“Are you going to Mark’s birthday party?” she asked.
Mark always held a birthday bash at Bell’s Brews. He usually brought something fun out of storage and invited the whole town. Not everyone could always make it, but a lot tried to, and I regularly went.
“Are you?” I asked back. “I thought you’d have better things to do in Nashville.”
“I do, but I also wanna show these people how far I’ve come. I’m gonna perform.”
Last year, he’d bought a karaoke machine, telling us all that the best gift would be to watch us make fools of ourselves. The town delivered what he asked for, and then some. With how much he’d laughed, I wouldn’t be surprised if he brought it out again.
“I didn’t know Mark had a birthday party,” Dean added.
“It’s for people who live here,” Brooke said sharply.
“I’m sure Dean would be invited,” I said, an edge to my voice that I usually didn’t have. Brooke’s eyes went wide, but she kept her mouth shut. “I could just bring him as my plus one.”
“Because no one would noticethat.” She rolled her eyes.
For the first time, I wished people knew about Dean and me. It would have been easier if they did. We could say we weren’t dating, but we had a reason to hang around one another.
“I’ll just ask him,” Dean said. “He and I get along.”
“Yeah, yeah. You do whatever.” She waved her hand. “At least everyone will finally get to see me perform.”
Dean glanced at me and rolled his eyes. Brooke was too busy daydreaming to notice. I couldn’t resist the smile that made its way to my face. Usually, I took on Brooke alone, but this time, I had someone to help me make it through her visit.
A girl could easily get used to this.
22
DEAN
Strawberry Springs Neighborhood Watch
Jackie Anne:So sorry to anyone who saw me run out into the alley in my robe screaming for Chaos. Dang racoon took my donut and ran with it.
Comments:
Mark Bell:That was real? I thought I was having one of those nightmares again ...
Mollie Wilson:Jackie, do I need to do a welfare check on you?
Marjorie Brown:HA! They’re turnin’ on ya!
Marjorie Brown:Did anyone get any pics?
Jackie Anne:They better not have! I didn’t have anything on under the robe.
Jade Clark:WHOA. Of all the people to halfway streak through the square ... Jackie? Wow, I didn’t recognize yourgame.
The first nightI’d stayed at Grace’s house, I slept surprisingly well. The second night, I was half expecting to get stabbed by Brooke, so sleep mostly evaded me.
I managed a few hours before getting up in search of caffeine. I would need all the help I could get, and I had a feeling Brooke wasn’t an early riser.
When I heard footsteps creaking on the old hardwood floor, I started the pot of coffee. My shoulders tensed, and I wondered if my gamble had blown up in my face.
And then I saw Grace with her hair tied into a messy bun coming around the corner.
She blinked when she saw me, and her eyes trailed my form, no doubt taking in my old, gingham pajama bottoms and messy hair. The day before, I’d left the guest room ready for the day. Today hadn’t gone as well.