20. Brooke
20
brOOKE
J ay and I used to fight a lot as kids. My mom didn’t like it because I was younger and a girl, but he’d still kick my ass.
I’d come right back at him next time with new moves.
But ever since I got the text from Miles, I’ve been on edge.
Miles: Jay knows.
I could reach out to try to fix this, but I’ve done nothing wrong. That’s what I tell myself anyway. I’m a grown woman who can date who she wants.
Tonight though, Mom asked if I could come for dinner, so I head over there as the sun is setting.
Over our grilled salmon, Mom asks, “Have you reached out to Caroline lately?”
“I ran into her shopping before Christmas.”
“If you kept in better touch, you could be a bridesmaid.”
I reach for my water, coughing. She watches in alarm as I chug it.
“Excuse me. I just laughed.”
My mother sighs, exchanging a look with my dad.
“How’s your campaign going?” I ask.
She takes another bite of dinner, chewing thoughtfully.
“In my most recent speech, I overstated our commitment to funding on a particular program. If we issue a correction, it’ll look like we’re backing away from what we promised. If we don’t, my competition could raise it.”
“Which program?”
“After-school programming for children.”
I think it over. “You have donors interested in that. Why don’t you go to them and tell them what happened? Admit you misspoke, but tell them you’d like to meet that commitment. See if they’ll help.”
“That’s admitting my personal mistake to the people who fund my campaign. They’ll question my competence and whether they invested in the right place.”
“Or they’ll see that you’re human and appreciate your willingness to confide in them.”
She shakes her head. “Perhaps I was hasty cutting you off. I could use your help with this campaign.”
“I’m keeping busy. I’ve been working with Nova to schedule new shows and sales. Tomorrow, I’m helping Chloe with the Kodiaks New Years Eve fundraiser. And in between, I’m doing this Vivaro collaboration.”
While Miles was away, I went through the box of product they sent. There are some items I’m excited about.
“Tell me you didn’t commit to more than a post.”
“Why not? They’ve been straightforward to work with and prompt to pay.”
One brand partnership isn’t enough to sustain me forever, but it will help me to start a savings account, and be a huge stepping stone for future deals.
“They will want more,” she promises, “and they’ll expect you to fall in line. The world expects women who look like us to conform. To be grateful for every opportunity.”
“Like you expect me to?”
Mom’s eyes sharpen. “I’m trying to prepare you. And protect you.”
“I have a roof over my head, and I’m doing fine. Better than fine.”
As I head toward the kitchen with a casserole dish, I hear the front door opening.
My dad warmly greets Jay in the background. I continue to the kitchen set the dish in the sink.
“Pretending to wash dishes, huh? You haven’t washed a dish in years.”
I glance over my shoulder to see my brother leaning against the doorframe. “I know you’re not here to compliment my domestic abilities.”
“You and Miles have been sneaking around behind my back.”
I turn to face him, folding my arms. “I’m living with him. We were clearly trying to dodge you.”
Jay cocks his head. “You both had a hundred opportunities to say something. You didn’t.”
“It’s new!” I throw up my hands. “And as much as you hate to admit it, it wasn’t about you. On the court, it might be your job to boss people around, but when the whistle blows? You don’t get to say how I spend my time or with whom.”
I turn back to the sink and start furiously scrubbing the dish.
“Yeah, because you were such a great judge of character with Kevin.”
My hands still, my spine straightening. “Like you’ve never made a mistake before? I can’t believe you’re bringing that up.”
Jay’s voice is contrite. “You’re right, that was low. But I’m your brother.”
“I didn’t want to bother you.”
“Because you didn’t think I would care?”
He’s angry, but more than that, he’s hurt. That’s the only reason I try to hang onto my last shred of patience.
I slam the clean dish down next to the sink, hard enough the sound echoes. “Because I knew you’d overreact. When Mom cut me off, I needed someone to have my back, and Miles was?—”
“When what?!”
Shit.
“When did this happen?”
I grab for a dish towel to dry my hands. “A month ago.”
“And Garrett knew about it.” He’s gone from hurt to incredulous.
My hands fist in the fabric.
Forget patience. My dear brother is digging himself a hole even I can’t help him out of.
“You just can’t handle the fact that you didn’t have a say in it. Newsflash, Jayden: you might be a point guard for eighty-two games a year, but not everyone in the universe waits for your permission to do things. Miles doesn’t. I don’t.” Seething anger rises up. “Chloe damn well didn’t.”
His eyes widen.
Before I can decide whether to take it back, my mom sticks her head in.
“Miles? You’re dating Miles Garrett?” she demands. Her fingers grip the doorframe.
“It’s nothing,” Jay states.
“It’s not nothing.” I throw my towel at him, and he catches it, surprised.
I turn on my heel and stalk out.
* * *
MILES
Miles: Not going to lie, I was hoping to come home to a prettier face than Waffles.
“Dude, you missed that one.” Rookie nods to the flatscreen television.
We’re sitting on the couch playing video games at my place when a text comes back. I glance down at the phone at my side.
Brooke: Nova and I are helping Chloe prep for the gala. It’s going to be a late night so I might crash here after.
I almost forgot about the team’s NYE party tomorrow night.
I hit pause on the game despite Rookie’s protests and type back.
Miles: Anything I can do?
Brooke: I’m fine. Thanks though.
I’m disappointed she’s not coming back tonight.
More than that, I’m worried about her. She’s acting tough but I want to know what she’s not telling me. If she was here, I could coax it out of her.
I want to touch her, to look her in the eyes. As if it will somehow reassure me that I’m right about the stand I took in front of my friend and point guard.
“Jay’s not coming, huh?” Rookie asks.
“Probably not.”
Jay was supposed to join us, but I’m guessing since he found out about me and Brooke, we’re out.
I shift back and drop the phone my side.
Rookie turns to face me, face tight with worry. “You think tomorrow’s going to be more or less weird than the ride home?”
The flight back from Miami on BearForce One was awkward as hell. Jay was at the one end of the plane with Atlas and Clay, me at the other with my headphones in pretending to nap.
“Can’t believe you went there with his sister.” Rookie’s voice has me looking up.
“She’s not his sister.” I mash the buttons on my controller. “She is,” I go on at his expression, “but she’s more than that. It was a long time coming.”
“So I never had a chance?”
The possibility drifts through my mind, making my lip curl. “Not if you wanted to live.”
He turns that over as we go back to the game.
“We were going to tell him after the road trip.” I need a damned massage because my shoulders feel like one big-ass knot.
“This going to fuck shit up for the team?” Rookie asks. He’s a confident guy, but he’s also twenty-one and needs a contract next year.
“I won’t let it,” I promise.