Her Best Men: A Brother's Best Friends Reverse Harem

by Rye Hart

  CHAPTER 17

  KATIE

  “Thanks for helpin’ us out durin’ the meetin’, doll,” Dylan said.

  “It’s really not a problem. I had to come in for training at two anyway with the lawyer, so what's a couple of extra hours?” I asked.

  “You’re incredible, you know that?”

  “Hardly. But the sentiment is kind, thank you.”

  “Got any plans for your evening?” he asked.

  “Just hanging out with Lizzie. Whitney will probably video in. She usually does when we all ‘get together.’”

  “You gonna miss her in the city?”

  “I will. She’s a good friend. Helped me through a lot of stuff in college. Like getting my drinking under control.”

  “What do ya mean?” he asked.

  “It got bad there for a while. Drinkin’ every night and wakin’ up to a beer instead of coffee. A lot of people thought it was Michael that changed that about me, but Whitney was the one that steered me out of that storm.”

  “Your drinkin’ didn’t seem bad before you left.”

  “It wasn’t. But I got into the city, and it was a new place. I saw happy families in the parks and fathers holding their children and walking dogs. There was just so much joy, and it shone a very bright light onto the sadness I kept hidden away, I guess.”

  “Oh, Katie.”

  Dylan pulled me into his arms, and I sighed into his chest. He was so warm and comforting, and it felt good to finally admit it out loud. I didn’t talk to anyone about my drinking problem from college. It was something that embarrassed me. The journey to cut all that beer out of my life was incredibly trying, especially when I was trying to keep up with my degree.

  “Why didn’t you call me?” Dylan asked.

  “What would you have done? It wasn’t your issue to fix,” I said as I stepped away.

  “Does anyone else know about it?” he asked.

  “Just Michael. And Lizzie. I met Michael around the time I was getting sober, and he helped with the last leg of it. I mean, I don’t really like calling it ‘sober.’ I had a problem, but I don’t crave the stuff. I learned how to limit my intake and forced myself to draw a line where I only indulged if there were other people around. No drinking by myself, no alcohol until at least six at night, and no more than three drinks at a time. Lizzie helps keep me on track now, but Whitney was the one that did all the heavy lifting.”

  “Fuck, Katie. You know you can come to us with this kinda stuff, right?”

  “I know. I do. It was just so—personal. It hurt. More than I’d ever let myself hurt in my life. And I guess I didn’t want to bother you guys.”

  “Doll, look at me.”

  I sighed as my eyes fluttered up to Dylan’s.

  “You ain’t ever a bother. To me, or any of my brothers. Ever,” he said.

  I nodded, then sighed as I crossed my arms over my chest. I felt exposed again, vulnerable, like I did a few days ago when I’d called off my wedding. I looked up at Dylan and saw his face coming closer to mine, and I thought he was going to kiss me. I closed my eyes and readied myself for the warmth of his lips, but then I felt him pull back.

  So far back, in fact, that he physically took a step away from me.

  “Hey guys,” Dylan said. “What’s up?”

  “We got that barbecue tonight,” Caleb said. “You gonna carry your weight this time, or am I gonna have to pick up your slack again?”

  “Ah, the closin’ barbecue. Nope. You don’t have to pick up anything for me. I’ll make sure to stop by the grocery store and get more beer,” Dylan said.

  “Good. Caleb’s roundin’ up that buckin’ bronco one last time. I’m gettin’ one last propane tank. And Wyatt’s gonna double-check on the food and get anythin’ we might be low on,” Andrew said.

  “Then I guess I better use my break to run into town,” Dylan said as he smiled down at me. “Katie, thank you again for helpin’ us durin’ the meetin’.”

  “Yes, that was a massive help,” Wyatt said. “Thank you.”

  “It’s really not a problem. But I need to go. The lawyer’s waiting for me, and I want to make a good first impression,” I said.

  “Blame it on us, and if he has any issues send him down to my office,” Caleb said.

  “Thanks,” I said with a smile.

  I cleared my throat and left, casting one last glance back at Dylan. I knew we couldn’t act on anything in front of the his brothers, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t toss him a kind smile.

