Young Love Dies Hard: The Young Brothers, Book 1 Nikki Lane (books for students to read .TXT) 📖

She turned her attention to her son, pulling him into an embrace. “I’m so happy you’re home. If only Caleb were here, then I’d have all three of my boys back together.”

“Workaholic,” Noah muttered.

Jacob hunched over as she swayed him back and forth. “It’s good to be back. Where’s Dad?”

“At the office. He’ll be home soon.” She gestured to the bags. “Jacob, why don’t you bring the bags to the spare room so you two can get settled.” She leaned in close to Jacob and me. “There’s a queen size bed in there.”

My stomach lurched. Did she expect us to sleep in the same bed? I thought most parents were just the opposite. Had Jacob told her that we were a couple? Of course he had. Why else would I be here?

“Mom,” Jacob said, letting out a nervous chuckle and shaking his head.

She held up her hands. “What? I’m just saying…your room still has your old twin size bed. There’s hardly enough room for the both—”

“Thanks, Mom. Spare room. Got it.” Jacob took the bags, and I followed him up the marble staircase.

“Don’t be too long,” his mom called from the foyer. “Dinner’s in an hour.”

We bypassed several doors, some opened, some closed. My eyes glazed over the photos on the wall, catching glimpses of Jacob’s life. I didn’t recognize all the faces, but they all had smiles.

“Here we are.” Jacob walked into the large bedroom and set down my bag.

The queen size bed sat proudly in the middle of the room, fitted with an elaborate comforter and a mound of decorative pillows. It looked like a bed straight out of a hotel room.

“Thanks.” I wiped my sweaty palms against my jeans.

“This room has its own bathroom,” he said, nodding in its direction.

“Great.” I feigned a smile and walked deeper into the room.

A large window broke up the back wall, revealing a view of the backyard, palm trees and all. A large terra cotta fountain, situated among the cobblestone patio, spouted water.

Jacob held on to his bag. “I’m going to drop my bag in my room. It’s just down the hall. I’ll sleep there.”

A small wave of relief hit me.

Jacob disappeared through the door and was quickly replaced by Noah. He knocked on the open door.

I invited him in with a smile, and he hopped up on the bed. “It’s so cool to have you here.”

“Thanks.” I tossed my bag onto the bed and unzipped it. “I’m still having a hard time believing I’m here.”

“Ever been to Florida before?”

I shook my head as I separated my clothes into different piles on the bed. “Never. I’ve barely left the state.” I reached the bottom of my suitcase, which held all my underwear and bras.

Noah’s eyes widened a little when he caught a peek.

I tried not to smile and turned my back to set a small pile of clothes on the dresser.

“So I hear you and my brother are shacking up together.”

“He’s just staying with me for a while.”

“Man,” Noah muttered. He gently shook his head. “Always was a lucky bastard.”

Jacob walked into the room. “What the hell, bro?” He held up both arms.

“What?” Noah said.

“Get off my girl’s bed.”

The butterflies tickled my stomach.

Noah burrowed into the comforter and made himself more comfortable. “I’m just getting caught up. Don’t be selfish.” He turned to look at me. “Besides, Maeve would tell me if I was bothering her, right, Maeve?”

“Right.”

Jacob grabbed a throw pillow and tossed it in Noah’s face. “Get the hell out.”

Noah rolled off the bed and trotted out the door. “That’s messed up,” he called from the hallway. He peeked his head back in the doorway for just a moment. “My room’s right next door if you need anything, Maeve. It’s closer than my brother’s.”

“Out,” Jacob ordered before kicking the door shut.

I laughed as Jacob took his place on the bed.

“How are you doing?” he asked, putting his hands behind his head.

“Fine.” I hoped I sounded convincing, but the look on Jacob’s face wasn’t a good sign.

I sat down next to him, and he brushed his hand up and down my arm. “Mom’s cooking dinner tonight, and then I have something planned for us tomorrow.”

“Sounds good.”

“Did you call Meg to let her know we got here okay?”

I shook my head. “I’ll call her before dinner.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah.” I shrugged. “Just a little nervous.”

He propped up in the bed and held my cheek. “Don’t be.” He kissed my forehead. “You’re already popular around here.”

He set his lips on mine.

This kiss. His kiss.

It did strange things to my mind. Made me forget things I didn’t want to remember. Made me feel like nothing could hurt me. Not even myself.

I parted my lips and felt his tongue glide inside. I pressed deeper into his mouth, wanting to push him down on the bed.

The door flung open, revealing Noah’s face. “Dinner’s—” He stopped abruptly and smiled wide. “Damn…”

Jacob grabbed another pillow and tossed it just as Noah slammed the door shut, mumbling, “lucky bastard.”

* * * *

Jacob’s father sat at the head of the table. His tie was loose around his neck and the top button of his shirt was undone. He’d aged just as well as his wife, maybe even better. Salt and pepper was a good look for him.

I sat next to Jacob across from Noah. Jacob’s mom set one last bowl on the table. She wore an apron around her waist and pearls around her neck.

“Hope everyone’s hungry,” she said, taking her seat between her husband and Noah.

“Starving.” Noah was the first one to reach for the food.

“How about letting our guest go first,” Mr. Young said.

Noah rolled his eyes. “What did you think I was doing?” He picked up the serving fork. “Maeve?”

I held out my plate, and he gave me a generous helping. There was no way I was going to come close to finishing it. My stomach was one huge knot wrapped in barbed wire.

“Thank you,” I said, withdrawing my plate.

Everyone took turns passing bowls around