by Toni Aleo
This was his home, and for some reason, that scared her.
“Oh, Trish! Over here.”
Following Dawn’s gaze, Brie saw a slender woman enter the room, but before she could even get to Dawn, everyone was demanding hugs, and she was more than happy to give them. She looked about Brie’s age, very beautiful and kind-looking with long blond hair and big brown eyes. When Trish finally made it to Dawn, she hugged her tightly. “I’m so sorry I’m late. There was an emergency at the hospital that I did not expect to happen. So I apologize. Oh! You must be Brie Soledad, Rodney’s sister?”
A little taken aback, Brie took her hand as she said, “Yes, that’s me.”
“Oh, jeez! Sorry, creeper. Ha! I’m Trish Merota, the NateWay nurse practitioner.”
Brie grinned. “I figured. It’s nice to meet you.”
“You too. We are so excited to have Rod, he’s so funny.”
“He is,” she agreed, looking back at her brother who was now doing his impression of Justin Bieber. Dork. “He’s a mess for sure.”
“He’s got spunk. So, I was going to ask, if you can have them release his medical files to me, that would be awesome. I want to get ready for when he comes home after his surgery. I figured I’d stay on site for at least a week. Is it okay if I stay in the guest room, Grams? Or better yet, I might even stay in his house if he’s okay with that. And you, of course, if you’re okay with it.”
Whoa, she talked fast, but that wasn’t what had Brie’s head spinning. Soon, she pressed her lips together, unsure what to say. She hadn’t agreed to anything, and this chick was acting as if it was a done deal. Had Vaughn lied even more to these people? And now she was going to be the asshole saying she wasn’t bringing Rodney here. They hadn’t even decided on anything. She was just warming up to the idea of saying yes, but she figured Rodney would go to Riverdale until he was better. She would be a mess if he were here.
Wouldn’t she?
But thinking that didn’t feel right because, in her heart, this could be his home.
“Whoa, Trish, cool it.”
Brie looked over to see Vaughn pull out a chair and sit down. “Sorry, they wouldn’t let me come over here sooner.” Dawn placed her hand on his, and he squeezed it before looking at Brie, who probably had an expression of pure hatred on her face. She wanted to call him on his shit. How dare he put her in this position? But before she could say anything, he was looking back to Trish. “She hasn’t decided if Rodney is coming here. Plus, we hadn’t even discussed if he would move in before or after his surgery on Friday.”
Trish threw her hands up, her mouth forming an O. “I’m so sorry! I totally jumped to conclusions. No one ever says no to NateWay. But then, why would you move him before a big surgery like that? I apologize. I’m a goober half the time. I’m a good doctor, though, I promise!”
“I don’t doubt that. I’m just unsure,” Brie agreed, looking down at her cake as she picked at it.
“Oh, of course, it’s a huge move. But if you did, I would take such good care of him.”
“She would,” Dawn agreed. “We all would.”
“I had the flu once, and she didn’t leave my side until I was better. It was very annoying,” Vaughn added, and Trish and Dawn laughed while Brie smiled.
“I don’t know what we’re going to do yet. I haven’t decided.”
“Well, NateWay is the best, promise you that,” Dawn added and Brie nodded.
“I think Rodney has decided.” Glancing to where Trish was looking, Brie saw him with his arms crossed over Mitch and some other guy as they sang loudly to Justin Bieber. He looked so damn happy. Like how he used to look before their mother passed.
“I have a guitar. I’ll play when I come back.”
“No way! I have drums,” Mitch added. “We can start a band!”
“I can sing!”
“I can dance!”
Rodney just nodded, in pure heaven while Brie sat there, feeling like her world was caving in. What if she did say no—with his best interests at heart, but also with her petty and selfish thoughts playing a part—and then he hated her with everything in his soul? What if Vaughn helped him with a lawyer, and they sued her? Her throat felt as if it was closing in, and man, she was going to lose it right there. Everything was happening so fast, and she just couldn’t grasp it. Rodney was in, he was set on being there, and she wasn’t sure. Could she let him?
