Truth or Spare (Princes Take New York #2)

Chapter 5

Chapter Five

A n hour later, Theo was feeling like an honorary American and on his way to fitting in at Brooks Family Bowling. Their first patron of the day had arrived and Theo had successfully checked an older gentleman named Keith into his “usual” lane.

Dressed in overalls and a ratty thermal top, Keith had been amusingly suspicious of Theo from the moment he walked through the front doors.

“Who are you?” he demanded in a whisper, narrowing his eyes at Theo. “Who authorized you to work here?”

“Knock it off,” Dewey told Keith. “He’s wearing a name tag and this isn’t the Pentagon. He doesn’t need authorization to work here.”

“He should. What if he messes up?” Keith’s eyes widened seriously.

“Messes up what? Lane 6 is ready, you goob.”

Dewey shooed him off, then turned to Theo. “I’m going to run the deposit to the bank since the afternoon rush is over,” Dewey announced, swinging his head in Keith’s direction. “Won’t be more than fifteen minutes.”

“Pillepalle,” Theo replied and gave Dewey a thumbs up, ready to prove he could be trusted. The name tag was pinned to Theo’s shirt and he had been tickled as he wrote his name on it with a Sharpie.

“Sure, you can. Just answer the phone and make sure 6 keeps running for Keith,” Dewey said as he slowly backed out of the glass double doors.

“Got it, boss!” Theo said, chuckling as he leaned on the counter and watched Dewey jog to a beat-up, black pickup truck. “Boss,” Theo repeated to himself, practicing his American accent and pleased by how typically American everything was. From the bowling alley around him, to the contemporary country music playing overhead, to odd, old Keith on 6, to Theo’s grumpy, bearded boss… Theo couldn’t have asked for a more normal American experience than his new job at Brooks Family Bowling.

He had a feeling he was in for another treat when a petite, curvy blond in red flannel and tight jeans backed through the doors with a large metal lunchbox and a Thermos. Her hair was almost as tall as she was and the flannel shirt had been knotted around her waist. Theo’s eyes swung to her face before he was caught checking out her cleavage. The shirt had been left unbuttoned and a white camisole strained around her very ample breasts.

“Where’s Doobie and where the heck have you been all my life?” she asked loudly, batting thick black lashes at Theo as she sidled up with the lunchbox. She set it down and rose on the toes of her white snow boots so she could see over the counter and check Theo out.

“I’m sorry… Doobie?” he asked and her brow arched.

“Dewey Brooks. Dewey B. Doo bie,” she said obviously. “He owns the place.”

“Ah. Mr. Brooks stepped out to run to the bank. I’d be happy to help you if you’d like to rent one of the lanes,” Theo said, earning a wry smirk.

“Maybe later. Just stopped by to drop off Doobie’s lunch before I head to the salon. He said he had found some temporary help so I packed extra. Brought my famous meatloaf sandwiches and chocolate muffins,” she said, giving the lunchbox on the counter a pat. “He didn’t tell me he hired a model, though.” She widened her eyes appreciatively and purred at Theo.

“Easy!” he laughed, but rested on his elbows so he was closer and could whisper. “I don’t want to get fired on my first day for flirting with the boss’s lady.” He clicked his teeth shamefully, but gave her an appreciating once-over. She was very curvy with a full, round backside. The more backside, the better, as far as Theo was concerned. He had a real weakness for full-figured women and she was adorably sassy and straightforward. He was halfway in lust, but instinctively sensed that she was off-limits. They had known each other for less than twenty-four hours, but Theo already respected and liked Dewey.

“Ha! Me and Doobie? I wish and not for lack of trying, I’ll tell ya,” she added under her breath. “Picked the wrong brother to fall in love with and ended up with a big brother I didn’t ask for,” she informed Theo, then waved off his confused frown. “I’m just teasing, mostly. Doobie’s shot me down more times than I can count, but he’s always looked out for me and Bryce.”

“Ach so! You are Bryce’s mother!” Theo clasped her hand and shook it excitedly. “Cassie, is it? Brooks has told me all about Bryce and how brilliant he is. You must be so proud,” he said as she beamed. She was radiant as she babbled about Bryce’s first semester at Cornell, clearly just as overjoyed as Dewey to see him thriving at university.

“I never thought I’d amount to much,” she confided. “But it’s amazing, knowing my baby made it out of Oslo and is going to build all kinds of awesome things.”

