Man, she has some lungs.
“Babe, the cinnamon rolls are ready. You done?” I asked, my stomach growling at the thought.
“Almost. You go ahead, I’ll meet you in there,” she replied from the bathroom.
“Okay, I’ll be sure to put one aside for you. No telling how quickly these vultures will clear them out,” I told her, then hurried down the hall to secure our rolls.
Thirty-Nine
Emma
I finished up putting my stuff away, humming while I did, because, seriously, how could you not be in a fantastic mood in this house.
After putting mine and Brody’s empty bags in the closet, I looked around the room with the pretty quilt on the bed with a smile and left to go join the others for the cinnamon rolls that had been taunting us.
When I got into the kitchen, Tasha, Jericho, Jackson, Dru, and Dottie were all sitting at the table with cinnamon rolls, coffee, and milk, while Kayla was sitting at the counter with Wes, Trixie, and Ridge, talking to Karrie and Millie while they prepped dinner.
I was guessing the littler kids were napping.
“Hey, Em, Brody put your roll over here,” Wes said, pointing to a plate on the counter. “He and Mick are on the back porch, I believe.”
“Thanks,” I said, picking up my plate and going in search of Brody.
When I got to the door, I noticed it was ajar and was about to push it open when I heard voices.
“But everything has been good since then?” Mick asked.
“Yeah, things are great, but I gotta say … this love stuff is really hard. Suddenly I’m dealing with jealousy, communication … feelings. It’s crazy, man,” Brody replied.
I didn’t hear anything else after that. Nothing but birds singing and my heart beating to the tune of One Kiss by Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa.
My mouth was hanging open and I almost dropped my cinnamon roll, but I stood frozen as I tried to comprehend what I’d heard.
Brody loves me?
“Are they not out there?” Dru asked, presumably on her way to look for her husband.
I unfroze real quick and put my hands on her shoulders, saying, “Shhhhhh,” as I pushed her down the hall.
Once we were out of sight and earshot of everyone, I realized what I’d done, dropped my hands, and said, “Sorry.”
“Is everything okay?” she asked.
I knew that out of all their sisters, Brody was closest with Dru. Something about her and Mick being the ones that found their father and came to the house where they met Brody first out of all the brothers.
A bond was formed and had only grown stronger since.
“He just … I just heard … Brody told Mick he loves me,” I finally managed to spit out.
Dru beamed at me and said, “That’s so great,” before her face fell as she stated, “Unless you don’t feel the same.”
I blinked, but as soon as she voiced it, I knew … I was absolutely in love with Brody.
I couldn’t keep from smiling from ear to ear as I replied, “No, I totally feel the same.”
“Then this is wonderful,” she gushed.
“Yes, but he hasn’t said it to me … or I to him. So what do I do now?” I asked helplessly.
“How about a grand gesture?” she asked, clapping her hands together excitedly.
“We’re planning to go in the Jacuzzi later, maybe I can set something up outside … We’ll have a little privacy.”
“Yes, and I’ll be sure to keep everyone away so you can declare your love for each other in private. I mean, I’ll have to tell them why, of course … Oh my gosh, everyone is going to be so excited. We all love a great love story, especially Jackson. Ohhh, we should talk to him. He’s the king of romance.”
“Really?”
“Mmm-hmm, he teaches the romance classics to his students and he proposed to Millie at Graceland … She has a thing for Elvis. Anyway, he’s definitely the most romantic of our crew.”
“Okay, if you think he won’t mind,” I said, willing to take her word for it.
“Not at all. He’ll love this,” she assured me.
Dru took me to the game room and told me to wait in there while she went and got Jackson.
My hands were shaking and I had to pace as I tried to work out the crazy rollercoaster ride my thoughts were currently on.
“Okay,” Jackson said, already talking as he entered the room, rubbing his hands together. “I saw champagne chilling in the fridge, there are tons of flowers scattered around the house, and the Jacuzzi has a built-in speaker system.”
I nodded eagerly at him, urging him to continue.
“We can set up flowers around the hot tub, maybe find a few that will float on top of the water. We’ll play something smooth and sexy, like John Legend, and have glasses filled with champagne ready. Oh, maybe Millie can whip up some chocolate-covered strawberries.”
“She can do that?” I asked.
Dru made a pssh sound and said, “In like five minutes.”
“The scene will be set,” Jackson continued. “You can speak from the heart, or recite some poetry. Millie quoted lines from different classics when she did her grand gesture.”
“Wow, Dru wasn’t kidding. You guys are all about the romance.”
“Nothing better,” Jackson said with a grin, pushing his glasses up in the most adorable way.
“I’ll look up some poetry on my phone, but it may be best to speak from my heart.”
“You can’t go wrong, that’s for sure,” he said sweetly.
“Thank you both so much for helping me with this,” I said, feeling so at ease that I wondered why I was ever nervous to meet them.
