8. Brooks
8
brOOKS
Sitting on a dock in an Adirondack chair with a beer in hand wasn’t a bad way to end what had started as a goddamn awful day.
Brooks took a long pull from his beer, then leaned back into his chair, his gaze lazily sweeping over the red-hot flames licking the logs in the firepit a few feet away.
See? He didn’t need an assistant or manager or anyone else handling his every movement. He’d run into trouble and had solved it. The wreck this morning was well in hand, and now the cabin situation was too. He’d found the most expensive, luxury-filled short-term rental near here, and he and Cormac had headed over there by mid-afternoon, when the rental began.
While waiting, he’d even snagged some sleep in Cormac’s cabin on an old cot. Not enough, but at least his eyelids weren’t burning now. Cormac had gone out for supplies and steaks for them to grill tonight, and Brooks planned to find a private chef to take care of meals for the week.
Another problem solved.
The best part of it? This place had five full glorious bars of cell phone service.
He had even called Kayla to see if she and Audrey wanted to come and spend the week with him. With Audrey starting school next year, their ability to visit him for last-minute trips would be hampered.
Now all he had to do was come up with a reasonable plan for Ava, and he’d be set.
Brooks stretched his long legs in front of him.
“Hey, I’m back,” Cormac said from behind. “Brought a family friend with me.”
Brooks turned to see Cormac standing on the gravel path that led from the driveway, two paper bags in his arms.
Beside him was a stunning blonde wearing a plaid minidress and knee-high boots. Her hands were on her hips as she stared boldly in Brooks’s direction.
Maddie Yardley?
Stunning didn’t quite describe her.. .
And she had daggers in her eyes.
“Brooks, this is Madison Yardley. Maddie, Brooks Kent. Feel free to grab a seat,” Cormac said to Maddie, nodding toward the dock. “I’ll grab you a beer.”
Cormac made his way inside, and Maddie’s lips curled into a sneer as she approached him, her hips swaying naturally as she walked.
“Hi, asshole,” she said, her voice dripping with anger.
Well, at least she’d lost any sort of flustered fangirl embarrassment. Brooks pushed his sunglasses off his eyes and leaned forward. So much for a nice evening.
“You missed me so much you stalked me down? I’m touched.” His eyes narrowed. Just why had Cormac brought her back here?
She laughed without humor and stopped near his chair. “Stalked? No. Turns out, you’re not that hard to find. Especially when you rent out a good friend’s property. She called my sister, freaking out about it. Then, when I heard Cormac Doyle was in town and staying here, too, it was easy to snag an invite.” She smiled prettily.
“Should I tell him you only came back with him to see me?” He took another pull from his beer. “He might not like that too much.” She’d clearly dressed up. Probably flirted with Cormac.
“Should I tell him how you wrecked my family’s place and failed to mention you’d been in jail the night before?” She sat in the chair next to his, making herself comfortable.
Too comfortable.
He shrugged. “My personal business is none of yours.”
“Unless the news outlets are saying you were under the influence last night when you assaulted someone. Do you honestly think I would have let you step foot in my place?—”
“Oh please. I punched my niece’s deadbeat dad in the face. That’s not assault. It’s him getting what he fucking deserved.”
Whatever retort she’d had coming stayed stuck in her throat. She blinked at him a few times, then said, “Still doesn’t excuse you for driving after being incapacitated. No wonder you crashed into my store.”
“Well, see, that’s a simple answer too. Because I wasn’t. I don’t drink. Or smoke. Or anything else.”
She gaped at him. “You’re literally holding a beer.”
He turned the label toward her. “Nonalcoholic. I’ve been sober for five years.”
“But the news?—”
“You honestly think the media tells the truth about anything? You probably believe in Santa Claus, too, don’t you?”
She scowled. “They can’t just publish straight-up lies. That’s called libel.”
“That’s called life. If I had a nickel for every lie that’s ever been published about me, I would have more money than I’ve ever made with any record.” Brooks pinched the bridge of his nose. “Look, what do you want? I’m about ten seconds away from getting up and throwing your ass out of here, whether or not Cormac invited you.”
Maddie sat straighter, not an ounce of remorse on her face. “You walked out this morning without settling anything with me about payment or otherwise.”