“Made it out?” Theo gave her a questioning look. “You seem lovely and what’s wrong with Oslo? So far, everyone’s been nice and it’s…quiet and calm here.”

That got a cackle out of Cassie. “Calm? Try dull and depressing. Nothing ever changes, except for the weather. And no one ever leaves unless they run away, like Roddy, or they win the lottery. My Bryce won the brain lottery and he was born with the world’s best uncle.”

“Roddy?” Theo asked and she rolled her eyes.

“Roddy is Doobie’s older brother and Bryce’s father. He was always Mr. Popular because his family ran the bowling alley and Roddy was supposed to be a hockey prodigy. But he got hurt our senior year of high school and all the recruiters and colleges lost interest. Then, their dad, Gerry, died. It was right after I had the baby and Roddy said it was all too much. He thought he still had a chance to play hockey, so he took off.”

“I’m so sorry,” Theo said, but she snorted and shook her head.

“We were all better off without Roddy, except Doobie. He works himself to death, taking care of this place and all of us, so I do what I can,” she said with another pat to the lunchbox’s side. “But what’s your story? Now that I’ve told you all my dirty secrets,” she added, making Theo laugh.

“You are absolutely delightful,” he said as he raised her hand and kissed her knuckles. “I’m Theo Hessen, from Austria. I came to Oslo to learn and to be helpful, if possible, and thought I’d give this a shot,” he explained as he gestured around them.

Cassie’s eyes narrowed and her head slowly tipped to the side until she let out another cackle. “Come on! What’s this really about? Is this one of those prank shows or are you some famous YouTuber?”

“Couldn’t be that famous,” he observed, winking playfully. “I’ve been staying at a friend’s place in New York City and thought I’d see the rest of the state and try my hand at something new. We don’t have many bowling alleys in Austria, so this is all very new to me,” he said and offered her an innocent shrug.

“That makes a little more sense…” she said, then humphed thoughtfully. “Couldn’t you have found a bowling alley someplace better, though? There have to be hundreds between here and the city,” she noted, proving that she wasn’t as clueless as she wanted Theo to believe.

“Probably,” he agreed. “But I wouldn’t have met you and Brooks would still need help.”

“We’ll see what kind of help you are,” she replied with a dubious look. “Are you single, or is there a Mrs. Hessen back in Austria?” she asked, just as Dewey returned and offered Cassie a quick nod.

“See you’ve met Theo,” he muttered and came around the counter.

Theo got out of the way, hurrying around him and joining Cassie on the other side. “She brought us lunch and has enchanted me,” Theo told Dewey, causing Cassie to sigh dreamily.

“Is there a Mrs. Hessen?” she repeated, batting her lashes up at Theo.

“Nee, but I am optimistic that my Mrs. or Mr. or Mx. Hessen is out there, just waiting for me to find them,” he said with a shrug, making her gasp.

“Are you now?” she asked, her eyes wide and sparkling as she swung around and gasped at Dewey. “Did you hear that, Doobie? This is your chance!”

“Knock it off, Cassie,” he grumbled at the motor he had been repairing before he left for the bank, blushing and irritated as he tuned them out.

But Theo was too intrigued to let it go. “I had no idea. I assumed Brooks was straight,” he admitted, cringing at Cassie and hoping she’d elaborate.

“We all did but he came out as bi a few years ago. The high school kids wanted to have a Pride party here and Doobie let them cover this place in rainbows. One of the parents got drunk and loud in the parking lot about it and Doobie told him he didn’t have to come back if he had a problem patronizing a queer-owned business.”

“Wirklich?” Theo gasped, swinging back to Dewey, but he waved it off and hunkered over the motor.

“It wasn’t a big deal. I already told Dad before he passed,” he said in a low mumble.

Cassie snorted. “It was a pretty big deal to a few of the older folks and the kids thought he was a hero. Most of the old folks still don’t get it and a lot of people don’t believe it because Doobie’s only ever dated Shannon Parks and Nancy Radley,” she said and Dewey threw up a hand.

“You ever talk about your own business, or is it just mine all the damn time?”

She made a dismissive sound and rolled her eyes. “Only thing that’s ever happened to me was Bryce and you were the hero that time too. You know, he really was our hero,” she said, resting a hand on Theo’s arm. “Doobie drove me to all my appointments and held my hand while I was in labor, through all the screaming and crying. He stepped right up after Bryce was born, too, and he’s never let us down.”

