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“You’re so annoying.” I turn away from him and take the salad to the table. I hate the fact I didn’t have a better comeback. The fact that I’m homeless and just ruined my perfect sister’s dinner has me frazzled, plus I’m starting a new job tomorrow.
“Come on. You can do better than that,” he whispers in my ear and rounds the table.
I smack my neck where his warm breath hit me as though a mosquito just bit me, when in reality, goose bumps flutter across my flesh.
We all take our seats at the table. Emmett is directly across from me, and I have a feeling he picked that seat on purpose. Why does he get off on trading insults back and forth?
“When will you close?” Bruce asks Gillian once everyone has their lasagna and salads on their plates. No garlic bread, though, thanks to me.
“Brian said probably three weeks or less, since it’s a cash offer.” She blinks a few times as if she’s still surprised.
“And what will you do now, Briar?” Bruce’s question throws me.
“She can move in here,” Gillian says. “You can have the bedroom next to Clayton’s.”
I glance at Ben, and he smiles at me, clearly not caring that I’ll be imposing. But they’ve just gotten back together after years apart. They moved in here as a family. Gillian told me about Ben’s proposal and how it was all about the three of them starting their new life here. I don’t feel right pushing my way into the middle of that, especially with the state of my life.
“I’ll just get an apartment.” I pick up my water and gulp down a few swigs.
Money will be tight at first, but I’ll pick myself up off the floor as I always do.
“Why would you do that? No way. You’re staying here.” Gillian’s eyes dig into mine as if she’s trying to see why I’d fight her on this.
Sure, staying at her old house while she was living here was easy and nice, but moving in with them is a whole different story.
“You’re welcome here, Briar,” Ben says.
I put my fork down and wipe my mouth with the cloth napkin. “Thank you, but I just…” Everyone’s eyes are on me, and I shift in the wooden chair. “I’ll be fine in an apartment.”
“Not when we have all this room here.” Bruce leans back in his seat, staring at me. “You’re family. Don’t waste money on an apartment.”
“What about the girls’ house?” Sadie says.
“That could work,” Jude says and looks at me. “Our female cousins have their own house.”
“But there’s only four bedrooms,” Bruce says, shaking his head.
“Really. I’ll be fine,” I say.
“You could move in with us,” Sadie says, but Jude’s side-eyes her.
“I’m sure she doesn’t want to hear you banging all night.” Emmett leans back with his beer in hand. He tilts his head with a smirk as if I owe him one for getting me out of that jam.
“Why don’t you want to move in here?” Gillian asks with hurt in her voice.
“I know what we’ll do,” Bruce interrupts. Thank goodness. All the attention around the table shifts to Bruce, who bears a wide smile. “You’ll move in with Emmett.”
Oh no, he didn’t. I must have heard him wrong. “I’m sorry?”
“Emmett. He’s got that big house, and it’s only him.” Bruce looks around as though he’s Newton and just discovered gravity.
“He doesn’t even shit there,” Ben says, and Gillian elbows him.
“Oh, I’m fine.” I give Bruce a wan smile, not daring to look Emmett’s way.
“You’re practically brother and sister now,” Jude says, laughing right after as though he’s been waiting to get that out this whole dinner.
“Stop it, both of you,” Bruce says with a stern voice. “You let us know when you need your stuff moved and Emmett will get you situated at his place.” He picks up his fork and piles a heaping bite of lasagna into his mouth, not seeming to notice everyone trading glances over the table. “I’m glad that’s settled.”
