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But I also wouldn't be the sexy TikTok dancer I am without those years.

"Thanks for helping me settle it, Evan." I end the call.

Brooke stares at me, mouth agape, and I’m not so sure what to think. It’s one thing to side with your sibling after a breakup, but I thought after our last conversation we got along okay. Sure, she might not imagine wedding bells ringing the way I am when I look at her, but still.

Silence stretches, and exhaustion tugs at my consciousness. "Here." I hand her a key. "Your room is past the living room, down the hallway on the right side. My room is upstairs. Make yourself at home. Holler if you need anything."

I call Dick over and walk up the stairs without waiting for him, thoughts racing. That’s what she thought about me? The image she got from what Evan told her about me?

Me? A heartbreaker? It’s laughable.

I don't know whether to be sad or pissed. Or at whom. Evan for not clarifying earlier? Brooke for jumping to the worst conclusions?

I'm almost convinced I'll spend the night alone when the pitter-patter of tiny paws tells me Dick is following close behind.

At least someone is on my side.

"Come here, Dickie," I whisper and lean down to run my fingers through his fur. "It's late. Let's get to bed." At least he will always be on my team.

Chapter 10

Kieran

An hour later, I realize how dumb it was to storm off with the attitude of a pouting five-year-old, because I'm still so fucking hungry. However, the leftovers that Caleb brought are in the fridge. Downstairs. Where I might run into Brooke.

"I don't want to go down there," I tell Dick with a pout and turn to him.

He stares at me with a vastness in his eyes that tells me his single brain cell is currently AFK. He still licks my chin.

"Yes, I know I need to go down there if I want to eat the leftovers. Obviously." I close my eyes and let out a sigh. My ego has taken enough of a hit today. I’m not sure it would survive another one.

My stomach rumbles, and it actually starts to hurt. Or maybe the pain is only psychological because I keep thinking about all the food and how delicious it looked on Nic's table.

"And the cinnamon rolls," I mutter, sit up and pull my legs to my chest, leaning my forehead against my knees. "Ugh, damn it."

It’s no use. I’m thinking about the cinnamon rolls now and my stomach and mind will not rest until I have one. Or five. I jump up.

Dick has no idea what's going on, but he trudges right alongside me. What a loyal soul he can be when he's not being a literal dickhead.

I'm careful not to make a sound. Only because I don't want to wake Brooke. She had a rough day after all.

Not because I'm avoiding her or anything.

I’m totally not.

So, with bare feet, I pad over the carpet, thankful I had the builders install floor heating. I knew it would come in handy one day. Or many.

Stair steps are trickier. They’re cold and I don’t want to turn on the light, so I move slowly and carefully, even holding my breath until I reach the ground.

The dogs have made themselves at home all over my living room. Rose and Blanche are sleeping on the couch, drooling on one of my comforters. Sophia found a spot under one of my kitchen chairs, and Blanche is softly snoring right by the window, her breath turning the glass white. Maybe she fell asleep while watching the last leaves fall from the trees.

Then suddenly, a small, black, and fluffy circle appears right in front of me with a soft ‘thud.’

"Oh my God," I curse and clutch my shirt, my heart about to jump out of my chest. "What are you doing outside your enclosure? Slaying demons?" Daisy is so a nickname for demon slayer and I shall call her as such from now on.

I scoop the rabbit up and cuddle her to my chest. She’s so chill. And soft.

Dick watches me and the small animal in my arms curiously, but ultimately doesn't give much of a damn and trudges over to join Blanche by the window.