“Roddy’s loss,” Dewey muttered. “Just because I’ve never… dated a man doesn’t mean I’m not bi,” he added with a beleaguered sigh.

Theo sensed that Dewey was tired of explaining that to his friends and neighbors. “He’s absolutely correct. Brooks doesn’t have to provide references or display his bisexuality for anyone,” Theo stated with a firm nod. “Many people never get to explore their sexuality because of where they live or what they do for a living or other factors beyond their control. That’s a lonely way to live and I think Brooks is brave for coming out when it would have been far easier to let people assume he was straight.”

Cassie nodded and smiled at Dewey. “I thought so too and always wished he wasn’t the only bi or gay man in Oslo. Most of the folks around here think Doobie’s pullin’ their leg or saying it for shits and giggles.”

“They can kiss my big, hairy ass,” Dewey said to the motor on the counter, shrugging as he twisted the screwdriver.

“Now there are two,” Theo stated proudly, grinning at Cassie. He wiggled his brows at her and pretended to check Dewey out.

But Theo didn’t need to look, he’d already gotten an eyeful during his tour of the bowling alley and the workshop. Dewey bent, squatted, twisted, and stretched as he explained how various machines and tools worked but Theo hadn’t learned as much as he would have liked. He was far too distracted by the occasional glimpse of Dewey’s hair-dusted torso and his thick arms, ass, and thighs.

There was a hard snort from Dewey. “We could be the last two on the planet and it still wouldn’t happen.”

“Why not?” Cassie protested.

“How do you know?” Theo said, unsure if he should be offended.

“Because I have to pass by all those mirrors every time I head back to the workshop,” Dewey said in an irritated grumble and pointed the screwdriver at the mirrored wall on the other side of lane 1. “Speaking of, I’m heading back to refill the lane machine. We need to do the lanes again later, before the league players turn up for practice.”

“Can I try? I’m excited to see how it works,” Theo said, but Dewey shook his head, gesturing for him to stay by the counter.

“Just…observe for a while,” he said and Cassie made a skeptical sound as they watched him go.

“Like I said: we’ll see how much help you are, pretty boy, and how much Doobie will actually let you do,” she said as she shook her head. “It’s all fun and games until Doobie breaks his neck, or worse. Don’t waste Doobie’s time, if this is just a joke or a stunt for you,” she added and gave Theo a threatening glare. She clearly wasn’t good at bullying and it was a matter of seconds before her lips curved and she gave him a playful swat on the arm. “Don’t be a creep, okay? Doobie doesn’t deserve to be someone’s publicity stunt or prank.”

But Cassie had only made herself and Dewey more endearing and increased Theo’s desire to help their family and their business. “I promise, this isn’t a joke or a stunt, and I’m not here to waste Brooks’s time. I will leave this place and Brooks better than I found them,” he vowed with a sincere bow of his head.

She laughed and took his arm again. “I’m a sucker for tall, handsome, mysterious men.”

“So am I,” Theo said, making her laugh.

“You’re out of luck, then. There really aren’t any other single men in Oslo, unless you’re looking for much older, recently single men. Doobie’s had all the women biting their knuckles and wishing he was half as rowdy as Roddy. But he says he’s too busy and keeps to himself when he’s not here.”

“That’s a shame,” Theo murmured but allowed her to ramble as he considered Cassie’s numerous revelations.

Theo wasn’t at all surprised that Dewey Brooks was the town hero. Stoic and surly, he seemed like just the sort of man who never wanted to be noticed but was wired to always do the right thing. That noble code was probably why Dewey had hired a bumbling foreigner with no work experience.

“Time for you to get,” Dewey told Cassie when he returned from the workshop. He gave her hair an affectionate kiss before shoving her toward the doors. “Unless you want me to put you to work,” he threatened, making Cassie roll her eyes.

“I’m headed to the salon. Two perms and a blue rinse today, but I’ll see you tomorrow night, Theo,” she said as she left them.

“She usually mans the front desk on league night,” Dewey explained with a nod at the lunchbox. “Hungry?”

Theo’s stomach growled in answer and he laughed as he clutched it. “Starving! All I’ve had since I got off the bus yesterday is some Doritos and pastries from the little convenience store across the street.”

“You should have said something,” Dewey scolded, throwing open the lid and removing a foil-wrapped bundle. “Here, this will fill you up and hold you until supper.”

