Page 68 of Brooke's Bliss
Now he had to get another Snickers bar and hunt down themoose because he wasn’t getting left out.
“He looked hungry,” Shane admitted.“Can we focus now?”
“I’m trying to help by getting the police report out of theway,” Bay argued.
“Why?So we can get insurance to fix the tires?”Shane askedwith a long-suffering sigh.“In case you forgot, we don’t have insurance.”
“Twenty-four?She was twenty-four years old?”Rachel roundedon Rye.“You told me you only did it when she was a teenager and you didn’twant her taken advantage of.”
“Well, I still don’t want her taken advantage of.You don’tknow how guys are, Rach.If you fall in bed with them too soon, they treat youlike a…” Rye stopped, and his mouth went closed.
“Like a what?”Rachel’s tone had gone icy.“You shouldfinish that sentence and then give me a timeline on how long it is before it’sokay to sleep with a man.I slept with Max on our first date.It wasn’t much ofa date.He caught me swimming in the pond in the back field and we did it rightthen and there.Did that make me a whatever you were about to call yoursister?”
“I didn’t mean it like that.”Rye lost his cold, calmdemeanor, and his hands were out as though he could stave off the attack.“Ijust think she’s a bit naïve and needs someone to look out for her.You knowshe is practically a nun in New York.She doesn’t like the same things you do.”
“Like sex?”Rachel asked.“It’s okay for you and Max toknock me up about a hundred times, but your saintly sister is to be kept pureand innocent.”She sniffled and turned to Brooke.“Sweetie, I’m sorry.I don’tmean to…”
Brooke waved her off and then reached for her hand.“I knowyou’re not saying anything bad about me, but my brothers are.It’s okay forthem to have a sex life but I should keep myself virginal or some shit untilthey find a good man for me to marry.And don’t think I didn’t figure out Stefwas sending men you all approved of my way.Did he think I wanted to date somebanker?”
“Yeah, but he was doing that because Brooke asked to be setup,” a new voice said.“I told him we needed to find someone a bit moreartistic.”
And there was the owner of the last vehicle in the lot.Stefand Jen Talbot were here, and his humiliation was probably complete.UnlessTrev or Jamie showed up.
Jennifer Talbot dropped her husband’s hand and rushed to herfriend.“Rachel, are you okay?”
Max frowned and turned their way.“What do you mean youdon’t have insurance?”
“She didn’t ask you to set her up,” Rachel answered Jen.“Iwould bet she didn’t know they’ve had a private firm doing background workupson all the men she’s dated.”
“She doesn’t date much.”Rye stepped closer to Stef, who hada deeply constipated look on his face.
Probably because his date night had now turned into FamilyFight Night.
“Stef, when you parked, were the overhead lights on?”Elisalooked down at her notes.
“You sicced PIs on the guys I dated in the city?”Brookeasked.
“I think both lights were on or I would have called it in,”Stef told Elisa.“I would at least have made a note for someone to come out andfix it.”
Stef was the town engineer.Architect.Something that meanthe took care of shit for the town along with the mayor and council.
“Again, it wasn’t like there were many men, but yes, I hadthe ones you dated checked out,” Rye replied.“Brooke, we have done everythingwe did to protect you from men like the ones you’re getting dangerously closeto right now.Do you know they both have records?”
“For bar fighting.”Stef was dressed in jeans and a T-shirt,expensive boots on his feet.“I’ve gone over this with you before.They’re goodmen.You know Max has a record that’s way longer than Bay and Shane.”
“At least Max has insurance, and I stand by all my falsearrests.Nate is prejudiced against me because he knows his wife once had acrush on me and he was a second choice.Or maybe third, since I think Callieonly took him on because of Zane,” Max announced.
Yeah, Bay had figured out those relationships quickly.Maxwas a mouthy asshole who pushed the sheriff way too hard and got taken in on aregular basis, while Zane poured him beers and didn’t tell about Max’s hot wingaddiction.
Jen gasped.“I can’t believe he said that.”
Rachel wiped her eyes and put a stoic expression on herface.“I should get home.I would bet Nell’s having a hell of a time withPaige.Getting her to eat vegetables is a real trial these days, and the boysare a handful.This was a bad idea.We don’t need to go out anymore.We havetoo much to handle at home.”
“We can’t afford more than liability.And honestly, we wouldend up paying more than the truck is worth.”There was something wrong withthis scenario.If there were three cars in this lot, then two of them wereabsolutely more break-in worthy than theirs.“Uhm, why would they break intoour truck when Stef’s car is over there?Did they not see it?”
Elisa sighed.“That’s why I’m trying to establish atimeline.”
“There is nothing wrong with Bay and Shane.I know I jokedabout Brooke breaking them, but that was a long time ago.I kind of think theymight be good for her now,” Stef announced and turned Brooke’s way.“Brooke,I’m sorry for the part I’ve had in this.You should know the only reason Iagreed to pay for the PI was I knew they would do it if I didn’t, and theydon’t need to be spending money right now.They’re expanding the business andhave a new kid on the way, and they’re stubborn about what they considercharity.I didn’t want them to have more pressure than they have right now.They were worried about you.You weren’t yourself the last time you were here.”
