Chapter Ten #4
Those two have serious time on their records.”
“I don’t have any time.” Shane was confused. “I mean I did
spend a night in the Amarillo jail because I got caught in a bar fight. But I
pled out and did thirty days’ worth of community service. Bay, too.”
“Bay shouldn’t be getting into damn fights because he could
damage his hands,” Stef said with a shake of his head.
“I jumped in so he didn’t hurt his hands,” Shane admitted.
“I remembered what you said. It doesn’t matter if my hands get broke.”
Wow, that sounded bad, and it wasn’t at all what Stef had
said. He had told them they were too old to pull this crap anymore and asked if
Bay had thought about what he would do if he couldn’t paint or sculpt anymore
because he got his hands crushed at a honky-tonk.
“Shane.” Brooke turned to him. “Of course it matters, and
Stef is an asshole if he told you that.”
“I did not say that.” Stef defended himself.
“Yes, Sheriff.” Elisa was on her radio. “He totally said
that. I think Max still thinks you were Callie’s second choice and that’s why
you jail him so often.”
“Hey.” Even in the dim light, he could see how pale Max had
gone. “I didn’t put it like that. Nate, I was kidding, man. Your deputy is
mean.”
Shane leaned toward the radio. “He absolutely said that,
Sheriff. He said it like he was proud. And his wife is standing right here.
Also, could you weigh in on who has the worse criminal record? Because he’s
using that as an excuse to make Brooke feel bad for dating us.”
All true, but Bay wasn’t sure Rachel needed to hear that
right now. Something was up with her. Tears caressed her cheeks, and she put a
hand to her stomach. He suddenly remembered one of the only smart things his
father ever said to him.
You got to use the things you have. Everything you own
is an asset, and if it isn’t you should probably throw it away.
Sometimes he wondered if his father had been talking about
him.
But tonight he at least had something he could offer. “Miss
Rachel, I’m sorry we interrupted your dinner at Stella’s. I have some leftover
cookies. Brooke likes it when we bring her a picnic for dinner.”
He didn’t mention what they liked to do after.
Rachel sniffled. “From the bee lady?”
“Oh, Rach loves those charcuterie boards they make there.
You know I didn’t get to finish my dinner either,” Max pointed out. “By now
those waitresses will have thrown it all out, and I was looking forward to that
peach pie.”
Brooke’s head shook. “You are such an asshole. Look, both of
you. I am leaving with Bay and Shane and there’s not a damn thing you can do
about it. And I would back off right now if you know what’s good for you.”
Max’s head shook. “Rye, we’re going home. Rach needs a
break. Stef, will you make sure Brooke and those two can get back to the G?”
Stef pulled out his keys and offered them to Shane. “I’ll do
one better. Take it. Mel can drop us off on his way home, and we’ll drive Jen’s
until we can get your tires replaced. And do not fight me on this, Bailey Kent.
You need transportation and so does she.”
“And I want to finish my report,” Elisa announced. “I
checked my dad’s truck. It was fine.”
“Also, I definitely remember seeing Bay and Shane’s truck
when I came in,” Mel offered. “Been worried about them getting stuck out on the
alien highway because that truck is on its last legs. You know the greys have
been working that highway lately.”
He’d been taught that little green men were actually little
gray men. He tried to stay away from Mel’s world. Nice guy. Weird world. “The
whole cast was here earlier and the crew. They left a couple of hours ago.”
“So you were bugging my sister at work,” Rye said under his
breath.
“You can’t help yourself, can you?” Rachel sounded dull, her
head shaking. “Is this the way you’re going to treat Paige?”
“Are you asking if I’m going to protect our daughter?” Rye
asked.
“Protect her from what? From enjoying herself? From having
good sex.” She looked to Brooke. “Unless the sex isn’t good.”
“I’m not wearing a butt plug for my health,” Brooke replied.
Max winced and his head hung low. “Too much information.”
“She’s doing it to rebel. She’s feeling bad because she got
fired and she’s acting out,” Rye replied.
