Grace side-eyed her home with a wary expression. “When I get in there, Brooke’s gonna act like she did nothing wrong. I don’t think I can deal with that.”
“I’ll handle Brooke.”
“You don’t even like her.”
“I don’t like most of the people here,” I said. “I’ll be okay.”
I didn’t give her a chance to argue. I cut the engine, got out, and walked over to her door to open it.
“Thank you, Dean. You’ve really helped me and I don’t know how to repay you.”
“Repay me by getting some rest,” I said.
I helped Grace out of the truck and we went inside. Just as she expected, Brooke was waiting for us, and she openedher mouth to say something that was probably going to piss me off.
Brooke was met with the iciest stare I could muster. And considering I wanted to throttle her, it was easy to glare. Her jaw dropped when she saw me, and the shock of how I looked at her had her quiet just long enough for me to get Grace to her room.
Brooke met me at the end of the hallway. “I need to speak with my sister.”
“The fuck you’re not.”
“I don’t know where you get the balls, buddy, but?—”
“I don’t wanna hear it. You ruined Grace’s night and told everyone something she wasn’t ready for them to know.”
Brooke scoffed. “I did her a favor. She would never tell everyone from the way she was going.”
“So what? You don’t get to make a decision like that for her just because you think that you know what’s best.”
“But you sure try to.”
“I’m not a selfish bitch, so I can get away with it.”
“Fuck you.” She took a step toward me and raised her hand. “Howdareyou?—”
“Do youwantto lose your sister?” I spoke slowly, hoping she would understand.
Brooke paused in her tirade. “What?”
“Do you want to lose your sister? Because with the way you’re going, it’s very likely she’s never gonna talk to you again.”
That finally got through to her. I wasn’t sure if it were possible for Brooke to truly care about someone, but she wanted Grace in her life, whether that was to use her or to get a free place to stay.
“She wouldn’t do that. I’m her family.”
“Keep testing the boundaries then and we’ll both see what happens.” I went to go to my own room, eager to get over thepressing anger that had entered every part of my body, but then I paused. “Make her breakfast or something tomorrow. But leave her the fuck alone tonight. I already heard her lock her door just so you couldn’t bother her.”
“Grace never locks doors.”
“Things are changing around here. You’re gonna have to grow up, Brooke. Or get left behind.”
25
GRACE
Strawberry Springs Neighborhood Watch
Mark Bell:The BBC made it through the night untouched, guys!