I read his reply and laugh. “Good luck with your moving out plan.” I show her my phone. “Never gonna happen.”
She makes a frustrated noise and crosses her arms over her chest. “I’m nineteen, not nine. He just…never mind,” she blows out through her nose and shakes her head. “Hurry up, set me straight. Clock’s ticking.”
“I want you to think about the relationships we’ve grown up around. Dad knew Mom wasthe onethe minute he saw her and still acts like it’s the first time he’s ever laid eyes on her anytime she walks in a room. Uncle Sawyer?” I can’t not laugh at this one. “Notorious manwhore, until the second he met Aunt Emmy, thenboom, changed in an instant, for life.For her. Aunt Whitley and Uncle Evan? I’m almost positive neither of them have ever been with anyone besides each other,ever. Judd? Loved Sky, and only Sky, since the day they were old enough to hand each other toys and babble their baby-talk that only the other understood.”
“Yeah,” she agrees wistfully. “Our family is so romantic.”
“In our family, when they know, they know. I haven’t met that “one” yet, not sure I even want to, but I’ll never get the answer to either if I quit at least glancing around for her once in a while. I don’t sleep with every woman I take out, Brynn, I swear. But I also don’t string things along, keep dating someone just to save her from what shethinksis heartache, if I know she’s not the one. And you need to hear me on this, loud and clear. I havenever, not once, in any way, shape or form,disrespected a woman in my entire life. Do you understand me?”
“I know that J, I do, and I shouldn’t have said it. I’m really sorry. Can you please forgive me?”
“Of course I can.” I smile, but only half sincerely. Because while I do forgive her, she’s not off the hook yet. “But I’m not taking back the deal I laid out earlier. You hurt my feelings,” I feign a pout, “and you need to learn how it feels to be doubted by your family. We believe in and support each other, Brynn. You made it clear tonight, whether you’re sorry or not, that you need reminding of that. Did you know, at Skylar’s wedding, Ryder asked Dad’s permission to take you on a date?”
“No,” she utters. “He did?”
“Yep. And take a wild guess, who do you think Dad automatically asked if he should approve that request?”
“You?”
“That’d be correct. Here’s another brain teaser for ya. Who do you suppose immediately vouched for the guy, to ensure your happiness? Knowing that ifyousaw something in Ryder, there must be something there, because this anonymous person believes in you and trusts your judgement.”
“You again,” her tone sharpens…not partial to the taste of crow.
“Right again. Okay, last one.Whosefriend was Ryder first?” I dramatically cup my ear.
“Yours!” she barks.
“Exactly,” I emphasize gently, satisfied she gets my point. I turn the car back on and head for home. “So, the arrangement stands. No Bellamy for me, no Ryder for you. Fair is fair, Brynny.”