by Elle Wright
Her father was a partner at a top family law firm and had gained a reputation as the worst divorce attorney a woman could ever hire. Not that he’d take any woman’s case, because Allan Strong only represented men. And he’d left a trail of destruction in his wake too. All because Demi’s mother hadn’t wanted him anymore. He was a bitter, angry man, who’d kept his only daughter from having a relationship with her mother. My friend had suffered for years until my mother had offered to take her in so she could attend Ann Arbor schools with us.
Under our roof, Demi had thrived and eventually decided to follow in her father’s footsteps and become a divorce attorney. Only, she’d purposed to defend women against men like her father. Although she was in her early thirties, her skill in the courtroom had earned her a nickname—The Divorce Whisperer.
“Have you talked to Tyn about it?” I asked. Paityn and Demi lived close to each other and had often hooked up to hang out. “You do have some support there.”
“And I’m grateful, but it’s not the same.” She put a handful of popcorn in her mouth. Once she swallowed, she said, “You can go ahead and tell me you told me so.”
I pulled a throw over my legs. “I won’t. I just think you should do what’s best for you.”
“I don’t know why I thought leaving would help. It never does.”
“True, but sometimes you have to leave so you can know that.” The room descended into silence. “I do like Preston,” I confessed. “When I’m with him, I don’t think of all the loss—or the guilt so much. I only think of him. And that scares me.”
Demi squeezed my hand. “I get it, but you have to open yourself up sometime.”
My friend had a point. Even still…I didn’t know if I’d ever be able to fully open myself up again.
Chapter Ten
Feels So Much Better
Preston
Playing softball today. Veteran’s Memorial Park.
I stared at the text, wondering whether I should consider this an invitation—or a test. Or both. It’d been seven days since Dallas had given me the best pussy I’d had in a long time. Probably ever, now that I thought of it. Of course, we’d seen each other—over FaceTime, at a luncheon, during a seminar, and at dinner. And nothing had really changed between us.
Once again, Dallas had reverted to her uninterested persona. The only difference was that she’d actively engaged me regarding my paternity situation and had stayed true to her word and reached out to Brooklyn Wells. But as far as the sex, not one word about it. In fact, she’d gone out of her way to put physical distance between us. Even at the events we’d attended, she’d kept our interactions very brief and mechanical. Which would’ve been fine had this happened a couple of months ago. This time, though, I didn’t think I could pretend it’d never happened. I couldn’t make myself forget how she’d taken care of me, how she’d listened. More importantly, there was no way to turn back the clock and take back everything I’d told her.
Opening myself up to her in the way I had was new for me. I’d never shared much about my mother or my childhood. Aunt Dot and Coop were the only people I’d confided in over the years. Aunt Dot because she was there, and Coop because he’d shown me I could trust him. And because I’d thought I was dying.
I could add Dallas to that short list now. Yet, I wasn’t entirely sure she wanted to be part of the club. I glanced at the text message again. If I didn’t reply, she wouldn’t like it, because she hated being ignored. If I did reply…
A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. I’d driven to the Detroit office for an important meeting, and I needed to clear my mind from Dallas so I could focus on it. I locked my phone and answered the door.
The petite woman on the other side flashed a tentative smile. “Hi. Are you…?” She sucked in a deep breath and her shoulders dropped. “Shit, you are.” She reached out and shook my hand. “I’m Brooklyn, and apparently you’re my brother.”
Frowning, I said, “Okay. Come in?” Holding the door open, I waited until she entered my office. “Thanks for stopping by.”
Brooklyn had reached out to me directly once she’d spoken with Dallas. Right away, she’d put my mind at ease with her sense of humor and her willingness to hear me out. The conversation had been brief, but she was friendly and not that surprised that I could be her brother. When she’d mentioned a two-hour layover in Detroit before her flight to L.A., she’d suggested we meet up.
“Can I get you anything?” I asked. “Water? Coffee?”
“No, thank you.” She stared at me, grabbing the sides of her head. “I’m sorry, but…damn, you look like Senior.” She blinked, her mouth falling open slightly. “I mean, you have his eyes, his nose. You even sound just like him. Well, except you seem nice.”
