Page 83 of Broken Dreams
“Also, you better hope to God she dumps you and says it was her fault if this goes bad.”
I guess that answers that one. “Why?” I ask stupidly.
“Because of the aforementioned reasons as to why they’re staring. They love her. I wouldn’t put it past them to hold some kind of town hall meeting to discuss why you broke up and who is choosing what side.” Rowan looks to me. “I would probably go with her. You’re a dick and she can do so much better.”
I glare at him. “Yeah, you’re a total winner.”
“Never said I was, big brother. Never said I was. However, Addison is a delight.”
I sigh heavily and look to the one brother I don’t want to choke. “Did you have this with Phoebe?”
He pushes his plate back and lifts one shoulder. “Yes and no. Phoebe is loved, but I’m also well liked. We had the whispers because—”
“He’s old as fuck and knocked her up,” Rowan unhelpfully adds.
“Of the age difference and the fact that I work for her dad,” Asher finishes as though he wasn’t cut off. “Now, no one bats an eye. If anything, they see how much I love her, how I would literally die for her. It helped when people found out I drove twelve hours to punch someone in the face who hurt her.”
I grit my teeth, not wanting to think about why else Asher went to punch that piece of fucking shit.
“I’m going to a wedding across the country,” I remind him.
“Wow, what a selfless guy you are,” Rowan says with mock approval. “You’re like, fucking amazing.”
“Can we get rid of him?” I ask.
Asher sighs heavily. “Unfortunately not. One of us would have to care for the cows and the new land the idiot bought.”
“Hey, I’m going to increase our profits and I beat out the She-witch.”
“Her name is Charlotte,” Asher corrects.
“Is it? I’m not sure, she’s got a green tinge to her that would lead me to believe she’s a witch.”
One day he’s going to grow up and I can’t wait for it.
“Anyway,” I shift the conversation away from this rabbit hole. “I’m just saying I’m a good guy.”
Asher shrugs. “You might think so, but they want to see it.”
“I didn’t realize I have to woo the town.”
Rowan snorts. “Mistake number one. The town is your wife, and your girlfriend is your mistress.”
Both Asher and I give him a look that clearly says he’s a fucking dumbass.
“Do us all a favor and stop talking, Rowan,” Asher urges and then turns his attention to me. “As dumb as he is, his thought process is correct. This town is a family and while you’re a Whitlock and have family ties, you’re not from here. I wasn’t and neither was Rowan, but we’ve been here long enough now. We both do a lot for the community. While Addison is newer, she’s got three years ahead of you and she’s...loved. The chili cookoff was a good start, but you need to win over four people and this town will be putty in your hands.”
“What four people?”
“The Arrowood women.”
I sit back and lift one shoulder. “Well, I think I have one down.”
“Which?”
“Devney. I saw her this morning.”
Rowan nods approvingly. “Ellie will like you just because she is incapable of being mean to anyone. Brenna is a therapist and always gives people the benefit of the doubt, so she’ll follow. It’s Sydney who is the tough nut to crack. She loves me, though.”
