AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My stomach does a tumble, and I tug nervously at the ratty strings of my freshly-laundered cut-off shorts.
Torben hasn’t proposed to me yet, not officially. And I don’t know if I’m ready for marriage. In general? Yes, I’m ready to settle down. But I always thought it would play out much more traditionally.
Toad nods suspiciously. “And in what way would the family be compensated?”
“Compensated? Toad!”
Toad maintains eye contact with the prince but says as an aside to me, “Calm down, little sister, these old-world monarchs know exactly what I’m talking about. They’re still into the dowry system over there.”
“It’s modern-day Europe, not the Middle Ages,” I remind him.
Torben, however, doesn’t seem fazed by the outrageous direction my brother is taking this conversation.
“Continue,” he says.
I can’t believe he’s not punching my brother in the face right now. I sure wouldn’t hold him back. I suppose the prince is employing his good manners and diplomacy. Well, that’s fine. He can be the calm one, and I’ll be the feral one.
“After all, you’re taking away someone valuable to the family,” Toad says. “We’re gonna miss her something terrible.”
I cluck my tongue in disgust because I know exactly where he’s going with this.
A surprised look crosses Torben’s face, and he glances at me and then back to Toad. “The family will have as much or as little access as Hailey requires. We can travel home as much as she requires. Likewise, your family will always be welcome at the palace. It wouldn’t be out of the question for us to maintain a vacation home here.”
Toad blinks and then takes another sip of his beer. “That ain’t what I mean.”
It sure isn’t. I give him a death glare, but he ignores it.
“Then could you enlighten me?” Torben asks.
I nudge the back of my brother’s leg with my foot more than gently. “Hey. Butthead. I’m not a prized blue ribbon cow at the county fair. What the fuck, dude?”
Toad gives me a look that says I should know better.
My brother turns to the prince with the most nauseating, ingratiating smile ever. “Excuse us. But I need to speak to my sister alone.”
Torben turns to me, and the hand on my forearm travels up to my shoulder. “If that’s what Hailey wishes.”
I shiver at his touch; I’m still not used to the casual, loving contact. “I’ll be right back,” I tell the prince, squeezing his hand.
“What are you doing, idiot!?” I hiss loudly once the butthead and I step outside on the back deck of Mama’s double-wide.
Toad looks at me like I’m a complete dumbass. “Hailey, you need to listen.”
I roll my eyes and cross my arms. I can’t wait to hear this. “This oughta be good.”
He shakes his head, brushing my sarcasm aside. “First of all, you texted me yesterday that you don’t need a ride home from work. And you decided to bury the lede that you were slutting it up with some guy who convinced you he’s serious?”
Rage. I can feel uncut rage flood through my veins. “‘Slutting it up’? I don’t have to listen to this abuse.”
Toad grimaces. “Sorry. But is this guy for real, for real? What, if anything, has this guy promised you in terms of finances? Money? Real estate? Have you talked about a prenup?”
I blink at my brother. None of this is any of his business, but no.
“We just met, Toad,” I say, staring at him incredulously.
“I know that. But I’m talking about a reality check. Even if he’s not leading you on to get into your panties….”
“Gross!”