“She is not a child,” Rachel announced, and her shoulders
squared.
Shane took the keys. “Elisa, can we do this tomorrow
morning? I think we should get Brooke out of here. It’s not a good environment
for her.”
His brother was right, but those probably weren’t the words
he would have used. Or rather they’re exactly the words he would have used, and
Shane was supposed to be better at this than he was.
“Good environment? You think keeping her out at Trev’s sex
palace is a better environment?” Rye started to get in Shane’s face.
Elisa stepped in. “Do I need to call in some backup, Rye?”
“I think you might. I think maybe you should take these two
in and see what they’re truly after,” Rye said, giving them both a really good
stink eye.
“I’m pretty sure they’re after Brooke,” Max said. “Because
you’re being ridiculous if you think they’re after like our money or something.
Or they want to take over our horse farm. I’m trying to figure out what they
could be after other than sex.”
Bay could answer that question. “We could want to be with
her. We’re after her because she’s the single most beautiful woman we ever laid
eyes on, and I think she might be the one woman who can make us feel whole.”
Shit. He’d said that. Out loud. With words and stuff. Him.
The quiet one. He was quiet because when he talked, he tended to get in trouble
and say weird shit like the stuff about the koala bears.
Everyone was quiet for a moment, and then Elisa put her
radio away. “That’s sweet, Bay. And Rye, I was talking about you. I was
wondering if I was going to need help keeping you from making a fool of
yourself for no reason I can see. Also, I was joking about needing help. I
assure you I can put you on your ass myself if you push this any further. Your
wife is in tears, and your sister is probably feeling humiliated right now.”
Brooke shrugged. “I don’t know. What Bay said kind of took
the sting out, and honestly, the sex is fabulous. I’m more irritated that he
made me feel like a whore.”
Rye seemed taken aback by everything. His hands came down
and his eyes closed for a moment before he opened them again. “I didn’t say
that, Brooke. I’m sorry if I made you feel that way. I’m worried about you. I’m
worried about the world eating you up and spitting you out and not doing
anything to protect you. Obviously, no, you don’t need to call anyone, and I’ll
give Stef a ride. I’ll move some car seats. We’re parked on the other end of
Main.”
“Might I suggest some family therapy,” Elisa offered. Then
her dad was whispering in her ear, and she nodded. “I’ll take the Talbots
back.”
“Max, Rye, let’s go to Trio and get a drink and have a
talk.” Mel tipped his hat Brooke’s way. “Are you going to take care of her? She
needs a break.”
Rachel? He thought Mel was talking about Rachel.
Rachel sniffled and put her arm through Brooke’s. “I can use
a break. Is it okay?”
Brooke nodded. “Of course.”
“Rach,” Rye began.
Max put a hand out. “No. You are going to let her have a
night. Maybe a couple of nights. Baby, we’ll take care of the kids. You relax,
and maybe we should do that talky thing Alexei wants us too because we’ve got a
lot on our plates and we’re not expressing ourselves properly.” He put a hand
to his gut. “Wow. Words can make you nauseous.”
“I’ll call Nell and Henry,” Jen promised. “See if they need
any help.”
“I’ll process the truck and have Long-Haired Roger tow it
back to his shop,” Elisa announced. “I might need to talk some more, though. I
don’t like how this feels. But it can wait until morning.”
Everyone was breaking up. Rye was looking at Rachel like he
was losing her, but Max made him walk away with Mel.
What was happening?
“Uhm, can I drop you off somewhere?” He was still feeling
weird about basically telling Brooke he was crazy about her in front of
everyone. How would she handle it? They were supposed to be playing it cool.
Shane leaned over. “I think she’s coming with us.”
Brooke’s chin tilted up. “She is coming with us.”
Rachel was coming with them. To the place where he’d planned
to fuck her sister-in-law all night.
Well, at least Rye was going to get what he wanted.
Bay sighed and followed his brother and hoped he hadn’t
fucked everything up.