Page 42 of Face Off
With that, I take my leave from the office, letting my father stew over what I just revealed. Now only if I could tell Brooks my inner dark secrets like I just did with my father.
Brooks
Dinner is… awkward.
Yeah, it’s like I’m in a bad episode of The Bachelorette. Don’t say it… I know but shit’s good and if you ever mention to anyone that I watch it, I’ll deny it till the day I die. However, besides the fact that I like watching The Bachelorette, dinner is exactly like that. You know the hometown episodes where the guy is supposed to meet the girl’s family to get their approval, yet the family has no intention of approving the guy and brings said girl’s ex to the party to rekindle. Yeah… that show, except it isn’t her family, it’s our boss.
When Hayley leaves me to discuss something with Mr. Richards, I just about shit a brick. Yeah, sure I play it cool but knowing that Mr. Richards is probably in there threatening one of our jobs and not Coach Stevens for being inappropriate has put me on edge. It isn’t until Hayley returns, and the dinner conversation flows with ease, that I let my guard relax a little.
After dinner, we all go our separate ways, Camden opts to hang in the resort kids club for a little. He’s building a bond with some of the kids whose dads play for the Skipjacks, so he’s been waiting for the opportunity to escape us.
“So, who is it that you wanted me to…”
A loud squeal from behind us pulls us out of our own little world, as my sister comes running over to me.
“Brooky!” She screeches while wrapping her arms around my neck, placing a kiss on my cheek. “So sorry I couldn’t make it earlier. Just with work and Everly, things got hectic.”
We pull apart and make our way to the table Hayley and I are sitting at. Hayley’s eyebrows raise in a curious gaze. Is that also a hint of jealousy showing? Regardless, the heated look in her eyes has me growing hard.
I pull out the chair next to me for Sydney to take a seat. “Sydney, this is Hayley. Hayley, this is Sydney, my…”
Hayley’s face is impassive, like she has a million thoughts running through her head about the woman who just jumped all over me.
“I’m Brooks’ sister,” Sydney interjects before I can say anything. “I’m guessing you’re Dr. Marshall, the woman my brother has complained about, yet failed to give me any details on,” she says, holding out her hand for Hayley to shake.
“Complained about?” Hayley says, relaxing a little.
Great, thanks for that, sis.
“It wasn’t really complaining. More like giving her a rundown on how you busted my balls the first few times I met with you. You know before this.”
Sydney’s eyes sparkle with mischief and curiosity. “And what is this?”
“Yeah, Brooks. What is this?” Hayley fires back with the same look.
Yeah… this isn’t gonna be good. I knew Hayley and Sydney would be too much alike and eventually gang up on me.
I smile, pulling Hayley’s hand into mine. “Well, from what I’ve gathered, you’re my girlfriend. Not just my doctor who seems to get pleasure busting my balls.”
“Is that so…”
“Yes.”
“God, you guys are too cute,” Sydney interrupts our intense staredown with one another. “She’s a hell of a spitfire just like you said. A much-needed upgrade if you ask me,” Sydney says, leaning in close to Hayley, basically shout whispering. “I can see were gonna be the best of friends.”
“Upgrade?” Hayley asks curiously as she takes a sip of the French 45 the server just delivered to her.
I shoot Sydney a warning look as she forms an ‘O’ with her mouth in understanding. Leave it to my sister to drop a bomb like that. I haven’t told Hayley much about my life back in Chicago and why I really left. Just like Hayley, Tiffany left some big scars. Ones not even Sydney knows the whole truth behind.
“I’ll explain later,” I say, trying to avoid the conversation I know I need to have at some point.
“So, anyhow…”
I don’t get to continue on as Halloway makes his way toward us.
“Hey, guys. Syd, it’s good to see you.”
Sydney smiles and stands to give him a hug. “You too pain in the ass. Why do you look like you’ve been moping?”
