Dylan pointed at me with the knife she was currently using to cut a loaf of French bread. “Because Jacks and Bryan are BFFs. Didn’t you know?” The sarcasm in her voice was unmistakable. I cleared my throat and nodded toward Landry. I was fathering like a champ right now. Dylan set down the knife. “Hey, sweetheart, would you like to help Smith set the table?”
Landry sighed and looked at me. She knew that we were once again trying to very nicely get her out of the room and away from the tension. I winked at her and she walked toward the large dining room with Smith. The silent room suddenly erupted with words. Lots and lots of words. I held up my hand. “One at a mother fu…fudging time.”
Dash went first. “I’m confused. Bryan is here, but to see you? Not Dylan?”
Bryan rose to stand at my side. United front. Good choice. “Of course I am happy to be able to spend time with my sister. But, yes, I came here because Jacks asked me.”
Lexi grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge. “And Jacks asked you to come because you guys are friends?”
I slung my arm around her shoulders. “Yes, Bryan and I are friends. We have become very close over the last month or so. When Landry showed up, I asked her to come. I needed her.”
Dylan shot me another go-to-hell look. “You needed her? You needed my baby sister who you’ve only met in person once to help you with this huge life event?”
“I did.” I took a deep breath, trying to maintain my calm. I wasn’t really sure how to explain what I was feeling, or how to put into words why I wanted Bryan here. “She treats me like I’m more than some dumb-ass man-whoring guitarist. Which I know is how all of you see me.”
Bryan wrapped her arms around my waist and laid her head on my chest. I liked having her in my arms. It felt…natural. “Dylan, I wanted to tell you. But I didn’t think you would understand that we are just friends and—”
“Why wouldn’t I understand? You think lying about it helps the situation?” Dylan continued cutting the bread, with a little more force than necessary. Obvo she was picturing my…head…on the cutting board.
I threw my hands in the air. “Look. We didn’t want to say anything and risk you guys freaking out over nothing.”
Lexi cleared her throat. “If no one else is going to ask, I sure as hell will. Are you guys fu…fudging?”
I snorted with laughter; I couldn’t help it. I wasn’t shocked that it was Lexi who had the balls to ask. It was always Lexi. “No. We are not fudging.”
Bryan added, “I have a boyfriend.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re dumping him and we both know it.”
She just shrugged, still in my arms.
Lexi nodded then pursed her lips, “What about phone fudging?”
Bryan sounded a little exasperated. “I just said I had a boyfriend.”
“Phone fudging isn’t cheating.” Lexi stole a piece of bread off the island.
Dash looked at her like she was crazy. “Excuse me? It sure as shit is.”
It was Lexi’s turn to shrug.
I shook my head. “No. No, phone fudging.” I stepped away from Bryan and grabbed the wine out of the fridge, refilling her glass. “We are friends, nothing more, nothing less. And neither one of us are looking to ruin our relationship with sex.” I met Dylan’s eyes. “I won’t hurt your sister, Dil. I promise.”
Dylan gave me a sad smile. “She’s not the one I’m worried is going to end up hurt, Jacks.”
Bryan cocked her head. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
Dylan scoffed. “When’s the last time you had a relationship that lasted longer than three months, Bryan? Hmm? Can’t remember? Yeah, that’s because you never have.”
“Those cartwheels don’t matter.” I popped a piece of bread in my mouth as everyone looked at me like I’d lost my mind.
Dash shook his head, confused. “What the hell does that even mean?”
I shrugged. “You know, like a clown at the circus. Their cartwheels don’t matter. No one cares; they’re irrelevant.”
Dash scratched his head. “I can’t believe someone left a child in your care.”
I ate another piece of bread, smiling at the low blow I knew he’d said with nothing but love in his heart. “Anyone have any more questions?”
Luke raised his hand. “I do. Who is the child setting the dining room table?”
***