  I went and met with the lawyer who walked me through the day-to-day protocol, paperwork I had to look over and things I had to check during the day. It was all easy stuff, and he started teaching me how to use the system on the computer. Making sure everything was in order meant going through every reservation and making sure customers didn’t have complaints. I had to familiarize myself with the basic contracts of the hotel, from employee contracts to room contracts to building contracts. It was a lot to study, and it would take me a few weeks to really get the hang of things, but it felt good to be using my degree.

  Even if it wasn’t what I really wanted to do with it.

  I was ready for my girls. I didn’t leave the resort until well after five, and my brain was fried. I buzzed home and threw open the door, then texted Lizzie and told her to head over with food. I pulled out the six-pack of beer I had in my fridge and set it on the couch, waiting for Lizzie to get here so I could have one.

  I was serious about my rules, and I wasn’t going to start breaking them now.

  “Hey there! Lizzie there yet?”

  “Nope. She’s on her way with food. You got yours?” I asked.

  “Chinese takeout and wine,” Whitney said. “What’s Lizzie bringing?”

  “Probably pizza. When it’s her turn to pay, it’s always pizza,” I said.

  “So, pizza and beer? I see that six-pack on the couch. There’s still six in it, right?”

  “Yes, ma’am. Hasn’t changed in six years, and it isn’t about to change now. Speaking of, I told Dylan today about it.”

  “You did?”

  “Yeah.”

  “How much did you tell him? How did he take it?”

  “He was shocked. You have to keep in mind, I drank regularly with these guys all throughout my senior year. They didn’t see out-of-control me, just happy-go-tipsy me. I gave him the summary. How seeing all those happy families in parks and stuff really did me in. How the parties on the weekend morphed into parties during the week. Stuff like that.”

  “Are you going to tell any of the other brothers?” Whitney asked.

  “She needs to,” Lizzie said.

  “There she is!” Whitney said. “About time. Whatcha got?”

  “A very large three-meat pizza and a six-pack of beer to replace the one we’re gonna go ham on tonight,” Lizzie said

  “Put it in the fridge,” Whitney said.

  “I know the rules, damn. I got y’all, ‘kay?” Lizzie asked. “So, what’s this I hear ‘bout you tellin’ someone somethin’?”

  “I told Dylan about my drinking,” I said.

  “‘Bout damn time you told someone. Whit-Whit and I ain’t gonna always be around to watch ya.”

  “Don’t call me that,” Whitney said.

  “Whatcha gonna do? Reach through the camera?” Lizzie asked as she handed me a slice of pizza.

  “Thanks. This smells great,” I said.

  “I got Chinese. You guys can keep your nasty pizza.”

  “I ain’t never met a person who don’t like pizza. It’s insane to me,” Lizzie said.

  “Okay, okay, okay. So, how are your new jobs coming along?” Whitney asked.

  “They’re going well. The front desk stuff is easy, but I just started training for the in-house counsel position today, and that is much harder,” I said.

  “Part-time gigs, right?” Lizzie asked.

  “Both of them, yes. But if this counsel job gets to be too much, I’m gonna have to
drop the front desk position. I have a lot to read over and learn in the next few days.”

  “When’s the last day the lawyer’s gonna be there?” Lizzie asked.

  “He has nine more days, I think.”

  “Then you take over,” Whitney said. “Right?”

  “Yep. I’ll have my own office and everything,” I said.

  “Next to one of the brothers?” Lizzie asked.

  “Not that it matters, but yes. I’ll be down there by Andrew,” I said.

  “Okay, I’m going to come out and ask it. Have you done anything with any of them?” Whitney asked.

  “Damn, chick! She gettin’ to it before I do. Okay, I can answer this question. Yes, Whitney, she has,” Lizzie said.

  “Wait a second. Lizzie knows, and I don’t?” Whitney asked.

  “Shut up, the both of you. If you really want to know, then what I’m about to tell you is top secret. It can’t go anywhere. It has to stay between the three of us.”

  “Yeah, yeah. We got it. Now fill me in on what Lizzie knows that I don’t,” Whitney said.

  “What Lizzie knows is that I’ve slept with Wyatt,” I said.

