“You’re family. And I kind of like you.”
“Aw, you say the sweetest things. Now, go help Joshua with those glasses before he breaks them. Although, if you break a couple, I wouldn’t mind because…did you see what Prior bought?” she asked, and I full-out belly laughed.
Prior strolled into the room, his brow raised. “I heard that. Just because you don’t have taste like I do does not mean you can throw away my shit.”
Paris narrowed her eyes. “First, language. Second, did you just say I don’t have taste? Because you’re about to sleep on your couch if you did.”
I shook my head, ignoring their bickering. They loved to squabble. It was like foreplay to them. And there were some things nobody else needed to see.
I helped Joshua set the table, listened as he chatted about his day at school and how he missed Miss Nancy. I wasn’t a fan of Nancy since she had left Dakota in the lurch, but I didn’t say that. It wasn’t my business.
Just as we were setting the food on the table, Dakota showed up, her eyes a little wild, her hair falling out of its braid.
“I’m so sorry I’m late. Today has been a day.”
She was jittery, looking over her shoulder, and I wondered what the hell was wrong. I had texted her before to ask her a question, and she had been a bit curt with me. We were trying this whole friendship thing, but perhaps I needed to go a little slower. Or maybe it wasn’t about me, and I needed to get over myself.
“It’s okay. I’m just glad you’re here.” Paris took Dakota’s purse and nearly shoved her friend towards the meal.
“Oh, I didn’t know there was food. Nate? Macon? It’s a family dinner?”
“And you’re family,” Prior said. “Sit down. Eat something that you don’t have to cook.”
“I can’t. I’m swamped, and there’s homework.”
“Paris already helped me.” Joshua hugged his mom hard. She squeezed him back, closing her eyes. When her shoulders shook as she took a deep breath, I frowned, looking at Nate. He shook his head, and Paris looked even more worried.
“Is something wrong?” I asked, not knowing what I was going to say until it was out there.
Dakota’s eyes widened, and she shook her head. “No, everything’s fine. Just fine. I guess since homework is done, we can stay. You’ve been so lovely. Thank you. Not having to plan dinner helps when I’m so behind.”
“That’s what we’re here for,” Paris said. “Come on, let’s eat.”
Joshua sat next to me. Dakota took the chair opposite me so I could see her face. She looked worried. I didn’t know what was wrong. There had to be something, but she wasn’t saying anything, not even after Paris tried to pry it out of her.
The food was good, ribs with macaroni and cheese and corn on the cob. It was a messy meal, though, and I spent half of it wiping Joshua’s face and helping him clean off the table as things fell off his plate.
Dakota kept trying to get up to help, but I waved her off. I could handle this. I had been a little boy, too. I knew how messy this food was.
“I’m glad you’re here. We have a few things to discuss,” Paris said after we’d sent Joshua off to go wipe his face and wash his hands in the bathroom.
“What?” Dakota asked, her gaze on the hallway where Joshua had gone.
Paris continued. “We—the girls and I, that is—have already figured out who your second date should be with.”
My hands fisted on the table, tension riding me. A date? Fuck. I didn’t need to be here for this. Dakota didn’t want me, not like I wanted her, but that didn’t mean I needed to know who she would be dating. I turned to look at Dakota.
Her face had gone pale, and she shook her head. “I thought you said I only had to go on the one?”
“That wasn’t a date. That was to get you out of the house. You still need the one that’s part of the pact.”
“No, I don’t. I changed my mind.”
Paris looked at her, frowning. “You made a promise. And we love you. What’s wrong, Dakota?”
I leaned forward. “Actually,” I said, hoping I wasn’t stepping on any toes or being an idiot. “Dakota and I already have plans.”
Paris’s eyes gleamed, and I felt my brothers’ gazes on me. “We’re still getting this friend thing right. So, she’s mine for now.”
I hadn’t meant to say that last part, but I met Dakota’s gaze when I did, and I saw gratitude. At least, I hoped so.
“Oh, yes. We’re still doing the friend thing. I guess I can’t continue with the pact for now. Sorry.”
Paris narrowed her eyes. “You don’t sound sorry. But I like where this is going.”
“It’s not going anywhere, Paris.”
I ignored the hurt Dakota’s words caused. That shouldn’t hurt as it did.
“Becoming friends is helpful,” Paris added.
“Okay,” Dakota said, clearly not believing her friend. I didn’t either. Paris had an agenda.
“I’m all clean!” Joshua shouted and then slammed the door behind him. It echoed in my brain, and I jumped, knocking over my glass of water and nearly falling out of my chair.
Everybody was silent for a moment before Joshua walked back into the room. I did my best to calm my breathing, to fist my hands on the table, to try to think. But I couldn’t. All I could hear was Hazel’s scream. Feel the blood pouring out of my chest as I gasped for breath.
Joshua was talking, and Nate said something, but I couldn’t hear anything past the ringing in my ears.
Dakota looked at me and then down at her phone. I didn’t know what that was about, but I couldn’t focus on anything. When she stood abruptly, it sent me nearly over
