Page 119 of Crossing the Brooklyn Briggs
Houston groans and runs his hand through his hair. “It’salwaysa game with you, Jordan. Even your marriage only lasted a few years, so how long before you break Brook’s heart like you’ve broken everyone else’s?”
Were he anyone else, I would probably punch him in the face for that one. But this is Houston. My best friend, my brother, the only person in the world I care about as much as I care about my family. He’s second only to Brooklyn, and I hate that this has turned into a fight. We’re not the kind of friends who fight.
Ducking my head, I fold my arms and breathe until I’m calm again. “I am deeply, madly in love with Brooklyn,” I say without looking at him. “I’ve always admired her, and I’ve spent the last two weeks relearning who she is and why she’s the most amazing person I’ve ever known. The only reason—and I mean theonlyreason—we agreed not to tell you before now was because we didn’t want you to think either one of us was going to abandon you. And I wanted to be sure I could be the man she deserves so I could promise you I will never hurt your sister. She’s everything to me, Houston. She’s my reason to look beyond my job and actually live again.”
When I finally look up, Houston has fallen back onto the couch. He looks almost lost as he stares at me with his mouth hanging open. “You and Brook,” he says eventually, as if testing the idea. “You’re in love with her? How does she…”
I sit on the edge of the coffee table so I’m not towering over him. “She says she loves me. Heaven knows why.”
“It’s because you’re a good guy, Jordan.” He manages a fleeting half-smile. “You’re way better than any of the jack—uh, jerks she usually dates.”
“I appreciate that. But you have to admit, the bar was pretty low.”
He chuckles. “Insanely low.”
“Are we good?” I hold out my hand.
Houston eyes my hand for longer than I’m comfortable with, but then he slides his fingers along mine and turns it into a fist bump. “We’re good. I’m still mad at you for not telling me.”
“That’s literally why I’m here this morning, Houston.”
“Oh.”
And I guess that’s it? Honestly, it went better than I expected, though it wasn’t easy, and it doesn’t look like I’ll be losing my best friend today.
I glance at the to-go container next to me. “So… You brought Darcy nachos last night?”
He’s on his feet in a flash, grabbing the container and taking it to the kitchen garbage. “I’m not talking about it with you. You’re going to read too much into things, and I need to get to practice.”
“You’re the one who said you like her,” I remind him.
He pauses with one foot on the stairs to go up to his room. “Ireallylike her.” With the way his shoulders sag, that admission seems to cost him a lot. Darcy is so unlike the women he usually dates—women like Tamlin—that I would imagine he has no idea what to do with her. That could be good or bad, depending on where things go.
“You sure you don’t want to talk about it?”
He glances back. “Not today.”
I don’t blame him. With my admission about Brooklyn on top of his shoulder stuff, he’s dealing with enough this morning as it is. “I should go to work,” I say. “Let me know if you need help with the Darcy situation.”
He nods once.
“Thanks for not punching me for kissing your sister.”
He shudders. “Don’t expect me to get used to it anytime soon.”
“Wasn’t planning on it. And I meant it, by the way. When I said I’m not going to hurt her.”
“Good.”
I let myself out so Houston can process in peace, glancing at my watch as I head back to my truck. It’s not even eight thirty, which means I could stop by Brooklyn’s place and really wish her luck.
But something holds me back. While I know she would love the company and the reassurance that everything will work out, I think she needs to do this one herself. Jeff got her foot in the door—I need to send him a gift basket or something for making it happen so quickly—but Brooklyn will be the one to prove she’s incredible.
Still, she could probably use an extra boost of serotonin to get her through the morning until her interview arrives.
Me: Houston, we have liftoff. *GIF of a rocket launching*
Queens: PLEASE TELL ME THAT’S A GOOD THING
