Page 51 of Outspoken

“Obviously, she told me. My job is to keep your ass in check so my bestie remains her happy, bubbly self. She was crying, idiot.”

His expression caves in and he grumbles, “Fuck,” under his breath.

As I saunter to my car, I say, “Look, I know you’re out here overthinking everything and rehearsing some grand speech in your head, but Paige adores you. She’s very forgiving if you just own up to your side of the disagreement. You were only thinking of her comfort, and that’s very admirable. Now consider her side: She wants to experience new things, even if they turn out to be shitty and overwhelming.” I squint at the sun.I need to get going.“You might still have time to go on your trip if you stop lurking out here in the shadows and start communicating.” I stick my key in the lock with a laugh. “Look at me being Dr. Phil today.”

If only I could be so perceptive about my own life.

Brody straightens and uncrosses his arms. “You’re right.”

“Of course I’m right.” I open the car door, but I don’t get in, fiddling with my keys and thinking about Bamsy next to the baby. “Hey, um, you’re really thinking about having kids? I guess I never asked and only assumed you didn’t want them since you’re already a grandpa.”

He frowns. “Funny. But yeah. I was never against it, just willing to go either way. She’s been thinking about it a lot. I like the idea of a little version of us running around.”

I catch his soft smile and the tenderness in his blue eyes, not even sure I recognize my own brother these days. Then, I stare at the dirt, images of Brody and Paige with their kids crowding my head. They’re eating dinner. Strolling along the shore. Reading bedtime stories.

Here I am—stuck a the room, inside a room, inside a room.

I glance at the billowy gray clouds on the horizon. “Are you going to propose?”

“I want to,” he says. “Hell, I’d do it tomorrow, but she’s unsure if she wants a legal contract involved.” He shrugs, moving out of the tree's shadows. “No rush. Paige is on her own timeline. As long as I’m part of it, that’s all I care about.”

“Very noble,” I say. My tone is sarcastic, but deep down, I'm touched.

Lonely.

I shift focus because Ireallyneed to go. I’m already going to be late, and I refuse to speed. Since my work here is done, I toss the chip bag on the passenger seat.

“Where are you going?” Brody asks sharply, stalking around my car to glance at the chip bag through the tinted windows.

“Friend’s house. Just a classmate.”

His voice is flat. “Weird. Miguel’s cousin has a birthday party today.”

I swallow, my legs stiff as I climb into the car. I leave the door open so I can stick my head out and defend myself. “That’s a very strange comment. I don’t know what the hell you’re suggesting. I don’t even talk to your friend.”

“You ask about him a lot.”

“Your argument with Paige has clouded your tiny brain.”

I try to close the car door, but he puts a hand on it, keeping it open. “Not a good idea, Amber.”

I puff out air. “Who are you? Sherlock Holmes?” I stick my key in the ignition. “Don’t concern yourself with my life. Besides, you upset Paige, so I don’t trust your opinion or advice right now. Go grovel to her and get back to living happily ever after.”

He looms over me with a smug grin. “At what point do I get to call you a hypocrite?”

“Never. This is acompletelydifferent situation, and I am only going somewhere to get out of the house because I'm bored.” I angle my head to glare up at him. “You haven’tforbiddenme from seeing certain people, have you?”

“No, but I’m strongly against this.”

“If I’m not forbidden—which, I wouldn’t listen to you anyway—then you can mind your damn business and focus on your own relationship.” I wrestle the door free of his grip and slam it shut, tightening my hands around the wheel. Using the rearview mirror, I watch Brody walk up the porch steps and then turn to stare at my car, shaking his head.

I watch him watching me for several long moments, my chest tight and uncomfortable. With a sigh, I open the door and step out of the car to face him.

He crosses his arms, his blue gaze catching the sunlight. “What?”

“You’re annoying.”

He lifts an eyebrow. “Okay.”

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