Falling for the Wingman (The Kelly Brothers, Book 3) Read Free Page A

other woman had.
    “I just want a chance to talk to her.”
    “Why?”
    “Because I know if I get her alone and let her know how much she means to me, she’d come back.”
    “She really has you wrapped around her little finger, doesn’t she?”
    “Maybe,” he said with a half smile and ran his hand over the good luck charm in his pocket. “Do you think you can help me win her back?”
    Alex choked on her beer. “Me?”
    “Yeah. After all, you said you know her better than anyone else.”
    “I think you need your head examined.”
    “Come on, Alex. Who would you rather have as a brother-in-law? Me or that prick?”
    She banged her empty bottle on the table. “Holy crap! You weren’t thinking of marrying her, were you?”
    “Should I show you the ring I bought her?”
    “No, no, no, no!” Alex massaged her fingertips into her forehead. “Why are guys so fucking stupid?”
    “And you were the one telling me to watch my language.” He took a sip of the raspberry-flavored beer, his mood lightening. He was wearing her down, and if he could get Alex on board, she’d help him find a way to get Kourtney back. “So, would you be willing to be my wingman?”
    “Give me one good reason why you’re so head-over-heels stupid for my Barbie-doll sister.” She reached for the last bottle in the bucket.
    “Are you going to be okay to drive?”
    “I live two blocks down the road. I walked over here.” She opened the bottle, catching the edge of the top against the table and smacking it firmly with her hand. She draped her arm across the back of her chair and crossed her boot-clad legs, doubt written all over face. “If you want my help, you need to convince me that you love Kourtney for more than just her double-Ds.”
    He raked his fingers through his hair, unsure how much he should reveal from those deeply personal letters. “Can’t you just take my word for it?”
    “Nope.” She grinned before raising the fresh bottle to her lips.
    “Fine, you win.” He took a drink to steel his courage before spilling his guts. “Afghanistan wasn’t a fun place to be, especially in the middle of a war.”
    “No shit. My friend J.T. still has nightmares about that place.”
    “Then you have some idea how it was over there. I saw things I never want to see again. But no matter how dark it got, your sister always had something to say to bring me back into the light. Whenever I felt like there was nothing good left in this world, I’d always find an email from her that reminded me that things weren’t as bleak as I imagined them to be. That’s why I fell in love with her.”
    Alex’s face blanched, making her freckles stand out more than before. She finished off her bottle like a college student trying to set a funneling speed record and squeezed her eyes shut afterward. Her face tightened in pain, drawing her shoulders up toward her ears. A full minute ticked by before she finally said, “Damn it. I wish you hadn’t said that.”
    “Now you know why I want her back.”
    When Alex opened her eyes, a mixture of grief and pity shimmered from their brown depths. “But what if she doesn’t want you anymore?”
    Caleb swallowed hard. It wasn’t something he was ready to consider. Not yet. “All I need is a chance to speak with her alone, to find out what changed while I was gone.”
    Alex stared at the floor and chewed her bottom lip, the empty bottle in her hands rocking from side to side. “I think I’m going to need another drink.”
    He eyed the collection of empty bottles on the table. “I think you’ve had enough, Alex.”
    She shook her head. “If you’ve had the day I’ve had, you’d need a six pack, too.”
    But she set the bottle on the table and smoothed her dress over her lap. “So, all you want is a chance to talk to Kourtney alone?”
    “Are you agreeing to help me?”
    She finally met his gaze, her eyes sharp and clever as though she hadn’t had a single drop of beer.