Page 16 of Her Mountain Man Veteran

With one last kiss, I pull away from Dane and tiptoe toward the cabin, casting a final glance over my shoulder before I slip through the front door and close it behind me.

“Cee?”

I jump, whipping around to see my brother standing in the living room. He looks as shocked to see me as I am to see him, and my cheeks redden.

Crap.

“What the hell?” he says, bewildered. “I thought you were in bed.”

“What are you doing up?”

He holds up the glass of water in his hand. “Getting a drink. Where the hell have you been? It’s like one in the morning.”

I open my mouth, trying to think up a response, but it’s too late. Realization is dawning on Brody’s face, his eyes turning stormy.

“Where is he?” he says, slamming down the glass of water. “Where is the bastard? I’ll beat the fucking shit out of?—”

“Brody!” I hold up my hands. “Stop. Please, just stop.”

But my brother is seething, fists clenched as he says, “I’m not gonna stand by while a guy twice your age takes advantage of you.”

As I look into his rage-filled eyes, I feel a bone-deep exhaustion wash over me. This isn’t how I wanted this conversation to go. I hoped I’d break the news gently tomorrow morning over breakfast, instead of having Brody catch me sneaking in. But heck, I shouldn’t have to tiptoe around my brother like this. I’m a grown woman with my own life to lead, my own choices to make.

I’m tired of this.

So freakin’ tired.

“Dane isn’t taking advantage of me.” I stare my brother down. “Our feelings for each other are mutual. I felt it the moment I saw him, and there’s nothing you can say to change that. Nothing. You can’t control my life like this. I won’t let you.”

“Cee—”

“No, Brody!” My throat burns, tears threatening to spill over. “Not everyone is like Mom and Dad! Not everyone is going to treat me like they did. Dane is a good person, and I want to be with him.”

My brother runs an agitated hand over his beard. “You just met this guy. How can you be so damn sure about him already?”

“It’s not about being sure…it’s about taking chances on people. That’s what life is about! If I spent my life distrusting people just because Mom and Dad treated me like crap, then they win, Brody. Why can’t you see that?”

He’s quiet for a moment, pacing back and forth with his jaw set.

“I know you think I’m being an asshole,” he says, finally stopping in his tracks. “Hell, maybe I am. But I’m just trying to protect you. If this guy hurts you?—”

I raise my chin defiantly, eyes blazing despite my tears. “I can handle more than you think. You don’t need to treat me like a fragile little girl, Brody. I’m twenty-four.” My voice falters, a sob caught in my throat. “I just wish you would trust me. I can’t make you trust Dane, but you should at least trust me to take care of myself.”

“I do trust you.” He closes his eyes, rubbing his temples like he has a headache. “Fuck, it’s just hard, okay? I know you’re not fragile, Cee, but I remember when you were, and that version of you still lives inside my head. I think about that little girl all the damn time.”

My chest tightens at his words. “I know you do. But that’s not who I am anymore…”

Brody is quiet for a long time, his eyes fixed on the floor like he’s deep in thought.

“It’s late,” he says eventually, not looking at me. “I need some time to think. You should get some sleep.”

I nod. Brody can think about it all he wants, but I’ve already made up my mind. Dane means everything to me, and frankly, my brother doesn’t have to approve. It’s my decision and I’m not backing down; I just hope it won’t drive a wedge between us. I love my brother. He was the first person I ever trusted, the only person who’s always been there. But if I want him to treat me like an adult, I need to stop acting like I need his permission.

“Goodnight, Brody.”

I pad toward the guestroom, grabbing the door handle just as my brother’s voice calls out from behind me.

“Love you, Cee.”

---