“Yeah, it is.” He paused, and they stood there for several moments in heavy silence. “It’s been nice spending time just the two of us.”
Brooke agreed. “We don’t do that very often, do we?” She ran her fingertip along the edge of a nearby bookshelf. A thin layer of dust she could barely see collected on her skin. “Maybe we could make a point of hanging out once in a while even after Joel and Anna get back. It might be fun.”
“Might, huh? I’d have thought you’d be getting tired of me by now.” Chess winked at her.
Not hardly. If anything, it’d made her look forward to seeing him even more next time. She wrinkled her nose. “Nah, not yet. Give it time, though.”
Chess chuckled. He reached out to her dust-covered finger and used his own hand to brush it clean. “I guess I’m slacking in the housekeeping department now that I’m the only one here. At least Epic hasn’t complained.”
She drew in a sharp breath at the connection and quickly clasped her hands together.
Chess cleared his throat. “Speaking of Epic, I’m going to take him to the park tomorrow. I meant to do it all week and didn’t have the time. I don’t suppose you’d like to go with us.”
Brooke couldn’t have been more surprised by the invitation. “I get off work at three. I could meet you there.”
They finished settling their plans and then said their goodbyes before Brooke headed home. Her chest expanded and she let out a whoosh of air. She could still feel the way his hand had briefly held hers. And he’d finally shared about his past. Had he told Joel yet? She didn’t think so, and that made her feel special. Like she was more than the annoying little sister he was always having to get out of scrapes.
She’d spent a long time trying to distance herself from her mixed-up emotions concerning Chess. But tonight, she had renewed hope. It probably wasn’t a good thing, but she couldn’t keep the smile off her face all the same.
Chapter Six
Chess was on his way to the park where he’d arranged to meet Brooke. It was a little warm, but the sky was full of clouds which helped block some of the sun’s rays. It was only the first week of September, and they still had a while to go before fall weather hit this area of Texas.
He thought about their conversation the evening before. He’d been nervous to tell her about Nathan and what happened to him as a child. But she’d listened without judging. He should have told her and Joel ages ago. A weight he hadn’t realized he’d been carrying eased a little.
After the last couple of days, Chess felt closer to Brooke than he’d ever been before. Briefly holding her hand last night had felt nicer than it probably should have. She was beginning to confide in him a little. He’d wanted a better relationship between them, and now it appeared that might become a reality.
He wouldn’t trick himself into thinking there could be any more than that. She saw him as a big brother. He’d already failed in that role once with Nathan, he wasn’t about to let Brooke down now. So, he’d bury his feelings for her like he always had and be thankful for the closer relationship they were developing.
He located her Kia and pulled into a spot next to it. He’d barely stepped out of his truck when Epic bounded after him. No one else was around. Chess threw a tennis ball and watched as the dog tore after it. “He loves going to the park.” He bent to accept the ball when Epic brought it back. “Anna tells me this is one of his favorite things.”
Epic bounced on his hind legs and landed on all four again, eyes bright and mouth open. The ball barely left Chess’s hand before Epic was racing across the grass after it.
Chess walked beside Brooke as she followed the dog. “It’s nice there isn’t anyone else around here so we can let him run.”
“It is a peaceful park.” She picked up the ball that Epic dropped at her feet and lobbed it into the air again. She turned her head and looked at him. “Are you doing okay today?”
He knew she was talking about last night. He nodded. “Thanks for listening. I appreciate it.”
“Of course.” She focused on the Great Pyrenees. “Have you heard from Nathan?”
He blew out a lungful of air. “Not a word today. He said he would be busy this week though. If I don’t hear from him before long, I may try to track down his phone number. I’ll probably wait and see what Joel thinks.”
“So, you’ll tell him about everything?”
“Yeah. I should’ve told you both a long time ago. Sometimes it’s strange how years can drag, yet disappear in a blink of an eye.” They say time heals all wounds. Chess wasn’t sure of that. He noted the bruise on Brooke’s face and was happy to see it was fading already. “Has anyone commented about your bruise at work?”
Brooke’s hand touched her cheek. “I cover it up with make-up. No one’s even noticed.” She stopped and clapped her hands together. “Epic, come back here.”
The dog had caught a whiff of something and his curiosity led him farther than he should probably go. It took another clap before he lifted his head and took off at a run toward them. Instead of slowing down, he barreled right into Brooke’s legs and knocked her off balance.
Chess reached out and grasped her around the waist before she fell, holding her against himself as she regained her footing. She turned in his arms and lifted her chin.
“Thanks.” Her voice sounded breathless.
The breeze blew some of her hair into her face. Without thinking, Chess brushed it back with his hand and tucked it behind her ear. A hint of her rose-scented shampoo combined with sunshine and freshly mowed grass. His heart thudded painfully against his ribs in response to her still standing there in his arms. “You okay?”
She nodded and took a step back, her cheeks coloring. She frowned at Epic who was completely oblivious to nearly bowling her over. “They need to put a warning sign on him.”
Chess chuckled. “That’s not a bad idea.” He threw the ball for Epic who didn’t hesitate to chase it down.
