Page 45 of Love Never Happens with your Brother’s Best Friend

“So, it was your idea to can the trip?”

“Yep. I could tell they weren’t into it.” Dylan laughs. “And also, I figured I’d play Cupid with you guys, seeing as how you’re both so stubborn and useless.” He focuses on the road ahead then says, “Nothing like a bit of nature outdoor time for, you know, getting down with the birds and the bees.”

“I don’t know what you think happened up there,” I say, possibly, a little too defensively.

“One tent?” Dylan swings the van down a side street avoiding a more direct route through the town center.

I ignore my brother and turn on my phone which beeps a series of alerts. We’re back in the land of connectivity. Brodie turns on his phone too, but the battery is dead.

I scroll down the list of messages and missed calls. Most of them are from Kate.

“Call me when you get this,” Kate’s recorded voice says, trying to sound calm.

I dial Kate’s number and wait. She picks up straight away.

“Rita! Hi.”

“Hey. What’s up. You left so many messages. Do you need me to work?”

“No. Nothing like that. It’s just…” Kate breathes on the line. “There was this guy who came in just after Brodie and Dylan left that day.”

“Alright.” I look across at Brodie and Dylan. “Kate, I’m putting you on speakerphone.”

“Okay. Good. So, this guy came in and started asking questions about you and Brodie. I think he heard me say that you dated in school. Anyway, I wasn’t thinking and I just…”

“It’s okay, Kate,” says Brodie. “He’s probably one of the reporters camped out at Rita’s mom’s place.”

“Yes. That’s what I was going to tell you.”

“It’s fine, Kate. Dylan’s here. He came to pick us up. Don’t worry.”

“I feel so bad, you know. I didn’t mean to cause any trouble for you.”

“Kate. You didn’t,” says Brodie in a calming tone. “I’m going to sort it out. Everything’s fine.”

“Alright. Call me if you need anything, okay?”

Kate rings off.

“You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to figure out where I’d be staying in Oak River,” Brodie says staring straight ahead.

I rest my head against Brodie’s shoulder as we drive toward my parents’ house and the drama that awaits.

Chapter 22

Brodie

The van rumbles along the road towards the Carmichael family homestead. Dylan laughs and makes jokes which relieves some of the tension that is building like grey storm clouds looming on the horizon. I appreciate Dylan’s humor. He always makes light of any situation and tells me not to stress. He says, hey, what are they really going to do to me on the driveway? String me up? He has a point. But the closer we get, the more I feel like a condemned man walking to the gallows.

“Whoa!” says Dylan as we turn a corner and approach the house. “There are even more people here now. Crazy.”

A sizable crowd has gathered at the gate. The sheriff is there marshaling the TV vans, reporters, and photographers. Other people wanting to get in on the action are herded together behind police tape at the side of the road.

I had no idea this story would blow up as it has, out of all proportion. A photo on the internet and an accusation from a politician’s daughter, and madness has escalated beyond belief. And in such a short time. I’m sure that Oak River hasn’t seen this kind of media frenzy in living history. At all. If ever. I’m sad that I am the cause of this commotion, but I plan to make it right and make this nightmare go away.

I hold Rita’s hand. She interlaces her fingers in mine. She doesn’t need to tell me. I know she is on my side which gives me the strength I need right now. Dylan maneuvers through the waiting press and hangers-on. I stare straight ahead and don’t react when they shout and bang the sides of the van as the sheriff waves us through. I ignore the cameras pushed up against the window as we slowly edge through the gate, then up the driveway.

Dylan parks around the back of the house. Ted and Jeanie are anxiously waiting for us on the porch with the dogs, who wag their tails and jump down the steps to greet us as the van pulls to a stop.

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