CHAPTER
NINETEEN
BROOKE
Silas is coming home today,and I’m really excited to see him. I didn’t anticipate missing him as much as I have. And I think he missed me just as much.
The night we had phone sex will probably live rent-free in my head forever. But I’m also dying for the real thing. Maybe we can do a little preshow with the vibrator then …
My dirty thoughts are interrupted when Charlie walks into the kitchen.
“Whatcha doing?” She looks over my shoulder.
“Silas comes home today, so I thought I would make him some cupcakes to welcome him back.”
“That’s sweet. I bet he’s ready to be back. Your brother slept for, like, two days when he got back. And you know he never sleeps like that.”
I nod. “Yeah, he’s pretty tired. I can see it in his eyes at night when we FaceTime.”
“So, how’s it going with you two? I see you’re wearing his sweatshirt, and it seems you have confiscated most of his T-shirts.” She smirks.
“It’s going well. And, yes, I’ve stolen a lot of his clothes. I can’t help it. They’re soft and comfortable. And they smell like him. Besides, he steals my ability to walk, so I steal his hoodies. I feel like that’s a fair trade.”
Charlie gasps. “Brooke Linson! You naughty girl!”
When I look at her, her mouth is hanging open, but she’s clearly amused.
“Is it weird if I say I’m proud of you?”
“Nah. I’m kind of proud of myself, to be honest.” I start to frost the cupcakes.
“You’ve definitely been full of surprises the last few months. I mean, Silas’s feelings for you were pretty obvious, and I thought maybe you were at the very least attracted to him. But getting married, becoming this little vixen … I didn’t see that coming.”
“Me neither. I don’t even know if I can even understand it myself yet.”
“Have you talked to your dad any more about it? Or Beck?”
I shake my head. “Not to Beck.” I sigh. “I did talk to my dad the other day. He’d had annulment papers drawn up for us. I told him I wasn’t ready to do anything yet, but it was like he didn’t hear me. The thing is, I’m happy right now. And Silas and I are getting closer.”
“Your dad just wants to protect you, is all. I think it’s hard for them to let us go. My parents love Beck, and I know they’re happy for us, but sometimes, I see my dad looking at me like I’m still a little girl.” She wraps an arm around me. “Add in everything y’all went through, and I think it made him even more protective. You know?”
“I know. I just don’t want to feel like it’s already decided for me. I’ve always put my feelings on the back burner to keep the peace and not to worry anyone.”
“Well, you’re finding your voice now, it seems.” She lets go of my shoulders and starts to take out the dishes in the dishwasher.
“I guess so. I promised Silas I would give us a chance, andI’m glad I did. I mean, I knew he was a good guy before, but there’s a lot more to him that no one else knows or sees.”
“Beck said he’s, like, super smart. I think he won the NCAA Elite Scholar-Athlete Award last year.”
“He did?”
She nods. “Yeah, I think so. He never makes a big deal of it though. Like, he didn’t say anything to us in the house.”
“He is pretty modest, which is funny, considering he’s a completely different person on the field.”
“So true, but I feel like they’re all like that. Kinda teddy bear at home and beast at their games.” She laughs.
“In the bedroom too,” I say under my breath, but she hears me and starts cracking up.