“I gave you my cell phone number . You think I just hand that thing out to anyone? You’re welcome to call me. Better yet, text me. I’ll pay the bill. What else were you looking for? A goodbye kiss? Did I hurt your feelings by sneaking out of your apartment first thing in the morning? Don’t worry, no one saw me, princess. Your reputation won’t be tainted by me.”
“Hope you like IPAs,” Cormac said from the end of the dock.
Both Maddie and Brooks turned to look at him. A flush lit Maddie’s cheeks. No doubt she was wondering the same thing as Brooks— how long had Cormac been standing there, and what did he overhear?
Cormac’s gaze traveled to Brooks, and he raised a brow, just slightly, but said nothing. He’d clearly heard something, and Brooks’s last statement was damning—especially if Cormac liked this girl.
Maddie stood from the chair, abruptly. “IPAs are great,” she said with an unfaltering smile. She accepted the beer as Cormac held it out. “You know me. Good beer is part of the family business.”
“That’s true.” Cormac clinked his beer against hers and winked. He turned back toward Brooks. “I’ve known Maddie since she was practically born. I used to play Little League with her eldest brother, Logan.”
“Eldest? How many siblings do you have?” Brooks asked Maddie in a tone that almost sounded congenial.
“Five. I’m in the middle of the pack.”
“How old does that make you?” Cormac couldn’t know Maddie that well. He had to be a lot older than her if he’d played with her eldest brother. “You must have been in pigtails when Cormac left town.”
Maddie cocked a brow at him. “Are you asking my age? I’m thirty, thanks for asking.”
Oh. She was only four years younger than him. For some reason, that gap had seemed wider.
“Don’t pay any attention to this jackass.” Cormac settled into one chair near the firepit “You’d think he’d know his way around women, but he’s got the social grace of an elephant.”
“I couldn’t have put it better myself.” Maddie rolled the rim of her bottle against her full lower lip, and Brooks’s stomach lurched. He tore his gaze away as she went on. “He’s awkward. Likes to crash into things. Sounds like Brooks Kent, the ladies’ man, is just another media fabrication.”
He choked back a laugh, avoiding looking at her. She wasn’t shy, that was for goddamn sure. But maybe she hadn’t realized how sexual that might sound, considering what Cormac might have overheard.
He should just tell Cormac that this girl was using him and explain how they knew each other.
But, then again, he’d have to explain why he’d lied about his car breaking down and being in a local shop.
He didn’t even really know the answer to that.
The lie had just come easily. Naturally. He had few good friends, and Cormac was one of them. Unlike a lot of other musicians who’d worked with him, Cormac was a steady, honest guy. Responsible. Someone he could count on to be sober after a show when the rest of his band was stoned. He’d tried recruiting Cormac to play for him regularly, but Darren had shot the idea down.
Whatever the reason, Brooks would have to figure out a way to tell Cormac he’d lied about the car and admit that he’d crashed into the store. No doubt that was better than him thinking Brooks had hooked up with Maddie—especially if he cared about her somehow.
“You two act like old friends,” Cormac observed with a guarded look. “Speaking of Logan, is he still on his way?”
Jesus, how many people did Cormac invite over here?
Then again, if it were any other person than Maddie, Brooks wouldn’t have given a damn. This was how things went whenever he went to anyone else’s hometown. He’d hang out with them and meet their friends, their family. Always the outsider.
But it was Maddie, and Brooks was sure she’d orchestrated this.
“I think so. He was just going to grab some crab cakes from the pub.”
Cormac nodded. “I’ll get the grill going for those steaks. I haven’t had steaks from the Pearsons’ place in forever.”
“I can do that. Where’s the grill?” Maddie said.
Cormac scratched his head. “It’s up on the deck. But you don’t have?—”
“I’m already standing.” She waved her hand. “And I’m used to grilling. I’ll get it.” She grinned and hurried down the dock again.
She must be rattled.
Brooks finished his beer as tense silence settled between him and Cormac.
“Well, that was fast,” Cormac said at last, his gaze focused on the lake.
Brooks cut a look at him. “What was?”
“You snuck out of her place this morning?” Cormac cocked his chin, his lips curling with a smile.
