He sighed. "Yeah, that's probably the best way to describe her. I hate that she says shit like that to Jacks, but now that we're not living together, I have to wait until she comes home to do damage control."
"That sucks," I said. "How does Jacks handle it?"
"Well, she only sees her mom on the weekends and the occasional Wednesday."
I blinked at that statement. "What's-her-name didn't want joint custody?"
"Monica doesn't like obligations that interfere with her social calendar," Brody answered with a shrug. "So at least there's not a lot of damage control to do."
Oh, yeah, definitely a piece of work.
"Well, you're more than welcome to bring Jacks by any time you want for sundaes or even samples. She seems like a very sweet girl."
Brody laughed. "Oh, she's got you fooled already, but I'll take you up on it. Jacks needs good women like you and your mom in her life."
Once again, something in my chest shifted and I took a deep breath. I covered the sudden swell of emotion with a smartass remark. "Oh my God, I think that's the first compliment you've ever given me."
He flicked my nose as he laughed again. "Nope, as I recall, I told you that your toilet paper boobs looked realistic in the seventh grade."
I gasped in mock outrage and smacked his arm. "Brody Murphy, I told you what would happen if you ever mentioned that again." That was part of the reason the nickname I'd had in high school had hurt so much. While J.J. had teased me mercilessly about the incident, Brody hadn't said anything at the time. Then two years later, he dubbed me "Flatty Cami" just before my freshman year started. Fourteen-year-old me had been humiliated and deeply hurt.
"Nope, you swore vengeance on your brother, not me."
"Well, it was an understood inclusion."
Brody slung an arm around my neck and gave me a rough hug followed by a tousle to my hair. It was the same move he pulled on me when he was twelve and I was eight. Back before our relationship changed into something more contentious.
I retaliated by pinching his side the way I'd done as a kid. Valiantly, I ignored the fact that his waist was lean and muscled rather than the chub he'd carried as a child.
Brody yelped and released me immediately. Rubbing his side, he said, "Guess I should have seen that coming. You did it back when we were kids too."
My stomach rumbled which made him chuckle.
"You better go get something to eat or I'll have to answer to your mom," he stated.
"Yeah, Sierra promised me dinner. And I'm ready to get off my feet."
"Your friend seems interesting."
"No hitting on my bestie," I commanded.
Brody grinned. "I wasn't planning on it. Though my brother did mention meeting a hot redhead when he dropped by to see you the other day."
Oh, shit.
"Tell Ben no hitting on my bestie either."
"You say that like Ben listens to me."
He had a good point. Ben followed his own path. He always had. He learned his lessons by screwing up rather than listening to someone else's warnings.
"Man, I'm not sure who would win if he and Sierra got tangled up," I murmured. "She's got ninja skills."
"I guess we'll just have to wait and see before we place our bets."
I rolled my eyes. "No betting on whether my best friend and your brother will break each other's hearts. Understand?"
Brody laughed again. "Understood. Go home and get something to eat. I'll bring Jacks by the shop later this week for an ice cream tasting."
I climbed into my car as Brody walked away, tooting my horn as I drove by him when he was getting into his truck.
He smiled and waved, both of us oblivious to the people watching us from the diner two doors down.
