Unsocial

by Dykes, Nicole

  She walks in cautiously. I purposely crowd the door, to intimidate her of course, and my senses are slammed with her scent and the light brush of her little body as she slides past. The top of her head comes to my chest, and I catch the smell of flowers. I don’t know shit about flowers and what they smell like, but I feel an investigation at a florist to identify that flower in my future. When her chest brushes against mine, my whole fucking body goes tight. Obviously, this little intimidation tactic backfired in the most spectacular of ways. My body is on high alert. She exhales as she passes, she’s not unaffected either. That really shouldn’t please me as much as it does.

  Her eyes go to the kids lined up like the Von Trapp family, that they aren’t, and then back to me. I decide to step in, “Guys, this is Ms. Porter. I told you she would be coming to see us….”

  “You can call me Brooke,” she cuts me off.

  I nod remembering she told me that yesterday, “Okay, well you know I’m Dylan” I point to my brothers and sisters who haven’t said a word, “And these are my brothers and sisters.”

  She walks over to them, “Hi, I’m Brooke Porter, I’ll be your case worker.”

  They all say “hello” politely, and Brooke goes on. “Well, I’ve read your file so I can probably guess your names.”

  She points to Luke, who is standing with his arms crossed, and with a devastating smile that no red-blooded, teenage boy can ignore, “You must be Lucas.” He rolls his eyes, clearly annoyed, and I know he is going to give her a hard time. Luke is angry, and I can’t blame him, but he better get a grip and not fuck this up.

  “I’m Luke; no one calls me Lucas.”

  Brooke just nods, “Okay, I’ll remember that.”

  She turns to Cassie, “And you are Cassandra?”

  Cassie smiles politely, “Yes, but I go by Cassie.”

  Brooke smiles at her, “Okay, great.”

  Then it’s Michael’s turn. “And your name is Michael, but do you go by Mike?”

  He shakes his head and with a goofy laugh, clearly not unaffected by her, says, “No, I go by Michael.” I swear his voice got deeper.

  Brooke turns to Gabby and says, “And you are Gabrielle?”

  Gabby just stands there staring blankly. Brooke’s eyes meet mine. I clear my throat, “We call her Gabby.”

  Brooke looks concerned but moves on. “Okay. Is there somewhere we can all sit down and get to know each other?”

  I nod toward the dining room, and we all head in there to sit at the table. Brooke sits at one end, and I sit at the other. She clears her throat; she’s nervous. “I just want to get to know you guys a little better, so I have some questions. Before I start, I just want you to know that I’m here to help all of you adjust to Dylan becoming your guardian. All of you, Dylan included, are free to ask me for advice, or help, anytime you have concerns or questions. I think if we get to know each other better, and you learn to trust me…..” Luke scoffs at that, but she ignores it and goes on “I can make this easier on all of you.”

  Seems like Luke isn’t finished, “Help us? Please, you’re here to get in our business and watch every move we make.”

  I look over at Luke and shake my head angrily, “Luke.” He looks over at me and rolls his eyes, but doesn’t say anything else.

  Brooke doesn’t seem to let it bother her and continues, “Okay, since there are still a few weeks left in the summer before school starts, do you have any plans?

  Cassie speaks up first. She’s excited to tell Brooke about her plans, as she does to us nightly, “I’m going to cheerleading camp next week.”

  “Oh, that sounds fun. So, are you already a cheerleader?”

  Luke laughs, being a total douchebag, and looks at Cassie, “No way are you going to be a cheerleader. I hang out with a lot of cheerleaders, and you’re nothing like them.”

  I glare over at Luke; Brooke just smiles at him, “So I guess you play a lot of sports then?”

  He nods, “Some.”

  Cassie glares at Luke, “I can to be a cheerleader! I’ll be an awesome cheerleader.”

  Brooke’s attention goes back to Cassie, “I’m sure you will be if that’s what you want. You seem to have the personality to me.”

  “What the hell is that supposed to mean,” “Excuse me,” that comes from Luke and me respectively. From the confused look, I guess she doesn’t know cheerleaders like Luke, and I know cheerleaders. Oh, the naiveté.

