9. Chapter 9
Chapter 9
Brynn
" W hat was with Brooks?" Whitney asks, as I sit down by her at the table.
"I swear I think my brothers truly think I am still a virgin," I say with a laugh.
"I mean, I doubt they want to think about men touching their baby sister," Whitney says as she takes a large bite of a hot dog.
Brooks and Blake join us at the table, and I notice a gleam in Whitney's eye.
"This lunch is really hitting the spot. Don't you think Brynn?"
"I have missed hot dogs cooked over an open flame." I'm trying to gauge what Whit has up her sleeve.
"Bet that is not the first wiener you've had in your mouth, huh?"
And there is it. I start laughing so hard I almost choke .
"Don't choke, let that gag reflex work for ya," Whitney says as she hits me on the back.
"You two are going to hell," Blake says as he glares in our direction.
Whitney and I are doubled over in laughter at my overprotective brothers.
"You guys should see your faces right now," Whitney says through her laughter.
"I don't see how this is funny," Brooks says, crossing his arms over his chest as he narrows his eyes at Whitney.
She coughs and settles down. "Take it down a notch. She is a grown woman. No need to go all caveman."
"They have zero chill."
"Well, where were they when Steven was around causing trouble?" Whitney asks me. I give her a 'shut the fuck up' expression and she swallows.
"What do you mean?" Blakes growls.
"Nothing. It's nothing. Sorry, we were just messing around with you guys." Whitney quickly looks in my direction.
I can't even look my brothers in the eye right now. They have no idea the real reason I left this town and never came back.
"So, after lunch when dad goes to nap, I think we need to look over all his paperwork from the hospital," I say, changing the subject as I push my food away. My appetite has suddenly disappeared .
"Sounds like a plan," Blake says. "I just need to catch up with Colt first and see how everything went this morning." He gets up from his seat and makes his way to the dining room where the ranch hands are finishing their lunch.
I hear the faint conversation coming from the dining room. "I am going to make dad a plate and get him situated in the bed," I say as I stand up from the table.
"Let me help you," Whit says as she grabs her plate and cup.
"So, how do you feel about your dad now that you have seen him and talked to him?" Whitney whispers as I start making a plate for dad.
"I know I haven't been here in forever, but I can't get over how old he looks."
"He is old," Whitney says with a cocked eyebrow. "You have missed out on a lot, but it is time to stop letting others control what you do."
"I don't let anyone control me," I spit. My BFF is about to get an earful if she doesn't start acting like a friend.
"Not in your regular life, but here you do. You have let one person keep you away from your family for years," Whitney says softly. "Trust me, I understand what you went through, but you can't let those experiences stop you from living your life how you want."
"I am not letting anyone stop me from living," I snap .
"When is the last time you had fun? Went on a date? Had a one-night stand?" Whit questions.
I groan and lean my elbows on the counter. "I can't even tell you the last time I had sex. Honestly, it has been way too long since I have felt someone else's hands on my body."
A throat clears from behind us, and I look to see Colt and Blake standing there. "I need some bleach for my ears. Or maybe one of those little devices from that movie where they erase your memory," Blake groans. "I haven't seen you in years and this is way too much sex talk for me. Can't I just keep you pure and perfect in my mind?"
"You could try, but my innocence was taken a long time ago, big bro." I smirk and pat him on the shoulder. "Bet you wish you definitely hadn't called me now, huh?"
"I will never regret calling you. Even if you make my life a living hell, you had a right to know about Dad," Blake says softly.
"Challenge accepted," I singsong as I take the plate I made to dad.
"You are so screwed," Whitney says. As she walks away, she can't help but to add, "And not in the way your sister desperately needs. Ain't that right, Cowboy?"
"Whitney Louise Saylor!" Brooks calls after her as she goes running out the front door. There is no telling what she is in trouble for now .
"Those two have been beating around the bush so long it's dead," Dad says as he watches Brooks fly out the door behind her.
"Eat up and I will be sure to get you situated in bed for a rest," I say as dad starts to try to cut up the leftover hot brown I warmed up. His hands aren't steady enough to hold the plastic knife.
"Oh, I should've cut that up with an actual knife instead of giving you a plastic one. I'll be right back," I say as I go to the kitchen. I set the plate on the counter and take a big breath. Seeing my dad struggle like that does something to me. My heart feels like it is breaking, and not in the way it has been fractured for years. It feels like a definite break right down the middle.
"Are you okay?" A gruff voice comes from behind me.
"Perfectly fine. You should really stop creeping around."
"I wasn't creeping. Just thought I would see if you needed help getting your dad to bed before I head back out to work."
"I don't need help. Especially from you, Cowboy, " I snap as I start aggressively cutting up dad's hot brown into small pieces that will be sure not to choke him up.
"Suit yourself, Firecracker," Colt says as he strolls through the living room and out the front door.
I don't need anyone. I have survived this long on my own .