Page 125 of Trust Me

She waved a dismissive hand before she hooked it around his elbow. Leaning her head on his shoulder, she let out a sigh. “He was awake a little bit ago.”

“Really?” Dean stepped closer to the bed, bringing her with him. “Was he talking?”

“Yes. The doctors say everything looks good, but they’re going to keep him here until tomorrow.”

“Good. I’m sure he’s not happy about it.”

She grunted, sounding much like her son. “You know how he is.”

“Old man’s got no choice,” another voice said from behind me.

I turned around and moved to the side. In the doorway, there was a man who looked a lot like Dean but leaner. His hair came down to his ears, whereas Dean’s was cut short.

He looked at me, his dark eyes assessing. When he held out his hand, I forced myself to take it.

“Blake,” he said.

I smiled cheerily at him. “You’re Dean’s brother. I’ve heard about you. I’m Oliver, his roommate.”

“You must be pretty close. That’s a long flight to take for your roommate.”

Keeping my smile in place, I shrugged. “I like to be supportive.”

He hummed his acknowledgement before he moved away from me. His arms went around Dean’s shoulders in a brief hug, then he cupped both sides of his neck.

“Did you grow?” Blake asked with a laugh. “You’re huge.”

Dean shrugged. “Could have a few more years in me still. Jealous?”

“Nah, I don’t aspire to be a tank. Bet the army would kill to get their hands on you.”

“No,” his mom said immediately. There was a tightness around her eyes that hadn’t been there before. She looked from her sons to her husband.

“Just a joke, Mom. Besides, I did just fine.”

“I’ll stick with college,” Dean assured her gently.

She squeezed his arm, then excused herself. I watched as she left the room, still carrying the tension that had surfaced as soon as Blake entered the room.

“I didn’t know you were coming,” Dean noted.

“Of course I came. It’s Dad.”

Dean’s lips thinned, but he just nodded.

While I continued to casually assess Blake, I glanced at his dad. It was obvious Dean had gotten his bone structure from him. Even lying down, I could tell that he was tall. His shoulders were broad and his hair was cut short like his son’s. I was willing to bet he had the same timbre in his voice.

“What’s up with that dude?” I heard Blake ask.

My eyes shifted to the side as I inconspicuously angled my head slightly. I couldn’t see his face, but I didn’t need to. The way his arms were crossed as he stood ramrod straight told me enough.

Dean breathed a laugh. “Don’t make it weird. He’s cool.”

“You never once brought friends home when you lived here.”

“We didn’t have the house people gathered at, dumbass.”

“Hm. You fix things with your girl yet?”