  “Well, guys love cheerleaders.” She looks back when Cassie reveals this little gem of information. Okay, now that thought scares the shit out of me, it wasn’t that long ago that I was an asshole football player chasing after young girls just like Cassie.

  Before I could say anything Brooke laughs and shakes her head. “Guys love girls; you don’t have to be a cheerleader to get a guy’s attention. Do it for yourself, trust me.” Now I’m glaring at Brooke. Cassie doesn’t need any encouragement about ‘guys.’

  That seems to register with Cassie, and she grins, “Well I do think it will be fun. So were you a cheerleader in high school?” Now this is a question I’m interested in finding out the answer to.

  Brooke shakes her head like that’s the most laughable thing she’s ever heard, “No.”

  “Why not, you’re so pretty.” Leave it to Michael to state the obvious.

  Brooke looks a little uncomfortable, but there is no way I’m going to bail her out. My interest in the answer is way too strong. “Um, I don’t think pretty necessarily has anything to do with being a cheerleader, but I just wasn’t peppy enough I guess.”

  “You were a prude,” says Luke laughing.

  Brooke looks deep in thought, “Hmm, no. I definitely wasn’t a prude. I just didn’t have the same super peppy disposition that cheerleaders have. I wasn’t interested in going to games. My crowd was more the motorcycle, drag racing, and concert-every-weekend group. My friends and I didn’t mesh with the jock and cheerleader crowd. I guess that makes sense, though, you do have to be super peppy.”

  I know my mouth is hanging open, but I have no words. Thank God for Luke, “Bullshit.” Or not.

  He must have found it as unbelievable as I did. There is no way Brooke was anything but prissy in high school. I scold Luke, “Luke, language.”

  “What, you can’t tell me that you believe…..”

  “And what about you?” Brooke interrupts and turns to Michael. He shrugs. My youngest brother is really small for his age, wears glasses, loves reading, and hates sports. He is the opposite of Luke and me.

  “I’m in the summer reading program at the local library.”

  “Hey, that’s awesome! What a great way to spend the summer. What do you like to read?”

  “Porn,” snorts Luke.

  I’m just about ready to jump in, “Luke, you had your turn. I’m talking to Michael now.” Well, alrighty then. Now I have to smile at that because Luke just looks stunned as hell over how she handled him, and for once has no smart-ass comeback. I can’t wait to tell Jackson about this meeting.

  Michael’s eyes light up at her question, or maybe how she handled Luke, but who knows; he just can’t wait to talk about his books. “I like just about everything. I’ve read all the Harry Potter books. Lately, I’ve been reading books about architecture. I’m thinking I want to read about rebuilding and customizing cars and motorcycles too.” This is interesting; something that we can actually talk about.

  Brooke looks at Michael then to me and smiles. It would have knocked me on my ass if I wasn’t sitting. “That’s wonderful. Dylan, you have to be happy about that.”

  “Of course.” That’s all I can say. She’s still smiling, and it’s making me stupid.

  Michael glares over at Luke, who’s snickering and then back at Brooke, “Luke says I’m a nerd.”

  Brooke’s face looks slightly troubled, and then she smiles and says, “Well that’s okay. Nerds rule the world. I think it’s great that you like to read at such a young age.”

  Luke looks irritated
, and I know he and Brooke are going to butt heads a hell of a lot over the next year, possibly even more than Brooke and me. I’m thinking riling her up is going to my new favorite pastime. It’s an insanely sexy look on her.

  Brooke’s gaze moves over to Gabby, who just sits there looking frozen in time, and thankfully Brooke focuses back on Michael. “Okay, so I guess you are still in the stage that girls are icky?”

  Michael nods, “Yeah, I hate girls, they are too bossy.” He says that, but he looks at Brooke like she’s going to be the answer to world fucking peace.

  “Good, so I can assume you don’t have a girlfriend.”

  “Not yet,” he answers. The boy is mesmerized.

  She turns to Cassie, “And are you dating anyone Cassie?”

  I hold my breath and wait for her answer. Cassie shakes her head, “No, but hopefully this year.” Over my dead body.

