“Listen to the hot therapist, for sure,” Coop told him with a grin.
“You have a wife. You don’t need to be looking at Chloe,” he warned his brother.
That had both Maverick and Cooper laughing at him. He should have kept his mouth shut. He was far too easy to read at the moment.
“Now you know what you put us through every time you flirt with our wives,” Coop said before slapping him on the back. Nick had to smile.
“Okay, it might be a bit annoying, but Chloe and I aren’t exactly in a relationship,” he said.
“Seems like that might be something you want to change,” Mav pointed out.
“No, I have too much going on right now.” He sighed before he looked at his brothers. They waited, knowing him well enough to understand he needed to form his thoughts before he spoke.
Then he told them about the visit from the attorney. Their eyes narrowed as he went through the charges pending against him. He didn’t know why he’d hesitated to tell them. Of course they were going to have his back. Why had there been a small percentage of his brain that had worried they might believe the worst? If he told them he’d even wondered about their loyalty, they’d be pissed enough to kick his ass right off the boat for a cold bath in the seawater.
“We’ll get through this, no problem,” Mav said. “I have some well-connected contacts. I’m going to make a few calls.”
“Whoever is out to get you will learn quickly not to mess with one of the Armstrongs,” Cooper added.
“I’m not worried about it,” Nick told them. “I’m just a little pissed that someone would lie like this. I wanted to put the crash behind me, and the accusations make everything―the accident, the death of my team, my injuries―surface once more. Anyone who knows me knows there’s no way I would put my crew in danger.” His words rose in volume as he slammed his fist down on the table in front of him.
“Of course you wouldn’t,” Mav quickly agreed.
“When you have what we have, we’re bound to make enemies. You can’t let it bring you down,” Cooper pointed out.
“Have you ever been accused of something that could land you in prison?” Nick asked.
“No. But I wouldn’t be surprised if it happened someday,” Cooper said in all seriousness.
“We’ll get through this, bro. Coop and I are going to be at your side every step of the way,” Mav said again as he clapped his shoulder.
“I know and I appreciate it.” He sighed before looking down. “I have to tell Mom and Uncle Sherman. I’m really not looking forward to that conversation.”
“You can’t put it off too long. If you do, they’re going to be furious with you,” Coop warned.
“I know, I know. I just found out yesterday. I’ve barely even had time to process it yet,” Nick told him.
“We’ll go to them together,” Mav said.
“Thanks. I’m glad I didn’t wait to tell you,” he said. They both nodded. “However, I don’t want to discuss it any further today. I just want to enjoy a nice barbecue visiting with my family,” Nick insisted.
Mav laughed. “I think I can smell food all the way down here. The ladies must be cooking.” Nick appreciated the instant change in subject.
“Then we’d better get our butts up there. If we’re sneaky enough, we can get our fill before anyone else arrives.”
“Are you expecting more company?” Coop asked.
“With the way your wives cook, the entire island might show up,” Nick warned.
“Before we go anywhere, you have some serious explaining to do,” Mav said.
“What more do I need to explain?” Nick was confused.
“You’re avoiding talking about the hot PT, and it’s obvious there are some serious sparks going on between you two,” he said.
“Not that you can see anything in your marriage-induced love coma, but it would be none of your business if anything were going on,” Nick told him.
“That means there’s definitely something to tell,” Coop said with a laugh.
Nick glared at them both. Had he been this annoying when they’d begun to fall for a woman? That thought stopped him in his tracks. Was he actually falling for Chloe, or was it just about sex and the chase? He wasn’t really sure.
“Nothing at all to tell,” Nick said with a grumble.
“I didn’t know if I’d ever see the day,” Coop said, looking at Nick as if studying him beneath a microscope.
“I’m gonna kick both your asses if you don’t shut up,” Nick threatened.
“Dang, I think you’re protesting far too much,” Coop said.
“She’s hot, obviously,” Nick told them. Maybe that would shut his brothers up. But his words only made the gleam in their eyes brighten.
“Maybe Mom will be getting another wedding soon,” Mav said with a chuckle. His brother ducked just in time to avoid the flying beer bottle aimed at his head. That only made Mav laugh harder.
Nick needed to see Chloe again, but he wasn’t going to admit that, especially now. He was way too confused. He didn’t like it.
“Let’s find food,” he muttered.
His brothers laughed, but they relented. Then all of them walked back up to the house. Nick was moving much better than he had when Chloe had first arrived, but still not at peak performance. His brothers were slowing their usual pace so he wouldn’t strain himself keeping up. He didn’t say anything, but he appreciated what they were doing. Nick didn’t like to feel weak, and he didn’t like to ask people to modify their normal routines for him. All the brothers felt the same way. It was a matter of pride, and if the Armstrong men knew about anything, it was pride. They had it in spades.