Page 92 of Brides and Brothers
Cade chuckled. “You might actually have something this time,” he said to Aiden.
“This time?” Aiden scowled. “Show some respect for your betters, little brother. I know stories about you that would make Raina want to marry a ferret over you.”
Benson threw a pillow at Cade before he could form a retort. “Play nice.” He glared at Aiden since it would do no good to throw a pillow at a screen.
Flynn struck a chord on his guitar. “I bet the dads of those kidnapped women flipped. I don’t want Sage’s dad coming after me. I met him, and trust me, he’s no small fry.” He leaned forward and added another can to his pyramid. The whole thing toppled to the floor. Every eye turned on Flynn, who went back to strumming his guitar. “Don’t worry,” he said with a short laugh. “I’ll pick it up before Camille comes home.”
“This would have to be a planned operation,” Aiden instructed, picking up where he’d left off before the interruption. “You’d each have to call the ladies’ parents and let them know the arrangements. Someone would have to plan to purchase extra groceries. Camille will not be stuck taking care of your dates. This is supposed to be a break for her. Benson, I’m assigning you to the food. Flynn, you get tickets for the Playmill Theatre in West Yellowstone for Tuesday night. It can be the date or ploy that gets them to come of their own will. Women can’t resist singing and romancing on stage. Easton, you order flowers. Make sure they’re delivered with the tickets with written instructions on the time you’ll pick up your dates. Cade, I want you to pack extra blankets, sleeping bags, and pillows. Daegan, you can pack movies and board games. And together or separate, you need to compose a written apology.”
Benson interrupted the list-making. “Shouldn’t we run this by Camille?”
Aiden shook his head. “Let’s show her we’re capable of cleaning up our own messes. She doesn’t deserve to have to deal with all this family drama. Besides, Camille’s not the only one capable of making a match. By the end of the week, you’ll all be calling me Dr. Love.” Aiden’s eyebrows danced up and down. Some of them started laughing, and some of them booed. Easton threw a chip at the TV.
The brothers’ glaring eyes quickly turned on Easton. “Okay,” he said. “I’ll pick up the chip before Camille gets home.”
“Yes, you will,” Aiden said. “Now, focus for one more minute. We all need to be on the same page if this is going to work. Let’s take a vote.”
Everyone raised their hands but Benson. Daegan kicked Benson’s foot. “Raise your hand. We all know how much you dig Daisha. This is your big chance.”
Benson shifted in his seat. “Daisha and I are friends. We aren’t even dating. I’m not kidnapping her for an entire holiday weekend.” Thankfully, no one used his words as an opportunity to taunt him.
Flynn leaned over his guitar, and his eyes zeroed in on Benson. “I don’t want to break any confidences, but Sagemighthave told me that Daisha is into you.”
“Just like shemightnothave told you?” Benson smirked. “How promising.”
“What do you have to lose, Benson?” Cade asked. “You’re way more awesome than that Derek guy. She couldn’t do better than you.”
“Yeah,” Daegan added. “Besides, if you two aren’t making out by the end of the weekend, then you still have time to be over her by Christmas to start the new year off fresh. On the other hand, if things do work out, you don’t have to be the last brother hitched.”
“Your argument started off so good,” Benson said to Cade, “and then Daegan opened his mouth.”
Daegan squeezed Benson’s shoulder with the hand not in a cast. “It doesn’t hurt to try. Besides, we need you in order to make this work. We need every last woman on our side.”
Easton turned to Aiden. “What about Amy? I heard she was fueling the fire over there.”
Aiden nodded. “She was, but she won’t be any longer. I talked to her. Make sure she gets flowers and an invite to Thanksgiving as well.”
Benson stalled for a moment. “All right, I’ll do it.”
“Excellent,” Aiden said for all of them. “One more thing. Flynn?” Flynn peered up at the screen, and a wave of parental love hit Aiden. Being at odds with the woman you loved hurt. Flynn wouldn’t want a lecture, so Aiden took a breath to give it to him straight. “Your father figure says you can’t have a ridiculously long engagement if your fiancée doesn’t agree. You need to compromise.”
Flynn gave him a sideways grin, as if he’d been waiting for direction. “Got it.”
