Page 70 of Brooke's Bliss
“She is not a child,” Rachel announced, and her shoulderssquared.
Shane took the keys.“Elisa, can we do this tomorrowmorning?I think we should get Brooke out of here.It’s not a good environmentfor her.”
His brother was right, but those probably weren’t the wordshe would have used.Or rather they’re exactly the words he would have used, andShane was supposed to be better at this than he was.
“Good environment?You think keeping her out at Trev’s sexpalace is a better environment?”Rye started to get in Shane’s face.
Elisa stepped in.“Do I need to call in some backup, Rye?”
“I think you might.I think maybe you should take these twoin and see what they’re truly after,” Rye said, giving them both a really goodstink eye.
“I’m pretty sure they’re after Brooke,” Max said.“Becauseyou’re being ridiculous if you think they’re after like our money or something.Or they want to take over our horse farm.I’m trying to figure out what theycould be after other than sex.”
Bay could answer that question.“We could want to be withher.We’re after her because she’s the single most beautiful woman we ever laideyes on, and I think she might be the one woman who can make us feel whole.”
Shit.He’d said that.Out loud.With words and stuff.Him.The quiet one.He was quiet because when he talked, he tended to get in troubleand say weird shit like the stuff about the koala bears.
Everyone was quiet for a moment, and then Elisa put herradio away.“That’s sweet, Bay.And Rye, I was talking about you.I waswondering if I was going to need help keeping you from making a fool ofyourself for no reason I can see.Also, I was joking about needing help.Iassure you I can put you on your ass myself if you push this any further.Yourwife is in tears, and your sister is probably feeling humiliated right now.”
Brooke shrugged.“I don’t know.What Bay said kind of tookthe sting out, and honestly, the sex is fabulous.I’m more irritated that hemade me feel like a whore.”
Rye seemed taken aback by everything.His hands came downand his eyes closed for a moment before he opened them again.“I didn’t saythat, Brooke.I’m sorry if I made you feel that way.I’m worried about you.I’mworried about the world eating you up and spitting you out and not doinganything to protect you.Obviously, no, you don’t need to call anyone, and I’llgive Stef a ride.I’ll move some car seats.We’re parked on the other end ofMain.”
“Might I suggest some family therapy,” Elisa offered.Thenher dad was whispering in her ear, and she nodded.“I’ll take the Talbotsback.”
“Max, Rye, let’s go to Trio and get a drink and have atalk.”Mel tipped his hat Brooke’s way.“Are you going to take care of her?Sheneeds a break.”
Rachel?He thought Mel was talking about Rachel.
Rachel sniffled and put her arm through Brooke’s.“I can usea break.Is it okay?”
Brooke nodded.“Of course.”
“Rach,” Rye began.
Max put a hand out.“No.You are going to let her have anight.Maybe a couple of nights.Baby, we’ll take care of the kids.You relax,and maybe we should do that talky thing Alexei wants us too because we’ve got alot on our plates and we’re not expressing ourselves properly.”He put a handto his gut.“Wow.Words can make you nauseous.”
“I’ll call Nell and Henry,” Jen promised.“See if they needany help.”
“I’ll process the truck and have Long-Haired Roger tow itback to his shop,” Elisa announced.“I might need to talk some more, though.Idon’t like how this feels.But it can wait until morning.”
Everyone was breaking up.Rye was looking at Rachel like hewas losing her, but Max made him walk away with Mel.
What was happening?
“Uhm, can I drop you off somewhere?”He was still feelingweird about basically telling Brooke he was crazy about her in front ofeveryone.How would she handle it?They were supposed to be playing it cool.
Shane leaned over.“I think she’s coming with us.”
Brooke’s chin tilted up.“Sheiscoming with us.”
Rachel was coming with them.To the place where he’d plannedto fuck her sister-in-law all night.
Well, at least Rye was going to get what he wanted.
Bay sighed and followed his brother and hoped he hadn’tfucked everything up.
ChapterEleven
