Chapter 21 #2
“Big plans, huh?” My gaze traveled in the direction of the hallway where I knew Dean would be staying. “Well, in that case, you should know we have another guest.”
“What?” Brooke frowned. “Who?”
“Dean’s here for a little while.”
“Dean? You mean irresponsible baby daddy Dean?”
“He’s not irresponsible,” I said immediately.
“Oh, sure. Why is he here?”
“There was an issue with his hotel and—”
“Let me guess, you just swooped in and offered him a place to stay? God, you are so gonna get taken advantage of.”
“How about you let me handle Dean, okay?” My voice came out harsh.
Brooke’s eyes went wide. “Whoa, touchy. Don’t come crying to me when this goes wrong. And don’t give him my room.”
He didn’t want it anyway. “Trust me, I won’t. And his hotel issue could be resolved by now. He may not even come back.”
“You’ll get used to that,” she muttered.
I had to clench my molars to keep from snapping. I knew Brooke well enough to know that she would finish anything I started. This was how she’d always been.
“What’s been going on with your singing?” I asked slowly. “I’d love an update.”
That did it. She immediately perked up and gushed about her new life.
Apparently, she’d been the lead singer on one of the busiest nights of the week, and she’d made decent tips too.
It was strange to go from knowing everything about her to her having her own life, but I knew she would never truly leave.
Some days I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not.
“All of that sounds great,” I said. “I’m happy for you.”
“It’s all finally coming together for me.” Her gaze turned to me. “Have you figured all your stuff out yet? How did the town react?”
“I haven’t told them yet.”
Her eyes widened. “People still don’t know?”
I shook my head. “No.”
“But you’re like . . . round.”
“I’m not—that’s kinda rude to say.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m your sister. I’m allowed to be honest.”
I wanted to let the words roll right off my back, but they stuck. A lot of the stuff she’d said tonight was sticking with me.
“I’m gonna go start on dinner.” I stood before I started a fight I couldn’t finish.
“Yay! I love it when you cook.”
She was lucky I was planning to cook for Dean anyway. It wasn’t anything fancy, but I had frozen soup that I wanted to use up before it got hot outside. My chili was one of my favorite dishes to have over and over again.
I’d wanted to show it off to him, but plans had changed.
While that heated, I pulled out my phone.
Brooke is here. I know you don’t wanna be around her, so I understand if you wanna try the hotel again or find somewhere else. I’m so sorry. She didn’t give me any warning.
After that, I put my phone away to focus on getting everything ready. I had a tin of rolls, so I decided to make that as well.
“It’s simple tonight,” Brooke muttered. She must have come to check in on the progress of dinner.
“I’m tired.”
“You’re only gonna get more tired. Might as well do things while you have the energy.”
I only stirred the soup, refusing to give in to her. Obviously, she wanted something different. She could always go find something else if she felt that strongly about it.
She waited for a long moment before scoffing and going back to the living room.
The soup was almost reheated when the front door opened. I peered around the corner and saw that Dean was walking in.
“Did you get my text?” I asked as I abandoned my station to get to him. He was taking his boots off on the mat.
“Hello to you too,” he said.
“Dean, Brooke’s here.”
“I know.”
“Did you check with the hotel?” I asked. “Maybe they fixed whatever was happening.”
“No, I didn’t. I’m here for backup. And whatever you’re cooking.”
I blinked. “I don’t understand.”
“Brooke stresses you out, and that’s the last thing you need right now. So, I’m here.”
“But you don’t like her.”
“I don’t only do what’s easy, Grace.” He put a hand on my shoulder and then walked into the kitchen.
I had to process what the hell he’d said to me.
Everyone took the easier path. It was human nature. I didn’t, of course. I always wanted to help other people as much as I could.
Had I finally met someone the same way?
I followed Dean to the kitchen and found him leaning on the countertop. As I stirred the soup, Brooke poked her head into the room and glared when she saw him. When she was gone, I grabbed Dean’s arm.
“She’s pissed. Beware.”
“I’ve already seen her mad. She didn’t like that I turned her down when she hit on me.”
“She hit on you?” I hissed.
“Watch the grip, Mama. I ended up with you anyway.”
He walked away to get bowls, but I stood frozen. My body was hot at the memory of the two of us being something. Him bringing it up was dangerous for me.
The nickname made the feeling worse.
“Is everything done?” he asked.
“Yeah.” I shook off my thoughts and held out my hand for a bowl. “I’ll get Brooke’s—”
“Food’s ready!” he called out.
“I usually make her plate.”
“How old is she again?” he asked, and I knew what he was getting at.
“I’ll take some sour cream!” Brooke said as she walked into the kitchen.
This would be when I broke and did what she wanted. Dean was undeterred. “It’s right here when you’re ready,” he said.
Brooke’s jaw dropped for a second before I saw fire blaze in her eyes as she moved in on Dean. “You don’t get to come around and change things in my house.”
“Things didn’t just change because of me. You’re gonna act like an adult and not make your pregnant sister serve you. Got it?”
I’d never heard him sound like this. His deep voice and narrow eyes left no room for arguing. He wasn’t angry. He was calm, and somehow that made it all the more intense.
I thought Brooke was going to either slap him or storm out. Instead, her jaw clenched and she got her own bowl.
My eyebrows raised. That . . . worked? I should have brought Dean around a long time ago.
After we served ourselves, we sat at the dining room table. I thought she was going to continue pouting, but she must have had an ounce of maturity in her body because she brought something else up while we ate.
“Are you going to Mark’s birthday party?” she asked.
Mark always held a birthday bash at Bell’s Brews. He usually brought something fun out of storage and invited the whole town. Not everyone could always make it, but a lot tried to, and I regularly went.
“Are you?” I asked back. “I thought you’d have better things to do in Nashville.”
“I do, but I also wanna show these people how far I’ve come. I’m gonna perform.”
Last year, he’d bought a karaoke machine, telling us all that the best gift would be to watch us make fools of ourselves. The town delivered what he asked for, and then some. With how much he’d laughed, I wouldn’t be surprised if he brought it out again.
“I didn’t know Mark had a birthday party,” Dean added.
“It’s for people who live here,” Brooke said sharply.
“I’m sure Dean would be invited,” I said, an edge to my voice that I usually didn’t have. Brooke’s eyes went wide, but she kept her mouth shut. “I could just bring him as my plus one.”
“Because no one would notice that.” She rolled her eyes.
For the first time, I wished people knew about Dean and me. It would have been easier if they did. We could say we weren’t dating, but we had a reason to hang around one another.
“I’ll just ask him,” Dean said. “He and I get along.”
“Yeah, yeah. You do whatever.” She waved her hand. “At least everyone will finally get to see me perform.”
Dean glanced at me and rolled his eyes. Brooke was too busy daydreaming to notice. I couldn’t resist the smile that made its way to my face. Usually, I took on Brooke alone, but this time, I had someone to help me make it through her visit.
A girl could easily get used to this.