Without a word, Riley kissed Savannah on the head and left the room, leaving Brooke to wonder if her answer pleased him or pissed him off. She honestly couldn’t tell.
“Don’t mind him,” Savannah said, as if reading Brooke’s mind. “He’s protective of Owen—he says it’s a twin thing. The two of them often joke about their bond. Riley swears he can sense when things are wrong with Owen, but Owen refuses to buy into it. It’s kind of funny at times.”
“Growing up it was hard to remember that they were twins,” Darcy said. “They really are so different. Add that to the fact that they don’t look alike, and you can almost believe they’re not twins.”
Conversation flowed back to all of the brothers and their similarities and differences. Brooke did her best to follow along, but her mind kept wandering to Riley and the way he’d watched her and questioned her. And all of her insecurities from earlier in the day came flooding back.
* * *
“You got a minute?”
Owen looked up and smiled at Riley. “Yeah. Sure.” Together they walked out to the backyard and sat down at the table next to the pool. “You haven’t told anyone about Savannah’s pregnancy,” he said quickly. “Why?”
Riley sighed. “After I talked to you, Savannah and I decided to wait until after Quinn and Anna had the baby. We didn’t want to take away from their big day.”
Owen chuckled. “Really? Didn’t they horn in on your wedding?”
Riley laughed with him. “Yeah, but…that just made it all the more fun. They deserved to have the attention all to themselves with Kaitlyn. We’ll wait another week or two, and then we’ll tell everyone.”
Nodding, Owen waited a moment before speaking again. “Did Dad and Martha break up?”
“What are you talking about?”
“The argument yesterday at the hospital. I’m sure you heard about it. Then Martha wasn’t here today, so—”
“I think it was agreed upon that today would just be about us.” He paused and laughed. “I think they were going for being politically correct or something. But part of me thinks she was a little embarrassed by the whole thing yesterday.”
“What do you think about that?”
“What?” Riley asked, confusion on his face.
“About her wanting to be called Grandma. It’s a little presumptuous, don’t you think?”
Riley shook his head. “They’ve been dating for two years. Dad brings her to everything, and honestly, she treats all of us like her own, along with Lily and Connor. I guess she’s either pushing for a commitment from Dad or for a clear definition of her place in the family.”
Owen could understand that.
“You know,” Riley began, “we haven’t talked since I called to tell you about the baby.”
“I know.”
“And it would seem like you’ve been quite busy.” Riley’s expression was serious—just like his tone. “I can’t believe you’d do something big like hop on a damn plane for Vegas with a woman you barely know, but have a serious crush on. And you didn’t even call and tell me.”
Shit. “I know.”
Riley leaned forward in his seat, his hands clasped tightly in front of him. “What are you doing, Owen? What do you know about this woman that makes you comfortable flying across the country with her and bringing her home to meet the family?”
“To be fair, I did try calling you. Not before Vegas,” he quickly amended, “but a couple of weeks before that. I needed some advice, and you didn’t answer the phone. And might I remind you, you haven’t called me either. For all your talk about this twin telepathy thing—”
“What did you need advice on?”
“Brooke was meeting me for coffee—like coming to my office to have coffee with me. I was having a bit of a panic attack about it.”
“So what did you do?”
“I called Quinn.”
Riley sat back against his seat and sighed loudly. “Seriously? Quinn? You couldn’t have tried to reach me through Savannah or something?”
“I just said I was having a panic attack. I needed to talk to someone right away, and tracking you down wasn’t my top priority,” he snapped and then sighed. “Look, I needed to talk to someone right away, and I did.”
“Okay, so you had coffee with her. That’s enough to bring her home here?”
“It’s more than that,” Owen said defensively. “What is your problem with her?”
“Who said I have a problem?” Riley asked, one dark brow arched.
“You’re asking me that? We’re practically like one person, Riley. And for all your spouting about the whole twin connection, you’re choosing now to pretend it doesn’t exist?”
“Okay, fine. I have a problem with her.”
Rather than ask him again, Owen glared and waited for Riley to explain himself.
“From everything you told me about her on the phone, she’s not for you.”
Owen’s eyes went wide. “Need I remind you how I barely knew her that day? I had just met her! And,” he added quickly, “at the time, you were the one encouraging me to pursue her!”
“Not pursue her. Not exactly.”
“Yes, exactly,” Owen corrected. “You told me she was the key to me getting more comfortable around people. And now all of a sudden you’re outraged over it? Why?”
“She’s not quite what I expected,” Riley said carefully. “And to be honest, I find it odd that she got you to do all these crazy things you never would have done—and that you didn’t even bother to tell me about! We tell each other everything!”
“Everyone in this family is constantly harping on me about not being so rigid and trying new things, and now that I do them, it’s wrong,” Owen said with exasperation.
