Comeback (The Holland Brothers Book 3)

“Some guy is asking for you out front,” Liam, one of our bartenders tonight, calls to me as he walks behind the bar. I’m refilling my tray with shots, but I pause to glance toward the front of the club.

Olivia tips her head toward the small vials filled with purple liquor. “Maybe you should toss one of those back.”

She’s right. Sometimes we get regular guys in here who ask for us by name. It usually turns into an awkward encounter where they read too much into a previous visit to the club. I smile at everyone, but it does not mean I want to go home with them.

“I hope it doesn’t come to that,” I say before heading out to the floor. I walk in the general direction of the front door but then make my way through tables and people standing around in groups checking to see if anyone needs a drink as I go.

It’s a slow night for shots, but I’m glad to be working the floor right now instead of dancing. I spent all day looking at real estate—very bad real estate. I thought finding an apartment would be easy, but everything is either too expensive or too far away from where I want to be.

I lower my tray as I get through the crowd to the front entryway. Scanning for anyone who looks like they’re waiting for me, I turn in almost a full circle before I spot them.

Brogan and Archer. A smile pulls at the corners of my lips and a dipping sensation happens low in my stomach. We walk toward each other, meeting in the middle.

“Shot?” I ask, feeling a little uncomfortable once I’m standing in front of them.

Brogan gives me his signature easy smile. He’s always so damn happy to see me. I wonder if we’d grown up together what kind of relationship we’d have. Would we be close and talk often or would we take having a sibling for granted? Is it possible we’d still be friends like I think we’re starting to become now? Or were before I left.

“What are you guys doing here?” I ask when neither of them speaks or moves to take a shot from my tray.

“I thought you’d be dancing.” My brother tips his head to the two cages on either side of the club. There are two more outside near the pool.

“I’m not up until later.” We take shifts. The cages are too small to do any strenuous dancing, but it still gets exhausting being on display.

“We’re here to see you,” Brogan says with a nod of understanding. “Can you talk?”

A hint of nervousness works its way in. They came to talk to me? My brain searches for answers, but I can’t come up with a single one. “Sure. Let me get rid of these shots and then I can take my break.”

Brogan reaches into his pocket for his wallet and puts cash on the tray, then takes the last two shots.

“Thanks,” I say, putting the cash in my apron and bringing the tray down to my side.

Brogan and Archer clink the glasses together and toss them back. I meet Archer’s gaze as he swallows. His throat works with the movement, and he grimaces slightly at the sweet alcohol. I can’t help but smile at his reaction, and surprisingly, he returns the expression. My stomach dips again as we continue to lock eyes.

“What is that?” Brogan asks, breaking the moment and forcing me to look back at him.

“It’s our signature drink. Vodka, champagne, and a few other things.”

“It tastes like cotton candy and summer.” Brogan grins. “I like it.”

“I feel like I just drank a pixie stick.” Archer is still holding on to the shot glass but looking around for something to do with it.

I hold out my tray and they both set their empty plastic cups on it.

“There are some tables outside on the patio. It’s a little quieter out there. Give me two minutes to drop this off,” I say, indicating my tray.

When Brogan nods his agreement, I spin around and head toward the bar. My heart is racing, and nervous energy has me moving through the crowd without registering things like before.

I set my tray down. Olivia’s brows lift in question.

“Brogan’s here,” I say. “And Archer.”

“Really?” Her eyes light up and she glances back the way I came.

“I sent them outside.” I untie my apron. I’m still in my bikini top and jean shorts like the other female employees, but there’s not a lot I can do about that.

“Can you grab me a Modelo and a Blue Moon?” I give her the cash Brogan gave me, which is more than enough to cover the shots and beers.

“Here.” She hands me two bottles of beer.

“Thanks.”

While she gets back to pouring drinks, I head outside. Lilac Lounge is an indoor/outdoor club. The inside bar and seating area are smaller than the outdoor space. The bar is just out the doors and there’s a patio with seating under an alcove.

A massive pool takes up the middle and most people hang around the edge of it, sipping drinks and talking. There’s a stage behind the pool where a DJ is set up tonight. On either side of the stage is where I usually dance. Right now, my favorite guy friend is up there along with a dancer that started while I was gone.

Archer and Brogan are easy to find, even among the throngs of people out here. Saturday night is our busiest and with the college kids back in town, tonight is looking to be a long one. I’ll be glad when it’s my turn to dance, so I don’t have to mingle in the crowd selling shots.

The college guys are the worst. They’re always trying to get free stuff and offering up things in exchange. One guy said he’d and I quote, ‘make it worth my while.’ Uh-huh. Why is it the guys that think they’re the best in bed are always actually the worst?

Archer turns as I approach them. His gaze dips to my legs and up in a quick perusal that somehow still makes my stomach swoop.

I hand him the Blue Moon. He takes it after a beat of hesitation, then reaches for his wallet.

“I got it,” I say, shaking him off, then hand the other bottle to Brogan.

“You know what we drink?” He twists off the cap and tosses it in a nearby trashcan. I glance back at Archer in time to see him slip his top into his pocket.

“Occupational hazard.” I spot an empty couch on the patio and lead the guys to it. I motion for them to sit. Brogan does, then Archer, leaving me with a small space next to my brother’s best friend.

Our legs brush and he moves his over to give me more room.

