Head Over Heels Read Online Free Page A

ditch the idea of calling Gunnar, he remembered his mother’s cough and her gasping breath.
    He pushed the number to reach Gunnar. After one ring, his oldest brother answered.
    “You’ve got some fucking nerve.” Gunnar sounded like he spoke through gritted teeth.
    “Hey, bro. What a welcome. You kiss your mother with that mouth?” As usual, sarcasm would help him deal with Gunnar.
    If he knew Gunnar, his hulking brother probably looked like a charging bull, complete with red eyes and drool dripping from his mouth. Smoke probably billowed out from his ears.
    “Don’t you dare bring Mom into this. I’m about to go up to see her now.”
    Thane heard a ding like in an elevator and a canned voice announcing the floor and direction of the ride.
    “Good. I wanted to tell you—”
    Gunnar cut him off. “Don’t tell me anything. For months, I’ve been trying to reach you, and you’ve ignored me and my messages. Mom had a triple fucking bypass. Gid had surgery.”
    “And you were shot. I know.” Thane didn’t mean for the statement to sound dismissive, but he didn’t call to get a lecture.
    “Glad you care.” Gunnar released a long, low grumble. “You know all this and you can’t bother to bring your ass back home to see any of us. Don’t you give a shit about your family?”
    “Yeah, I do. That’s why I’m calling.” Thane clenched his teeth. “But you know what? You know it all. I’m sure you’ll handle everything and be the big hero as always and I’ll be the screw-up. I’ve got to go.”
    Gunnar snickered. “Of course. Fucking a model this time? Or is it a groupie?”
    Thane walked out of his room. “Give Mom my best. Tell her I love her.”
    “Whatever. Do it yourself, you spoiled brat. No matter what you do or how low you stoop, you will always be Mom’s baby. It still amazes me that it’s her heart that’s killing her since she has such a big one. Have a great evening.” Gunnar disconnected the call.
    Thane slid the thin phone into his jacket pocket. He hated going down to his interview with everything weighing on his mind. Even as he entered the elevator, a nagging voice in his head begged him to follow up with someone about his mother. Gunnar had been heading up to see her. He told himself that as usual, his brother would make sure Elizabeth had everything she needed. He would keep her safe.
    Thane didn’t want to do this interview. He’d been pushed to do it by his overbearing agent, who’d managed to get him the most lucrative deal in Major League Baseball history.
    When the elevator doors opened to the lobby level, he saw a very frustrated woman glancing at her watch and pacing. Thane at least owed the journalist an explanation. The closer he got to her, the more he noticed something odd. Her marching step had an irregular pattern. She kept looking down at her feet as though unsure of her footing. At peculiar moments, she would giggle and cover half her face and mouth with her hand.
    As soon as she headed for the door, he went after her. She stumbled back and nearly fell to the floor before she caught herself.
    “I’m late. I know.” He stood in her path to stop her.
    “Yes, you are, Mr. Wells.” The feisty blonde glared at him as she crossed her arms over her chest. “I’ve heard stories about you. I hoped you wouldn’t dismiss me like other women in your past.”
    Damn. He had that kind of reputation? He couldn’t catch a break today. He took a deep breath and caught the scent of alcohol in the air. Not unusual for a journalist to imbibe once in a while, sometimes during the interview. This one looked like she couldn’t hold her liquor.
    He held up his hands in surrender. “I’m not that man, Ms. Toplee.” He shook his head. “However, I do have to apologize. I need to catch a plane and go home for a family emergency. My mother isn’t doing well.”
    The journalist’s face softened. “Your mother? I heard about Gunnar and Gideon. Are they going to be