“Not wrong…just…” Riley sighed with frustration. “She’s an out-of-work artist looking for a job! And you are her ticket to getting what she needs—a job, a chance to paint, and an all-expenses paid trip to do it. Seems like it’s all pretty one-sided, Bro. Did she even pay her way on your jaunt to Vegas, or did you play the sap and take care of that too? Is she sleeping with you? Is that how she conned you into doing these things?”
In his entire life, Owen had never felt rage toward one of his siblings.
Until now.
He gripped the arms of his chair and took a minute to collect his thoughts before he said something he might regret. Riley didn’t look the least bit sorry for his harsh words. “I may not be as worldly as you,” he began with a deadly calm he didn’t quite feel, “but I’m far from being a sap. You may think you know everything there is to know about women, but you don’t. And apparently, you don’t know me very well either. I have never—ever—been someone who trusts people blindly. I weigh everything out—almost to the point of obsession.”
“Owen—”
“I spent a fair amount of time getting to know Brooke. And on top of that, I know her uncle. He’s a mentor and a good friend. I trust him. He didn’t have a problem with my taking Brooke to Vegas. Why? Because he trusts me as well. He believes in me, and more than that, he looks out for me.” He stood and stared down at his twin. “Which is more than I can say about you.”
“That’s what I’m trying to do here,” Riley snapped. “A girl like her…Owen, you’re my brother, my twin brother, and I love you, but Brooke is way out of your league!”
For a minute, all Owen could do was stare. “Out of my league?” He paused. “You know, when I did talk to you about her, you did everything you could to encourage me to get to know her! And now that I have…”
Riley sighed. “The way you described her and the way she is…let’s just say I didn’t envision her to be this…this—”
“This what?” Owen asked, teeth clenched.
“She reminds me of those girls in school—all cool attitude with a hint of bitchiness. Do you
remember how girls like her used to torment the shit out of you in school? Why—why!—would you even want to associate with someone like her?”
“She’s nothing like that,” he replied defensively. “Have you witnessed her being bitchy at all? And believe me, the way this weekend has gone, she’d have every right.”
Riley shook his head dismissively. “She’s just going to mess with you and break your heart.”
It wasn’t as if the same thing hadn’t gone through Owen’s mind since meeting Brooke, but hearing his brother say it stung more than he thought possible. “And what if she does?” he yelled and immediately hated how loud he was being, how out of control he felt.
“I’m just looking out for you,” Riley said, doing his best to remain calm.
Owen shook his head and then looked down at his brother, who was still sitting. “My whole life I never once asked you to fight my battles,” he began with a tremor in his voice. “But you always stepped up and defended me. For years I’ve lived on my own and taken damn good care of myself. I’ve been in relationships before—not as many as you, but I have dated enough women that I know how I feel. All of the women who came before Brooke? Some of them weren’t very nice. Some of them were out-and-out boring. And you know what? You met most of them and didn’t say a damn word. If you’re looking out for me, why didn’t you see the negative in them, huh? Or do you have such little faith in me that you don’t think I deserve to date a beautiful woman?”
“That’s not what I’m saying.”
“It’s exactly what you’re saying. Nobody questioned any of you about the beautiful women you dated. Only me,” he added sadly. “And you know what? Maybe Brooke will break my heart. Everyone gets their heart broken at one time or another. And if she does, I can tell you right now I wouldn’t regret or change a damn thing.”
And with that, he turned and strode back into Quinn and Anna’s house.
He didn’t look at or talk to his father or brothers, all of whom he passed on his way through the house. His sole purpose was to find Brooke and leave. When he found her in the living room with the women, he walked over and held out his hand. “We’re leaving.”
She stood and looked at him warily. “Are you okay?”
“No. We just…we need to go,” he said quickly. Then he turned toward Anna. “I’m sorry to leave like this. Congratulations. Your daughter is beautiful.” And before Brooke could do more than wave, he led her across the room and out of the house.
“Owen!” Brooke cried once they were outside. “What’s going on?”
He didn’t speak until they were in the car and pulling out of the driveway. “I had… Riley…” He paused and let out a heavy breath. “We had an argument. And rather than stay and make a scene, I thought it best if we leave.”
“Oh…okay. So…we’re just going back to Aidan and Zoe’s?”
“I’d like to see if we can get a flight out tonight.”
“We have flights booked for tomorrow morning,” she reminded him. “I don’t think we need to—”
“I’d rather leave tonight,” he said curtly. “I…I just don’t want to be here anymore.”
“Owen—”
With a huff, he glared at her. “Look, I know you don’t understand it, and quite honestly, this is something new for me as well. I’ve never felt like this! And I know what’s going to happen if we stay. Aidan’s going to come over and try to calm me down, and you know what? Right now I don’t want to calm down. Right now I’m entitled to be angry. I’m sorry if you don’t agree.”
“That’s not what I’m saying.”
They pulled into Aidan and Zoe’s driveway and parked. Without looking at her—Owen was studying his hands on the steering wheel—he sighed. “Can we please see if we can fly back to Chicago tonight?”