Senior? “Is that what you called him?”
With her gaze still fixed on me, she nodded. “Yes,” she murmured. “He insisted on it. You and Bryson…you look alike too.”
I wanted to ask her more, quiz her on all the facts. I wanted to know about Bryson and Parker Wells Jr. I wanted to know her. My sister. Potentially. But we didn’t have much time. “I hope this wasn’t too much trouble, meeting me here.”
She swallowed visibly. “No. I needed to see you for myself.” Shrugging, she added, “I guess the paternity test is a formality at this point. If you’re not my brother, I’d be shocked.”
I agree. A couple of months ago, I was an only child, and now I had siblings. Allegedly. “I’d love to schedule a longer visit. I have several questions.”
“The answers won’t be nice. But if you’re willing to listen, I don’t mind sharing.” She moved closer, searching my eyes. Her face softened. “I don’t know what it’s like to be you right now, but I do know how it feels to be disappointed, to be lied to. I can only hope things look up from here.”
I cracked a small smile. “Thanks.”
Brooklyn let out a deep sigh. “I didn’t tell Parker, Ronnie, or Bryson that I was coming—or even that you’d contacted me. I thought it’d be best if I came first. Plus, Parker likes to control everything. Be warned.”
Chuckling, I said, “Got it.”
“I’ll set up sibling testing. I should be back in town next week. Maybe we can go to a nearby lab? Once we know for sure, I’ll tell them. It’s better that way.” She glanced at her watch. “Shit, I gotta go.”
“Sounds good to me. Just let me know, and I’ll make myself available.”
Brooklyn held out her hand, yet let it fall to her side. She stepped forward, but retreated backward. She opened her arms, then hugged herself. “Ah, forget it.” And she hugged me. “I’m a hugger,” she whispered. “You’ll get used to it.”
I didn’t know this woman, had never seen her before today, but my instincts told me she was sincere. Something told me that once Brooklyn made her mind up about anything, she was a force to be reckoned with. But I could also sense she’d be a great person to have in my corner.
When she pulled back, she shot me a soft smile. “I’m kind of bossy as well,” she confessed. “You’ll get used to that too.”
I barked out a laugh. “As long as you get used to my quiet moods.”
A corner of her mouth quirked up. “That won’t last long. We’re a pretty loud bunch.” She walked to the door. “I’ll be in touch.”
“I look forward to it.”
Turning back to me, she said, “Bye, Preston.”
Just like that, she was gone, her face still registering the shock I felt. I worked for about an hour after Brooklyn left, but decided it was futile. I couldn’t concentrate on anything other than the upcoming DNA test. So, I’d made the forty-five-minute drive to Ann Arbor.
At Veteran’s Memorial Park, I located the baseball diamond where Dallas and her family played, and parked near it. As I approached the field, I immediately spotted Blake on first base. On the pitcher mound, Dexter stood, eyes on the hitter. But…where is she? I peered into the dugout and noticed the rest of her clan. She wasn’t there,
though. I checked my phone to see if I’d missed a text or a call. Nothing.
Seconds later, Dexter tossed the pitch. The batter swung, connecting with the ball. On third base, Mr. Young shouted commands at Asa, who was at second base. The play was fast. Tristan picked up the ball and tossed it to Asa, who tossed it home. The catcher jumped up, caught the ball, and tagged the opposite team’s runner.
“Out!” the umpire called, extending three fingers signaling it was the third out.
Blake did a fist pump and held her hands up to her face like a makeshift megaphone. “You’d better catch that ball, Sissy. Yes!”
My gaze traveled back to the catcher, just in time to see Dallas pull the helmet off and drop it. “I got you,” she yelled back. “That’s game.”
While the teams greeted each other with handshakes, I made my way to the dugout, where they were celebrating their win. Dallas looked radiant, helmet hair and all. Her eyes were bright, her smile was genuine, and that body…still beautiful in her chest protector and leg guards.
“Hey, Preston!” Bliss waved at me.
Dallas whirled around and met my gaze. “Hey.”