  Not the answer I wanted. When the fuck did Cassie get so boy crazy? Probably when you weren’t around for the last three years, asshole. Brooke just nods politely and then, unfortunately, turns to Luke, “Luke, are you seeing anyone?”

  “Are you seeing anyone?” he snarls.

  Brooke looks like she’s silently counting to ten in her head, “I know these questions seem a little invasive, but I don’t mean them to be. I’m just trying to get to know you all better.”

  “I don’t want to get to know you better. I don’t want to deal with this. How would you like someone grilling you about every aspect of your life?”

  Brooke, who has been sitting perfectly straight slumps her body slightly and sighs, “Okay, you’re right, I’m asking a lot out of you guys. So I’m an open book for the next little while. Ask me anything, anything at all, and I’ll answer it.”

  I look at her like she is totally insane, she can’t possibly know what she is getting herself into. Even as I think this, I have no intention of stopping what is about to happen because, despite her role in our lives for the next year, this girl has me far too intrigued for my own damn good. Damn pain in my ass.

  Chapter 4

  Brooke

  Oh, shit. This idea is probably really dumb or really smart. Let’s face it, though, I’m clearly not thinking on a college-educated level right now. As soon as Dylan opened the door looking all hot-as-freaking-hell I’d lost my mind. This morning I tried to convince myself that yesterday was just a fluke. He couldn’t have been that sexy. Ha! He’s beyond anything I ever thought of as sexy. I’ve got to shut these insane feelings toward this man down. He’s my client, and I can’t be thinking of him as anything but my client.

  I know he was trying to crowd the door to intimidate me. I have a lofty degree in social work, so I know body language and the many different ways to use it against people. When I inhaled deeply to keep body contact to a minimum and ended up inhaling what is probably an overdose of pheromones. It caused my brain to short circuit; then it fried when my breasts brushed against his chest. For a minute, I forgot my purpose for being there until I saw the children all lined up and looking so nervous and sweet. That ended on a spectacular note. It now boils down to one pissed off 16-year-old, a boy-crazy 14-year-old, a ten-year-old whose going to steal my heart and a six-year-old who is clearly traumatized. I know from the files that Gabby was with her parents when the accident happened. What I didn’t know is she is clearly traumatized.

  Now I’m sitting here trying to ignore Dylan’s intense cynical gaze as he looks at me from across the large dining room table. I have to find a way to get these kids to trust me and open up, so allowing them to ask me a few questions is a great idea in my opinion. How bad can it be? I sneak a peek at Luke then wish I would have thought this through a little better. That boy has some issues. Winning him over is not going to be easy, but I’m not backing down. I will win over Luke, and Dylan if I can keep my mind out of the gutter.

  Luke just rolls his eyes at me and folds his arms across his chest. He looks so much like Dylan except he’s about three inches shorter and a little less broad. He has the same dark hair and eyes. I have no doubt he knows all about cheerleaders. The youngest girl also has dark hair, but she has bright blue eyes and a sweet, adorable face.

  The two middle children, however, have blonde locks. It must be from their mother’s side. Cassie is very pretty, and I can see why Dylan shifted uncomfortably in his seat when she mentioned boys because the boys are definitely going to notice her, cheerleader or not. Michael looks like Dylan and Luke, but he is much smaller and with light blonde hair. He also wears glasses, and I imagine it isn’t easy for him having older brothers who seem like his opposites. I was so pleased to hear that he has some interests in cars and motorcycles. No doubt it will help Dylan to bond with him. My real concern is Gabby. I can tell she’s truly traumatized, and I need to speak with Dylan about getting her as well as the others some counseling.

  I keep my eyes locked on Luke’s, “So, what do you want to know about me?”

  He drops his arms, “I told you, I’m not interested in getting to know you.”

  I have a feeling Luke will be the toughest child to crack. He seems really angry and not just at me. There is a lot of hostility toward Dylan, and I plan on finding out why that is. There’s no way I can smooth this transition if I don’t know what’s going on with Luke, besides losing his parents. I see Dylan glare over at Luke for what seems like the hundredth time during our meeting. “Well, if you do think of something, feel free to ask. I have nothing to hide.” I move over to Cassie, “Cassie, do you have anything you want to know?”

