“So, you were stalking me? Great.”
“I wouldn’t call it stalking. You’re my sister, I had to make sure you were safe after your date.”
“Yeah, well that went nowhere.” I wave away the questions he’s opening his mouth to ask. “Is there a reason you’re here right now?”
He scratches the back of his neck. “Yes?”
“Sounds like you don’t know. Clearly this could have been a text or waited until tomorrow.”
“It could, but I wanted to warn you before you got into work. Pierce isn’t happy.”
“Still could have been a text.” I grumble as I push past him and unlock my door. “What does he have stuck up his butt now?”
Parker follows me inside and closes the door behind us. “The Instagram stories.”
Those three words stop me in my tracks. I thought for sure I’d have more time for him to find out. He’s not chronically online like some of us. It’s also why he doesn’t know what’s trending when it comes to growing businesses.
“How did he find out about those? I literally just did them.”
He moves past me and heads straight to the sofa. “I’ll give you two guesses, but you’ll only need one.”
He sits down, waiting for me to join him. Why are my brothers so damn intrusive? I drop my bag on the counter and head toward the fridge. I’ll need a drink to deal with this mess.
“How did Peter even know?” I grab the two beers and head toward my brother. “I didn’t even realize he had any social media accounts.”
Parker shrugs and takes the beer I hold out for him. “I didn’t either. Apparently, he set one up ages ago because his friends talked him into it. That’s beside the point. He set up notifications for when the Starlit Fields account shares posts. He saw them and snitched to Pierce.”
“One of these days he’ll have to grow a spine and stop doing what others tell him he should.”
The beer is cold against my mouth as I take a sip. I’d much rather be here with Beau. Hell, maybe if I’d stayed over there, I could have prolonged this encounter.
“I doubt that will happen. Not until it’s something he really wants, anyway.”
“Kissing Pierce’s ass isn’t going to make him any nicer toward him. I hope he knows that as he sells out his siblings one by one.”
Maybe Paula was the smart one and got out when she could. She doesn’t have to deal with any of this bullshit with our older brother. I’m shocked he didn’t call to yell at me. I guess he’s waiting until I see him in person.
“I don’t think he cares.” He takes a long swig of his beer. “What were you doing at Beau’s? I thought you had a date.”
“Are there no secrets in this family?” I throw my hands in the air.
“You know the answer to that question.” He laughs at my reaction. He’s right, but damn. There are some things I would rather not everyone know. “I’m guessing it didn’t go well.”
“Considering he was trying to pick up future dates while I was at the table…absolutely not.”
“That’s gross. I don’t even have the audacity to do that. How did Beau like being a part of the stories?”
I can feel my cheeks warm at the sound of his name. Hopefully, my brother doesn’t notice.
“He was a good sport about it.”
“Of course he was. You have the poor guy wrapped around your finger.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“If I have to explain it, you aren’t ready to hear it.”
It’s not like Parker to be evasive like this. He has to know something I don’t. Too bad I made my decision and don’t want to know his thoughts.