Brooke’s phone pinged. She withdrew it, checked the screen, and scowled. She jabbed out a text message and sent it before stuffing it into her pocket again. “Larry. I said I was done and didn’t want to see him again. He’s been apologizing since Thursday.”
Chess frowned. He didn’t care if the guy had apologized a thousand times. If she told him their relationship was over, he needed to leave her alone. “Block his number, Brooke. He needs to take no for an answer. If he can’t, there’s no reason you should continue to have to deal with him.” She seemed to hesitate, and that frustrated him. “Why do you let these guys run over you like this?” The words were out before he could stop them. But it was something he’d thought about a lot over the last few months when he’d hear about the less-than-stellar guys she dated. The dark expression she shot his way only confirmed he should’ve kept his mouth shut.
Her eyebrows flew upwards, and she folded her arms in front of her chest. “That’s not fair. I don’t let them run me over. If I did that, I’d have stayed in that bar the other night. Or had some drinks. If I was that much of a pushover, I’d have slept with some of the jerks I’ve met in the last year.” Her voice rose in pitch as she talked. “So, don’t start with me. My relationships are none of your business.”
Chess was aware this was when Joel would step in and put a stop to the conversation before it got messy. He longed for their friend to be there now. “I care about you, Brooke. That makes it my business. I want you to be happy.”
Her shoulders fell. “Don’t you think I want that, too?”
Epic dropped the ball at Chess’s feet, ignored. Chess focused all his attention on Brooke. “Then why do you keep dating these messed up guys? There’s got to be some decent men in this town. What’s wrong with them?”
Brooke sucked her bottom lip in and worried it between her teeth. It seemed like she was gazing everywhere but at him.
Chess bent down to glimpse her face, refusing to move until she lifted her gaze to his. “Talk to me. Why do you keep doing this to yourself?
”
“It doesn’t matter who I date.” Her words were barely above a whisper.
“Why?”
Tears pooled in her dark brown eyes as they begged him to understand. “Because they aren’t you.”
Chess stared at Brooke. What was she talking about, saying the other guys weren’t him? She couldn’t possibly mean… Her words crashed through his fog of confusion. No. He had to be misunderstanding her. But even as he tried to reconcile in his mind what he heard with his ears, he could see the truth on her face.
There were many times he’d buried how he felt about Brooke, tamped it down and kept it hidden. He’d failed Nathan, but he was determined to be there for Brooke. Be the friend she needed and the big brother he’d been certain she saw him as. He’d never entertained the idea she might feel something more for him. How had he missed this?
Uncertainty danced with sadness in Brooke’s eyes. But it was the hope there that effectively stabbed Chess right in the heart and twisted the dagger for emphasis.
They’d scarcely begun to develop the closeness he’d missed. She was talking to him, confiding in him. The horrible things his parents yelled at each other filled his head. He’d decided long ago that having a wife and family wasn’t for him. The thought of it even resembling what he grew up with scared him.
She’d told him about her dream of getting married and being a stay at home mom. He clenched his jaw and steeled himself for what he was about to say.
“Brooke, you deserve that family you’ve always wanted. The doting husband and a house full of kids. You deserve it all.” You deserve someone better than me. He allowed himself to run the back of his hand along her cheek before letting it drop to his side. “I wish… It’s something I can’t give you. I’m sorry.”
Pain flashed across her face. She pressed a hand to her stomach, her eyebrows drawn together as she let her gaze fall. “I know if I’d only…”
“No.” Chess’s word came out harsher than he’d intended, but it brought her eyes back to his. “It’s not you.”
At those words, she huffed and shook her head.
“I know. I know that’s what people say all the time. But it’s the truth here. I wouldn’t be good for you, Brooke. You deserve more.”
“That’s not true. Chess, if you’ll give us a chance…”
“I can’t.” He watched as her face paled. The emotional walls came up, and Brooke shut herself off from him. He felt the loss as keenly as if she’d disappeared into thin air. “You’re one of the most important people in my life. You understand that, don’t you?” When she said nothing, he put a hand on her shoulder. “Brooke?”
“Sure.” But there was sarcasm in her voice. She moved as if in slow motion. “I’m going to head home.”
Chess’s chest tightened, and a headache pounded behind his eyes. “I’m sorry, Brooke.” He wanted to say more but didn’t have the words. Against all instincts, he watched her get into her car and pull out of the parking lot.
He told himself she’d eventually come to see he was right. She deserved more than he could give her.
And she was everything he’d ever wanted.
~
When Brooke woke up, she couldn’t quite figure out why all the lights were on in the apartment. Or why she was still dressed and curled up on the couch. What day was it? And then everything that happened at the park with Chess came rushing back to her.
Her head ached and her stomach rolled. How could she have been so monumentally idiotic? Why did she have to open her mouth? She should’ve insisted it was because she was bad with men. Or because she was cursed. Anything would’ve been better than referring to how she felt about him. She ran a hand through the mess of tangles in her hair and then covered her eyes. Oh, she’d probably give almost anything right now if it meant she could go back and change what she’d said.
His voice echoed in her head.
“It’s something I can’t give you.”