  “That the young one?” Whitney asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Oh, he’s cute. Baby-faced, but cute. Dylan’s more my type, though. I like the suits he wears,” Whitney said.

  “Then you’ll be pleased to know that I’ve slept with him, too.”

  “Hold the fucking phone. You slept with Dylan?” Lizzie asked.

  “I did.”

  “When?”

  “A couple of nights ago. There was a dance at the resort, and Dylan invited me to stay. I had a couple of beers on an empty stomach. One thing led to another, and before I knew it I was naked on the hardwood bar with his face between my legs,” I said.

  “Oh. Holy. Shit,” Whitney said. “He’s dominant in bed, isn’t he? Oh, I knew it! He has that look in his eye.”

  “Girl. You’ve been holdin’ out on me. I’m pissed!” Lizzie said.

  “I’m not done yet,” I said.

  “What?” Whitney asked.

  “Who the hell else you been sleepin’ with?” Lizzie asked.

  “No one, yet. But that’s the problem. I want to sleep with the other brothers, too.”

  “Shut up. No way,” Lizzie said.

  “You want all four of them?” Whitney asked.

  “I don’t know what’s gotten into me. I stopped my wedding, and suddenly, I’m back to being eighteen again,” I said.

  “What does that mean?” Whitney asked.

  “Oh, that’s shit you weren’t around for yet,” Lizzie said. “Katie constantly fantasized ‘bout all of them in high school.”

  “I bet every girl in town did,” Whitney said.

  “But that kind of stuff doesn’t actually happen in real life. I can’t have all of them. Right?” I asked.

  “I don’t know. Ya’ve had two of ‘em,” Lizzie said. “I mean, you don’t want ’em all together, right?”

  My cheeks flushed as Whitney squealed on the video call.

  “Oh, my gosh. You do. You want all four Lee brothers at once!”

  “Shut up, Whit,” I said.

  “Oh, this is so good. Thank fuck I got two bottles of wine.”

  “Shit. You got city girl cussin’. That means the story’s gettin’ good,” Lizzie said. “How do you feel ‘bout all this—newfound emotional bullshit?”

  “I don’t know. I enjoyed my time with Wyatt, and I really enjoyed my time with Dylan. But my eyes linger on Caleb and Andrew, too. Like they did when I was younger,” I said.

  “Doesn’t shock me if you’ve had a thing for them since high school,” Whitney said. “And now you’re single, so who the hell cares?”

  “Oh, shit! Whit-Whit’s tippin’ up the whole damn bottle!” Lizzie said.

  “You two are a mess,” I said, giggling.

  “No, you’re a mess,” Whitney said. “But you’re a happy mess. Katie, I haven’t seen you smile this much since you and Michael first hooked up back in college. For me? That’s enough for right now.”

  “You think so?” I asked.

  “Yeah, girl! You’re happy, you’re gettin’ some from some very hot men, and you’re findin’ your own way after that asshole tried to fuck you up. I’m all for this train ride,” Lizzie said.

  “Just be careful,” Whitney said.

  “I’m not ready to settle back down, I know,” I said.

  “Not what I meant. With the little time I spent around them, especially with that hot tub party, I can tell none of them are settling down material. Maybe Wyatt, if you squint one eye and close the other. But they’re wild men. This is right up their alley, but marriage isn’t,” Whitney said.

  “I don’t know. I think they’d settle down if the right woman came along,” Lizzie said. “I mean, the right woman for each of them. Not like, one damn woman for all of them.”

  “So, you don’t think they’ll just share one woman for the rest of their lives?” I asked.

  “Girl, this ain’t a fantasy porno,” Lizzie said. “These are four country boys with big muscles, lots of money, and a wild streak. They ain’t settlin’ down for no one, much less splittin’ one woman between all of ‘em.”

  “For once, I agree with Lizzie,” Whitney said.

  “I guess it’s nice to dream,” I said.

  “And look. I’m a fan of the Lee brothers and all, but I know their reputations ‘round town. You ain’t been back here for real in a few years, and they’ve gotten around. They’ve shared women before,” Lizzie said.

  “They have?” I asked.

  “Yep. And it’s never pretty for the woman. She gets attached, they pull away. Lots of tears and drinkin’ and cussin’. It’s a whole mess. I don’t wanna see that happen to ya,” Lizzie said.

