25. Noelle #2
Dash’s mom lifted her hand like a schoolteacher to stop Briar mid-rant, which worked … kind of. My brothers are both choking on their own laughter, trying not to burst out laughing, which makes it worse because the sound is unmistakable. Then Celeste loses it.
“Celeste, that’s enough,” Serena says calmly, like she’s seen this circus before.
“That hooker said Claudia’s baby should have been an abortion,” Celeste replies just as calmly.
I bury my face in Dash’s jersey because, honestly, I thought Dash meeting my family in full Turkey Trot costumes was peak insanity. Nope. This topped it.
“They’re not hookers,” Caleb says, grin creeping up. “Hookers are professional women. They’re just hoes.”
That does me in. I’m shaking, laughing into the fabric, while Mom tries to scold him, but she breaks, too, snorting behind her hand.
“To be fair,” Ethan chimes in, voice way too casual, “maybe they’re just trying to get theirs.”
“Ethan!” Mom gasps, scandalized.
“What?” He holds his fist out to her like he expects a bump. “What’s good for the gander is good for the goose, am I right?”
Everyone loses it. Joel’s shoulders are shaking in the driver’s seat, trying to keep his composure, while Briar’s still muttering about crusty-ass crotches.
“Shit, shh, he’s coming!” Briar whisper-yells, which of course makes it louder.
Dash opens the door, sliding into the front passenger seat, expression unreadable. Mom glances back as Rick takes Sofie’s front seat, and both cars pull away from the curb.
That’s when Dash turns in his seat, eyes locked on Briar. His voice is low but sharp. “What the hell was that?”
Briar crosses her arms. “That was a loudmouth skank?—”
“No,” he cuts her off, shaking his head. “That was in a fight. You ruined the moment two people were getting engaged. That was supposed to be special. And you did it in front of a full camera crew.” He exhales hard. “Jesus, Briar …”
“That person said Savannah should have been an abortion,” I blurt before she can fire back.
Dash’s gaze stays on Briar, who scowls like she’s ready to keep swinging. “Celeste has it on video,” she snaps, “if you don’t believe me.”
He flicks a look at me. I shrug, small, like she’s not wrong . He turns forward, jaw tight.
After a beat, he says, “Send me that video, C.”
“Where are we going?” Caleb asks, breaking the tension.
“Koa’s place,” Dash answers. “He’s got room for everyone. Sofie’ll head there once she’s done.”
“Do I get money for selling it to the media?” Celeste pipes up.
“Celeste,” Serena warns.
“No, you get warm, fuzzy feelings for doing the right thing,” Dash says flatly.
Briar nudges Celeste, grinning. “We can combine our warm fuzzies to make a blanket, a big comfy one to sleep under at the KOK’s house.”
Dash turns slowly, eyebrows raised. “Really?”
Briar bats her lashes. “It’s his name. Koa Kelekolio. KOK.”
“You’re being ridiculous,” he mutters.
“Hey, Briar?” I say sweetly, and she turns toward me. “How big is that blanket going to be?”
She smirks, already catching on. “Plenty big for three.”
“Perfect,” I say, grinning.
And just like that, the laughter dies, replaced by silence so thick you can hear the tires on the road.
It carries us all the way to Koa and Nalani’s.
When we finally pull in, Dash tries to break it, his voice low. “Noelle?—”
I shake my head, cutting him off before he can get the words out. “I’m not the one you need to smooth things over with.”
He takes it, nods once, and when the doors open, he does exactly that—heading to Briar first, not with anger this time but the blunt edge of a man who’s seen too many people get hurt. As we all shuffle inside, I hear him.
“You can’t fly off like that. Someday, it’s gonna be the wrong place, the wrong person. And you’ll get hurt. I can’t have you getting hurt.”
“She was wrong.”
“Briar, you’re going to run into people like that every day. I’m begging you, learn to walk away.”
“And what good does that do?”
And I see it for what it is. Not him putting her down, not even him lecturing.
It’s Dash Sterling, protective brother, and yeah, I love that about him, too.
I wait for him just inside the door, and when he steps in after Briar, he rolls his eyes. “We good?”
“We are, and by the way,” I lean in to see that she’s passed, “she’s hilarious, your family is awesome, and I think I met one of your bunnies.”
He waits for more. Readies for impact, actually.
I pat a hand to his chest. “You’re good, big guy, but if you think Briar was bad, you have no idea what I’m capable of.”
“Thanks for the warning, Pembrooke, but I don’t break contracts. And in case you didn’t notice, I’m looking to sign a lifelong one with you. Until then, I won’t jeopardize my position in any way.” He smirks. “You like my jersey?”
“Love it.”
“Moretti saw I ordered it and came up with that whole thing.” He wags his brow. “I’m thinking it’s a little more than they’re saying but not saying.”
“We’re on the same page,” I agree.
“How’d the wedding plans go with the girls?” he asks.
“Great, but after that, I feel inspired to do more.”
He kisses me. It’s sweet and claiming at the same time. I have to force myself to break it.
“Go see your mom. She missed you.”
“Love you, Pembrooke,” he says, taking my hand and leading me inside. “We need to find a place.” He turns back and looks at me. “Too soon?”
“I think we’re solid,” I answer honestly, because we are. We are so solid.
“I know we are.”