Page 105 of Tempting Promises
But maybe I’m wrong. If her meeting went that well, he may have seen something or found out some information I don’t have.
“I know that I want to do more than small-town legal stuff. I love the entertainment section and Jacob Arrowood got my foot in the door with Titan Publicity. Catherine runs an amazing company that has a need I can fill,” Brynn explains.
“Are you moving to Los Angeles?”
“No, I’m going to stay here. For now, I’m just working on contracts and ensuring the clients have the best terms, but I’m hoping to move into being an agent or a publicist. I’m pretty open.”
I really wish she’d told me this any other day than today. My head is clouded with the Charlotte thing and the farm. When I got home, Micah was at the house, waiting to let me know of two issues. One is we lost a calf. We’re not sure how or why, but we did. The other is that the homogenizer is broken.
He tried his best to fix it, but he ended up needing to call someone to come out. Which will cost us, and if I have to replace it...I don’t even want to think about the cost.
Asher releases a long sigh, breaking me from my thoughts. “If this is the direction you want to go, then we all support you.”
“Speak for yourself, asshat,” I say before turning to my sister. “I need to lay down some rules first.”
Brynn crosses her arms over her chest. “I can’twait to hear this.”
“First, you can’t move away. We tried that shit with Grady and breaking up the band isn’t an option.”
Grady snorts. “I hope she kills you.”
I ignore that. “Second, you can’t date some asshole from Hollywood. We already have enough divas in this family, we don’t need to add another.”
“Who is the diva?” Asher asks.
“All the women in your life.”
“Phoebe is not a diva and I sure as fuck don’t think you mean Olivia.” He gets defensive, and I pretend I didn’t hear it. I love them both, but he’s delusional if he thinks they’re not divas. In the most loving way, of course.
“Moving on.” I look at Brynn. “I just don’t ever want to see you get hurt again.”
She softens at that last bit and sits in the chair across from me. “You can’t stop that.”
“I can if you stay here. No one wants to piss off the Whitlock brothers.”
Brynlee snorts. “Yeah, sure, that’s it.”
“I’m serious, Brynn, we . . . we need you here.”
Brynn and I are the closest in age and I’d like to think in other ways. She’s never been afraid to talk to me, probably because I seem like the asshole who is going to screw up first, which is accurate. My sister has been through hell and anyone she meets will have to get through me before they touch her.
I expect one of my brothers to say something against me, but instead, the other two nod in agreement.
“I like this plan,” Grady says.
“Same. We keep you here, you do what you want, and no assholes come near you.” Asher smiles. “Never thought I’d say this but, good idea, Rowan.”
The one thing the three of us still haven’t gotten through our heads is Brynlee really doesn’t like it when we tell her what to do or even think we have a say in it.
My sister stands, crossing her arms over her chest. Great, nowI’ve gone and done it. Here comes hurricane Brynn. “You are all unbelievably stupid. I know I’ve said it before, but this time, it’s a collective effort. I will go and do whatever the hell I want—without any of your input—thank you very much. No one is afraid of you idiots, contrary to what delusions you suffer from. If and when I want to date again, I will.”
“Are you dating someone?” Grady—apparently, the stupid one in the group—asks.
“It’s none of your business.”
He at least is smart enough to keep his mouth shut.
Asher stands, coming to his full height, and Brynn looks incredibly small. “What we’re trying and clearly failing to say is that we love you. We love having you around. You’re the entire reason we all moved to Sugarloaf if you think about it.”
