Triple Beat-nook(35)

“Maybe so, but I can’t make any commitments right now. Not until I sort out my past.” Dani bit her lower lip, and then told Mama Lewis the rest. “He’s found me.”

“Your father?”

Dani nodded. “He’s sent me messages, called. He wants to see me.”

The troubled look in Mama Lewis’ eyes seemed to mirror Dani’s own fears. “Are you going to?”

“Yes. Jett has suggested I invite him to meet at the Royal Lunch. Jett plans to be there and Blake will be close by as well. I don’t know what he wants, but I refuse to spend the rest of my life wondering, hiding.”

“You need to be careful, Dani. Are you sure you don’t want Aiden and Bryson there as well? There’s strength in numbers.”

Dani shook her head. “No. I can handle this on my own. I’m already putting two people I care about at risk. I don’t plan to add Bryson and Aiden to that list. I’ll just take care of unfinished business and then…with any luck, everything else will fall into place.”

“I hope it’s as simple as that.”

“But you don’t think it will be?”

Mama Lewis gave her a sad smile. “I think old habits die hard. You’re used to taking care of yourself, Dani. But you don’t have to do that anymore. Things are easier with the ones you love by your side.”

Dani jumped when she heard a deep voice behind her.

“Sorry,” Bryson said, stepping into the kitchen. “Hope I’m not interrupting. I lost rock, paper, scissors.”

Mama Lewis laughed. “So you’re here to grab the next round of beers?”

Bryson nodded, but he wasn’t smiling. He was looking at Dani. “Everything okay, bird?”

“Yeah,” she said, striving for a breezy, lighthearted sound. She failed miserably. She got the feeling he’d overheard some of their conversation. Problem was she didn’t know how much.

Bryson grabbed the beers, stopping by her chair on his way back out. “You sure?”

She nodded slowly.

He accepted her answer, returning to the living room.

Mama Lewis reached out to hold her hand. “Talk to them, Dani. Open your heart and let them in.”



Bryson returned to the living room, unaware he was scowling until Aiden snickered. “Jesus, man. Never realized you were such a sore loser.”

Bryson worked to lighten his expression as he handed Aiden, Caleb and Justin their beers. Ned, Zac and Noah had gone outside to shoot hoops earlier, so Bryson claimed the recliner Ned had vacated. His interest in the game had vanished as he considered what he’d just heard. Mama Lewis was accusing Dani of falling back into old habits. What had prompted that comment? Had Dani told her foster mother about them? Had she said she wanted to break things off?

Or had they been discussing something else? Perhaps Dani’s real reason for returning home? After meeting the Lewises, there had to be something else, something bad to keep Dani from the family she loved so much.

Before he could ponder that idea further, Justin muted the TV when a commercial break began. “Now might be a good time for us to discuss your intentions toward our sister.”

Suddenly Bryson understood why the room had cleared out. They’d been set up.

Aiden chuckled. “Seriously?”

Justin’s lip tipped up in an amused grin, but Caleb’s serious expression still warned them to proceed with caution.

If Aiden sensed any peril, he didn’t let on. “I know you guys had Dani first, but we’ve been the ones looking out for her the past six years. I appreciate that you want to protect her, but believe me, she’s not in danger from us.”

Caleb’s frown deepened. “It’s not a case of who met her first. Dani was our little sister for two years. She was a lonely, terrified girl, so we made sure she felt safe, knew she was loved. As brothers,” he stressed. “I’m not getting a brotherly vibe from you two.”

Bryson wanted to be annoyed by the fifth degree, but part of him was glad to know Dani had these men in her life. For so long, she’d been alone. The idea that she had a family that cared for her warmed him. She deserved this. “You’re right. We don’t love Dani like brothers and we sure as hell don’t see her as our little sister. But I’d cut out my own heart before I ever hurt her or let someone else cause her pain. I promise you that.”

“I can’t speak for Bryson, but I’m in love with her, and if she’ll have me…” Aiden paused and looked at Bryson before correcting himself. “If she’ll have us, we want to spend the rest of our lives making her happy.”