I gave Dex, then Tristan dap. Turning to her, I tipped my head. “What’s up?”
She approached me. “I didn’t think you were coming?”
Lifting a brow, I asked, “I didn’t know I’d received an invitation.”
I could’ve imagined it, but it looked like she smiled. “Touché.” She sighed. “Walk with me?” I followed her to a grassy knoll on the opposite end of the diamond. Once we made it there, she sat on the ground. One of the things I loved about Dallas was she wasn’t afraid to be outside, to get dirty. She enjoyed the outdoors as much as I did. “Join me?”
I sat next to her. “What’s up, Dallas?”
“How did it go with Brooklyn today?”
For a second, I’d forgotten I’d mentioned I would be meeting Brooklyn today. It did something to me that she remembered and wanted to know how it had gone. I gave her a quick rundown of my introduction to my maybe sister. “She’s going to schedule a DNA test when she gets back to town.”
Dallas hugged her knees to her chest and picked at a piece of grass. “How do you feel about everything?”
I hunched a shoulder. “I don’t know. Overwhelmed. Apprehensive. Excited.” It hadn’t occurred to me that it’d be a good thing my father was Parker Wells Sr. when I’d found out it was a possibility. After meeting Brooklyn, though, I realized it might not be so bad to have sisters and brothers. “It’s a lot,” I added. “Hard to say how I’ll feel once it’s confirmed—or not.”
“Well, you have some time to adjust. I just want you to be okay.” She rolled her eyes and shook her head. “That’s all.”
I smirked. “Was it really that bad to say that?”
Her surprised gaze met mine. “I really need to watch my reactions around you.” She laughed. “I don’t have this problem with many other people.”
“Why is that?”
She frowned. “Why don’t I have this problem?”
I shook my head. “Why do you have this problem with me?” I clarified.
Dallas averted her eyes. “Honestly, I have no idea.”
I leaned over, bumping my shoulder against hers to get her attention. When she looked at me, I said, “I think we should talk about it.”
Her eyes widened for a second before she schooled her features. “About what?”
“About this?” I motioned between us. “And the reason why we’ve had sex two times and have yet to discuss it.”
“Do we have to?” The tiny crease in her brow was too cute to ignore. I brushed my thumb over it, then trailed my forefinger down the bridge of her nose. “You’re touching me again.”
I barked out a laugh. “So?”
“Maybe we should establish ground rules.”
“I think we’ve already fucked that up, right? Literally.”
She smacked my arm. Giggling, she said, “That was so damn corny.”
“By design.” The awkward pause that followed my words pissed me off. “Let’s not do this.”
“Okay,” she grumbled. “Damn. I’m not this weird normally.”
“I know that, which is why I’m confused.”
“Believe it or not, I’ve never been in this position before. Sex isn’t usually this complicated.”
“What’s so complicated? You do it, then you’re done.”
She gaped. “What? You know it’s not that simple.”
I absolutely knew it wasn’t simple, but it didn’t have to be hard either. “Why? Look, I enjoy you. And I don’t think we have to make this a huge deal. We’re both capable of keeping boundaries. At the same time, we have to spend time together, so wouldn’t it best if we took advantage of that?”
“As in…?”
A smile tugged at my lips. “As in, let’s not be awkward with it. As in…how about we not pretend we aren’t attracted to each other? As in sometimes friends fuck.”
“Who said you were my friend?” She grinned. “Just kidding. You’re right.” Dallas placed her hand on my knee. “Can I add an ‘as in’ to this thing?”
I raked my gaze over her face, lingering on her eyes, then the little dirt spot on her cheek. I brushed my finger over it, wiping it away. Her eyes fluttered closed. “Definitely,” I murmured.
Dallas blew out a shaky breath. “As in let’s not assume we’ll actually have sex again?”
“Do you really think we won’t?”
“Um…” She nibbled on her bottom lip. “That’s not the point.” She laughed. “I’m pretty sure it’s a foregone conclusion, but I would like the record to show that we agreed to this.”
“Fine,” I said.
“Oh.” She held up one finger. “Another one…as in still no public displays of affection.”
My gaze dropped to her mouth. “Sure?”
