Page 111 of Broken Dreams
“Oh, I don’t know, this is the first time you’ve dated and slept with someone since you lost Lisa, you’re starting a business, raising Jett on your own, and just moved here. Why would you possibly be a mess?”
I really don’t want to talk about this with her.
“How do you know it’s the first since Lisa?” I figure that’s the most uncomfortable part for her and where I’m likely to have an out.
“Because you told Rowan and he told me.”
“So do you all sit around and talk about me?”
I pretend to be offended.
Brynn doesn’t buy it. “Like you don’t talk about the rest of us? I’m serious.”
“I’m fine, Brynn.”
“Are you?”
I drain my coffee and grab the pot, filling it back up. “I really am.”
“So your feelings for Addison don’t scare you?”
No, they terrify the fuck out of me. In fact, I’m pretending I just don’t have feelings because it’s much easier. I can’t have feelings for her because we’re temporary. Not to mention, I’m not about to let my heart take over something that will only end up with my son being crushed.
“I’m not sure what my feelings are. We’re taking things slow and we’re both happy with how things are.”
She lifts one brow and laughs. “If that’s not the biggest load of bullshit I’ve ever heard. Grady, you’re over there all the time. Every night since you had your night together. You care about her.”
“Of course I care about her.”
My sister sighs heavily. “You’re also the smartest of my brothers so don’t play stupid.”
“I really am the smartest.” I lean back, enjoying this line of the conversation much more. “I think I’m also the best looking, but I’m sure Asher thinks it’s him. No, I take that back, definitely Rowan.”
“I take back saying you were smart,” she mutters.
“If you had to pick the better looking one, it would be me, right?” Brynn just shakes her head. I know she’s coming from a place of concern, so I let her off the hook. “I promise, I’m really aware of what I’m doing and I’m being careful.”
Although the fact that I went back over last night after saying I wasn’t going there sort of proves otherwise.
“Okay. I just had to ask.”
I stand, kiss the top of her head. “Thank you, you’re a good sister. No matter what Rowan says.”
She slaps my stomach and laughs. When I start to walk toward the sink, she grabs my wrist. “I worry about you. I worry about all of you, but you more than the other two. You told me a few weeks ago you never wanted another relationship and now you’re dating Addison, who very much wants love again. Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”
I should tell her the truth, but I don’t. I won’t do that to Addison and we have a plan. We leave in days for Rose Canyon. We will have fun, come back, hopefully I’ll get the investment, and then we will go back to being friends.
Maybe even friends who fuck.
I give my sister a tight smile. “I’m sure.”
And I’m sure I’m full of shit.
twenty-five
ADDISON
“Igo first, Jett!” Elodie yells as the two kids rush off to the play area in the back of Brynn’s house.
