Page 65 of Ever With Me

Kayla gave her a hard stare as though she was already questioning Maddie’s character. “What sort of deal? If he pays for the damage, what difference does it make if it’squietor not?”

Maddie’s face flushed. “I didn’t know Brooks, Kayla. I’m sorry. I just assumed he was all these awful things that the tabloids seem to push, and I threatened to tell the press unless he played at the town fair for us in a few weeks. But I’m going to tell him never mind.”

She said that last part without even thinking it through.

Yet it was the right thing to do, wasn’t it?

How could she continue to blackmail him for a concert? She’d known the blackmail was wrong the whole time, but now?

The air was rife with tense silence.

Kayla didn’t look at her.

“What changed your mind about blackmailing my brother?”

Ouch.It really sounded terrible.

What sort of person does that make me?

“To begin with, I’m realizing how much I hate myself for doing it,” Maddie said, a lump in her throat. She needed a sip of water or something. “But also because Brooks has another side to him. He’s . . . just really got a tough exterior. But he adores Audrey. And I think I was wrong about him.”

Kayla rubbed her eyes,not saying anything about what she thought of Maddie now. “But why would you blackmailing him make him drink? He’s been blackmailed before. And Cormac said he thought you two were sleeping together. Brooks has had you over every day this week.”

Maddie shifted in her seat, her knee bouncing. “We’re not sleeping together. Brooks demanded ten hours of my time in our deal, and that’s why I’ve been by. Mostly just running errands for him.”

Kayla gave her a look of disbelief. “Cormac said you had dinner the other day.”

Cormac has a big mouth.That wasn’t entirely fair, though. She imagined Kayla probably had a thousand questions for him when he’d called about Brooks.

Maddie twisted the hem of her sweatshirt in her hands. “I did. And we got to talking afterward, and Brooks told me about your parents and how they died,” Maddie admitted in a low voice. “I was supposed to come by yesterday, but I couldn’t, and when I didn’t show up, I think it must have triggered him somehow. Like he’d shared too much with someone he shouldn’t have. Maybe it even scared him.”

“He told you about my parents?” Kayla searched her face. Then added, “About Dad?”

Maddie nodded.

Letting a slow puff out from her cheeks, Kayla stood abruptly. “I need coffee. You want some?”

Coffee sounded magical right about now.

Maddie followed her into the kitchen.

Kayla pulled two mugs down from the cabinet. “I can’t believe he told you about Dad.” She didn’t meet Maddie’s eyes as she started the coffee. “He never talks about him.Ever.And definitely not about his death.”

That made Maddie’s failure to appear the day before somehow worse. She turned on the sink, splashing some water on her hot face. Grabbing a paper towel, she dried off. “I don’t know why he did?—”

“He clearly trusts you, that’s why.” Kayla turned on the coffee machine. “Which is ironic, considering you blackmailed him. But yes, I can see why that would set him off. Not that it’s any excuse. I’m still furious with him.”

Kayla settled her weight on her hands, leaning forward on the counter. “To be honest, it’s you I have my questions about. I like your brother; he’s really sweet. I figured you were the same way. But I didn’t expect to hear that you were blackmailing Brooks. That’s . . . disappointing.”

Hard to hear, but not undeserved, either.

“Except that you also told me about it. And you came over and took care of my daughter last night. And Brooks obviously sees something in you he likes. Telling you about our parents is monumental, Maddie. Like . . . I’m not sure he’s ever told anyone about Dad.”

“I get it, I really do.” Maddie rested her weight against the counter. “It was a stupid idea to blackmail Brooks—I just . . .” She sucked in a deep breath.

“My ex-boyfriend, who basically cheated on me, has a cousin in the band River House, and I got them to play for the town fair next month. Except River House pulled out and is playing another night when my ex’s new girlfriend’s family is sponsoring the main concert stage. I needed a band. And who should come crashing into my store but Brooks? I don’t know. It felt like fate in a way.” Maddie cringed at the silliness of it. “But it was stupid. And Brooks doesn’t deserve that. He’s sweet, and this wounded soul that makes me want to hug him, and I’m so, so sorry.”

“He’s an ass,” Kayla said with a smirk. She grabbed a bottle of half-and-half from the fridge, setting it on the counter. “But he has a sweet side, yes. I’m shocked he let you see it. He was an incredible big brother growing up—he still is—and he’s an amazing uncle. You know he raised me, right?”

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