Nodding, Brooke softly replied, “Okay.”
Together they walked up to the apartment over the garage, and Brooke immediately pulled out her tablet and began researching flights to Chicago. There were some, but…
Owen was packing—and not slowly and methodically like he normally did, but pretty much tossing everything he had with him into his bag. Within minutes he was done. “Have you found any flights?”
Brooke walked over to him and gave him a sad smile. “There are two I think we can make. But neither is a direct flight, and both carry some hefty fees for changing.” She studied him for a moment. “Are you sure you don’t want to stay? We can go to a hotel if you don’t want to be here. If you’re that certain you don’t want to see your family right now, we can call a cab and leave the car here with the keys and just…go.” She grabbed his hands and squeezed. “I hate to see you this upset.”
Yeah, well…he wasn’t so thrilled to be feeling this way either.
Five minutes ago he was certain he wanted to get on a plane and leave. But now? Brooke’s thumbs were caressing his wrists, and it felt…good. Really good. And if he wasn’t imagining it, she had moved a little bit closer. He could smell her perfume, feel the heat coming from her body. Owen refused to believe for even a minute that Riley was right. Brooke wasn’t using him. What they had shared in the past week? No one was that good of an actress.
“What can I do?” she asked softly. And then, yes, she definitely moved closer. They were chest to chest, and looking down, he could see her nipples had hardened.
And damn if that didn’t affect him.
Maybe now wasn’t the right time. He knew his emotions were too close to the surface, and yet…
As if reading his mind, Brooke took a step back, pulled her shirt up over her head, and gave him a sexy smile. It was all the encouragement he needed. And for the first time in his life, Owen was a little bit selfish.
He took.
And he wasn’t gentle.
And damn if it didn’t feel good.
Chapter 9
No one came to talk to him.
Not really.
Aidan came to the door that morning as planned and drove them to the airport. Brooke didn’t know enough about the Shaughnessys to say for certain whether it was normal or not, but she certainly felt the tension all the way to the airport and on the flight home.
Back in Chicago they took a cab to her uncle’s place. She had told Owen he didn’t have to come with her, that he should just go back to his own place, but he reminded her that his place was a hotel room and no one was waiting for him there. It was easy to forget that little fact about him not living there, when it hit her: she didn’t know where exactly he did live.
“Where’s home for you?” she asked, her hand wrapped in his.
Owen looked at her like he didn’t quite understand the question. “We were just there. North Carolina.”
She shook her head. “I know that’s where you’re from, but you don’t live there anymore. Otherwise we would have stayed at your place rather than staying at your dad’s and then at Aidan’s. When you’re done here in Chicago, where do you go home to?”
For a minute, he went quiet, and then he shrugged. “I have a place back near DC. It’s as close to a home as I have right now.”
“Just right now?”
Owen nodded. “When I took on this promotion that had me traveling all over the country, it seemed a little pointless to have a home I’d be paying bills on when I wasn’t living there. So I have a small loft close to the Albert Einstein Planetarium, which is part of the Smithsonian. That’s where I’m hoping to stay once the lecture series is done.”
“When does it end?”
“Red Rock is the official end of it,” he said quietly. “I know we haven’t talked about it…not really, but—”
Brooke quickly cut him off. “Let’s not talk about it right now.” She put her head on his shoulder. “We can talk about it later. You don’t owe me an explanation, Owen, and I certainly respect your wishes. Uncle Howard never should have int
erfered.”
He kissed the top of her head. “But then we wouldn’t have met.”
She couldn’t help but smile. “Probably not.” Straightening, she looked at him. “But I’d like to think it was still possible. That maybe while I was visiting Uncle Howard at work, our paths would have crossed.”
Owen rested his forehead against hers. “I probably would have mumbled something lame and walked away.”
She chuckled. “And I would have thought you were very endearing and found a way to get to know you. I’m persistent like that.”
“I enjoyed when you were texting me,” he admitted. “I know I didn’t respond, but…they were the highlight of my day.”
“Then I’ll have to remember to text you now that we’re back and you’ll be on the road.” And for a minute, her heart squeezed hard in her chest. Their relationship certainly wasn’t traditional, and they had gone from barely knowing one another to lovers rather quickly, but the thought of not seeing him every day was a little hard to deal with right now.
The cab pulled up in front of Howard’s town house, and Owen paid the driver as they stepped out and collected their bags. Hand in hand, they walked up the front steps and inside. “We’re home!” Brooke called out.
“Are you sure he said he was going to be home? I thought he had classes today.”
“When I spoke to him last night, I told him when we’d be home, and he said he’d be here.” She put her suitcase down and walked down the hall toward the kitchen. Then went to the living room. And then to Howard’s office. She turned and looked at Owen. “I guess you’re right. Maybe he wasn’t fully awake when we talked. He did sound tired.”
“That’s probably it.”
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