“I thought you were all electronic now?” I asked, frowning.
“I am. But I’m trying this new planner craze that isn’t that new anymore. It’s basically just scrapbooking but with schedules. I’m trying to lower my stress levels. And I get to play with stickers and something glorious called washi tape. I’m having fun.”
I met the other girls’ gazes, and we held back laughter. Paris was uptight and controlling, and planners were right up her alley.
“You do not need to add me to your planner,” Myra said stiffly.
Paris just grinned. “I think I do. I’m going to remind myself often, even though I shouldn’t need to because we’re going to get through this quickly.”
I froze. “What do you mean this? And why quick?”
“I mean, we’ll figure out exactly who you need to be with, everything will work out hunky-dory and be all lovey, and then we’ll move on to Myra. She’s going to be the hard one. You’re easy.” Paris shrugged.
Affronted, I leaned forward. “I am not easy. That’s why we decided to do this whole pact thing in the first place.”
“No need to get snippy,” Paris said.
“You know she’s just fucking with you, right?” Hazel sipped her coffee.
My shoulders deflated, and I sighed. “No?”
Paris winced. “I was, nothing about this is easy. We promised we would do it, and we do not go back on promises.”
“I’m not ready to date,” I said.
“Okay,” Hazel replied and held up her hands when both Myra and Paris opened their mouths to say something.
“Perhaps you’re not ready to fall in love and get married or do anything that’s past a first date.” I opened my mouth to say something. “However, we both know that you need a night out. So, let us give you that.”
“You mean with a man?”
“Or a woman,” Myra said.
“But with an actual date?” I corrected.
“Yes, an actual date. It can be for fun. Your blind date doesn’t have to be your future. However, you do need a night out. And your lovable godmothers are going to be here to help that happen. And to watch Joshua,” Hazel added.
“I still need to find another babysitter.” I rubbed my temples.
“We’ll work on that with you,” Paris said. I looked up at her. “It’s in my planner,” she added with a grin.
That made me laugh. “Well, if it’s in your planner, then I guess it’s going to happen.”
“See? And now that Myra’s in my planner, as well, that’s going to happen, too.”
“I’m through with this conversation,” Myra cut in.
I laughed as they continued talking about my upcoming date. My tension eased slightly. Maybe this could work.
Just a night out, no promises, no commitments.
If they understood that I didn’t want a future with anyone because I couldn’t even think beyond tomorrow, maybe this could work.
I would simply do it and get it over with.
And then it would be Myra’s turn.
I smiled, nearly missing the look the three of them gave me. I noticed, but I ignored it. I needed to live in my bubble of sanity. And I truly did not need to think about the future.
Especially with a Brady.
Chapter 3
Macon
I smelled like cat piss and dog slobber, and I was pretty sure I had gerbil droppings somewhere on my body.
Regardless, I was having a pretty good day, all things considered.
I walked into my home, stripping off my clothes in the mudroom. I shook out everything, stuffed it all into the washer, started the load, and walked in my boxer briefs to the living room.
I froze and looked around.
“Wow, I wasn’t expecting a show,” Paris said from the couch as she set down the ginormous notebook that looked like one of those planner things my admin loved. “I mean really, Macon. Do you always walk into your house naked?”
“He’s not exactly naked.” Hazel gazed at my junk.
I resisted the urge to cover myself.
Hazel just shrugged. “Well, those boxer briefs are…brief. But they do sculpt nicely.”
“For the love of God, Macon. Please cover yourself.”
I looked up at my brother Cross and raised a brow. Cross’s gaze wasn’t on my nudity, thank God. But it was on the scar on my chest. The healed wound that indicated where I had nearly bled out. Where Cross had put his hands, trying to stop the blood.
I vividly remembered pushing Cross off, telling him to go find Hazel. To save her. I had thought I would die that day.
Cross’s gaze moved up to meet mine, and I watched him swallow hard.
I didn’t know what else to do, so I put my hands on my hips and sighed. “I didn’t see your cars out front. And this is my fucking home. I’m doing laundry.”
“Yeah, you are,” Paris said and then let out a yelp when Prior leaned over and bit her shoulder.
“That is my baby brother. Watch those eyes.”
“Oh, I’m watching,” Paris purred before she yelped again. I did not want to know what Prior did to her for her to make that sound.
“Here.” Nate tossed some sweats and a T-shirt my way. “Please put on some clothing.”
Nate’s gaze slid over to Myra for a second. I didn’t think anyone else had caught it, not even Myra. But I had. I didn’t know what was going on between them. Though, honestly, I didn’t care right then.
“Where are your cars? How the hell did you get into my home? Why are you here at all? I need to shower. I smell like urine, and I had a long fucking day.”
“Go, shower. We’ll be out here. We brought snacks.” Hazel scooted off the couch and came up to me. She looked like she might hug me. I heard Cross’s growl, and she winced. “Thank you for letting us in.”
“I didn’t let you in,” I grumbled. “Again. Cars. Did you guys park around the corner so I wouldn’t see you? Are you ambushing me about something?”
It wasn’t lost on me that somebody from our group wasn’t here.