She gripped my collar and pulled me closer, murmuring against my ear. “I’m sure.”
I pulled back. “Oh, so you’re just going to do me like that?”
“Yep.” She stood up and brushed her pants off. “I have to go. Double header. Next game starts in a few minutes.” She grinned. “Want to try on the spare uniform?”
I got up. “Nah, I’m good.”
She walked toward her group. “I think you’re scared.” Turning to me, she grinned. “No, you’re scurred.” Then, she took off.
An hour later, I was lying flat on my back in the grass after a fly ball hit me in the head. Dallas stood over me, her hand covering her smile. “Don’t say anything,” I murmured.
“What?” She shrugged. “I thought you realized your job was to catch the ball, not block the ball with your head.”
“The sun got in my eyes,” I lied. “Blinding, really.”
It was a wrap from the time I’d jogged out on the field until now. Softball had never been my game. But I wasn’t about to admit that in front of her family. It had started well enough. I’d missed the first ball hit to me, but I’d recovered nicely enough, tossing the ball to Dallas, who was playing first base this game. She’d caught it easily and had tagged the runner out. But the next time, I’d thrown the ball to the wrong base, which had resulted in a score for the other team. And when I’d gone up to bat, I struck out.
Dallas’ lips formed a dramatic sad face. “Aw, poor Lil’ Tink Tink.”
“Don’t do me,” I said.
She laughed. Again.
“Damn, Pres.” Dex scratched his head. “I thought you were athletic.”
Hell, I thought I was too. Until I realized softball wasn’t as easy as I’d thought it would be. Why did I let Mr. Young convince me to take his spot in center field? “Man, shut the hell up. I didn’t have the right shoes on.” Or the right glove. Or the right skills.
“Son—” Mr. Young shook his head, “—that was pitiful.”
Dex held out his hand. “Did you want me to help you up, or are you good?”
Dallas snorted. “It’s okay t
o get help.”
I swatted his hand away. “Move.” I rolled over on my stomach and stood. Slowly.
“Are you okay?” she asked me. “Maybe you should go sit down.”
I wrapped my arm around her and whispered against her ear, “On second thought, I think I do need help. But only from you.”
She beamed. “See? Was that so bad? It’s always better to ask for assistance.”
“Did you have to say that out loud?” I glanced over at Dex, who was pretending not to listen. Badly. “I have a rep to protect.”
Dallas patted my stomach. “Sorry, Preston. It’s too late for that rep.” She laughed. “At least as far as softball goes.” I squeezed her tightly, and she dissolved into more laughter. “Okay, okay. I’m done teasing.” She brushed her thumb over my war wound. “And I got you. I’ll let my family know I’m done and we can go.”
Chapter Eleven
I Want You Around
Dallas
The power of the human mind was really astounding. Words had power, yes. But thoughts could manifest weakness or greatness, happiness or sadness, sanity or insanity, revulsion or attraction. I’d experienced all of the above, often in the same day. But today? In a matter of hours, I’d run the gamut of those emotions as we’d golfed with Maya and her colleagues during their annual golf outing.
Due to our hectic work schedules, my four-day trip up north for the Young in Love retreat, and Preston’s weeklong business trip, I hadn’t seen him in person since his unfortunate softball incident. Although we’d talked often, the physical distance had provided the perfect opportunity for me to reset, to recalibrate my expectations. Yet, when he’d arrived earlier, I’d been struck by two things—the way he looked in those navy golf pants and white polo, and the realization that I’d missed him. That awareness had set several things in motion—in my head, of course.
It all started when I nearly collapsed on the green after he’d given me a hug and a kiss in front of everyone. And I almost begged him to take me behind a tree—or something. I refrained from making a fool out of myself, but Preston was relentless. Being all sexy and shit, distracting me at every turn. Basically, he did everything we agreed he’d do in front of the ladies—acted like my doting lover. He carried my clubs, stood too close to me when he helped me from the golf cart, and offered me pointers on my game. Preston cheered me on when I made a good shot and encouraged me when I flubbed the ball. I found myself watching him, memorizing his movements, daydreaming about his mouth.