Yup. He overheard. Still, Brooks broke eye contact. “It wasn’t like that.”
“Wasn’t it? I guess it should have surprised me when Maddie practically dragged Logan over to say hi while I was at the butcher. Just figured she was being friendly. But she clearly already knew you and I were hanging out.”
“Man, I really am not trying to get between you and a woman you like?—”
“No, no, there’s nothing between Maddie and me. I haven’t seen her in a few years.” Cormac chuckled. “I’m not trying to find a girl from my hometown to drag me back. How did you meet her, though?”
“Hey, Cormac,” a male voice called.
Both men looked up to see another man standing near the driveway. From the similarity in their appearance, he must be Maddie’s older brother, Logan.
But why in the hell did Logan have a suitcase with him?
“Uncle Books!”
Audrey’s voice pierced the quiet of the yard. Then he saw her, dark brown ringlets streaming in the air as she barreled through the grass toward him, dropping her stuffed gorilla.
He barely caught sight of Kayla as she stepped up beside Logan, then Audrey was on the dock. Brooks stood, and Audrey flung herself against him as he scooped her up. “Uncle Books, I missed you,” Audrey said, her arms tight against his neck as she clung to him.
“Hey, baby girl,” he said with a smile, settling her into his arm. It felt like ages since he’d seen her because of the tour. The sight of her angelic face, her dark chocolate-brown eyes that were just like Kayla’s, instantly lightened the strain on his heart.
Kayla made her way across the golden-hued, sun-drenched lawn, a grin on her face. “Audrey didn’t stop talking about how excited she was to see Uncle Books the entire drive up here.” She waited by the end of the dock as Brooks carried Audrey over toward her.
Brooks stopped, and Kayla’s expression shifted, her lips turning downward in a frown as she sized up the bruising on his face. “Audrey, why don’t you go get Mr. Fluffy from where you dropped him? You don’t want him to get lost.”
Audrey nodded enthusiastically, then scrambled down from her perch in Brooks’s arms.
When she was out of earshot, Kayla set her hands on her hips. “What the hell, Brooks? You said your face was fine.”
“It is fine. Just a little bruise. No big deal. You should see the other guy.”
“That’s not funny, and you know it.” Kayla’s eyes glistened. “Dammit, you shouldn’t have let him get to you. Mike is going to juice this for everything it’s worth. Even if the charges don’t stick, he’s gonna sue you. Then use this in the custody hearing.”
Brooks’s gaze traveled over the top of Kayla’s head as he caught sight of Maddie’s brother coming their way. Audrey was beside him now, chatting happily while she held the gorilla that she usually carried everywhere. She’d never been afraid of strangers, unfortunately, and would talk the ear off anyone she met.
“Let’s talk about this later,” Brooks said gruffly.
Cormac’s footsteps approached from behind, and he arrived beside Brooks at the same time as Maddie’s brother and Audrey joined them. “Hey, Kayla. I see you met Logan. Logan, this is Brooks.”
“We pulled up at the same time,” Kayla said, offering Logan a smile. “He offered to grab my suitcase.”
Brooks extended a hand to Logan, who had that look of discomfort he’d seen on so many people’s faces when they were introduced. It had taken him a year of being a known celebrity to get used to that look—the awestruck glimmer while trying to play it cool and pretend he was just any other stranger. “Nice to meet you. If you don’t mind not mentioning to anyone else you know that I’m staying here, I’d appreciate it.”
“No problem.” Logan shook his hand. “Hope you don’t mind my sister and me crashing your party. This is a beautiful house you’re staying in.”
Crashing. There was that word again, and Brooks winced.
“Yeah, it really is,” Kayla said, tossing a silky lock of dark hair over her shoulder as she turned to gawk at the lake house. The house was massive, with several decks on three levels overlooking the water. Each room seemed to have a balcony, and one deck had a hot tub, while a main deck had a comfortable seating area and grill.
The living room was distinguishable by an A-framed enormous picture window, which reflected the reds and pinks of the sky now that sunset approached.
“It’s not really a party,” Brooks said with a shrug. “But you’re welcome. I just hope we don’t bore you.”
