Page 25 of Family Forever
Her cheeks flamed. Was he really implying what she thought he was? Did Dylan really feel differently for her than she suspected, more than that of a sister?
“Judging from the way he acts I think you’re dead wrong.”
Cole shook his head. “Dylan’s just the careful, cautious type.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s his nature to over-analyze everything and make sure his ducks are in a row before proceeding. Plus, as you know, the poor guy’s got a lot on his plate, has for a long time.” Cole’s gaze landed on the tabletop. “I thank God every day that I have Dylan for an older brother. I don’t think I could have done what he did after our parents died, stepping in like he did, never missing a beat, making sure me and my brothers have everything we need or want. He wasn’t much older than I am now when our parents died and he assumed all that responsibility. I can’t imagine how that must have felt to him. It would have scared the hell out of me to become the responsible party at such a young age." Cole paused and squeezed his eyes shut for a moment before lifting his gaze to meet hers. "I will be forever grateful to him.”
That had to be the sweetest thing she’d ever heard, and she was shocked such words would come from a young man, and with such conviction. She wondered if Dylan had a clue as to how much Cole loved him, and appreciated him. Dylan and Cole shared many similarities, they were both good, caring men. But they were also very different in ways. Cole was somewhat at ease socializing and sharing his feelings. Dylan was quiet and reserved. She wondered if he’d always been that way or if he changed over the course of time.
Cole’s watery gaze stayed glued to her.
She reached over and rested her hand on his forearm. “You could have done it, no doubt in my mind. You Jacobs men come from fine stock.”
Dylan and Luke returned to the table and took their seats. Luke licked his vanilla ice cream cone. Marissa followed Dylan’s gaze as it zoned in on her hand still resting on Cole’s forearm. His eyes widened. She pulled her arm back as if she’d just touched a hot wood burning stove. Could she have acted any guiltier? Cole leaned back and risked a knowing wink in her direction.
* * * *
Dylan checked his watch again, it was nearly midnight. Why on earth had he allowed Marissa to go with Cole to Jake’s party?
Good grief, what was he thinking? She was a grown woman, who didn’t need his permission to do or not do anything.
He paced through the kitchen again and was just about to snag a beer from the fridge when the phone rang. His chest constricted. Who was calling at midnight? This couldn’t be good. He swallowed hard before picking up the phone.
“Hello.”
Loud music blared in the background.
“Hey, broskie, we need a ride home,” Cole slurred.
“What?”
“Can you pick us up? Marissa, well, let’s just say she’s ready to go home.”
“What do you mean she’s ready? Has she been drinking? Is she okay?”
The pause on the other end of the line let Dylan know he should stop the accusatory questioning before his brother got angry. Perhaps angry enough to chance driving himself and Marissa home. His brother had done the responsible thing by calling for a ride.
“I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
Dylan woke Aric to let him know he’d be leaving before he shot out the door.
He parked in Jake’s driveway and was just about to fling his door open when he saw Cole and Marissa stepping off the wrap-around porch. His brother’s arm was slung over Marissa’s shoulders and she leaned into him as they walked. They were laughing about something but he didn’t know what.
Cole opened the passenger door of the vehicle and lifted Marissa into the truck. She flipped the center console up and scooted close to him. His brother slid in beside her. They were both still laughing.
“Take it you guys had a good time?”
She craned her head to look at him directly. “It was so much fun. You should have come with us.” She pointed at Cole over her shoulder. “I’m glad Cole invited me to come along.”
So much excitement radiated from her he was unable to bring himself to begin the speech he rehearsed in the truck on the way over. He intended on reminding both her, and his brother, that the legal drinking age was twenty-one, and by his math, neither of them were of that age. Cole was close, but not there yet, he had another month. Marissa’s excitement wasn’t his only holdup, he’d done his share of underage drinking, not a lot, but some. And seeing as how that wasn’t all that long ago he still understood the allure of it.
Marissa struggled with her seatbelt. “Oh for crying in a bucket. What in the heck is wrong with this thing?” she asked as she held the belt in her hand and looked up at Dylan.
He took the belt from her and snapped it into place.
She scowled. “Stupid thing.”
