She drives to Dean's house and parks in the driveway. "Kind of a shithole. You think he could at least mow the weeds."
"Thanks for driving me." I open the door.
"Want me to wait here in case he tells you to get lost?"
"I'm not letting him tell me that," I say, determined. "I'm not leaving until he tells me what's going on."
"Okay. Good luck!"
I get out of the car, then peek my head back in. "I'm sorry I bailed on you. We'll do something another day."
"Assuming I want to," she says, sounding mad, but then she smiles. "Go. I'll see you tomorrow."
She doesn't drive away as I knock on the door, probably thinking he might not be home. I'm thinking that too after I knock again and he doesn't appear.
"He's not home!" Eve yells.
Turning back, I see her waving me back to the car.
"What are you doing here?" a deep voice says.
I turn around and see Dean standing at the door, wearing black basketball shorts and no shirt. It's the first time I've seen him shirtless. My eyes fixate on his abs, each muscle taut and defined.
"Brook, why are you here?"
My eyes snap back to his face. "I need to talk to you."
"We're done talking. I don't have time to talk."
"Then I'll just wait here until you do." I sneak past him through the door and go straight to the couch. I get out my phone and text Eve. "I'm in! You can go."
"What the hell?" Dean asks, standing in front of me. From this angle he looks even bigger, his giant arms folded over his chest.
"I don't accept the no-talking thing. I'll just wait here until you're ready." I look behind me. "Is Jake home?"
"He was. I gave him money and told him to go to a movie."
"On a Tuesday?"
"I needed to get rid of him so I could think." Dean walks away and I hear him turning on the faucet in the kitchen.
I go over there, standing beside him as he washes dishes. "Want some help?"
He doesn't answer so I grab a towel and start drying the clean dishes as he sets them on the counter.
"Why are you doing this?" he asks as he rinses out a glass.
"Because I don't like seeing you this upset. Something happened and you shouldn't have to deal with it alone. If you don't want to tell me, I'll just be here for you." I smile. "To dry dishes, or whatever else you need."
He cleans the last dish and turns off the faucet, taking the towel from me to dry his hands. He tosses it on the counter. "I need to get on the computer. If you're seriously going to stay here, I need you not to bother me."
"Or I could help. Are you doing stuff for class? Because I can definitely help with that. Your brother says I'm a great tutor."
Dean sighs and rubs his hand over his face. "Brook, this is serious. I really need you to go."
I take his hand. "Let's go sit down."
"I can't. I need to get to work."