“Hey, wanna get some air?”
She looked over at the last person she thought she would need. But at that moment, she needed a second to breathe, and thankfully, Vaughn was giving it to her. Nodding, she stood as he did the same, and they headed outside. As she walked through the house, she saw pictures of everyone who was in the dining room adorning the walls. When she saw a picture of a younger Vaughn with his arm across the shoulders of an even younger version of himself with Down syndrome, she paused, smiling. Nathan looked just like Vaughn. Twins, almost. Then she noticed that Jensen was in the picture, looking every bit a model even back then. On the other side was a very handsome dark-haired kid, who she assumed was the Wells guy they always talked about. They all looked up to no good, big grins on their faces and hockey sticks hanging loosely in their hands.
“That was before I went to college.”
Looking up at Vaughn, she smiled. “You guys look like trouble.”
He laughed. “For sure. I think we stole a car or something. Who knows? Jensen was such an ass-kisser and made us give it back.”
That had her sputtering with laughter. “That sounds like a story.”
“You have no idea,” he laughed as she followed him outside into the sunny Tennessee winter. While it was cold, the sun was shining and she welcomed it.
Swallowing hard, she let out a long breath as she looked out at the land. “It’s beautiful here.”
“It is. I love it. NateWay One is bigger but has a lot more trees. I like the farm aspect of this place.”
“Closet farmer?”
“Duh, who doesn’t want to be a farmer?”
“This is true.”
“Overalls are badass.”
“And pitchforks.”
“Right? I would be a rock star. I could wrist the shit out of some cow shit.”
She nodded, holding in her laughter. “I don’t know, maybe you’d tap it in better.”
He shot her a look as she smiled, sitting on the stairs and leaning on her knees while holding her legs. He lowered himself down beside her, resting on his knees with his elbows as he looked out at the land. She could feel the heat from his body. Of course, he was dressed like GQ’s hottest man in nice jeans and that damn pea coat that she thought was sinfully hot. His hair was brushed back out of his face, which kind of saddened her. She loved when his hair was in his eyes. Plus, he smelled divine, all earthy, just like NateWay. The air was fresh, though intoxicating from the scent of him. She just loved the sounds and smells of NateWay, and she knew that Rodney would fall more in love with it daily.
“So tell me what you’re thinking.”
She shook her head. “You don’t want to know.”
“I do.”
She bit on her lip as she looked out on to the community of houses. They were so close to the main house and the little doctor’s office. Especially Rodney’s house. It was right there. Anyone could get to him to help, and a hospital was right down the road. “I’m scared,” she admitted, placing her forehead on her hands. “I love it here.”
“Good.”
“And if I say no, he’ll hate me.”
“Why do you wanna say no?”
“You know why.”
He sucked in a quick breath, and she could see him nodding out of the corner of her eye as his lips pressed together. “Okay, what can I do to fix it?”
“I don’t know,” she admitted, looking up to meet his gaze. “I don’t know if you can do anything.”
“I probably can’t. Except ask for forgiveness and promise it will never happen again.”
She gave him a sideways look. “You’re apologizing—again?”
His lips quirked. “I am.” Her heart pounded in her chest as she got lost in those sinful brown depths. “I really am sorry, Brie. It won’t happen again. I don’t often own up when I fuck up, but I did, and I apologize for that.” Vaughn swallowed hard, and she nodded as he went on. “But I think we both know this is what is best for Rodney. He’s just ecstatic here.”
She nodded. “He is.”
“And Dawn is awesome, so is Marl, and Trish already loves him. She’s a momma hen for sure.”
“Yeah, I mean, it’s perfect. They’re perfect.”
“Then, what? I hear it in your voice. You’re holding back.”
Chewing on the inside of her cheek, she nodded. “I don’t have the money for this place—”
“I already said it will cost you nothing, and I meant that. I don’t even want the state payments. If you can get them to come to you, then take them. I don’t want your money. I want to give Rodney a good life.”
She eyed him. “How many people do you do that for?”
He paused, but she held his gaze, letting him know she needed to know. “Eight.”
