Chapter 16 Tommy
Bryant comes through the door and this time, he’s only slightly muddy.
“At least you didn’t get kicked today,” I say.
“I suppose there’s that.” He sounds exhausted simply putting his boots away. “Please tell me I remembered to put the steaks in the fridge last night.”
“They’re thawed out. Want me to do anything to them while you go soak? You look terrible.”
He waves a hand in dismissal. “Nah, I’ll be down in plenty of time. Jax is at his place so it’s just the four of us, right?”
“I have to leave before six, so just talk Caleb into staying and he’ll replace me.”
“What do you have?”
“Didn’t get to talk much to your wolf-dog today?” I joke. Bryant’s not chatty on a good day. And today was not good for them.
“Someone’s got to keep tabs on you, Chuck, and Matt,” he mumbles.
Huh. I didn’t expect that.
I clear my throat at the thought of Bryant feeling like he has to fill the shoes of both Jackson and our father. “There’s a meeting for planning the next few city movie nights. I joined the sub-committee.”
“Why?” He doesn’t ask it with judgment, just confusion and curiosity.
“It’s good to be involved, we need to have at least one movie in color this summer, and I might be picking up Samantha for it.”
“Finally.”
I want to ask him how he knew anything but he’s already walking past the kitchen to his room.
She said yes to a real date and to coming here on Friday, I might as well warm my brothers up to the idea of me bringing someone around again so they don’t treat her like Courtney and Avery.
Oh God. Why did I invite her here in the afternoon? And why this week? All four of my brothers are going to think I can’t set up a real date. I run a hand down my face in defeat.
Chuck is never going to let me live this down.
As if on cue, Chuck’s cackle and Matt’s groan carry through the window just before the front door opens. Matt’s face is bright red, while Chuck looks smug. Caleb brings up the rear, looking sheepish with his hands buried in his front pockets.
“How’re the girls?” I ask Chuck, sensing Matt would prefer to not have attention on him.
“Amazing. But that’s not surprising because they are mine,” he says, giving me that cocky grin and his stupid toothpick flip that seems to charm the boots off any woman in a thirty-mile radius.
My eyes roll entirely by reflex. “Ugh, your brothers are immune to your swagger. Save it for the vet when half the herd gets a bug.”
“Oh, there’s plenty for her,” he says with a smirk.
“I thought she wasn’t dating anyone,” Caleb pipes up, his boots off.
“I’m working on it,” Chuck says.
“Seriously? Don’t you dare piss her off.” Matt smacks Chuck across the chest.
“I said I was working on it, not mauling her.” He rolls his eyes. “She won’t even realize she’s falling for me.”
Three of us sigh in unison.
“You all know I would never jeopardize the ranch or my ladies. I’m not being rash.” Matt narrows his eyes at Chuck as he continues to defend himself. “Seriously. Have I ever given anyone a reason to doubt me?”
Three sets of eyebrows raise in his direction.
“No, really,” he explains. “I haven’t once been a dick to someone I was dating or hoping to date. And everyone else knew exactly what we were doing.”
“Just don’t fuck things up. She’s amazing for this town,” I say.
“Ye of little faith.” Chuck saunters to the stairs, going to his room.
“Can you stay for dinner?” I ask, turning to Caleb. “Bryant is making enough for all four of us, but I have a meeting that I’m leaving for soon, and you could likely use a pile of protein after dealing with the mare today.”
Matt musses Caleb’s hair, making an odd picture since Caleb’s older. “He’s staying. The man can burn soup and is not to be trusted to cook edible food for himself.”
Caleb tries to hold back a smile. “I suppose I can let Bryant bribe me with his grilling skills. Maybe he can give me some pointers.”
“Maybe you’ll be part of the dinner rotation here,” I say.
“No, you’re not learning from Bryant. You’ll never eat a vegetable with any color for the rest of your life,” Matt says.
“That’s fair,” I agree.
“Okay, maybe I”ll just stick with lessons from the Landen brother who already keeps me healthy.”
Matt blushes again.
“Why don’t you two get cleaned up? You can snag a pair of my sweats if you’d like, you and I are closer in size,” I say to Caleb. “Actually, you should just keep a few sets of clothes here. You could keep them in one of the extra bedrooms.”
It’s clear he’s about to protest so I put a hand up.
“You’re starting to work here more and more. Plus, we con you into eating with us a lot, so you can crash here when you like. Just think about it.” I pat Caleb on the shoulder. “I’m going to grab a bite now before my meeting.”
As I turn to go into the kitchen, I catch a glimpse of Matt looking confused. But he clears his expression right away and he goes upstairs with his buddy. What the heck was that all about?
Before anyone can give me shit about my meal preferences, I grab leftover rice, chicken, and some fresh veggies, making a quick fried rice.
For some reason, I’m feeling calm about tonight. Maybe it’s because it’s not a date. Or another non-date.
Oh shit. Is this a terrible idea to be on so many things together? She seems interested, lord knows why. But she seemed genuinely disappointed the other night before I finished saying that it hadn’t been a date, but a work thing.
Or is she just interested for now?
The clamping of my stomach has me shaking my head. I don’t let myself go down that old road. Fuck, because of Maisy, I have doubts creeping into my head that didn’t exist before shit went south.
It’s high time I get over the damage she left me with.