Brody by Cheryl Douglas Read Free Book Online Page A

warned him not to hurt me?” I could barely get the question out without cringing. I was trying to act like a confident, secure woman who was totally over him, while my sister was making me sound like a basket-case who could fall apart at the slightest provocation. I loved Macy, but like our parents, she often overstepped, insinuating herself where she wasn’t wanted or needed.
    “He seemed remorseful about everything that happened,” she said, appearing thoughtful. “It wasn’t so much what he said, but the way he said it.”
    “Huh?” I suddenly regretted not ordering wine. I had a feeling I’d need a drink to get through this conversation.
    “He still loves you.” She stared at me, waiting for those words to settle in before she added, “In spite of his faults, and I’m the first to admit he has plenty, he does still love you.”
    “I never doubted that.” That wasn’t what had led to the demise of our relationship. The one thing I would never doubt was that Brody loved me as much as I loved him. Unfortunately, despite popular opinion, sometimes love wasn’t enough.
    “So what’re you going to do now that he’s back in your life?”
    “I’m not sure that he is.” I took a sip of water. “I mean, last night may have been him reaching out in a moment of weakness, out of habit.”
    “Is that what you’re hoping it was?” Macy asked, tipping her head to one side. “If he tells you he’s sorry, that he won’t bother you again, will you be relieved or disappointed?”
    I usually appreciated that my sister was the first to ask the tough questions, but not today. “I don’t know how I feel, Mace.”
    “You’ve had more than enough time to decide how you feel about him. This isn’t your first rodeo.”
    I smirked. My straight-talking sister would never make it as a politician. “No, I guess it isn’t.”
    I could have kissed the waitress when she delivered our food, temporarily distracting us with the mouth-watering aromas of our favorite fare.
    “So what’s the deal with Kane?”
    I paused with my chopsticks halfway to my mouth. “Kane, as in Brody’s brother?”
    “Do you know anyone else named Kane?” she asked before popping a slice of barbeque pork in her mouth.
    “No. Why are you asking me about Kane?” I didn’t like this. Not one bit. My sister was confused and vulnerable, and Kane, while a great guy, was not for her. Like all the Steele brothers, he’d had his share of women, and I didn’t want him adding my sister to his list, assuming she decided to end things with her boyfriend.
    “He was at your place to see Brody today.”
    “And?”
    Macy focused on her pork fried rice, carefully separating the peas, which she despised. “Don’t lecture me, but I’ve always kind of had a crush on him.”
    “But you have a boyfriend!” I leaned in and lowered my voice when two girls at the neighboring table glanced at us. “I know you and Brendan are going through a rough patch right now, but things will get better. You’ll see.”
    “I’m not so sure about that.” She looked miserable, her blue eyes brimming with emotion. “I’m not so sure I’m in love with him anymore, sis.”
    Oh, wow. I’d been so wrapped up in my own problems, I’d been totally oblivious to the severity of hers. Some sister I was. “Every relationship has its ups and downs. Have you talked to him about how you feel?”
    “I’ve tried.” She cleared her throat, faking a smile before she reached for her glass. “But he doesn’t want to see it. Without me, his dream falls apart, and he’s not about to let that happen. He’s worked too hard. We both have.”
    I got an eerie feeling from the bleak picture my sister painted. I’d never known Brendan to be unstable, but who knew what he was capable of if he felt his back was against the wall. “Maybe you should extend your stay here. Take some more time to think about whether you want to go back there… to him.”
    I would feel better if she