Chapter 22
DEAN
Strawberry Springs Neighborhood Watch
Jackie Anne: So sorry to anyone who saw me run out into the alley in my robe screaming for Chaos. Dang racoon took my donut and ran with it.
Comments:
Mark Bell: That was real? I thought I was having one of those nightmares again . . .
Mollie Wilson: Jackie, do I need to do a welfare check on you?
Marjorie Brown: HA! They’re turnin’ on ya!
Marjorie Brown: Did anyone get any pics?
Jackie Anne: They better not have! I didn’t have anything on under the robe.
Jade Clark: WHOA. Of all the people to halfway streak through the square . . . Jackie? Wow, I didn’t recognize your game.
The first night I’d stayed at Grace’s house, I slept surprisingly well. The second night, I was half expecting to get stabbed by Brooke, so sleep mostly evaded me.
I managed a few hours before getting up in search of caffeine. I would need all the help I could get, and I had a feeling Brooke wasn’t an early riser.
When I heard footsteps creaking on the old hardwood floor, I started the pot of coffee. My shoulders tensed, and I wondered if my gamble had blown up in my face.
And then I saw Grace with her hair tied into a messy bun coming around the corner.
She blinked when she saw me, and her eyes trailed my form, no doubt taking in my old, gingham pajama bottoms and messy hair. The day before, I’d left the guest room ready for the day. Today hadn’t gone as well.
“Morning.” It came out awkwardly. I’d never let a woman see me like this, and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to.
It was too late now.
“Hi.” Grace’s voice was slow and still full of sleep.
I chuckled. “Not a morning person?”
“Not this early.”
The coffee pot beeped as she leaned on a nearby countertop and rubbed her face. I grabbed two mugs for us.
“Oh, you don’t have to—”
“You made breakfast yesterday,” I reminded. “It’s the least I can do.”
Her lips pressed together the same way they always did when she didn’t want to accept help, but thankfully, she didn’t stop me.
The previous night had been tense and awkward, but when it was just Grace and me, things felt . . . natural. Like it was too easy to be around her.
“Why are you awake?” she asked.
“I could ask you the same thing.”
She winced. “Hip pain. I hear it’s pretty normal.”
“Oh,” I said. “Can I help?”
“You already did by starting the coffee pot. Now, are you gonna answer or do you want me to guess?”
That was the last thing I wanted. “It feels weird with Brooke here,” I said. Grace slowly nodded, lips pressing into a thin line. “I’m not complaining or anything. She can stay when she wants.”
“No, it’s okay. I can also admit that it’s not fun.” She shrugged. “She’ll leave after the party, though. I think she just wants to show off.”
I wanted to ask her why she did all of this for her sister, but then I imagined that my only family—Mom—was like Brooke was. Would I have walked away?
In theory, yes. In practice? I wasn’t so sure.
Mom was one of the best people in my life, and while she deserved it, I did feel like I owed her for raising me. We were tied by bonds that I couldn’t have easily shaken.
“You’re wanting to tell me I shouldn’t deal with all of this, aren’t you?” she asked. When I finally looked back at her, I saw her shoulders had crept up near her ears.
“It’s tempting to, but it isn’t that simple, is it? Not when she’s your last family.”
Grace blinked. “You’re exactly right.”
“I don’t like Brooke, and I really don’t like how she treats you. But I get why it’s hard to fully let her go. So, I respect that.”
“That’s really mature of you, Dean.”
“This younger guy can be mature. Who knew?” I shrugged and finished off my coffee. “I’ll see if Mark will have me at the birthday party tonight. I’ll go after work.”
I washed my mug and walked past her to get ready for the day. It was way too early to go to work, but I didn’t want to be around Brooke more than I had to be. I could easily go hang out at the library when it opened, if need be.
As I did so, Grace’s knowing eyes were on me, and I wondered if she was seeing past all the walls that I’d put up. I should have been terrified of it.
The thought didn’t scare me as much as it should’ve.
It wasn’t hard to find Mark. He was outside of his bar, washing the panes of glass on the door. When he saw me, he immediately told me about his party and asked if I wanted to come. I didn’t even have to bring it up.
And just like that, I had plans for the evening.
I almost wished they were truly for fun. But I knew how Brooke was and that nothing good could come of her attending the party. I could be there for Grace in case she needed backup. And for Mark too.
Watching the time closely, I arrived at work. Wren was in and out as she managed other projects, but I knew she would come by near the eight-hour mark to make sure I didn’t overwork myself.
Sure enough, right at five, the front door to the apartment opened.
“You better be—” She paused when she saw me. “Oh, you’re actually wrapping up. Are you finally listening?”
“Mostly. I also happen to have plans for tonight.”
Her eyebrows raised. “Oh, hot date?”
“Just going to Mark’s big birthday thing. Are you going too?”
She winced. “As much as I’d love to try one of Tammy’s drinks, I’ll be at home with Henry. We aren’t big on the party scene.”
“You might miss out on some drama. Brooke is in town.”
Wren frowned. “I haven’t heard good things about her. How did you know she was in town?”
“I pissed her off. It’s a talent of mine.” When Wren went to ask again, I added, “And it has nothing to do with me breaking her heart.”
“I wasn’t gonna say that.” She rolled her eyes. “I was gonna say I’ve heard it’s easy to do that.”
“Very easy,” I muttered. “And I’ll probably do it again.”
“Why?”
“I’m not letting her walk all over Grace. She has a bad habit of doing that.”
“That’s really sweet of you. It’s good how you and Grace—”
“Grace and I aren’t anything.”
“I know. I’m just glad you’re getting along. Take a breath, Dean. I’m on your side here.”
I forced myself to relax. “Sorry. I just don’t want these people getting any ideas.”
“You feel really strongly about it.”
“Grace and I are doing well. I don’t need fucking gossip to ruin it.”
Wren only stared at me, no doubt curious about why I hated gossip so much. But unlike Grace, who would dig in without a second thought, Wren let stuff go.
“I shouldn’t keep you,” she said with a smile. “You have a party to enjoy. And a Brooke to piss off.”
“Wish me luck.”
“I will.” She walked toward the door. “And have fun with Grace. You know, there’s a bet on you two.”
Normally, I’d ignore a comment like that. Plenty of people had taken my interest in a woman and tried to make it something it wasn’t.
But this hit me in a different way. I wanted to chase Wren down and make sure she knew that it wouldn’t be happening. I was defensive. My hands were clammy. And I needed, more than anything, to shut this down.
The last thing I needed was a small town fucking up the tentative good thing I had with Grace.
And if they found out, that was exactly what they’d do.