Triple Beat-nook(40)

Carissa poured her a beer from the tap, and then went over to serve another customer.

“Where are Aiden and Bryson?” Jett asked.

Dani took a drink. “Back at the penthouse.”

“Have you told them about your dad?”

She shook her head, knowing her response would annoy Jett. “Not yet.”

“Dammit, Dani. They’re decent guys and it’s pretty obvious they’d do anything for you.”

Aiden and Bryson had made a good impression on her foster brother. She was glad that Jett liked them, though she wondered how he’d feel if he knew she’d been having sex with both of them.

Then she considered Justin’s relationship with Ned and Bella and realized Jett would probably just welcome them both to the family.

“I’ve tried, Jett. I’ve opened my mouth to say it at least a million times over the last six years, but I can’t seem to get the words out.”

“Why not?”

She looked at the beer mug, uncomfortable and unable to face Jett. “I’m embarrassed. And ashamed.”

Jett reached out for her, turning her head toward him, forcing her to meet his gaze. “No. Don’t say that. God, don’t feel that. Dani, you didn’t do anything wrong. You know that, right?”

She nodded slowly, swallowing hard to dislodge the lump in her throat. “Knowing it doesn’t seem to help. I don’t want them to look at me differently.”

“They won’t.”

She smiled sadly. “You can’t know that.”

Jett didn’t waver. “Yeah. I can. I saw the way they looked at you at the dinner table, Dani. They couldn’t take their eyes off of you. They’re in love with you.”

She bit her lower lip. “You really think so?”

He chuckled. “Do you seriously doubt that?”

She shook her head. She didn’t. Not for a minute. She trusted their feelings for her, knew they were just as strong as what she felt for them. For the first time in her life, she wasn’t second-guessing a relationship or looking for the exit. “It’s just so new.”

Jett tilted his head. “How new?”

“Four days.”

Jett laughed. “Yeah, I thought so. You had that nice, new car smell on Sunday.”

She laughed. “God. You’re an idiot.”

They both took a sip of their beer.

“Are you in love with them?”

She nodded. “So much.”

“Then tell them. Everything. Let them help you through this next part. Aren’t you tired of doing everything alone?”

Dani wasn’t sure how to respond. She’d spent so much of her life making her own way, being self-sufficient. And while she’d had lots of help—from the Lewises, Stella and Benji—she’d never been very good about opening up and letting people in. Jett was the first person she’d ever given that glance inside, but it had been brief and ended too quickly. Aiden and Bryson had gotten the closest to breaking through her shell completely. If she confided in them, told them about her past, they’d have it all. Every tatty piece to her puzzle.

Jett’s question rang in her ears. She was tired. And she was desperately lonely. How amazing would it feel to let someone else carry her along for a little while? Just until she found her footing, her own strength again. Because God knew right now, she was running on empty. She was terrified of what her father wanted. There was no way she could—or would—face him alone. And until she faced him, she was trapped in this hell of uncertainty. She couldn’t take it anymore.

“I’ll talk to them.”

Jett smiled. “Good. In the meantime, I’ll confer with Blake. See what he thinks our next step should be. Showdown. Restraining order. Murder.”

“That’s quite a list.”

He shrugged. “I like to keep our options open.”

Dani rose from the stool and placed a friendly kiss on Jett’s cheek. “Thanks. For listening. And for talking me off the ledge.”

He rose as well. “That’s what big brothers are for.”

Dani picked up on the old joke instantly, a game they had played many times before when they were teenagers. “By big, I have to assume you mean larger because as you well know, I’m two months older than you. Which makes me the big sister.”

Jett walked to the door of the bar with her. “Want a ride home?”