Page 15 of When We Break

“I don’t need help changing my clothes,” I remind him.

He smirks. “And I’m grateful for that. I’ll wait on the porch.”

Twenty minutes later, we’re driving into town. “Did you come all the way out to the farm just to pick me up?”

“Yep. Because I knew that otherwise, you’d make an excuse not to go. Like your man said, that would crush our niece. So you’re going.”

“I’m here, aren’t I?” I rub my hand over my face.

“I saw you followed Skyla out of the bar the other night.”

I sigh, roll my eyes, and stare at my brother. “Seriously? You want to gossip?”

I’d rather not discuss the details of getting turned down by the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen.

“Are you going to call her or what?”

“No. She didn’t give me her number.” Even I hear the growl in my voice, but my brother doesn’t think twice about pressing my buttons.

“Seriously? Interesting.”

“If you want to date her, you call her.” My hands ball into fists at the idea.

“I don’t want to dateanyone,” he reminds me. “Doctors aren’t a good bet. I’m never home.”

“Ah yes, ever the consummate bachelor.”

“Jesus, you’re a fucking prick tonight.” Blake laughs and shakes his head. “Such a joy to have in my car.”

“I could have driven myself and saved my sanity from the interrogation.”

“Hey, I was just asking. Skyla’s a nice girl. She’s pretty.”

“I didn’t notice.”

Blake tosses his head back and laughs, then the fucker smirks at me. “Right, you didn’t notice the hot little redhead who sounds like music when she talks? Jesus, you followed her out of that bar like a puppy.”

“Fuck you. I did not.”

Okay, I did. Who the fuck cares?

He looks like he wants to say more, but we’re already at the dance studio just one street down from Main Street. I jump out of Blake’s fancy car, ready to take my mind off the fact that the gorgeous redhead with the voice that makes my body sit up and listen wants nothing to do with me.

I’ve thought about her all goddamn week. I can’t get her out of my head, and that pretty much irritates the hell out of me. I don’t have time to think about a woman who already told me no. I don’t have time foranywoman, but one who clearly isn’t interested? Absolutely not.

“Come on, grumpy ass.” Blake holds the door open, clapping me on the shoulder as I pass. “Let’s go see Birdie. That’ll cheer you up.”

He’s right, it will make me smile. She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to our family.

White folding chairs have been set up for families and friends to sit in for the show, and I scowl. These chairs will be damn uncomfortable for men our size for any length of time. But before I can say I’ll duck out, I hear my favorite voice.

“Uncle Beck!”

“Hey, peanut.” I squat next to her and kiss her cheek. “Aren’t you beautiful in your pink tutu?”

She does a quick spin, her cheeks rosy with happiness. With her dark hair up in a bun and her brown eyes shining with excitement, she’s the most beautiful thing in my world. She never fails to brighten my day.

“I’m so happy you’re here,” she says, and just like that, I’d gladly sit in this fucking chair for the rest of my life if it means keeping this girl happy.

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