“She’s a client with the security firm,” he said. “Her name is Cecelia, and she’s a green witch and… a human.”
Brooke did a fantastic job hiding her surprise, but he knew the fact that he was dating a human was blowing her mind. “You can say it, Brooke.”
“Holy fuck!” Brooke immediately squealed. “You’re dating a human! A human! How do you not break her in bed?”
He growled at her. “Gross, Brooke. I’m not talking to you about that.”
“God, you’re such a prude,” Brooke said. “I’m not asking for details, I just wanna know how a human isn’t crushed to death by your giant, dumb body.”
“I knew I shouldn’t have told you about her.”
“Fuck off,” Brooke said. “You were dying to tell me about her.”
He laughed, he couldn’t help it, and Brooke grinned at him. “So… how serious is it?”
“Why?” he asked.
“You’re bringing her to our parents' anniversary party, where all of our family and half of the town will be. It must be serious, right?”
“She’s my mate,” he said. “I love her.”
He braced himself for Brooke’s squeal, but to his surprise, she just gave him a soft smile. “I’m so happy for you, Briggs.”
“Thanks, Brooke.” He felt a wave of love for his younger sister and a sharp yearning for Wellington. “I’m looking forward to being home.”
“I’m looking forward to meeting your mate,” Brooke said. “You want me to tell the folks?”
“Not yet,” he said. “I haven’t asked Cece if she wants to go with me, and she might say no.”
“What? She absolutely won’t,” Brooke said. “Unless… she thinks you’re her mate, right?”
“Yes,” he said. “She does.”
“You’re certain?” Brooke asked.
He nodded. “Cece is nothing like Lucille.”
Brooke growled. “Fucking Lucille. I’ll never forgive her for lying to you and being a disgusting cheater who cheats. I’m glad that dickweed Louis dumped her.”
“What?” Briggs said. “Lucille isn’t with him anymore?”
“Nope,” Brooke said. “He dumped her about three weeks ago. Town rumour is that she wasn’t doing it for him in bed. Louis told a bunch of his dickhead friends that she’s become a cold fish between the sheets.”
She eyed him. “Is she?”
“Brooke.” He gave her a look, and she shrugged.
“What? She deserves to be gossiped about after what she did to you. I’m glad she’s walking around town looking like the world’s saddest sack.” Brooke looked around and lowered her voice, even though Briggs was certain she was the only one in the room. “She’s been telling anyone who will listen that she made a mistake and she regrets what she did to you. She even had the audacity to ask Mom about you. The shithead was trying to wheedle information out of Mom about where you went and if you were coming home for the anniversary party.”
“What did Mom tell her?”
“Jackshit,” Brooke said. “Told her if she was still so interested in you, maybe she shouldn’t have been wetting Louis’s dick on the regular while she was with you.”
Briggs laughed. “Oh my God, I can hear Mom saying it.”
“It was awesome,” Brooke said. “She did it right in the middle of the Sunlight Cafe during the Saturday lunch rush. The entire town knew about it by dinner time.”
“Shocker,” Briggs said dryly.
