Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
Brittany
“Come on!” Parker shouts at the TV, and I jump sideways with my coffee, spilling it down the front of my white blouse.
Oh no!
I let out a sharp breath as I dive for the paper towels, ripping way more than necessary off the roll. I dab furiously at my chest, already knowing that it’s a waste. Pursing my lips, I set my coffee back down and then make my way into the living room.
“Is there a reason you’re yelling at the TV?” I demand, folding my arms across my chest. I get that this isn’t my house, but still … I want to know why my brother is being so obnoxious.
Parker gestures to the screen from the couch, where I expect to see sports…
“The Price is Right?” I gape, making a face. “Are you serious right now?”
“These people clearly don’t study up enough before they get on this show.” Parker reaches for the bag of chips sitting beside him. “I would do so much more research. In fact, I’d probably win if I was picked.”
“I had no idea your ego was so big.” I snort, shaking my head.
“What happened to your shirt?” Parker eyes the fresh stain, his blond brows furrowing.
“Just coffee,” I say, deciding not to point the finger. Like I said, it’s his home. If he wants to yell at the lady who messed up the price of a new Mercedes, then that’s on him. However, it does confirm that … “I really need to go apartment hunting.”
Parker grabs the remote and pauses the TV, looking up at me. “It’s only been a week since you moved in. You don’t have to rush out of here before you’re ready. I had the movers take your things to my storage building.”
“I know, and I appreciate it…” My voice trails off as I tighten my grip around myself, the heartbreak squeezing my chest. “But I also think that if I stay here, then I’ll keep wallowing. I don’t want to do that. I need a fresh start, you know?”
“Ah, yeah, I guess.” He purses his lips. “I hate apartment hunting.”
I sigh, raking my fingers through my hair and messing the waves I just so carefully put in it. “Well, who else is gonna go with me?”
“Dad?” Parker offers, giving me an amused look.
“No,” I say sternly. “We both know his standards are way too low. Plus, he’s still convinced he needs to send one of his friends’ kids to go beat up Cal. I don’t want to encourage that kind of behavior.”
“I mean, I have to say…” Parker grins. “This might be one of the few times I agree with him. Also, there’s nothing wrong with a budget-friendly apartment.”
“Says the man who lives in a penthouse,” I mutter, shaking my head. “I don’t want to even hear it from you.”
He chuckles, his shoulders bouncing before it fades along with the amusement on his face. “Are you planning on going out looking for one today, or…?”
I rock back onto my heels. I’ve still yet to put on my Nikes. “Well, I mean, it is Saturday. I don’t have a lot of free time; we have a big case coming up next week. I don’t really need to be dipping out to go house hunting.”
“Apartment hunting.”
“Yeah, okay. You’re ridiculous.” I huff. “So, will you go or not?”
Parker eyes me and then the TV. “As much as I’d like to do that—”
“You’d rather sit and yell at the TV.”
“Wrong,” he chimes, tossing the remote down on the couch. “Actually, the problem is that I have plans with Amy today. As much as I’d like to get out of that … I can’t.”
I roll my eyes, unable to stop the motion. “You totally have the hots for her, and you know it. She’s gorgeous and so sweet.”
“You shouldn’t go apartment hunting alone,” Parker responds, his tone flat and his avoidance just as annoying. “You need to go with someone that has a good handle on the markets. You know they’ll try to take advantage of you.”
“Why would they take advantage of me?” I retort. “I’m a lawyer.”
“Well, I just mean they might take advantage of your enthusiasm. I know how you get when you start finding something you like. And, also, you’re not exactly Ms. Handyman either. I don’t want you to overlook issues just because it’s decorated chicly.”
I narrow my gaze at him, but I can’t argue. I am the worst about overlooking issues if something is pretty. Which apparently extends to my love life as well.
My mind rolls through the list of friends I could ask to join me, but most are people I haven’t talked to in a couple years, thanks to Cal disliking literally anyone that I was ever around.
That should’ve been a huge red flag.
But it’s too late now to dwell on the past.
“I guess I’ll just have to wait until next week, then.” I sigh as my mind draws a blank.
“How about you just take Wes?” Parker throws out his best friend, like it’s no big deal. “He never has anything to do with his life, and he’s pretty savvy when it comes to real estate.”
I swallow hard, wondering why my face feels so hot at the idea. “Um … I mean, that’s kind of asking a lot of him…”
Parker looks up at me again, a strange expression on his face. “Why? It’s literally just perusing around apartments with you. It’s not like he has to do anything hard.”
I frown. “Yeah, but he might have other plans.”
“Trust me, he doesn’t.”
