Page 22 of Beaten

I gave him a dirty look. “No. I talked to them about it before Chris hired us to protect Emily.”Damn it. Thatdidn’t sound convincing. If I couldn’t convince myself, I’d never convince Jack. Or Meg.

Emily was off limits for a lot of reasons, including the fact that her brother was my best friend.

“Uh huh.” Jack grinned. He wasn’t convinced but I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of arguing.

Meg ran around the table and gave me a big hug. “I don’t care why you’re doing it Jamie, I’m just glad you are. I know it’s hard to let go, to move on, but Isabelle would want you to be happy.”

“Thanks.” I was as grateful she’d prevented Jack from giving me shit as I was for her support. Knowing Meg, it was probably her intention.

From the stupid grin on his face, Jack was about to try again. But Meg interrupted him. “You’ll be late if you don’t get moving.” She looked at me and winked, a trait she claims she picked up from ‘The Sheppard Men’ as she liked to call us. It was probably true, since we all tended to wink. She used to make fun of Jack for it even though she seemed to like it. I remember the first time she saw dad wink; she was in the hospital and his wink had made her laugh. That was when Meg started to feel comfortable around him. Before that she thought he didn’t like her.Now they’re thick as thieves.

I offered to help clean up, but Meg insisted on doing it herself, informing me I could clean up after dinner, which I’d be cooking.

“You should let him help you, he’s assigned himself to Emily duty tonight. And every night this week. So he won’t be around to help.” Jack raised an eyebrow at me beforewalking up behind Meg and hugging her. “I’ll happily make dinner for you tonight Princess. I’ll even clean up afterwards.”

It wasn’t much of an offer since he cooked everything on the grill, but Meg didn’t care. “So, I should thaw some steaks.”

“Yup.” Jack kissed her. “Gotta run. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

Jack nodded as he left.“Later bro.” Half way down the hall he yelled back over his shoulder. “You need me to check in with you every fifteen minutes, or do you trust me to do my job?”

I didn’t answer, at least not verbally, I let my middle finger and scowl do the talking for me. I trusted him to do his job and he knew it.Sometimes working with family is a real pain in the ass.

I stood up and started helping Meg. “He’s right, I’ll be gone every night this week so I’ll make breakfast, and clean up my mess, for the rest of the week. Deal?”

“Deal. Ooooh, can we have banana chocolate chip pancakes tomorrow?” Meg asked excitedly.

I laughed. “Of course.” Jack and I rarely ate a carb heavy breakfast, usually opting for eggs and bacon or sausage. Meg never complained, but she’d request pancakes any time we asked what she wanted.

“Thanks Jamie. You’re the best big brother ever.” Which wasn't saying much because Meg was an only child.

Then she leaned against the counter and crossed her arms, trying to look serious. “So, now that Jack’s gone, you can tell me, do you like her?”

“Who?” I played dumb to buy myself some time because I wasn’t sure how to answer. I felt protective of Emily, but wasn’t sure if I was attracted to her.I mean, she’s pretty, and it felt good holding her in my arms, but I’m sure it felt good because I was comforting her during a difficult situation, not because I like her.

Meg’s look said it all, so she didn’t need to say anything, but she did anyway. “Don’t play dumb, you know I mean Emily.”

I laughed.So this is what it feels like having a pain in the ass little sister.Madi was a pain in the ass, but she never let me forget that she’s twenty-two minutes older, so technically she was a pain in the ass big sister.

“What’s so funny?”

“I was just thinking, now I know how Chris felt growing up with a pain in the ass little sister.”

“Aw, you’re so sweet.” Sarcasm dripped from her voice thicker than molasses. She lowered her voice a few octaves. “Stop trying to avoid the question.” Meg was a pro at changing the subject, so it was easy for her to notice when I did it. “Now, answer me or I’ll get your mom involved.”

Damn! She went straight to playing the mom card.

I sighed, not because of her threat, she’d never really go through with it, but because I didn’t know the answer. “I don’t know. Jack’s right, her case feels personal, but I don’t know if it’s because she’s a family friend who I’ve known most of my life or if it’s because I’m attracted to her.”

I took a deep breath and ran my hand through my hair. “It doesn’t matter. I shouldn’t even be thinking about it. Chris ismy best friend, he was my best man, and I’m a godfather to his daughter. I can’t think about his little sister like that.”

“I’m sure Chris wouldn’t mind. He might be shocked at first, but I’m sure he’d be good with it after he gave you the obligatory protective big brother speech. You’re a great guy Jamie, you deserve to be happy. So does Emily.”

“Cart in front of horse, Meg. Besides, I’m not ready to think about it yet.” I said it to end the conversation, but realized it was the truth. I didn’t want to think about what feelings I might or might not have for Emily, let alone talk about them.

“Okay. I’m here if you want to talk. So is Jack. He’s just not as nice as me.” She winked at me before stepping in and giving me a quick hug. “Now you finish cleaning the kitchen while I get ready for work. You know how cranky my bosses get if I’m late.”

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