“Speak for yourself,” Kayla said with a roll of her eyes. “I am not boring. Neither is Cormac.”
“Mommy, I’m hungry,” Audrey said, tugging on Kayla’s shirt.
“Don’t worry, we’re going to eat soon,” Cormac said. “I should see what happened to Maddie. She might have gotten lost trying to figure out what deck the grill was on.”
Logan lifted a bag in his hand. “I brought some crab cakes, too. From the pub. And some wine.”
“I like cab cakes!” Audrey said with a hop. “And wine!”
“Sorry, kid, no wine,” Kayla said with a roll of her eyes. “Also, maybe don’t go announcing that, please. I give her sips occasionally,” she explained sheepishly to Logan.
“I’m not judging. I have a couple of nieces who like to ‘share’ my beers.”
The entire group started across the yard toward the house, then the string lights above the porch came on, and Maddie leaned over the rail and called out a hello. She looked too comfortable, which bothered Brooks. This wasn’t his place, really, and Maddie was Cormac’s guest.
He still wouldn’t mind sending her away. She’d shown up here, acting like now that she had the dirt on him, she knew him. Why the hell would she go to so much trouble to come here tonight?
The care she’d taken with her appearance was noticeable. He hadn’t really noticed how tanned she was, and that plaid skirt was short on her well-toned thighs, barely covering the curves of what appeared to be a very nice ass.
He let his gaze skim every inch of that delicious figure of hers. Maybe he’d been too tired to notice it before, but Maddie was gorgeous in a natural, girl-next-door way. The sweatsuit out-of-the-shower look just hadn’t done her any justice.
“Who’s the girl?” Kayla asked in a whisper beside him.
“Cormac’s friend. Logan’s sister,” Brooks grumbled back, pulling his gaze away from Maddie.
Kayla bit her lip, giving him a knowing glance that made him feel like he’d been caught in the act. “Cormac’s lady friend ?”
Brooks put a bit more space between him and Cormac as they went up the stairs.
“Who knows? I don’t really give a damn.”
“Okay. Just, you know. Be careful. She’s cute.”
Brooks quirked a brow. “When have you known me to be stupid about women?”
“Fair point. You’re practically dead inside.” Kayla jabbed a finger in the side of his ribs. They reached the deck where Maddie stood, and Kayla kept walking past him. She held out a hand to Maddie. “Hi, I’m Kayla.”
Brooks hung back, a knot of tension in his gut. Kayla had said similar things in the past, and it didn’t really bother him normally . . . except there it was. That perception of him as heartless. Cold.
He’d always accepted it and moved on.
Why the hell was it getting to him so much today?
Logan was still carrying Kayla’s suitcase, and Brooks took it from him. “I’ll take this inside,” he said. “Can I get anyone a drink?”
“Can I have a Coke?” Audrey asked brightly.
“Sure thing,” Brooks said.
“No, you may not.” Kayla broke away from talking to Maddie and gave him a sharp look. “She cannot have Coke an hour before bedtime, Brooks.”
“Pweeeeeeese?” Audrey batted long lashes at him.
Brooks simply winked at her, then started inside.
“Brooks, don’t you dare!” Kayla called after him.
He chuckled as the door closed. As if he could tell that little girl no. Although he wouldn’t tell Audrey he’d watered it down. A lot.
He set the suitcase down near the living room, then pivoted toward the kitchen. The house had come fully stocked with all staples and drinks in their own refrigeration, including a wine fridge. He grabbed another nonalcoholic beer for himself, and Maddie’s reproach about drinking went through his head.
The coldness of the bottle seeped through his palm as he rummaged through the drink fridge for a soda for Audrey. He found one, then closed the door and flinched, startled.
Maddie was coming in through the back door.
“Need something?” he asked, not bothering with a hint of friendliness.
She reddened. “Bathroom.”
“In the hall, third door down on the left. I think.”
Maddie nodded a thank you, then started in the opposite direction.
Brooks straightened. She’d caught him off guard when she’d shown up, but it might be a good time to establish some boundaries with this girl. Let her know that, while her nerve was almost admirable, it wasn’t acceptable either.
“Hold on one sec,” he said, setting the drinks on the counter. “I want a word with you.”