“Mmm…” My voice trails off, and I can’t be sure why I’m so skeptical of the idea. “Well—”
“I’ll call him.” Parker fishes out his phone from his hoodie, and swipes through some things before hitting the call button. He puts it on speaker, and the sound of it ringing fills the silence between us.
After the third ring, I sigh. “Maybe he’s busy.”
“He’s probably just taking a—”
“Hey.” Weston’s voice cuts my brother off. “What’s up?”
“I was just wondering what you were up to today?” Parker asks, eyeing me as he kicks up his feet onto the coffee table. For how rich and organized my brother is, he still acts like a slob sometimes.
“Um, I don’t really know. I thought you were supposed to be seeing Amy.” Weston’s deep voice permeates the room, and for some reason, it has me feeling a little light in the head.
He’s your brother’s best friend.
And you do not need to get a new crush.
No matter how hot he is.
“I am seeing Amy, but I was kind of hoping you might be able to babysit for me again.”
My mouth drops open. “I don’t need a babysitter!”
“Wait.” Weston’s voice hums over the line. “Am I on speaker?”
“Yeah,” Parker answers coolly. “I was thinking maybe you could go with Brittany to look at apartments today? I can’t go, and I’d rather she not go alone.”
“Oh, okay. Cool. I’d be happy to serve as the help for the day.” Weston lets out a chuckle that makes me smile, though Parker doesn’t seem to find the same humor.
“Don’t let it go to your head,” he grunts.
“You can pick her up from my place in an hour.” With that, Parker hangs up and tosses his phone on the couch.
He lets out a long sigh, and then picks the remote back up.
“Hopefully you find something.” He looks back at me again.
“But if you don’t, that’s okay, too. Really. ”
I reach out and pat my brother’s shoulder. “Thank you. I hope you know how much I appreciate you. You know, you’d make a really great dad.”
“Okay, no, stop.” Parker shudders. “Being a dad requires me to fall in love with someone, and that just isn’t going to happen.”
“Uh-huh…” I say, just as his phone lights up with Amy’s name. “Whatever you say, bro.”
“Okay, sis.”
I giggle as I exit the living room, making my way back to the kitchen. I’m relieved that Weston is going with me today, but also … What do I wear now? I sweep up my mug of hot coffee and head for the spare room I’m staying in, my mind spinning. It shouldn’t matter what I wear…
But I do know this coffee-stained blouse has to go.
I step into my room, taking a sip of the warm liquid before setting it down on the nightstand. Other than my work clothes, I’ve been basically living out of my suitcase.
“Which is exactly why I need to get my own place,” I say aloud, rolling my lips against each other. I make my way to the large bag, flipping open the top. I grab a cream-colored sweater to replace the shirt I have on. It dresses down my leggings and Nikes.
I slip out of the ruined blouse, toss it into the hamper, and then pull on my sweater. It’s loose fit and falls past my butt. I grab my coat and scarf to go with it, and then recheck my hair and makeup.
Why am I putting in so much effort right now?
“Because I’m going to find a nice apartment,” I answer myself, tossing my waves over my shoulder. It doesn’t have anything to do with how handsome Weston is. I’m just simply putting forth my best effort for the … property managers.
That’s it.
I dab on fresh lip gloss, flash myself a smile, and then step out into the hallway. Right as I do, Parker steps out from his bedroom, dressed as if he’s heading to Sunday school. I raise my brows.
“What?” He folds his arms across his chest. “You’re looking at me like I have something on my face … Do I have something on my face?”
I giggle, shaking my head. “No, you look great, Parker. It’s almost like you’re trying to impress someone or something.”
“Ha, yeah right. I’m just trying not to look homeless.” He blows it off, rolling his eyes as he struts past me, heading for the door. I watch him with a new curiosity. I’m pretty sure my big brother is falling head over heels for his friend Amy, and he’s in total denial about it.
I can’t decide if it’s adorable.
Or just annoying.
However, I don’t get a chance to really contemplate any further, because as soon as Parker swings open the door to leave…
There’s Weston, wearing a nice black pullover and jeans.
He steps into the apartment, nodding to Parker. “Looking spiffy, my friend.” He smirks. “This wouldn’t have something to do with seeing Amy … would it?”
Parker ignores the question. “Be good to my sister, but not too good. I don’t want to have to give my best friend a beating.”
Weston gives Parker a bow. “Yes, Master. I will ensure that I am not too good to your sister. I’d hate for her to accidentally fall in love with me.” He shoots Parker a wink as my brother takes a swing as his shoulder.
“I’m serious,” Parker grunts.
Weston bursts into a laugh, and I’m glad the two of them are lost in conversation with each other…
Because my face feels like it’s on fire.