“Okay, so we’ll divide and conquer. I’ll talk to Millie about the strawberries, pop the champagne, and grab flowers. Dru, you sync your phone with the Jacuzzi and pick the playlist. Emma, figure out what you want to say and make yourself hot tub ready. Once we’re all done, I’ll find Brody and tell him to meet you outside. Sound good?”
Dru and I both agreed, and Jackson said, “Ready … break,” and we split up to complete our assigned tasks.
Forty
Brody
“So, Dad’s marrying this Tabby person this weekend?” Millie asked, her eyes filled with sorrow.
“Yeah, that’s what he said,” I replied.
My brothers, sisters, and I were sitting in the living room. It was after dinner, which had been freaking amazing, and I’d figured it was better to pull the Band-Aid off all at once.
“And she’s Ridge’s age?” Dru asked.
Ridge nodded.
“She actually went to high school with Karrie.”
“Wow, what a small and twisted world,” Tasha seethed. Out of all my sisters, she was the one the least interested in ever seeing our father again.
“Karrie says she’s nice and I tried to warn her when we saw them on New Year’s, but she stood up for him. At least, whatever happens, I told her the truth,” Ridge said, and I could tell he was done talking about our father.
“Brody…”
I looked toward the hall entrance to see Jackson standing there, waving me over.
I lifted my chin at everyone and walked over to see what he needed.
“What’s up?” I asked.
“I wanted to let you know … Emma said she was waiting for you at the Jacuzzi.”
“Oh, okay, shoot, I hadn’t realized it was already so late. Thanks, man.” I clapped him on the shoulder and headed to my room to put on my suit.
On my way outside, I stopped by the kitchen to grab a couple of beers.
When I rounded the corner of the house, I was not prepared for the scene before me.
Emma was in the hot tub, her hair piled on top of her head, and two glasses of champagne in her hands. There were flowers floating around her, with more all around the seating area and the Jacuzzi itself and jazz coming out of somewhere.
I stopped and put the two bottles of beer on the table, before climbing the steps to the
Jacuzzi and getting in.
“Looks like you were much more prepared than I,” I murmured as I sat down beside her and accepted one of the flutes. “What’s all this?”
Emma looked at me strangely, and when I realized she was nervous, I reached out and took her hand in mine.
She gave me a grateful smile and cleared her throat.
“I looked up poetry, something I’ve never really done before, and while I found some beautiful words, they didn’t sound like me. Because they weren’t.”
I waited as she took a sip from her glass and continued, “So, I decided the best thing to do was speak from the heart…”
Emma paused again.
I ran my thumb over her hand in what I hoped was an encouraging gesture.
She opened her mouth and then closed it again, before muttering, “Sorry.”
“Hey, it’s okay. Whatever you have to tell me … I’m here for you.”
“I love you,” she blurted, then her cheeks reddened. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to say it like that. What I wanted to say was…” she cleared her throat again. “Brody, I think you’re amazing. The love you have for your family, the loyalty to your brothers, and your generosity are humbling. Your ability to be whoever is needed in any given moment, and the patience you’ve always had with me, are just a few of the reasons I’m in love with you. I wasn’t looking for this … didn’t want it, actually,” she said with a sharp laugh. “But you have this way about you … You sneak up on a person and before they know it … bam … you’re a part of them. I’m so grateful you never gave up on me and that you’re willing to put up with Benny and even Johnny, even though we both know things would be easier if you didn’t have to. So … thank you, and, I love you.”
Emma gulped, then breathed a sigh of relief and giggled.
“I did it,” she murmured and I laughed along with her, my heart so full I could barely stand it.
“Yes, you did,” I said, putting my glass down on the high-top table that was just in reach before taking hers and doing the same.
I moved closer and took her in my arms, kissing her with every ounce of love I felt before moving back enough to look into her eyes.
“Emma, my love. You are the most stunning person I have ever had the good fortune to meet. Inside and out, your compassionate heart and strength of spirit make you a warrior among women. I don’t know what exactly made you change your mind about me and give me a chance, but I’m eternally grateful for it. I think I fell in love with you from the second you walked into Delta and shouted, where’s your president. You were the hottest, maddest, feistiest girl I’d ever seen and I knew right away I had to get to know you better. Unfortunately it took you a bit longer to want to get to know me.” I chuckled and ran my thumb over her jaw. “I love you and I can’t wait to continue to grow and learn with you every day. You’re my person.”
With both of our declarations out there, we proceeded to make out hot and heavy in the Jacuzzi, until our blood was boiling hotter than the water.
We separated and I reached for our drinks, handing Emma hers before sitting back in my seat.
“Thanks for putting so much effort into making everything so perfect,” I said, feeling like I could take on the world.
Emma looked so happy she was practically glowing when she said, “Jackson and Dru helped. They’re pretty great. Everyone is.”
“Yeah, they’re the best. I’m so happy you’re making connections with them … It means a lot.”
Having the family I love accept the woman I love and vice versa makes everything that much sweeter.
Epilogue
Summer was here and I was getting ready to start my first day in the internship program I’d wanted so badly to be accepted into.
I was at Brody’s, which is where I spent most nights now.