“Is this the famous meatloaf sandwich?” Theo asked and Dewey chuckled as he removed another foil bundle, then passed Theo a chocolate muffin, an apple, and some corn chips that had been packed in a Ziplock bag.

“She makes a killer meatloaf and her sandwiches are the only thing that gets me out of bed some mornings,” Dewey said absently while unscrewing the Thermos’s cap. “And good, strong coffee,” he added as he poured and offered it to Theo.

“Why haven’t you married her, if she’s so keen?” Theo asked before taking a sip and letting out an appreciative groan. “I generally don’t enjoy American coffee but that’s very nice.”

“I love Cassie, but I’m never gonna love her like that. I’d be wasting her time and mine.”

“I suppose…” Theo said with a twist of his lips as he unwrapped his foil bundle. “Lots of people have settled for less and been happier,” he observed.

“I’d never let her settle,” Dewey said with a dismissive grunt and bit into his sandwich.

“I’ve never tried one of these,” Theo confided, ambivalent as he considered the ample sandwich within the foil. A crusty, round roll dripped with a red glaze and melted orange cheese. Theo appreciated the slices of tomato and onion and crispy lettuce leaves, but the thick slab of meat “loaf” gave him pause. “We have Hackbraten or Falscher Hase in Austria, but I am not very fond and I don’t like when a boiled egg is hidden in my food,” he complained with a shiver. “Why anyone would want that, I don’t know. But I believe our meatloaves are very different from your American meatloaf and I’ve never tried it on a sandwich.”

Dewey chewed slowly, then wiped his mouth with a piece of paper towel. “It’s just some meatloaf on a hoagie roll, Theo. Stop overthinking and eat it. You haven’t had a decent meal in days.”

“Geht klar!” Theo held up the sandwich before taking a large bite. He chewed and his eyes watered at the burst of savory bliss. “Donnerwetter! That’s…” Theo took another large bite, moaning loudly and hugging his sandwich as he savored a cheesy, meaty, oniony, sweet, and slightly spicy mouthful. “That’s heaven on a Brotchen!”

“Told you. I keep telling Cassie she could sell these if she had a food truck or her own shop out by the base. She got a little money after her dad passed and I offered to help if she didn’t have enough, but she refused.”

“Why?” Theo asked loudly, sounding disappointed.

“She said I’ve already done too much and that she was holding onto that money for Bryce, so he could start his own business or buy his first house.”

“Das ist doch Quatsch!”

“Quatsch?” Dewey asked. He could guess what the first part meant and had been curious about ‘Quatsch.’ Theo had already used it several times.

“It means…nonsense?” Theo paused, then nodded. “It is nonsense. I might have to marry Cassie,” Theo mused and went to take another bite but Dewey’s hand locked around his wrist.

“Don’t even fuckin’ think about it, unless you can carry her off to someplace better and treat her like a princess. Cassie deserves the world and I’ll break every bone in your body if you hurt her.”

“Verstanden!” Theo said without hesitating. “I could tell as soon as we met that she was off limits, but I wouldn’t dream of hurting Cassie,” he said, utterly sincere, but Dewey stared him down.

“She isn’t off limits if you’ve got your shit together and you’re ready to make her the center of your universe. That’s never been me and something tells me that you’re not the stable, marrying type.”

“In the past, no,” Theo confirmed. “I had other obligations and responsibilities and I refused to split my loyalty. Now, that might be just the thing I need.”

“Figure that out first, before you drag Cassie or anyone else into it.”

Theo nodded. “That’s good advice and it’s exactly why I’m here. Although, this sandwich might be another reason fate wanted me to come to Oslo,” he said as he admired the wonder Cassie had created for him, then glanced at Dewey’s sandwich. “Are you going to eat that?” he asked and Dewey cut him a hard look.

“Did you miss the part about me breaking every bone in your body? Don’t even think about touching my sandwich, Theo.”

He had meant to be intimidating, but Theo’s conversation with Cassie had revealed that beneath that gruff, grumbling exterior, Dewey was actually a gentle, generous, and innately good man. And if Theo had asked nicely, Dewey would probably have given him the sandwich. He was simply the kind of man that would give you the shirt off his back or the sandwich from his lunchbox.

That was almost as delicious as Cassie’s meatloaf sandwich, but Dewey was just as off limits as she was.