Down Too Deep (Dirty Deeds, #4)(37)

Aside from the collection of pictures we’d sent each other, there was a good amount of texts between Nathan and me. Friendly texts…maybe a little flirting on my part—I wasn’t sure how obvious though. But still, I knew Brian would read into our messages.

“You know what?” I crossed my arms under my chest and cocked out my hip. “I’m not doing this. I was smiling at pictures of an adorable little girl, who I’m allowed to smile at, by the way, and if you can’t take my word on that, then that’s your problem.” I huffed out a breath. My face was suddenly hot, but I fought the urge to fan it. Maybe Brian wouldn’t notice my flush.

Slowly, he smiled.

Crap. He was totally noticing.

“Stop, okay?” I pleaded, my voice losing its edge. I felt myself shrink an inch. “You’re making this into something it isn’t.”

“Am I?”

“What do you want me to say? That I like him?”

Brian cocked a brow.

“Fine, okay, I like him…as a friend, because that’s what we are. And yes, he’s attractive. I’m attracted to him.” God, who wouldn’t be? “But we’re friends. Nothing else has happened. I’m not sure it will.” I held my arms out. “Happy now?”

I left off two minor details I wasn’t sure were worth mentioning. Our ice cream/Putt-Putt get-together with the kids (date?) and three nights ago when Nathan held me while I cried over Derek (that promise he made…what was that?). My brother wasn’t asking for particulars. I wasn’t even sure any of that information was relevant. So why share it?

“Syd talks,” Brian said. “You know this…”

“Yes. And?”

I adored my future sister-in-law, but was there nothing sacred between girlfriends? I had no idea what my brother was about to reveal. My weekly chats with Sydney covered a lot of bases.

I knew I mentioned Nathan here and there. She still picked up shifts at the restaurant, even though she worked full-time at the hospital now. She knew Nate. Of course we chatted about him. Though I couldn’t for the life of me remember anything specific we’d discussed.

“You spend your days off with him,” my brother began.

“Not today.” I gestured around the room. “Obviously. Not every day off.”

“Most.”

I shrugged. Was this the best he had? Please. So what if Nathan and I hung out when he wasn’t working? Our kids got along great.

“Spending the Fourth with him too,” Brian added.

“He invited me and the kids to a party. So, what?”

“You typically spend it with me…”

I frowned. My arms fell to my sides. “Shit,” I whispered. “I’m sorry, Brian. I didn’t even think.”

“Jen, I don’t care. Take the kids. I’m just sayin’, he’s gettin’ you for holidays now too?”

“It’s a family holiday.”

Brian’s face lit up.

“I meant it’s not a romantic one. Jeez! It’s not like I’m spending Valentine’s Day with him.”

Why was this a big deal? I wasn’t seeing the point he was trying to make.

My brother stared at me, considering my explanation. Then he cracked his neck from side to side like he was gearing up for a fight or to argue this until he was the only one left standing. That could take hours. I wouldn’t go down easily. My argument was solid, for the most part, but God, I didn’t want to talk about this anymore. What was the point? Nothing had happened between us. Nathan and I were friends. I hadn’t lied about that. And I didn’t want to dissect our situation any further, because I knew I’d look for things.

I’d put meaning into glances. I’d misinterpret. Or worse, I’d hope, more than I was already doing. I needed to stop this now.

“You know why I’m watching his daughter for him, right?” I asked, stepping closer to the counter. “Did Syd tell you?”

Brian lifted his chin. “Sad shit. I feel for the guy.”

“No, I mean…well, yes, of course, it’s sad. It’s heartbreaking what happened.” Pain knotted in the center of my chest. I hated even thinking about this. “And I might’ve offered to help just knowing about his wife, but it was more than that, Brian. You should see him with his daughter. He didn’t really know Marley at all when I stepped in, and it hurt him. He cares so much about her, and that meant something to me. To see that? Watching a father actually want to be a father…” I paused and looked over at the twins.

Oliver laughed at his sister when she stood on a board and pretended to ride a wave. She hopped off to switch places with him, and they high-fived each other. I smiled watching them, then turned back just in time to catch my brother admiring the scene as well. When his gaze slid over to me again, it had gentled considerably.

Interrogation over, thank God.

He scratched at the stubble on his jaw, then tipped his head at the twins. “Still no on the campout?”

I felt my shoulders sag and shook my head. “No. I think he just wants to skip it this year.”

“Let me know if he changes his mind.”

“Of course. And thank you for offering to take him.”

“Jenna.” My brother’s tone hardened. “Fuck Derek. I’ll do it every year.”