Free Winter Eve by Lia Davis Page B

if he minded sharing. But, for the life of him, he didn’t want his brother to have a cookie, and he didn’t know why.
    It was as if he was five years old again.
    Brayden took a seat at the bar and opened beers for the three of them. Justin took his and waited to see what his brothers wanted.
    “What are you bringing for Thanksgiving?” Brayden asked as he took a swallow.
    “Seriously? You ventured out in the storm for that?” Justin wiped his forehead, surprised to find it clammy. Damn, what the hell was going on with him?
    His brothers shared a look. 
    “What?” he growled.
    “Nothing,” Tyler said in is smooth cop voice, the kind that he would use with a wounded crime victim.
    “Sure. Tell me what’s up.”
    “We’re just worried about you,” Brayden said as he set down his beer.
    “Why? I’m fine.”
    “No, you’re not,” Tyler said.
    Justin let out a breath and closed his eyes. “I’ve just been a little tired and then weird. It’s odd, but I’m fine.”
    “You’re not turning into a ghost, are you?” Brayden asked. He didn’t crack a smile when he asked.
    Considering their brother, Matt, had been a ghost for the past ten years, that question had been a serious one. Add in the fact that their soon-to-be sister-in-law was a witch and the supernatural presence in their town could be a reason to worry.
    He hadn’t faded into the darkness, and he didn’t cast spells. So, he knew it wasn’t that.
    “No, I’m all corporeal. But, thanks for caring,” he said dryly.
    “We’re just worried about you,” Tyler said.
    Justin nodded, feeling oddly touched. But, these were his macho brothers, so he couldn’t actually let them know. “Ah, thanks, buddy. Let’s go watch that new tear-jerker, hold hands, and I’ll get you a tampon.”
    “Fuck you.” Tyler sneered then winked. “If anything, Matt may need one. Have you seen how lovey-dovey, starry-eyed whipped he is?”
    Justin snorted. “So eloquent. But, yeah, Jordan makes him happy. Whatever.”
    “Yeah, but does he have to be smiling all the damn time?” Tyler asked as he munched on a cookie. 
    Must not rip cookie from his hand .
    “It’s because he’s getting laid,” Brayden interjected and took a bite of a cookie.
    God, are they going to eat all of them?
    “More than I can say for the three of us,” Justin said.
    “Hey, speak for yourself,” Tyler said, his palm out. “I got laid this week. More than I can say about the two of you.”
    “You’re a pig,” Bray said, a distant look on his face.
    “No, I have sex with women who don’t like commitments. I don’t have sex every day, so back off.”
    “If you’re so testy about it, maybe you should start thinking about settling down,” Justin said. “What about Abby? Jordan’s friend? She’s nice, and I think Jordan wants to bring her into the family.”
    Tyler looked confused for a moment then frowned. “Abby? No, not so much. But thanks.”
    “Hey, she’s nice. What the fuck is your problem?”
    “She’s the settling-down type, and I don’t want to settle down. Plus, she’s, you know, Abby.”
    Brayden turned toward their brother, anger on his face. “Now what is that supposed to mean?”
    Tyler looked at them both and blinked. “She’s just not my type.”
    “Oh, you mean she isn’t a bimbo?” Justin asked
    “Well, that’s just not nice. And why are you ganging up on me? Why don’t you settle down with Abby?”
    Justin sighed. Because Abby doesn’t have a crush on me, dumbass. But, he couldn’t say that. Fuck, his brother was a careless bastard when it came to Abby, and he had no idea why.
    But, that same idiot of a brother was right about one thing; Justin needed to get laid. He might not be as much of a ladies’ man as Tyler, but he still needed a woman. 
    His brothers said their goodbyes, and Justin was left alone in his empty home, thinking about women—and whether he should make another batch of cookies. He patted his eight-pack. He would