Bennet had decided to accept his reinstatement back to Delta and was there whenever possible.
On one hand, I was worried to death, but on the other … well, at least he was going to finish school and not quit. And, he was right, I wasn’t his mother, so I needed to support him and trust him to make the right decision for himself.
At least he’d be with Brody, Ridge, and Wes, and I’d make the odd appearance at events, so he wouldn’t be totally alone. And I could have them keep an eye out.
Since I was starting my new position today, I’d put in notice and worked my last shift at Johnny’s yesterday. It was bittersweet, and it would be weird not to go into work and see him and the guys all the time, but I really believed it was for the best.
Sure, his spreadsheets would suffer, but I’d been training the new girl for a week and she knew how to get ahold of me if she had questions.
Brody hadn’t said anything, but I thought he was secretly glad I was no longer working for Johnny. It was understandable. I probably wouldn’t love it if he was in constant contact with an ex either. Not that he had any, since he’d never been serious with a girl before me.
“Hey, babe, have you seen my pumps?” I called out.
Everyone had come over for a celebratory breakfast and to send me off together. They were all in the kitchen cleaning up after the feast Brody had made.
“I think I saw them by the front door when we came in, let me check,” Wes replied.
“I’m babe, not you,” I heard Brody tell his brother. “You stay here and wash that pan; I’ll get the shoes.”
I chuckled and checked myself over in the mirror.
I was wearing a pencil skirt with a floral blouse and a coral blazer. Not my usual style, but I figured until I got an idea of what was acceptable, this was a safe choice.
“You look great,” Brody said as he walked into the room carrying my pumps.
I caught his eye in the mirror and smiled. “Thanks.”
“Hey, Ridge,” we heard Karrie call.
“Yes, my dear?” he replied.
“Don’t forget when you’re planning our trip to see my parents this summer … I won the bet.”
“What bet?” I asked Brody.
“I’ll tell you later,” he said, “You’ve got to get going.”
I looked at the time and said, “Shoot, you’re right.”
We walked through the kitchen to say goodbye and I heard Ridge grumbling.
“At least it’s a short flight.”
I smiled at him quizzically, said my goodbyes, and accepted all of their well wishes with love in my heart.
We got out to Wes’s car and Brody tossed me the keys.
I’d gotten my permit, but Brody wouldn’t let me near the Tesla. I could only practice my driving in the crapmobile, which was probably a good call on his part.
“Ready to go show those social workers what you’ve got?” Brody asked as he slid into the passenger seat.
“Yes?” I said, not sounding as sure as I meant to.
“Emma, you’ve got this,” he said, then asked, “Who volunteered more hours than any other applicant?”
“Me,” I replied.
“And who worked tirelessly until there were hot meals available for those in need every night of the week?”
“I did.”
“Who has been working her ass off, getting straight As and studying everything she could in her field?”
“Me.”
“And who loves you more each day, and will be there at five o’clock to take you out for a special dinner?”
“You,” I said, shooting him a grin and then leaning across the seat for a kiss.
“I’m proud of you,” he said once we’d broken the kiss.
“That means so much. I love you.”
“I love you too, Em, now check that rearview mirror and get to work.”
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Frat House Confessions: Crush
“Forgive me, Papi, but I’m a total fucking mess.”
We were sitting in Papi’s room
at Delta, our fraternity. It had been a long time since I’d been in his room. So long, it almost felt like I was stepping back in time. Back to the life I had before.
Papi was lounging on his bed, clad in only a robe, with a bottle of beer in one hand and shot of tequila in the other.
I was trying not to let the alcohol bother me, but I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t begun salivating when I caught a whiff. I’d been sober a year, but I still struggled almost daily with the urge to drink. Or do drugs… Or anything that would make me numb.
“Why do you say that, Crush?” Papi asked, his dark eyes watchful.
“Well to be fair, I’m better off now than I was a year ago,” I amended.
“Ain’t that the truth,” Papi, one of my oldest friends at U of M agreed.
He and I had been pledges together our freshman year. Along with Ridge, Javi, and Trap, who were all still with Delta as well.
“I’m working… I’ve got wheels… and, now that Emma has moved out, my own place.”
Before my life had imploded I’d lived at Delta house with my brothers. But after I was kicked out, I started using heavily which led to rehab and I’d been forced to move back in with my little sister.
Talk about rock bottom.
“Those are all good things,” Papi agreed.
“I love being back at Delta, and classes are okay, but I still feel… a little lost.”
“And why do you think that is?” Papi asked.
“I’m not sure,” I said with a shrug.
“You gettin’ along with the guys okay?”
“Better than ever,” I replied.
I’d been kicked out of Delta after an expose had been written about me in the school paper. It had basically said I was an asshole, sexist and bully… and the subsequent events had led to my downward spiral, which culminating in me overdosing and ending up in the hospital.
After I’d cleaned up, it had taken a while to land on my feet. But with the help of friends and my sister, I’d eventually gone back to work and started taking classes again.
Frat House Confessions: Brody Page 14