  “And again, I’m with Liz,” Whitney said.

  “How many women have they shared between them?” I asked.

  “Of course, she’d get stuck on that detail,” Whitney said. “Are you hearing anything else Lizzie’s saying?”

  “Yes, I am. I’m just thinking. They have a history of this, so that means I do have a shot with the other two brothers, right?” I asked.

  “Whatever you choose to do, be careful,” Whitney said.

  “I will. I promise.”

  “Now, onto the next item of business. Does Hunter know any of this shit is going on?” Lizzie asked.

  “Hell, no,” I said. “He’d kill me and them if he knew.”

  “Then that’s even more of a reason for you to be extra careful,” Whitney said.

  “If Hunter ever found out I was screwing around with his friends, he’d explode. Dallas would be nothing but a crater in the ground once he got done with it,” I said.

  “You worried he might find out?” Whitney asked.

  “I am now,” I said. “How do people know all this about the brothers?”

  “Because them women open their big-ass mouths,” Lizzie said. “Keep ya trap shut, and ya should be okay.”

  “That I can do,” I said.

  “Now that we’ve unpacked the drama and lewdness of Katie’s life—Whitney! What's going on in yours?” Lizzie asked.

  “Nothing nearly as exciting as what’s going on with Katie, but I did take a page out of Katie’s book.”

  “Oh, hell, please tell me ya got rid of the moocher,” Lizzie said.

  “Did you dump Brad?” I asked.

  “I kicked his behind out the door. Finally,” Whitney said.

  “Okay. Okay, okay, okay. I want all the damn details. What you said. How he reacted. How many tears he cried. Did he get snotty? I bet he got snotty,” Lizzie said.

  “Hold on, let me get another piece of pizza and crack open a beer for this story,” I said.

  CHAPTER 18

  WYATT

  I saw the way he was looking at Katie. The way he leaned in to kiss her before we came down the damn hall. I knew it. I knew the two of them had fuck
ed. What the fuck was my brother thinking? He wasn’t that thick-headed. He had to have known that the two of us had something going on. But I couldn’t really be upset with him. I knew Katie’s allure was strong. I knew she was a beautiful woman. I knew what her clothes hid and how her sounds drove a man wild. And it wasn’t like we had things turned up like they obviously did. Dylan was ready to put a smack on her in the middle of the damn resort lobby. The only reason he didn’t do it was because we came around the damn corner.

  I felt the same fucking way so I couldn't be pissed that he was making moves on her, too.

  But the way she was looking up at him made me jealous. The way her eyes lit up, and the way her body was turned into him. We’d shared women in the past before, and most of them enjoyed going to Dylan. A lot of women had this older man thing they wanted to fulfill and, with Dylan graying at the temples a bit, they got their rocks off with that shit.

  The issue was, I didn’t want to share Katie.

  I wanted her to be mine.

  “You good?”

  Andrew’s voice pulled me from my thoughts before I continued to shovel shit out of the horse stalls.

  “Yep. I’m good,” I said.

  “Ya don’t look good. Been callin’ your name for a couple minutes now. What gives?” Andrew asked.

  “Just thinkin’ ‘bout some things.”

  “Like what?”

  “Like why the hell you fuckin’ care,” I said.

  “Hey, hey, hey. You get some bad pussy or somethin’? ‘Cause you’re pretty pissed.”

  “Nothin’. Well. Can I get your opinion on somethin’?”

  “Sure. What’s up, brother?”

  “I’m thinkin’ ‘bout askin’ Katie out. Like, on a bonafide date. Dinner. Drinks. Maybe some dancin’ or horseback ridin’.”

  “Sounds like a nice date,” he said.

  “So, you’d be okay with that?” I asked.

  “The fuck you askin’ me for? She’s a free woman. If she wants to have dinner and drinks and shoot the shit with ya, then that’s what she’ll do.”

  “So, I should do it,” I said.

  “If ya gotta ask me for permission, then your balls ain’t big enough to handle a woman like Katie yet. Let it stew, and if ya still wanna ask her out after sleepin’ on it, then just fuckin’ do it,” he said.