“She’smysister.”
“She is, but you’re not alone in this. You have Dean and me. And we’re making sure nothing happens to you.”
Grace considered it. Normally, she would put up a fight, but this time, I could see that she didn’t have it in her.
But that wouldn’t happen anymore. Not with me around. And not with Mom around either.
“Thank you,” she said. “Seriously, thank you both.”
“It’s no problem,” I said.
It was late that night when I got a call from Mark. I was in bed with Grace and dead to the world, but I always kept my ringer on just in case an emergency happened.
“So,” he began, “I don’t know if you’ll be happy with me waking you up, but I don’t wanna stress Grace out.”
“That’s a good call. What’s going on?”
He let out a sigh. “Brooke is here and she’s ... she’s wild tonight. More so than usual.”
“I’ll get her,” I replied. “I’ll be there in a little bit.”
“Thanks, Dean. I owe you one.”
He didn’t. But Brooke sure as fuck did.
As I drove, I tried to figure out what to say to get her head out of her ass. I’d never had siblings, so I was out of my element, but I would gladly be there for Grace.
When I walked in, Brooke was dancing on a table, a bottle in hand. Mark was glowering at her.
“She took the whole thing!” Mark yelled when he saw me. “What the hell is wrong with her?”
“I’m having fun!” Brooke yelled as she swayed her hips.Then her eyes landed on me. “Oh. You’re here.” Her distaste for me was obvious.
“Time to go,” I said.
“Everyone gather round! He’s gonna yell at me.”
People did turn, though some seemed to want nothing to do with this. I didn’t blame them. I didn’t want to be here either.
“Brooke, you have to know this is wrong. Your sister simply said to get a hotel.”
“Because she’s pregnant and life is sooooo hard.” Brooke rolled her eyes. “You can stop playing the part now. She’s not here.”
“I’m not playing a part.”
“Oh, you are.” She stumbled off the table, causing more eyes to turn to us. She made it halfway to the bar before I stopped her by grabbing her arm. That must have set her off. “Be real. You aren’t attracted to her. You only care about her because it makes you look good. Because you want everyone to like you.”
I didn’t even want to give her the time of day. It was the best thing to do in a situation like this. “Put the bottle back and go to the hotel. You’re done.”
“Am I? I have a few other things to say.”
“No, you don’t.”
“You’re temporary, Dean. A guy like you doesn’t stick around.”
“You would know a lot about not sticking around, Brooke. Where have you been?”
That only made things worse.