Page 94 of Rescued by the Single Dad

Plunking it on the table in front of her, he grabbed a pair of kitchen scissors and watched as she sliced through the tape. “Finally, a bra,” she said, pulling out various items, like a package of women’s socks, some leggings, T-shirts and a box of women’s cotton briefs with fun floral prints.

His throat bobbed hard.

“Uh ... listen,” he said, hating that his voice cracked slightly.

She tipped her eyes to him for a moment, letting him know she was listening, but she resumed unpacking.

He reached for her hands to stop her, so he had her full attention.

Worry spread across her pretty features. Then she hiked one brow.

“I know you know Rocco told me about your childhood. About your parents and what happened to your mom. He explained it to the cops—well, a cop. But I was there. I was in the truck when he called you to give you a head’s up. I also overheard most of your conversation with Talia upstairs—thank you for that, by the way. But, please don’t be mad at your brother—or me for eavesdropping. And know that I won’t tell a soul.”

She blinked wide eyes, but continued to stare at him.

A vast array of emotions flitted across her delicate features. Worry. Anger. Pain. Embarrassment.

A muscle feathered in the corner of her jaw like she was clenching her teeth.

Her nostrils flared.

She swallowed.

But she still hadn’t said anything.

“You have to know that all I feel for you is astonishment,” he started, the cloying sensation of needing to fill the silence taking over. “How brave you were at just fifteen. I don’t pity you. I know what it’s like to not want people’s pity, but to get it in droves. It’s maddening. So I’m not going to do that to you. I’m not going to pity you. I am, however, amazed by you. I’m in awe of you. I’m inspired by your strength and courage. But I don’t pity you.” He licked his lips, and his throat constricted.

He couldn’t get a read on her.

It was actually the first time since meeting her, which felt like a lifetime ago and not just four days, where he couldn’t figure out what she was thinking. It was unsettling.

And the longer she stood there not saying anything, the more unsettling it became. The more he worried he’d seriously overstepped, and now he’d created a rift between the reunited siblings. Between Brooke and her only family.

Feet thundered down the stairs, bringing the warm scent of the body wash from the upstairs bathroom. “Creek, you here?” Rocco’s voice preceded him into the kitchen.

Brooke’s gaze flicked to her brother, and he paused mid-stride as he joined them where they stood at the table.

Rocco’s eyes bounced from Brooke’s face to Clint’s. “Shit,” he muttered. “You’re still pissed?” His hair was damp, but combed neatly, and he had on fresh clothes: an olive-colored T-shirt and khaki shorts.

Clint inhaled a deep breath and nodded. That pulled Brooke’s attention back to him.

Rocco came to stand beside them, his gaze still flicking back and forth between Clint and his sister. Then he rolled his eyes.

“I’m not pissed,” she said, still glaring at her brother. “Just processing. I’m allowed to process. Your second phone call was like a tire iron to the brain, so I’m just … dealing with the goose egg, thank you very much.”

As much as Clint didn’t want the two siblings fighting, he was relieved not to have that ire focused on him.

Her shoulders rolled forward, and the burning concentration behind her eyes dissipated slightly. Clint and Rocco stood there ... waiting.

“I know,” Rocco said, looking exhausted. “And I should have checked with you first, but aren’t you also kind of relieved that Clint knows now?”

A flicker of relief shone in her eyes, but it was only there for a second.

“We’ve kept this a secret for a long time,” she finally said.

“And it’s been like a fucking elephant on my shoulders every goddamn day. Don’t you feel relieved? Even just a little bit?” Rocco glanced at Clint. “You told me to trust him. That you trust him … so … trust him. With the truth.”

Clint’s asshole was still tightly puckered. He didn’t know Brooke well enough to accurately anticipate how this was going to go.

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