“It’s called being responsible. You know… that thing I have to do all the time. Being the big brother isn’t as easy as you think. I was always covering for you growing up,” I muttered just as Cal parked in front of Emily’s House.
“I wasn’t that bad.” He chuckled as he flung his door open and climbed out.
“Sure. Sure, you weren’t!” I yelled at his back, but he was already up the stairs and knocking on the door.ooooooooo
Brooke
We’d just finished setting the food out when there was a knock at the door. “I’ll get it,” Lauren called as she left the dining room. In a matter of seconds, she was back with Cal and Blake. “Our dinner guests have arrived.”
“Glad you guys could make it.” Donna smiled. “Take a seat.” Cal grabbed a seat on the end, but Blake continued to stand awkwardly in the doorway.
“Aren’t you going to eat?” I set the baby monitor by a plate and slowly sat. Ava had fallen asleep just a little bit ago, and I wanted to be able to get up easily if I needed to.
“Of course. I was waiting for everyone else to sit.” He smiled as he took the seat right beside me. There were six of us, and we were sitting around a table made for four, so it was a tight fit. Blake was wearing jeans, and when he sat beside me his thigh was pressed right up against mine. I could feel the rough denim through the cotton of my leggings and it put my body on high alert.
Blake made me feel like a schoolgirl, and the last few times I’ve seen him, I wondered if he still meant everything he’d told me that day walking home from the coffee shop.
“Is this ok?” he murmured into my ear.
“Is what ok?” I whispered back.
“Me being here.” He reached for a dish of beans the same time I did, and our hands brushed.
“Yes.” It came out sounding breathless. My heart was racing, and it felt like every hair on my body was standing on end.
“You don’t seem ok.” He drew his hand back and turned slightly, causing our knees to bump.
I swallowed and closed my eyes. “I’m fine. Just been a busy day.”
“I can see that.” Blake motioned to the table full of food.
“No, not that. I got my divorce papers today. It’s a lot to take in, that’s all. Not you.” I nodded as I scooped beans onto my plate.
“I see.” His right hand slowly lifted and moved toward me. His eyes flared slightly as he settled his hand on my thigh painstakingly slow. I could feel how tense he was as a ragged breath escaped him. “Still ok?”
“Yes.” I relaxed slightly and so did he. This was Blake, and even though we seemed to be moving into unchartered waters, I felt like I could do it with him. There was something about him that made me feel safe and wanted. He didn’t know it then, but he was giving me something I’d never had…trust in a man.
Chapter 15
Brooke
Dinner seemed to go by in a blur. I don’t really remember much about what was going on around me except for the fact that Blake’s palm stayed right where he’d put it. Conversation buzzed about the room, but I wasn’t listening. All my senses were tuned into Blake and what he was doing.
Just as Donna brought out the pumpkin pie, Ava woke up. She wasn’t really crying, but more like whimpering and fussing. “Excuse me.” I slowly stood, causing Blake to shift in his chair. “I’ll be right back.” I scurried out of the room, and rushed down the hall to my room.
Ava was waving her hands and feet in the air, and demanding food. “Hey, sweetie.” I peered over the edge of her crib. “Let’s get you changed, and then I’ll feed you.” I lifted her in the air, and smiled as she continued to kick her feet. Her sleeper made me laugh. It read ‘Baby’s first Thanksgiving’ and had little pumpkins and turkeys all over it.
I laid her on my bed, and changed her diaper before making my way to the kitchen to mix a bottle. As I stood at the counter pouring water into a bottle, one handed I might add, I could hear the dinner conversation still going. Cal was cracking a joke, and everyone was laughing. I scooped some formula into the bottle, twisted the lid on, and shook it to mix. “One second.” I glanced at Ava as I shifted her in my arms. She spotted the bottle, and her little arms flailed to get it. Her mouth opened, and as soon as I touched the nipple to her lips, she gave a hearty suck. Her eyes stared at me for a moment before she closed them to enjoy the bliss of being fed.
I shifted her in my arms one more time as I left the kitchen and headed back to the dining room. When I approached the table, Blake stood and pulled out my chair. I sat, and then he sat back down.
“I served you a piece of pie.” He grimaced as he noticed that my hands were quite full at the moment.
“Thanks.” I sighed.
“Can I feed her?” He motioned to where Ava was happily sucking away on the bottle.
“Sure.” I shrugged. “She’s going to scream when I take this away.” I motioned to the now half empty bottle.
“That’s ok. I can handle it.” He laughed lightly as he leaned closer. I held her out toward him and as the nipple slipped from her lips, her eyes flew open and she let out a hearty scream. “Shhhh.” Blake jiggled her lightly in his arms as he adjusted his grip. Ava blinked at him a