“And you can add Rod in there?”
“Yeah. Don’t know if you know this, but I’m the star of the Assassins, and I’m pretty fucking awesome and make lots of money. I’ve got him covered, promise.”
He flashed her a huge grin, and she rolled her eyes as she shook her head. “You’re cocky as hell.”
“It’s part of my charm.”
She gave him a sideways glance. “But until when? We don’t like each other. What happens when I piss you off or you piss me off, and it’s done?”
“That won’t happen.”
“How do you know?”
“I know because I care for that guy, and I’m not going to let anything hurt him. Our communication issues will be our issues. But when it comes to Rod, it will be about Rod and only Rod.”
For some reason, hearing him say that, she trusted him. She wasn’t sure if that was stupid of her or not. He had already lied to her, but his eyes…they were so sincere. Holding his gaze, she cleared her throat. “I don’t know if I want him to move in before or after his surgery.”
“He’ll be in the hospital for how long?”
“A week.”
“Okay, and he’ll be down, three weeks after that, right?”
“Yeah.”
“I think he would recover better here because he’ll want to get to living with everyone. Plus, we know Trish won’t leave him alone, and that will give you peace of mind when we’re traveling.”
She nodded. “Yeah.”
“So I think it would be best to do it before, like tomorrow.”
Her eyes widened, her heart jumping into her throat. “Tomorrow?”
“Yeah, I’ll move him, get him settled. You can stay the night if you like. I can have Dawn set you up nicely in Rod’s house. The couch is a pullout. He may want to sleep on it as he recovers so he doesn’t have to climb the stairs.”
Her heart started to pound. “I’ll have to ask him.”
“He’ll say yes.”
“I know.”
He smiled, and she looked away, out into the fields. She could just see Rod out there, running too fast and being crazy. She’d have to tell Dawn about that. She’d stay on him because that was Dawn. She stayed on everyone, the community Grandma, was what Vaughn had said. As Brie sat there, looking around and hearing the laughter from inside, she knew this was best for him.
Swallowing hard, she nodded slowly before looking back at Vaughn. “I swear to God, if you go back on your promise, you hurt or lie to me every again, I will kill you, Vaughn Johansson, or Nate Way, whoever the hell you are.”
His lips curved as he looked over to her. “Vaughn to you, only Vaughn. And I promise, I won’t ever lie to you or hurt you again.”
“Okay.”
“Okay.”
“And you’re not that awesome.”
“I’m a little awesome.”
“Like fifty percent.”
“What? At least ninety!”
“Fifty was kind.”
“Please. I’m amazing.”
“Whatever. I still don’t like you.”
He laughed at that as he stood up with ease, looking down to her. “Well, I like you just fine, Ms. Soledad.”
Her brows pulled together, and she found herself speechless once more as she watched him strut back into the house like he hadn’t just dropped one hell of a bomb. What happened to hating each other? That was easy. She wasn’t sure what game he was playing, but she was pretty sure there was a penalty in there somewhere.
She was just waiting for the call.
But she prayed it wasn’t on her.
“He’s great.”
“That’s awesome, dude. I can’t wait to meet him.”
Wells laughed. “Don’t lie to me. You still aren’t cool with my love life.”
“That’s a lie. I’m not Jenny, I’m completely cool with your man-loving self.”
Jensen shot Vaughn an exasperated look as Wells laughed hard. “Sorry, forgot who I was talking to for a minute there. But yeah, he’s awesome, and I’m taking him to the Avalanche’s New Year’s party.”
“Ooh-wee, that’s big. I know that here, you only bring girlfriends or wives. So, yeah, you’re really saying something, buddy.”
Jensen shook his head, and Vaughn shrugged. What was he supposed to say? His best friend was supposedly in love with this new guy after getting out of a relationship with the “love of his life” only two months ago. “Yeah, I’m excited. I think he’s gonna propose.”
Vaughn’s eyes widened as Jensen took on a look of complete bewilderment. “You just met the guy!”
Wells laughed. “When you know, you know.”