Of course he couldn’t. Because he didn’t care about her like that. She’d known that fact for a long time. Yet, until he’d said it, she’d been able to pretend there was hope. Brooke hadn’t realized that until now, and it made her feel even worse. She’d been holding onto a dumb dream like a lovesick kid.
Well, if Chess didn’t think of her as an immature child before, he sure had to now. She might’ve cried again except there couldn’t possibly be any tears left. Her eyelids felt puffy and thick. Boy, she wasn’t about to examine herself in the mirror right now.
What time was it? Brooke reached for her phone on the coffee table. Two in the morning. And there were three more texts from Larry. Chess was right about one thing — she needed to block Larry’s number and end this. She’d already said she was done and didn’t want to see him anymore. So, she went into her recent calls and made sure she’d receive no more communication from him.
Chess was also right about how she dated too much. Every time she went out with a guy, it was a desperate hope that she’d finally find someone who would take the place of Chess. But now she knew that she’d been searching for something that didn’t exist. Maybe she should convert to Catholicism and become a nun, swear off men completely.
With that thought, she allowed herself to fall backwards onto the couch again. What was she going to say to him? Would he even be able to look at her without seeing her as completely pathetic?
Yep, moving to a convent was sounding better and better. She needed to do something different. Her goals in life had grown stagnant. When did that happen? Chess was right. Maybe she needed to consider a change in career.
She got up from the couch and wandered into the bathroom to wash her face and caught her reflection in the mirror. Her career wasn’t the only thing that could use a transformation.
At least it was Sunday, and she didn’t have to worry about seeing him until next weekend if she didn’t want to.
Not wanting to think about anything, she curled up on her bed and tried her best to fall asleep again.
Chapter Seven
Brooke forced the frown from her face when she walked into the salon Tuesday morning. Jasmine glanced up and waved. “I still love what we did with your hair. I hope you got some retail therapy in last night. There’s nothing like a new pair of shoes or dress to go with a fresh hairdo.”
After everything with Chess, work was a welcome distraction for Brooke. She’d even forgotten about Larry until he walked through the front door later that day. She was in the middle of cutting her customer’s hair when he approached her, cupped her elbow, and leaned in close. “I’d like to speak to you for a few minutes, please.”
She shifted her elbow away from him, not appreciating the familiar gesture. “I’m right in the middle of this. You’ll have to wait.”
He didn’t say a word, simply strode over to a chair on the other side of the room and sat, giving her a pointed stare.
Brooke suppressed a sigh, smiled at Mrs. Jones in the mirror, and kept on cutting. She was keenly aware of the attention the exchange with Larry had attracted. When Mrs. Jones was happy with her hair, she paid Brooke and included a nice tip.
Unfortunately, Larry was still waiting and Brooke had over a half hour until her next customer would be in. This time, she didn’t even hold back the sigh. “Jasmine, I’m taking ten. I’ll be back soon.”
Jasmine raised a hand in acknowledgment.
Brooke grabbed her bag. Larry stood as she approached and motioned to the door. They walked outside. “We can sit in my car and talk.”
Yeah, that’s not happening. “I think right here is good.” Brooke crossed her arms in front of her and leaned against the outer wall of the building. “What do you want, Larry?”
“You wouldn’t call me back.”
Way to state the obvious. “I told you to quit calling me. It didn’t work between us.”
To his credit, Larry seemed embarrassed. “I’ve never done something like that before. I don’t understand what happened.”
“Y
ou got drunk at a bar, ignored your date, and then hit her with a pool cue.” She raised an eyebrow at him. Apparently, some of her people skills had been decimated right along with her confidence over the last two weeks.
The expression on his face shifted to shame and then desperation. “It truly was an accident. I didn’t realize it hit you that hard, or I would’ve taken you home or gotten you some ice. Something. I apologize for that.” His eyes begged her to believe him.
Maybe what he said was true. But he still went to the bar after they’d made plans. And he still got drunk and didn’t bother to make sure Brooke got home okay. As far as she was concerned, he could be sorry to the moon and back. They were done. “I appreciate the apology. But like I said, I don’t think this can work. We’re too different.” Brooke gave a little shrug. “I wish you all the best, Larry. I’ve got to get back to work.”
He protested, but she turned and walked back inside. When he didn’t follow, she released a sigh of relief. Hopefully that would be the end of it. Chess would be proud of the way she put her foot down.
Chess. She hadn’t talked to him since the park. He was in Dallas at his office right now. Normally, she’d text him merely to say hi. Less than two weeks ago, she wouldn’t have hesitated and Brooke hated that she did now. She missed him more than she’d ever thought possible.
~
It was Friday evening and Chess hadn’t stopped thinking about Brooke all week. He’d stayed busy at work — probably too much so. Their deadline came and went without much of a hitch. But not seeing or talking to Brooke was driving him crazy. He disliked not knowing how she was doing.
He wished he hadn’t pushed her about Larry. Maybe if he’d been more understanding and less accusatory when it came to her dating choices, the whole topic wouldn’t have come up in the first place.
Someone to Trust (Life Unexpected Book 2) Page 5