  She doesn’t miss a beat and seems excited, “How old are you?”

  Easy one. “Twenty-four.”

  She nods, “Yeah, I didn’t think you were too old.” I smile and thank her for that compliment. Thankfully, they’re keepi.ng the questions easy.

  Then I turn to Michael’s sweet face. “What about you, Michael, any questions for me?”

  He looks like he is thinking it over carefully like he wants to think of a good one, “Where did you grow up?”

  Another easy one. This isn’t so bad. I look over at Dylan with a satisfied smile, happy that the questioning seems to be going well. I can handle this. “I grew up in Kansas City.”

  “With your parents?”

  Okay, this is where my life gets a little dicey, but that’s okay. These kids have been through a lot. “No, actually I don’t remember my parents. My grandma raised me.”

  Cassie’s pretty eyes grow dark, and her expression changes from carefree to sad when she asks meekly, “Did your parents die?”

  I glance over at Dylan, and his face looks like he is waiting for my answer, “No, well actually, I don’t know if they’re alive or not. They ran away after they had me because they were very young and couldn’t handle the responsibility.” I want to try and change the mood a little, so I add, “But it’s okay, my grandma was wonderful.” I focus on Cassie, “Anything else you want to know?”

  She puts one finger to her lips as if she’s thinking about it, “Well, do you have a boyfriend?” Clearly a one-track mind.

  I need to remain professional, but I also want to be open and honest to gain their trust. I shake my head. “Nope. I’m currently single. I had a boyfriend in college, but when I started my master’s degree I wanted to concentrate on finishing school and starting my career.” I lean in closer to her like I have a big secret and whisper loudly, “He didn’t think he was getting enough attention, so we broke up. So, FYI, men are as needy as babies.” This causes her to laugh out loud, and when I chance a quick glance at Dylan I catch a glimpse of ease cross his face.

  I’m secretly hoping she will leave it at that, but Cassie crinkles her brow and asks, “Were you in love with him?” Now how do I answer that? After we had split up, I thought I would feel sad, but all I had felt was a relief. I was so tired of trying to find time for him. Then again having a boyfriend had become so comfortable. It wasn’t until our relationship ended that I realized what a flimsy excuse that was for stay
ing together so long. But looking at Cassie, I don’t want to give her the wrong impression on relationships. So, I’m going to tiptoe through this with as minimal damage to her young romantic mind as possible.

  “Yes, I loved him, but I think I loved him more as a friend than a boyfriend. We were together for quite a while. I hope he will always be my friend. It just came to a point that we were going in different directions. I wanted to focus on school and my career. It just seemed like we spent less and less time together until we drifted completely apart. We parted as friends, though.” I smile and hope that’s the end of this subject. Dylan looks over at me with amusement spreading across his beautiful features. He’s enjoying this. “Now I’m just focusing on my career. No boyfriend.”

  That doesn’t satisfy Cassie; it truly worries me that this girl seems to base a lot of her self-worth on the approval of boys. Hopefully, it’s just a phase. “So, you just don’t want a boyfriend right now? I don’t understand that because you’re so pretty.”

  I’m not sure how to respond to that statement either, “I don’t think pretty has that much to do with it. There are way more important things in this world than dating, although that stuff is important. I just need to focus on my career.”

  She nods, “I still don’t get it. Don’t you get lonely?”

  Of course, I miss the feeling of a body next to mine in bed and being held in a man’s arms, but I’m not sharing that with her. And I’m not going to discuss sex with her either, especially with the way Dylan and Luke seem to be dialed into the conversation. But, dear lord, I was starting to miss sex.

  Looking at Dylan and how my body seems to react to him, I’m rethinking the whole only focusing on work thing. I am a professional woman, but he makes me feel like an awkward teenage girl. I shake the thoughts from my head. I definitely can’t tell her any of that. “Sure, I miss the companionship sometimes, but I have friends and coworkers.”