“Wait, so you’re the girl in the relationship?” Jensen rolled his eyes as Vaughn laughed. “I thought you’d be the dude.”
“Why do I call you my best friend?”
“Because I wouldn’t sleep with you?”
“I really do hate you.”
Vaughn snickered and shrugged. “I know that’s a lie.”
“It is, but I guess I could propose. Though, the last time I did that, he said no, so I’m good.”
Jensen shook his head. “Have you talked to him?”
“Matty? Fuck no, he hates me.”
“I doubt that. You two were hot and heavy for like ten years.”
“Two, and yes, we were. I loved him, but the moment I showed up to his house for Thanksgiving, uninvited, I learned quickly that he isn’t coming out of the closet. Ever.”
Vaughn made a face. “Can you blame him, dude? He’s a huge, well-known player, and his dad is the commissioner. Not everyone is cool like your best friends.”
Wells didn’t laugh like Vaughn had wanted him to. “Well, if he loved me, that other stuff wouldn’t matter, but whatever. I’m done talking about that. My sister, on the other hand, we need to discuss.”
Jensen basically ran to the couch before plopping down beside Vaughn. Tricksie jumped in his lap with a big lick to his face. “What happened?”
“I don’t know, man. Something is up. She ignores my calls, my parents’, and Shanna’s.”
“Whoa, she’s ignoring Shanna’s calls? That’s her best friend since we were like two,” Vaughn added, and at that moment, he really started to worry something serious was up with Wren. That it wasn’t just that she was a bitch or dead inside. “That’s not good.”
“I know. I don’t know what’s up. Have you talked to her?”
“She just said that she got dumped.”
“Dumped? She doesn’t date.”
“Apparently, she tried,” Jensen said sadly, and Wells clicked his tongue.
“Hm. Maybe that’s it. I don’t know. I’m gonna harass her when you guys come up here next month.”
“Sounds like a plan. We’ll try to go see her more,” Vaughn ad
ded, and Jensen gave him a look. They both knew that wasn’t true, but he’d try. For Wren.
“Maybe ask her in therapy?”
Vaughn’s brows shot up. “I hardly go, and when I do, I just sit there and play on my phone while she yells at me. I could turn the tables on her, though.”
“There you go. See how that goes,” Wells said. “Let me know. You guys have the Assassins’ New Year’s thing this weekend, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Taking anyone?”
“Nope, and Jenny won’t ask our Wren, so that’s a no-go.”
Jensen’s eyes soon started throwing daggers at Vaughn as Wells laughed. “Just ask her out, dude. She’d say yes.”
“Shut up.”
“He’s sensitive,” Vaughn teased. Wells laughed while Jensen got up, heading back to his room. “I was joking, Jenny! Jeez. Wren is a sore spot for that guy.”
“Always has been. They’re made for each other.”
“Yeah.”
“Anyone special for you?”
“Fuck no.”
“You hesitated.”
“I did not!”
“You did! Who is she?”
Why did Brie come to mind? Fuck. Probably because he told her he liked her just fine the other day at NateWay. He was just being nice, trying to get Rodney in. Or, at least, that’s what he was telling himself. As he sat there, though, he wasn’t sure what was going on. All he did know was that he couldn’t stop thinking of that spitfire.
Weird.
“Dude, it’s no one.” Tricksie barked, and he cuddled her, kissing her nose. “I take that back. It’s my baby Tricksie, but we can’t bring dogs to the party.”
“Ludicrous.”
“I thought so too.”
“I’m gonna let this go, but I know you’re lying.”
“Lucky for me.” Tricksie wiggled beside him before barking loudly. “Okay, well, baby girl needs to go outside. I’ll call ya later.”
“Sounds good. Bye, bro.”
“Bye.”
Hanging up, he tucked his phone into his pocket before getting up to go get Tricksie’s leash. Usually, he let her out on her section of fake grass on the balcony when it was super cold. But it was actually a pretty day, so he figured she could use a nice walk. Looking toward Jensen’s room, he yelled out, “Hey, Jenny. I’m taking Tricksie for a walk. Wanna go?”