I’m the one she thinks is next.”
“If it helps matters, I agree with her,” Palmer tells him.
“Me too,” Jade and Kennedy reply at the same time.
Sterling is quiet for a minute before he nods. “I kind of hope you’re right,” he tells them.
My heart stalls in my chest at his confession.
“If this”—he waves his hand around the room, at his brothers and Ramsey, who are happily married or about to be—“is what that will get me, then I’ll take it.”
“Pussy,” Maverick coughs.
“The same one,” Merrick reminds him. “For the rest of your life.”
Sterling’s gaze lands on me. “Yeah,” he says softly. “I could get behind that.” He quickly looks away and takes my breath with him.
Without a word, I stand and slip down the hall into our room. I don't stop until I’m in the bathroom with the door locked behind me for the second time today. This time I brace my hands on the counter, focusing on my breathing. A slow, deep breath in and a slow exhale. I repeat this process a few times until I feel like I’m breathing normally. Just in time for a knock on the door.
“Tink?” Sterling’s voice is cautious. “Are you all right?”
“Fine,” I call back.
“Open the door.”
“I’ll be right out.” He doesn’t argue, and I take the time I need to steel my resolve and face him. When I open the door, I shriek when I see him standing there with his arms braced above the frame. His head hung low.
He lifts his head, and his eyes find me. There’s something there. Something I can’t name. It’s not a look I’ve ever seen from him, at least not when he’s got his eyes on me. I shift my stance, not because I’m uncomfortable but because the urge to reach out and touch him is strong. Stronger than it’s ever been. I inwardly curse myself and my friends for lighting this… fire inside me.
When Sterling drops his hands, one of them moves to cradle my cheek. On instinct, I lean into him. He’s always been my safe place, my comfort. “What’s wrong?” he asks. His voice is thick and husky. It’s sexy, and my lady bits take notice.