“This is such a surprise,” I say, still feeling off-kilter that they’re here to see me. “Why didn’t you text me to tell me you were coming? I could have gotten you VIP access.” There’s a section of the pool with a swim-up bar that is reserved for only thirty people per night. Mostly people the club extends invitations to. If celebrities or local influencers come and share, then it brings even more people in.

I try to imagine Brogan and Archer in VIP and the mayhem it would likely cause. Brogan is my brother, but I’ m not oblivious to the way women are with him. He has a charm about him. And Archer has this whole quiet, almost overlookable hotness. He’s good at blending in and not drawing a lot of attention to himself, but when you look at him…really look at him, he’s breathtaking. His hair is a little too long and he has rough stubble along his square jaw. His eyes are what really do me in. They’re a stunning hazel with long inky-black lashes. There’s something about him that just hits all my buttons. Even knowing how much he dislikes me doesn’t detract from his appeal unfortunately.

“It was a last-minute decision,” Brogan says. “But this place is cool. I like it. I’ll have to bring London back sometime.”

Another pause hangs between us while I wait for him to tell me why he’s really here, but before he can do that two women approach Brogan.

“Are you Brogan Six?” one of them asks with a coy smile.

I hear Archer’s light laughter under his breath.

“Yes.” Brogan smiles politely at the women as they start talking fast, telling him what big fans they are.

Archer glances up at me. I find myself amused at the scene.

“Does this happen to him a lot?” I ask Archer.

“Yeah. He’s got that certain something. Reels them right in.”

“Do you get stopped?”

“Me?” he asks like that’s a ridiculous question. “No. Not really. Not like Brogan.”

“Maybe you’re just more intimidating.”

“I’m not offended,” he says. “I wouldn’t deal with it as well as he does.”

Somehow, I don’t believe him. He hasn’t been friendly with me, but I have seen how he is with his teammates and friends and basically anyone that isn’t me.

Our gazes go back to Brogan. My brother remains polite as the women fawn over him, but when one of them steps closer and puts a hand on his leg, he removes it and then holds up a palm to stop her from invading his space again. “I’m in a relationship, but it’s really nice to meet you both. Have a good night.”

They hesitate a beat before taking his words as intended, a dismissal.

“Sorry about that,” Brogan says, flashing me a smile. “Where were we?”

“I think you were going to tell me why you’re here. What did you want to talk about?”

“Right. That.” His easy expression is replaced by one that makes him look nervous for the first time. Which in turn makes me nervous.

“How is the apartment hunting going?” Brogan asks.

I’m a little thrown by the topic change, but I answer without a lot of thought. “Not great, but I’m confident I’ll find something.”

Brogan stares at me, not speaking. I look from him to Archer for some explanation of the awkwardness stretching out around us.

“He wants you to move in,” Archer says finally.

“Dude.” Brogan punches him lightly in the arm.

“What? You were freaking her out,” Archer says, glancing at him, then back at me, but he doesn’t say more.

My pulse picks up speed. “That’s so nice. Truly. I appreciate it, but I’ll find something.”

“I’m not asking to be nice. I want you to live with us.”

I consider that for a moment. “Why?”

“I like hanging out with you and getting to know you. I don’t know what your favorite breakfast food is or if you’re a morning person or a night owl or a bunch of different things that I feel like I should know.” His brows pinch together, much like I can feel mine doing. “You’re my sister and there’s still so much I don’t know.”

His words strike a chord. I didn’t know he felt that way, but I get it because I find myself getting caught up in those thoughts too.

“We can still hang out even if I don’t live there.”

“Yeah.” His voice is nearly a whine. “But you’re busy, I’m busy…”

I nod at the unspoken truth. Before I left, we hung out several times, getting to know one other. It was hard to find days and times he was free. I know he did his best, but he’s a busy guy. When we did manage to grab brunch or coffee it was almost like starting over, finding that comfort with each other again.

But moving in with him? Not just him. London lives there too, and Archer. My throat tightens as I sneak a glance at him. His stare is downcast on the beer bottle resting on one thigh. He won’t even look at me. He can’t be okay with this.

“I would like to get to know you better too,” I tell Brogan honestly.

“Then move in with us.” His eyes dance with excitement.

I open my mouth to speak but then look at Archer again. This time he glances up at me. His hazel eyes swirl with unspoken emotions.

“You’re okay with this?” I ask him.

A muscle in his jaw flutters, but then he nods. Okay, not exactly that convincing.

I bite on the corner of my lip as I think. I need to get off Olivia’s couch soon before I cause problems with her landlord. And their place is nice and it’s near the club and the locations I’m looking at for a studio. And it would save me from filling out a dozen more rental applications, hoping to find something cheap and short-term. I’m still hopeful I’ll find a dance studio space that can double as my apartment. I have this vision in my head of living upstairs. How cool would it be to have a dance studio in my house? I could dance any time I want.

Archer’s leg presses against mine, drawing me out of my thoughts. I meet his gaze and we have some sort of stare off where it feels like he’s saying a hundred things. I’m okay with this. It’ll make Brogan happy. I’ll be there to make sure you don’t fuck him over. It’s only until you find another place.

Or maybe I’m reading too much into a simple look, but I decide not to dwell too hard on it. They’re offering me an opportunity and I’m going to take it. Olivia won’t have to worry about her landlord, and I can take my time looking for an apartment and studio.

Who knows, maybe in the process I can prove to Archer once and for all that I’m not going to intentionally hurt his best friend.